Respitory Infections in Infants

I totally understand where you're at. I went through a similar situation with my now 4 year old. It started at 18 months though. She's been diagnosed with RAD (asthma caused by respiratory infections).

The nebulizer steroids are not the same as prednisone. They won't be habit forming. The only side effects that I have found through research is a possibility of not growing as quickly.

My guess is the ped is concerned that there is an underlying inflamation causing these reoccurances. The nebulizer steroids will take down this inflamation that causes the breathing difficulties.

I'm also guessing that they think that your child has a chronic condition such as asthma or RAD.

I have had really good results with Dr. Chung at Children's Memorial Hospital.

We too really really don't like using a lot of medications for fear of all that awful stuff in such a little body. We found that we have actually been able to cut down on the really scary meds if we up some of these steroids (pulmicort) a little. She's done really well on this and stayed out of the hospital for almost a year now.

She's also very supportive and encouraging of complimntary medicine. We do chinese herbs with an accupuncturist and she does homeopathics with us too.

Good luck. I know how scary and awful this is.

working in the peds office- this is not that uncommon. I understand your frustration. Hopefully, with sick season soon behind us she will get better. I really recommend getting a ped you feel comfortable with and who can answer your questions and help you feel at easy. But I agree that the med for the neb is not habit forming, and they do not need to be weaned from them. Have you read about the medications? what it helps with and side effects etc? many children develop RAD with a cold who do not have asthma and need a neb or inhaler. good luck!

Get a second opinion. Either take your daughter to a lung specialist or allergist. See what they say. I understand your frustration and seeing your baby sick puts us all over the edge as moms.

I wouldn't worry too much about weight gain in a 5 month old though. They're supposed to put on weight.

Good luck!

K.,
I'm so sorry that is terrible! I have heard a lot of people having problems like this with their babies and it is so sad. Now a days it seems to be the norm. Let me ask you a question have you looked at the toxins in your home? Do you use these products?
Ÿ Johnson & Johnson Baby Products
Ÿ Crest Toothpaste
Ÿ VO5 Hair Products
Ÿ Clairol Nice “N” Easy Hair Color
Ÿ AJAX Cleaner
Ÿ Lysol Disinfectant
Ÿ Chlorine Bleach

These products are among the top 12 cancer causing products in the average home.
Source; 2005 National Cancer prevention Coalition

It may shock you to learn that according to the NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL, more children under the age of four die of accidental poisonings at home than are accidentally killed with guns at home.

Among children age five and under the most common poison is a cleaner or personal care product. - THE NATIONAL SAFE KIDS CAMPAIGN

Watch out for these Toxins! American Cancer Society warns against the following.......
Phenols, Ammonium Hydroxide, Chlorine, Hydrochloric acid, Formaldehyde, Lidane, Phthalates, Dioxin, Hypochlorite Bleach, Quaternium 15.
Cancer Experts argue that 30% of all cancers are caused by exposure to toxic chemicals.

Cancer in smokers is the result of daily exposure to the trace amounts of carcinogens in cigarettes. In the same way, people who are exposed daily to low levels of carcinogens in their cleaning products face similar risks.” - National Poison Control

In one decade, there has been a 42% increase in asthma (29% for men; 82% for women-the higher rate for women is believed to be due to women's longer exposure times to household chemicals)
(Source: Center for Disease Control)

There has been a 28% increase in childhood cancer since the addition of pesticides into household products. (Source: National Cancer Institute)

Childhood Asthma has increased by more than 400% since 1980. Pesticides, formaldehyde, chlorine, and ammonia are common triggers.

Chemicals enter the body in 3 basic ways.....
Ingestion (Swallowing)
Inhalation (breathing)
Absorption (skin contact)

Home is where the chemicals are and we spend 80% of our lives indoors. The EPA found airborne Chemical levels in our homes were as much as 70% higher than outside.

I can show you how to rid this problem from your home and save money doing it by just simply switching the store in which you already currently shop!! Just let me know if you want to hear more!