Bronchiolitis

Baby bronchiolitis, Chest physiotherapy treatment in London at home, or at our practices in Belgravia Westminster SW1 near Victoria, Monument EC3 near London Bridge and Bank or Clapham SW4 near Battersea. Paediatric physiotherapist specialised in babies and infant bronchiolitis, cold and other chest infections

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What causes Bronchiolitis?

Bronchiolitis is a viral infection due to a RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) and causes the inflammation of the small bronchi. It is a contagious disease which is transmitted via air, nasal secretions, toys and hands.

What are the symptoms of Bronchiolitis?

The primary symptoms of bronchiolitis often include:

  • Running nose
  • Chesty cough
  • Wheezing
  • Lack of appetite
  • Sleeping difficulties

Baby bronchiolitis treatment with chest physiotherapy in London

The aim of chest physiotherapy is to reduce grandly the symptoms of bronchiolitis by using gentle manual techniques and to help your baby get rid of the accumulation of mucus in their chest and nose, in order to get better, feel better, eat and sleep better.

Our paediatric physiotherapist in London is specialised in baby bronchiolitis using gentle chest physiotherapy

At Baby Physio London, our paediatric physiotherapist for bronchiolitis will provide your baby the best baby respiratory treatments by using modern chest physiotherapy, which is safe and gentle for your baby. Our team is composed of the best paediatric therapists in London. Chest physiotherapy for bronchiolitis has been Baby Physio’s speciality for more than 15 years.


If you are an Axa or Bupa patient, you cannot book online. Please call our office with your authorisation number.

If you cannot find an appointment that suits you, call us or send us a message: we will do our best to find you a slot.


Bronchiolitis physiotherapy treatment, chest physiotherapy to treat bronchiolitis in London at our practices in Belgravia Westminster SW1, Monument EC3 and Clapham SW4 or at your home in London

Our bronchiolitis specialist for babies can treat you at:

  • Our clinic in Monument near Bank, Moorgate and London Bridge
  • Our clinic in Belgravia Westminster near Victoria, Knightsbridge and Sloane Square
  • Our clinics in Clapham near Battersea and Balham

Our clinics are located within walking distance to the main Central London stations and are easy to reach from anywhere in London. If you cannot find a suitable appointment in your clinic of preference, you can choose any of the others as our clinics are located just 10-15 minutes` travel from each other.

Bronchiolitis treatment at Home in London, Home Visit Physiotherapist specialised in Chest Physiotherapy for Bronchiolitis

If a home visit is more suitable for you, we offer paediatric chest physiotherapy for bronchiolitis at your place in London, in order to make your baby feel more comfortable and also to avoid any risk of contamination for them.

Bronchiolitis physiotherapy treatment and Chest Physiotherapy sessions Covered by Health Insurances, BUPA AXA and Cigna Recognised

Our physiotherapy and osteopathy treatments are covered by most health insurances and are Bupa registered & recognised (BUPA Global and BUPA UK), Axa registered & recognised (AXA International, AXA PPP), Cigna registered & recognised and WPA registered & recognised.

For Babies Bronchiolitis Physiotherapy Treatments in London appointment:0207 125 0262 / 0782 455 3765


Bronchiolitis, chest physiotherapy and its treatments in London with our paediatric physiotherapist

What is bronchiolitis?

Bronchiolitis is a common infection. However, it must be taken seriously because in some cases, the child can develop a lack of oxygen and may have to be admitted to a hospital with respiratory distress. Bronchiolitis generally lasts between 10 and 15 days and the cough often persists for a few more days.

What are the phases of bronchiolitis?

  • The first phase of bronchiolitis is generally called “the dry period”: the baby usually develops a dry cough and a wheezy breathing.
  • This is followed by the second phase of bronchiolitis, which is called “the wet period”. Baby starts to secrete mucus and the cough becomes wet. This is the phase of bronchiolitis when the daily chest physiotherapy is the most necessary and effective.

What can chest physiotherapy do to treat bronchiolitis?

The baby will often feel weak during bronchiolitis. This happens because mucus interferes with breathing, which reduces appetite and sleeping hours. Chest physiotherapy for bronchiolitis helps clear the lungs and respiratory ways, allowing the baby to breathe and sleep better, and to increase their appetite. It also helps avoid further pulmonary infections.

Chest physiotherapy will considerably reduce the duration and the intensity of the bronchiolitis: you and your baby will certainly appreciate the benefits, especially during night time.

Does my baby have bronchiolitis?

If you think your baby has bronchiolitis, it is best to consult as soon as possible; either your paediatrician or directly our physiotherapist who will make a diagnosis and will contact your doctor if necessary. It is always advisable to deal with the bronchiolitis as soon as possible to avoid any further viral infections.

Your baby will be happy if you take care of the bronchiolitis in time, because that will considerably reduce the duration and the intensity of the illness.


