2 Month Old Possibly Has Asthma What to Know & Expect?

Updated on July 11, 2011
S.2. asks from Bakersfield, CA
14 answers

Hello moms,
My LO just got a regular cough.I took her to the dr. he gave her albuterol drops and said she could have asthma but we have to see.
In my mind she has allergies to the dog. It seems mighty strange that since we brought the dog in due to the fireworks she has a cough and has been sneezing.

I'm scared! I thought babies were born with asthma how come we didn't see this sooner? How will we know its asthma and not allergies. Her doctor wasn't very clear but he didn't seem very concerned which has always helped ease my mind.

Just wondering what other mothers have experienced trying to brace myself.

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M.B.

answers from Austin on

Asthma can develop at any age. My grandson was having problems off and on, and finally reached a "critical state" when he was 4 1/2 months old. His M. has asthma, so she knew what to look for. (She was diagnosed when she was 3, I think.)

They gave him nebulizer treatments, and transferred him for observation to a children's hospital.. they were worried that he also had either RSV or influenza, but both were negative.

In his case, they watched him overnight, released him the next morning, and shortly after, he got a nebulizer to do breathing treatments. For a while, he did two breathing treatments a day, with albuterol (bronchodilator) and an inhaled steroid.

Now, at 3 1/2, he rarely has problems.... he really hasn't had any problems for well over a year. He does have allergy problems, but we don't know what it is in response to.

At that age, they will probably be reluctant to call it "asthma" .... many times asthma reactions are triggered by either allergies or an illness. Lots of kids have trouble with asthma, and it is easily controlled.

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K.N.

answers from Cleveland on

They thought my brother did at that age, and they thought my second son did. Not a big deal in either case. I can't say that they were wrong exactly, but neither have any issues now. In both cases it was a nebulizer and medication, a couple of times a day for awhile, then just when they'd get sick because it always got worse if they were sick.

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D.S.

answers from Houston on

she is probably allergy induced asthmatic.and if the dog is her trigger you will probably have to get rid of the dog. sorry. you didn't see it sooner cause of the exposure to the dog. goodluck

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

There are some moms on here that have asthma, and have kids with asthma that have been doing this longer than I have... but having spent a month and a half hospitalized (in total, 3 weeks here, 1 week there, lots of ER trips) and back and forth to specialists as we try to figure out what is up with my son's lungs over the past several months... here's what we've learned about asthma:

- MOST of the time it's discovered/diagnosed around age 2-3. It can happen earlier or later, but the vast majority of kids present as toddlers

- It is a diagnosis of inclusion / exclusion. Nearly always comes along with
* allergies (specific, like to dogs; or severe, like to a LOT of things)
* reaction to cold air
* exercise (can also be purely 'exercise induced asthma')
* emotional excitement
* coughs
* reflux
* often, but not always, worse at night... occasionally only presents at night (nocturnal asthma)
* responds to albuterol & steroids

My son doesn't fit in ANY of the above categories, except that he responds to albuterol. We've actually had an asthma diagnosis 4.5 times, but it keeps getting 'taken away' because he in no way fits the profile / aka we're still trying to figure out what is up. All we know is that it's similar to astham, and isn't a heart problem. Working with pulmonology and rheumatology people currently (and using albuterol, steroids, and an o2 sensor several times a day). The only thing we know for sure is that when his body is under stress (sickness, surgery, etc.) his lungs first start swelling shut (like with asthma), then systematically start shutting down (atelectasis, aka collapsing in many different areas at once, filling with fluid, plugging, and the pleural space starts filling with fluid). Phooey.

In any event, the two things we've been asked about 60 times in the past few months are :

Does he have allergies? (and we've at this point determined he's *neither* allergic *nor* sensitive/reactionary to almost just about anything on the planet from dander and mold to smoke and exhaust)

Does he cough a lot, or cough and sneeze a lot.? (nope)

Because it's an 'inclusive/exclusive' diagnosis (meaning that they fit the 'profile' AND aren't positive for something else) it can take awhile to sort, or it can take a very short time.

You'll need to see a pulomologist (and allergist) for a definitive diagnosis.

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B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

If you want to know for sure, take her to a pediatric allergist.
Many babies are given albuterol and other asthmatic medications when they have trouble breathing (for any number of reasons).
It doesn't mean they have asthma.
My son had pneumonia around his first birthday.
We saw a pediatric allergist and did a patch test and he had no allergies.
As he grew older he had fewer problems and he has no breathing difficulties at all now.
He's a perfectly healthy 12 yr old and very active.

G.K.

answers from San Francisco on

As far as I know, babies are not generally born with asthma; it's developed based on many factors (including allergies, environment, parents smoking, etc). I developed exercise-induced wheezing in 5th grade that grew into full-blown asthma by 7th grade. I'm now 34 and haven't had any problems with it in years, so I guess in some way, I outgrew it.

