'Breathe with mum': Woman shares 'petrifying' video of son's asthma attack
A Melbourne mum has shared an intense video showing how asthma symptoms can escalate.
Blogger Sophie Cachia shared video of her son Bobby, 6, having an asthma attack on Instagram on Wednesday morning.
She’d heard Bobby calling out to her for help.
Ms Cachia told Yahoo News Australia Bobby has been hospitalised about 10 to 15 times with his asthma since he was a baby.
The same is true for her little sister Florence, 2, who also has asthma.
“It’s petrifying when it occurs but we know the drill now, and know what immediate actions needs to be taken. We don’t muck around with breathing difficulties,” she said.
In the video, Bobby begins to struggle breathing as his mum tries to calm him by regulating the little boy’s breathing.
“Breathe with mum,” she says holding him on her lap.
Bobby sobs and Ms Cachia places a breathing mask over his face.
“Are you going to be sick?” she asks. Bobby nods.
Placing her hand on the boy’s chest, Ms Cachia tries to help him get his breath back. They breathe in and out together.
She removes the mask as his asthma calms and tells Bobby she’s filming him so she can show the doctor his symptoms. She then takes Bobby’s T-shirt off so the doctor can see his stomach as he breathes.
Bobby was later taken to hospital.
‘He is safe in your arms’
People on Instagram thanked Ms Cachia for sharing the “important” video about asthma.
“That is terrifying. You did such a good job,” one woman wrote.
Another woman called her an “incredible mother”.
“The thing that came out for me, was despite his incredible fear he is experiencing, it is so clear he is also feeling so safe within your arms and guidance,” another woman wrote.
“He is so lucky to have you help him through these moments.”
Another called Bobby’s ordeal “awful”.
“I hope he grows out of it,” she wrote.
“You’re so calm and reassuring, amazing job mama.”
Being educated on asthma
Ms Cachia said it’s the first time she’s shared anything publicly about her boy’s asthma attacks but she’s previously shared info about Florence suffering a similar attack.
“We certainly don’t share everything regarding our children’s sickness with my followers – there are times we’re in hospital overnight with our kids, and our families don’t even find out because we don’t want to worry them and because it is quite frequent,” she said.
“I suppose I have this platform where I get to reach hundreds of thousands of people within the click of a button, and I know first-hand how much uncertainty surrounds children’s illness in general let alone asthma and croup type symptoms.”
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Ms Cachia said parents are “constantly inundated with information” and she initially didn’t know what to look for when medical attention is required.
“Sharing these videos is nothing more than me helping out any other uncertain parents when it comes to respiratory issues in their babies, and offering any education regarding what to look for from everything I’ve learnt over the past six years,” she said.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of asthma
She added people are now thanking her for sharing the video of Bobby’s attack. Her video has more than 120,000 views.
When asked if she had any advice for parents of children with asthma, Ms Cachia said people needed to educate themselves on the “signs and symptoms”.
According to Asthma Australia, symptoms of asthma include “wheezing, breathlessness, shortness of breath, coughing and chest tightness” and these can show as early morning, night or “after activity”.
“Don’t ever muck around with your child showing signs of respiratory distress. Also, go with your gut,” Ms Cachia said.
“I was told Florence wasn’t an asthmatic after two admissions to hospital. Although, from my previous experience with Bobby I knew the signs and I knew as her mother she was – so don’t stop fighting for answers.”
While Bobby’s symptoms might be alarming, it’s a reality for many Australians living with asthma.
According to Asthma Australia, “asthma is a serious condition that leads to the deaths of almost 400 Australians each year”.
It affects people of all ages too but is manageable with the right medication. No one knows what causes asthma.
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