Sick Baby :( - Norton,MA

C.,
I'm a huge proponent of Vicks. Try it on her feet and cover them. It seeps in. It helps breathing even better.
Mom of 2 - 7 & 10.
I.

Although it may turn out that your daughter just has a nasty cold, you should go back to the doc just to be sure it has not developed into an infection in her lungs. Better to be reassured than to miss something that should be treated with an antibiotic. Good luck, hope she's better soon.

Just to be safe I would have her chest listened to--temp. could be from teething but good to have her checked out..that's what I'd do.

I agree with motrin. It will reduce the inflammation and reduce the coughing. A humidifier will help too. Good luck.

Yes, I would take her back to the doctor, and continue to stay in contact with them until you see her break the cold. At her age their colds can develop into so many more serious things very quickly. It can't hurt to see the doctor, and they can help her be more comfortable, like giving her a neubilzer treatment. My youngest would get colds like this, and I didn't keep the doctor in the loop so we would end up in the ER. He had RSV and pneumonia before he was 2 years. Seeing the doctor may not have prevented these, but it would have documented it better and avoided the ER. It also would have eased my worry.

I would take her back ASAP. I also would not use Vick's Vapor rub on her. Our pediatrician said that is very dangerous to baby's.
Good luck. It is awful when our children are sick.
Take care

I do not think you have to worry about Vick's Vapor Rub, I always used the baby formula, it is made with all natural ingredients. My doc said it was fine to use after 6 months of age, but he added there is no scientific data that supports it settles a cough, though I find it works. But, totally safe. Of course, when using Vick's always wash the area well before taking your child outdoors. I have a rule that if baby has a fever for more than 48 hours, we take a trip to the docs. It won't hurt and you will feel better. My daughter had a double ear infection at 3 mos and it took a couple of weeks to subside, even with antibiotics. Hang in there and just hold and rock your baby, that will make her happy.

Good Morning C.,
With a temp of 101 I would take her back to the doctors first to see what the doctor would say.Your baby could be very sick and the doctor would know.Please take your baby to the drs.

Hi C.
I would take her back. What started as a cold could have easily turned into an ear infection or a lower respiratory infection. I have always felt that it is better for the doc to tell you they are fine than to wait and find out that you should have taken them sooner. A lot of people are sick right now so your little one is not alone. Good luck!!
I am adding something in after reading some newer posts. A fever is a warning sign, not THE warning sign. My children, as well as a lot of other peoples kids that I know have had everything from ear infection to pneumonia without a fever. Two of my kids had tubes put in for frequent ear infections and neither one ever had a fever during any of them. A fever can be a good indicator, but your "Mom Instinct" is much more important! I hope your little one feels better :)

Recently when my 7 month old was very sick with a cold, I kept him sleeping in his swing until he was no longer congested. This can help prevent the lungs/chest getting infected. I would still sleep her sitting up as much as possible. It is also supposed to make sleeping more comfortable for the baby. And the more sleep she gets the quicker she will get better.

In addition to taking her back to the dr, you might want to ask if it's okay for her to have a little benadryl to help her sleep. It might help clear up her nose a little, and also make her tired enough that she can sleep through a bout of coughing. Also, I was told that baby colds tend to last about 10 days each, so I wouldn't worry too much about the fact that it hasn't cleared up right away. Still, better to get her checked out.