Asthma can be very serious, so if you're truly concerned, get a 2nd opinion. Your ped not seeming overly concerned makes me think it's not, but it's better safe than sorry. And see what happens when the dog goes outside again, and the house is free of pet dander. Clean VERY well! (I still can't even walk into a house where a cat lives without immediate repercussions).

J.S.

answers from Hartford on

The baby could be coughing due to the smoke and ash that the dog brought in due to the fireworks. She may have irritation because of it, not asthma or allergies to the dog. She'll just need some time to heal and you need to listen to the doctor. If her cough gets worse then call your pediatrician even if it's after hours. If you can't get in touch with your doctor then call the ER and get their advice and take her in if you have to.

And per your more recent question do NOT give her Benedryl. Just don't. She's too little.

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K.O.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi. We are going through a similar thing, but not with a dog around.

Everytime my now 2 1/2 year old would get a minor cold, it would move directly to his chest and he would get some sort of respiratory infection. We ended up in the ER and he had a nebulizer and we now have a pump mask for albuterol -- only when he gets sick obviously. Our doctor said that she thinks he has asthma because we keep having the same pattern when he gets a cold. She was not concerned at all and said it's just a mild form that he will probably outgrow. She gave us Flonez ( a very very very mild steroid for the inhaler mask) to use as a preventative measure for when he gets a cold (to keep things from progressing to his chest.) We're not doing any kind of tests but she told us a big indicator of whether or not he HAS asthma is whether or not hte Flonez works when we use it.

Try not to freak out. I know it's hard! I think it's pretty common and a lot of kids do outgrow it. So far, it has been pretty much a non issue for us...(unless he gets sick!) Good luck.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

See a Pulmonologist.
A specialist.
Not just a general Pediatrician.
If you want conclusive diagnosis.

I have asthma. Since childhood.
Yes, pets exacerbate it.

You can get asthmatic at any time, any age.

Obviously as well, your Dog, affects your baby.
Thus, it is not good, having the dog in the house.

As a child, my parents kept all our pets, outdoors.
NOT in the house.

You should also get an air filter/purifier.

It is not pleasant, being the one with the ailment,when the lung triggers are still in the house.
You get rid, of the triggers.
Or his condition can get worse.

Asthma is very serious... and people die from it.
So, get a conclusive diagnosis, from a Specialist.

Then, also after that, see an Allergist. If Asthma has been ruled out.

With Asthma, Babies/children, present different symptoms, than adults.
So bear that in mind.

If he ever turns blue, or has a hard time breathing, or has sucked in lungs as he breathes, you NEED to take him to the ER, pronto.

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N.A.

answers from San Francisco on

Don't be scared. I recommend you become proactive. I would purchase a hepa air system for your babies room to start off with. It makes a big difference cleans up pet dander, mold, virus and bacteria also smoke smell so the babies lungs don't have to filter it.
I would also give her some good supplements to support her needs. If you would like more info email me and I will get you started.

Have a good day.

N. Marie
____@____.com

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T.J.

answers from Seattle on

Dairy can trigger asthma symptoms. Chiropractic has helped with my asthma, and a few kids I've known with it too!

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S.C.

answers from Sacramento on

I thought my son had asthma. He always seemed to have a cold and wheezed a lot. I tried different inhalers and antibiotics before discovering by chance that it was a dairy alergy. As soon as I switched to lactose free milk, the cold symptoms and wheezing stopped. Now he drinks goats milk. Good luck!

Updated

I thought my son had asthma. He always seemed to have a cold and wheezed a lot. I tried different inhalers and antibiotics before discovering by chance that it was a dairy alergy. As soon as I switched to lactose free milk, the cold symptoms and wheezing stopped. Now he drinks goats milk. Good luck!

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M.O.

answers from Fresno on

It could just be bad air especially due to the fireworks. My girls were both congested a lot and coughed the 1st year or so. Their airways are so small any minor irritation/allergen can cause coughing.

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K.N.

answers from Boston on

As an asthmatic mom with asthmatic children, I totally understand your concerns. Please read some of the responses carefully & notice how many children and families deal with these issues easily. Yes, asthma can be serious -- but in most cases it can easily be controlled.

For what it's worth, it may be that your dog made the reaction worse. It could also be the summer weather (especially if it's humid or if there are rapid changes in the barometric pressure -- weather is a killer for me). Still, medication can help. If it's your pet, don't give up or assume you need to get rid of it. I have some allergies to animals -- especially noticeable during shedding season in the spring and the fall. Still, we have two dogs and three horses. I find that regular vacuuming helps a great deal. Also, keep the dogs off the furniture and wipe your little one's face & hands to keep the dander off. Really -- it'll be OK.

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