Looks your kid suffering from childhood asthma, that's why doctor had started inhaler. Now a days we see lots of such patients. Inhaler are recommended treatment world over. If you are not comfortable with inhalers then some other options are there for which we need to see the patient personally with all previous records. If he really having asthma inhalers will benefit him. If it's only transient wheezing post infection he me not need him. But without seeing the child comment about it.
Next Steps
need to see the patient personally
Health Tips
keep giving steam regularly before bedtime.