Hi...all of us here at my house have had the same illness for the past week or two so feel comfort in knowing that it is going around. I am not sure if they make a children's Mucinex or the like but if they do I highly recommend it as it is an expectorant and will loosen up all that congested phlemgh..it isn't fun!!! Another great idea is to take baby into the bathroom after you have run the shower on a very hot tempreature for about 10 minutes...keep the bathroom door closed to capture the steam inside....sit in the bathroom with baby for as long as you both can take it and keep the shower running while inside. This type of steam really helps with congestion and a persistent cough. It actually widens the airways to relieve coughing. I did this often when my now 16 year old son was a baby as he suffered from Croupe a lot!!! I really think it is unnecessary to take baby back to the doc's at this point as there is nothing more they can do for this but do go back if her temp spikes up over 102 and stays there for more than a day...Also watch out for the phlemgh when and if baby can cough it up and also in the nose..check the color of it...If it's a greenish color for more than a day or two then take her to doc as this is a sure sigh of resperatory/sinus infection and baby may need some antibiotics! Sounds as if you are doing everything you can and just need to wait it out as it will pass. For me though, this illness lasted quite long..more than two weeks but I am on the other side of it now..Oh and also..plenty of fluids too..if baby enjoys water then give her as much as possible as it's important to stay hydrated. Lack of hydration will definitely prolong this..and baby will be very lethargic..best of luck to you..and remember to sleep as much as you can when you can becuase you need to be healthy for baby...

Hello C.:
So sorry to hear of your sick child. When my children were like that, I was suggested to open the hot water in the shower to make steam and just sit in there with my children in just their diapers. After doing it a couple times a day for a few days they really started to feel better. If you should happen to try this method, I hope it works for your little girl as well as it worked for all my children.

You have done everything right so far. I agree with the other ladies. It's time to take her back to the MD. My daughter (20 months) and I recently had some sort of bug that lasted a solid 2 weeks. She was so uncomfortable that I had to hold her sitting up for a few nights for her (and me!) to even get a few hours of sleep. We've both finally kicked it and things are back to normal. It isn't going to hurt to get her checked out. It will only bring you peace of mind. Get well wishes.

S.

Hi,
My kids get that every year it seems. I would call your doctor to make sure it does not turn into anything worse. They may be able to give you something to calm her cough for the night time so she can sleep. I know w/ mine (ages 9,5,3) can take the dylsum. Its heart breaking when little ones are sick. Hang in there and good luck.

Take her to the doctor. If the cough is terrible and sounds like almost a barking nose and she is very raspy she might have croup. My son had it twice last yr and it is awful.

C.. my two girls have the same thinnnk and so have i. its almost been 3 weeks with this cough. take her back to the doctors she might net some meds she must have a infection. what i did i took honey and mixet it with cinnamon. and i gave them a teespon full 3 times a day. they are now getting bether it seeems like it works. i have taken it my seld. i came agross this on ,y pc. good luck
B.

C.,
I'm sorry to hear your baby is sick! I know how hard it can be to feel so helpless! I am a new mom myself, my son is nearly one. I only wanted to pass along some advice our ped gave us that we now live by: no matter what the baby's temp (within reason, of course) or symptoms, is she acting like herself? If not, that is when a doctor visit is in order (for 100% sure). My son once had a fever of 101 and I freaked! He acted himself and was back to normal temp by morning (and slept all night). That advice saved me time sitting around an ER late at night, I'm sure.

Good luck and I hope she is feeling better soon!

I'm pretty sure we have entered RSV season, so I would not hesitate to bring her back and have her tested.

She sounds pretty sick. I would call your dr's office and speak with the nurse and ask for advice or schedule an appointment. You want to be sure that its hasn't developed into a pneumonia or bronchitis.

Poor thing, hope she is better soon:)

Hi C.-
Sorry to hear your little one is not feeling well. If you haven't already had her evaluated this would be my advice to you. If she has been sick for several days and is just starting to run a fever or has been running one for 6 days I would bring her in to be evaluated. A fever late in the course of an illness can sometimes just be that there has been another viral infection on top of what was going on, but sometimes it can mean that there is a secondary infection like an ear infection or pneumonia that is brewing. Good luck and hope everyone is healthy soon.

Hi C.,

When my kids have colds I've always given them vitamins and herbs and it clears it up pretty quickly. I don't know where you live, but I go to Natural Marketplace in Salem, NH. I just tell them the symptoms and they recommend a few things. Usually they always get liquid vitamin C so I mix everything up with that to help with the taste. My kids are 5 and 3 and they've never had to have an antibiotic so it's all been working well for me - even when they've had more serious things like bronchitis. I hope this helps. It's terrible when they can't breathe - especially at night.