We treat Bronchiolitis, cold, chest infection and chesty cough with baby chest physiotherapy

Bronchiolitis treatment: how does a session with chest physiotherapy work?

chest physiotherapy session for bronchiolitis starts with a conversation between the therapist and the parents to determine the frequency of the cough and how the baby is sleeping and eating. After the assessment, the physiotherapist listens to the baby’s lungs with a stethoscope. This will allow them to find the location, the amount and the density of the mucus (whether it is thick or fluid). With all these informations, the physiotherapist will be able to make a diagnosis and to decide about the rhythm, the frequency and the intensity of the massages.

The physiotherapist specialised in bronchiolitis treatment will start by cleaning the baby’s congested nose with a saline solution and a small pump. While doing this, they will explain to you how to do it yourself, as you will have to repeat it several times during the day. The physiotherapist will then apply one hand on the baby’s belly in order to compensate his abdominal weakness, and the other hand on their chest.

The physiotherapist will follow the baby’s respiratory rhythm with the hand on the chest and will accelerate the expiratory flow. This will force the mucus up to the throat. Once the mucus is in the throat, the physiotherapist will stimulate the baby’s cough reflex, which will then expel the mucus. Repeating this action will clean your baby’s lung from the mucus and will allow the normal oxygen flow from lungs to blood. This technique is efficient and painless for babies; as the ribcage is still formed with cartilage and is very flexible, it allows the physiotherapist to use this technique without any risk.

Cleaning the mucus from the lungs is a big relief for the baby, who will then be able to eat, breathe, and sleep better. Chest physiotherapy for bronchiolitis will also reduce the length of the illness by more than half, as it will allow the baby to use their energy to fight the illness instead of using it to get rid of the mucus.

For bronchiolitis physiotherapy & chest physiotherapy treatment in London, call : 0207 125 0262 / 0782 455 3765


What to do when my baby has bronchiolitis

  • three-month-old-babyWash your hands as well as the siblings’ hands before handling the baby.
  • Elevate the head of baby’s bed approximately 30° with the help of a cushion or a similar item.
  • Keep the room ventilated at the temperature of approximately +19 °C.
  • Regularly clean the nose of the baby: most importantly before meals and bedtimes.
  • Divide the feeding bottle into a few portions instead of giving it all at once.
    Offer him/her water regularly throughout the day.
  • Often humidify the room with the help of a room humidifier, especially during the first phase of the disease.
  • Do not take the baby into overly crowded and enclosed places; avoid public places such as shopping centres or public transport.
  • Avoid taking the baby back to the nursery or to the kindergarten as long as possible while their bronchiolitis lasts

How can I prevent bronchiolitis contamination for my baby ?

  • Wash your hands with water and soap, for at least 30 seconds before handling your baby.
  • Do not kiss your baby’s face. However, you can still kiss the belly and the feet.
  • Do not take your baby into overly crowded and enclosed places, avoid the public places like shopping centres or public transport.
  • Wash the siblings’ hands and change their clothes on return from school or nursery.
  • Do not allow relatives and friends to handle your child during family celebrations.
  • Regularly wash your child’s nose in case of cold.
  • Carefully clean and sterilize pacifier, feeding-bottles, lollipops, spoons and toys.
  • Delay returning the child to the nursery as much as possible.

F.A.Q

Is bronchiolitis treatment with chest physiotherapy painful?
No, the chest physiotherapy session for bronchiolitis is not painful for the baby; the thorax of the baby is still mainly made of cartilage, which allows for great flexibility. Read more…

Why does my child cry during chest physiotherapy session for bronchiolitis?
It is important to remember that bronchiolitis treatment is done when baby is sick, weak, and often has fever.
However, although difficult for the mother, tears increase the effectiveness of the session, because this way baby breathes with the entire lungs and is able to exhale without any obstruction in the airway.

How long is a bronchiolitis physiotherapy session?
Once the physiotherapist has prepared the room, a session for bronchiolitis treatment lasts between 10 and 20 minutes. The duration of the session is decided by the physiotherapist depending on the obstruction in the airway, the general state and the tiredness of the baby. Read more…

Will my child be asthmatic if they often have bronchiolitis?
An asthmatic child will certainly have bronchiolitis more often, although a child who is often ill with bronchiolitis may not necessarily be asthmatic.

Asthma is diagnosed only later in his life so there is no need to worry just yet. However, there is a possibility of an infantile asthma, which disappears later in adolescence.

Will my child have after-effects following a bronchiolitis?
No. Although to it must be taken seriously, bronchiolitis is a minor illness and will not have any consequences for the respiratory future of your child.

Please email any questions to: info@babyphysio.com


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If you are an Axa or Bupa patient, you cannot book online. Please call our office with your authorisation number.

If you cannot find an appointment that suits you, call us or send us a message: we will do our best to find you a slot.