8 Mnth Old Son W/ Runny Nose(green), Congestion, Deep Rough Cough,but No Fever?

When my son was little and got like this we would steam up the bathroom completely and then just sit in there with him for a good 10-15 minutes to relieve the congestion and the "scratchy" throat. There isn't really much else you can do for him- he's either got a cold or allergies.

Don't prop his head up when you use the drops. The point is to have the drops break-up the mucus in his nose and sinuses so that he doesn't end-up with an infection! Suction suction suction!

Just suck out as much of the mucus as you can since he's not able to blow his nose yet. This will help clear out any infection. As far as the rest goes, just continue with what you're doing. That's really all you can do at this point in the game since he's still so little. Prayers for a quick recovery!

I agree, sounds like a cold virus, but check out RSV online too.

It's like an EXTREMELY bad cold with lots of mucus that doesn't clear on it's own all the time. If you think he has this, bring him to the dr TODAY. The mucus can get so bad that it blocks their airways in the little ones.

Have him sleep upright in a safe position - even his infant car seat will work.

When using drops you want the kid flat so the saline can loosen up the mucus. Don't be too aggressive with the syringe as you can damage the inside of their little nostrils poking around and sucking too hard. If it isn't coming out, try the steam method.

Then for eating and sleeping keep him propped up as much as possible. We used our swing, infant seat and even car seat for sleeping until it all passed.

Be careful using any towels or blankets to prop or position a baby as they can get tangled or smothered.

Get him to his pediatrician especially since a deep cough is present. You don't want him to get RSV which can be a serious respitratory issue.

It sounds like your son has a mean cold virus! I know it's miserable to see them like that but there isn't that much you can do. Antibiotics won't help and shouldn't be given unless this goes on for another week or two, so all you can do right now is use saline drops a couple of times each hour, suction his nose frequently, use vaporub on his chest and feet, increase his fluid intake, and we like to put our son into a very warm bath with vapor bubbles (don't remember the name but it's like vick's vapor rub in bubble form for the tub). It gives off the menthol smell in the bath and the bubbles are nice to play with, so our son is all to happy to sit in the tub. After two or three days of "tubbing," with saline drops he's usually MUCH better. Hope your little guy is back to normal soon!

Hi there,
So many good comments so far, and here are just a couple additions that have worked for us this first year and 1/4.

First of all, put the carseat in the crib and have him sleep upright, strapped into the seat. This was the BIGGEST help to our daughter when she was so severly congested. The cool-mist humidifier in the room nearer to the crib than not, is also key.

We found an amazing device that trumps the bulb syringe by a mile - it's the Nose Frida (sp?) - basically a snot sucker. Easier to use, more effective, and no chance of hurting a little one's nose as it doesn't go up the nose. Ask your specialty pharmacy, or you can find it online easily. We found ours at our local pharmacy, amazing product - use after saline drops/spray as it will help liquify the mucus. Do before eating and sleeping, will help a ton.

We weren't suggested to use medication (ex: Benadryl) until just recently at 16 months, as it's clear our daughter does have seasonal allergies, and 9 out of 10 times the mucus backs up and causes either one or two ear infections, despite not having a cold virus. The cough sounds like a bad thing, so don't let it go more than another day or so without getting his lungs listened to, just to be safe.

Hope this helps! I am a first time Mom.

~J

My almost-8-month-old baby's had similar symptoms. To clear up congestion, I put on the humidifier constantly, sprayed Little Noses saline solution up his nostrils several times per day, wiped his nose often with wet diaper wipes that have aloe in it (rather than the dry scratchy tissue we/adults use and rather than the suction bulb since he's so wiggly), and dissolved about 1/4 teaspoon of Penzey's ginger powder in 1/2 ounce of water for him to sip. I also mixed in this amount of ginger powder into his steamed and mashed butternut squash. Symptoms went away after a few days.

Because I was wiping his nose so much, his delicate skin got a little red. It helped to rub a tiny bit of aloe vera gel onto his nose.

Hi Trey's mom,

I know it seems like a scary thing but more than likley seasonal allergies. I work in an allergy office and this is a common thing we see. The best thing I can tell you is keep a diary of the times he has the most problem. Write down the time of day his symptoms appear or seem to get worse. Also keep track of the foods you feed him and if there is a reaction to them. This will be helpful when you take him to his doctor or to see an Allergist. If there is not an Allergist in your area, see you his doctor can give him a blood test (RAST; Radioallergosorbent test) to see what he is allergic to. As for the humidifier if you don't have one, get the biggest pot you have in your kitchen and fill it with water. Turn the pot on high until the water is a rolling boil then turn it down to simmer. That will put moister in the air the same way a humidifer does. If his nose is congested you can buy the Little Noses at the drugstore and use the suction to clear his nose. Good Luck. I know how difficult it can be. I have a 2 year old who has asthma and allergies and gets allergy shots and a 8 month old with allergies.

There isn't much else you can do. It really stinks to see your child all congested like that and be so helpless. Standing in the bathroom with a hot shower running helps so much. We often do that right before bed. You can try elevating his bed (raising or lowering one side of his crib). That doesn't alwasy work at 8 months, as they move around quite a bit, but if they stay put the elevation helps.

Good luck! I hope you get better suggestions. You just kind of have to get through it.

get a humidifier, and set up it up in the little ones room, dont wait until the cough gets any worse, prop his head up when he sleeps so the congestion will drain. your doc is an idiot for giving the baby benadryl, you are not supposed to give it to anyone under, i think, two or three.vicks on the chest will work just fine, if he starts running a fever and the snot changes color, then you can worry..more
my baby went through the exact same thing, he should be fine
K. h.
no, this not offically a medical advice board, but not everyone has the money, or the spare time, to pick up a house full of small children and run to the doctor for every little question about the health of their children, thus, they get on momma source and ask another mother, if you can ask religious questions on mommasource, i dont see why you cant ask medical questions, this is an open forum, right ??

my vote is asthma and he needs to be seen asap.

My doctors office assumes it is a cold virus until symptoms are present for greater than 7 days. Then they give antibiotics for a sinus infection. However, if the congestion gets too bad it could go into an ear infection or bronchitis and should be seen by a doctor before 7 days.

Probably just a cold and your will have to wait it out since its a virus. the humidifier will help a TON when you have it on at night. I elevated my babys crib mattress with rolled up towels to keep her elevated. Also in the tub, they have this stuff by Johnson and Johnson and it works like vapors so the nose will clear up while you are in the tub (no snot sucker needed)
If you do the vapor bath, humidier, some Ibuprofin or benedryl to help with the congestion, that will ease his suffering. i also put on vix baby rub on her feet and back before bed. Right now the best thing you can do is to push liquids and give him plenty of rest.
Oh if you want to get the drops for his nose, I have always had my kid on the floor...usually I have to restrain her because she hates getting anything shot up or out of her nose.
Dont be concerned mamma!!!

I have posted it on here before - this is not a medical advice board. If you are truly concerned about your child or your own health seek professional medical advice. Sorry, but I see so many medical questions posted here and I would hate to see a problem get worse because someone did not seek professional advice. Yes, I would make an appointment since a green discharge can be a sign of a sinus infection.