Jen

My daughter just had the same thing - she is older than your little one 2 1/2. I brought her in the hot steamy bathroom after letting the shower run and that did help her. Her doctor also informed me that kids are coming down with pneumonia and viral infections. Good luck I hope your little one gets better soon!

I would definitely go back to her doctor as this has carried on much too long and now she has a fever. Doctors are hesitant to jump right in and treat a little baby. They like to see if it is going to run its course. Sometimes teething brings similar symptoms of congestion. They don't like to give antibiotics immediately as they fear that antibiotics are used too much, and people will become resistent. I would have her rechecked as you do not want her to end up with a pneumonia.

Is she still drinking? Many babies stop drinking when they are sick. They end up dehydrated and have to be admitted to the hospital for fluids.

Call the doctor and insist that she needs to be seen. If you are wrong, then you have peace of mind. If you are right, then she will get the medicine she needs and start feeling better.

Hi there, I would bring her back to the doc, if I were you. She could very well have an ear infection, and you may not even know it. Both my boys, now 1 and 3 had several ear infections their first year of life. Most of the time, they didn't give me any symptoms of having ear infections either---just a cold. It can't hurt to bring her to the doctor, even if she is fine. At least it would be peace of mind for you to know what is going on. And that is why we have health insurance, right? Also, try putting one of those crib wedges under her mattress. You can get it at Babies R us. It is best to elevate their head when they are coughing or have a any congestion.

Good luck!

J.

Definitely call the doctor.

Definitely give them a call at least. I know with my girls, I have to be careful of ear infections anytime they get colds. But after 6 days, a yucky cough, and a fever, I'd definitely have her seen. My youngest had a cold with a bit of a cough and in a flash one evening her fever spiked to over 104. She was also breathing rapidly. We took her to the doctor and then the hospital for a chest xray...it turned out to be pneumonia. Don't worry about being a pest either. This is what pediatrician offices do. And definitely better safe than sorry. You're the mommy and you know best! Good luck!

i would take her back to the doctor she may need an antibiotic, when my daughter was about the same age she got sick and could not shake this cold, she had a terrible cough, after weeks of her doctor saying she would get over it i got sick of hearing that and took her for a second opinion and found out that part of her lung had collapsed and filled with mucous, so you can never be too careful! they can't tell you how awful they really are feeling or where it hurts!

Gosh, my reaction was always to call the Dr and ask if one of my babies should be seen at the point you're at. Sometimes it's something and sometimes it's nothing. Also, as of earlier this year they no longer make cough medicine for infants due to some people who were incapable of reading dosing instructions and were overdosing their children. But, since then I have found that when my littlest one has a bad cold that infants motrin works very well at helping him through his cold. Still, I would at least call your pediatrician and ask what he/she thinks should be done. In any case both of you will come through this. I know it stinks and it's hard, and sometimes scary. I have three young kids. You may also want to check with theped about getting her a flu shot. They're recommending it strongly for all children this year. And good luck. Just drop me a line if you need to talk more. I'm always available.
K.

I would take her to the dr.

C.,

I would call the doctor if for no other reason then to talk to them and get reassurance that you are doing everything you can for her.

L. M

Try Vicks on the bottom of her feet @ night (under sleeper or socks) I know it sounds crazy but it has always been a wives tale that worked for us for nighttime coughing. I would also give her the tylenol round the clock - there is no harm in that - get the dye free if you don't like giving her the dyes - it is easier to keep her comfortable then to try to bring her aches and pains back down after she is uncomfortable off the medicine.

C.,

It sounds as though you are doing everything in your power to try to ease her pain. I would definitely take her back to the doctors though, she may have something more serious now like pneumonia or bronchitis and those things need to be treated with antibiotics. I wish your baby girl well. :)

Yes, I would take her back to the doctor or at least call them to discuss her symptoms. Has she had the fever all along or did she develop it recently? A fever that develeps after an illness is already full blown could be a symptom of pneumonia. It doesn't hurt to get it checked out.

I would take her back to your pedi, at least consult with him over the phone. Symptoms/conditions can change fast. Not to worry you, but better safe than sorry, go with your instinct.

There is a terrible coughing bug going around..we have been ill with it for 2 weeks...

I would take your wee one to the pedia doctor ASAP since it has been 6days and a temp

good luck to you

Hi C.,

I'd ask doc again, as another mom said, jut to make sure that you're doing all you can.

Also, when cold lasts a long time, sometimes it can lead to ear infection if baby tends to sleep on her side, so I'd check with doc to see if this isn't another reason why baby isn't sleeping much. She may be in pain. I just took my baby in after she'd been sick with the same symptoms for only 4 days. She, along with her 2 sisters, has an ear infection. Doc said it just happens with some children after prolonged cold. All my girls sleep on the same side, so it's no coincidence that they all have an infection in only one ear, and the same one. One of my daughters was a little more severe with phlegmy coughs, that doc said she was entering beginning stages of Bronchitis. All 3 received antibiotics to take for 10 days.

Good Luck!

Mari

unfortunately, the cough can last up to a month. if she doesn't have high temps, does not appear to be having difficulty breathing (breathing fast, or hear a whistling noise from her breathing) and she's drinking lots of fluids to help loosen up her phlegm then it is not neccesary to see the doctor again. other suggestions, comtinue to push fluids (pedialyte pops and drinks), try motrin instead of tylenol because it lasts longer, and try rubbing vicks on the bottom of her feet and placing socks on her overnight. it sounds weird but helps decrease the coughing at night. best of luck. i would also recommend a flu shot if she hasn't gotten one yet.

Hi-
I am a mom of 3 and am a teacher so I'm always around colds/sickness, etc. My children have been through their bout of sicknesses. I would definitely bring your beautiful girl back to the doctor. It can't hurt and there may be something else underlying that you're missing. You are the mom and you can tell better than anyone when you're child is "just not right". Good luck! I hope she's feeling better soon.

Dear C.,

So sorry to hear of your baby girl being sick. If she has developed a barking cough it maybe whopping cough. In which case she may need antibiotics. I would definitely call her dr. He may want to check her for ear infection, etc. things that can develop from a cough. Good luck. I hope she is feeling better soon.

J. R.

Yes please take her to the dr my daughter was the same age and a simple cold and cough turned out to be pnemonina. It cant; hurt and doctors usually want to follow up if the child does not get better in a few days.

Can't hurt to call the doctor. They might want to see her to rule out anything like bronchitis or possibly even an ear infection since she is running a fever. How long as she had the fever? And other than that raise the mattress under her head to help draid the post nasal drip so perhaps she can sleep better. You can check with the doctor about Tylenol for the fever and how much to give her. And saline drops are all you can use really to break up whatever is in there since there are no longer over the counter cold meds for young children. But it definitely never hurts to call the doctor when you are in doubt.

M.

Never hesitate to call the doctor's office. If they are any good, they won't mind. Often times, just talking to the nurse over the phone will help. I call the office to "talk things through" with them whenever I am questioning the situation and I always finds that it helps. Hope she feels better!!!

Yes, after 6 days and with a violent cough you should have the doctors listen to her lungs. They won't think you are overreacting. They'll want to make sure her lungs are okay. Manys the time I didn't think to bring my children in, thinking it was just a cold, and had them in for some other reason - maybe even it was another child I brought in - and when they hear them cough, they always listen to their lungs. Sometime they have bronchialitis, or sometimes bronchitis. They can tell the difference by listening with the stethoscope, and one needs medicine. I always felt bad that I didn't bring them in, in those cases. Good luck.