Hello,
I have a thirteen month old that has been diagnosed with croup. He does not have the horrible cough that everyone talks about, but he has the other symptoms. What he does do is when he coughs he gasps and that is what make that barking seal sound. We have not slept in five nights... We have gotten the trowing up and the fever under control and he is taking naps during the day but not sleeping at night. We tried going and sitting outside, sitting in the bathroom with the steam on, along with a lot of other things. He is only taking pear juice and water... Not his milk, which is causing diarrhea. He does have baby food, not finger food because he just does not want it for some reason (he trows it off his tray) He is not really having that many wet diapers, but the doctor said that he does not look dehydrated.
To recap: He no longer has a fever, and he no longer is vomiting. He does have a cough though it sounds like it is more in his chest, it makes the "croup" noise when he gasps, but he does not have coughing fits. His nose is now running. Does it sound like we are on the up and up? So my question is to you all... Is there anything else that we can do that I have not already tried? Did I mention that I am six and a half weeks pregnant and battling nausea and fatigue?
thank you. Sorry if this seems a little confusing I am running on no sleep.
It does sound like you are on the "up and up" and you are so exhausted that is seem like it will never end. Watch that cough carefully and if is nose is running you are doing well. I would replace the juice with pediliate (sp?) or non sugary and non acidy sports drink. I can only stand gatorade when I am sick and/or dehydrated.
Continue what you are doing, you are doing what you need to do. Sleep and rest for all is just around the corner.
Stop giving him juice. It's full of sugar & the fruit acids are going to cause a burning, bloody rash really soon. I say this only because that's all he is taking in.
Get some PEDIALYTE. He IS getting dehydrated if he isn't taking anything in and little to nothing is coming out. Pedialyte comes in generic form & in different sizes. I buy the pedialyte popsicles, because pedialyte is only good for 48 hours after you open it and this way a lot is not getting wasted. With the popsicles I put 1/2 of them in the freezer and keep 1/2 out to use as liquid drink.
Also, pediasure would be a good idea too. It also comes in generic form. Vanilla was the fav at my house.
When the baby sleeps, YOU REST TOO. That means in the middle of the day. Just do it, until he is better.
my son had croup about the same age as your little guy (he is 21 months now). The best thing we used was a Cool Mist Humidifier. It worked really well. Croup is associated with inflimation of the throat. Thats most likely why he doesnt want solid food, it hurts/is hard to swallow. It sounds like, from what you say it is croup and he is acting like any other little one with it...i found with my little one that short naps were better and less sleep at night, because the longer you sleep the more your body relaxes (duh :)) and their little troat muscles relax enough to make breathing difficult. Spend the money on a cool mist humidifier, it was worth it. Remember also, this too shall pass, get as much rest as you can, when you can.
I would use some Euchalyptus oil (maybe even let him sniff straight from the bottle when he is uncomfortable...but I would recommend a few drops on a tissue or something and tack it up around the house..three or four around his room, and then in the hall, etc. It will help "cleanse the air for everyone, and will help his poor bronchial tubes. While you are at it get a humidifier as soon as you can and run it near his bed but not right on top of him. Let the mist come from the center of the room and it will radiate out and do more good for everyone. You can also put the oil in the little cup on the humidifier. But, I've found the oil spread around does more good, and less diluted without being overpowering. Really there is not much you can do for this..most cough medicines won't help it. He just has to shake it on his own, and he will but it will take time. I suggest the humidifier, and continue with the warm shower mists, but the humidifyer will save you water and probably money in the long run.
We've had croup here a few times and once when our oldest was only 11 months old. It does take a bit to get over, but I agree w/Chey... I'd get him in for a 2nd opinion. We had to have the oral steroid and a breathing treatment of albuterol several times a day, with that, to help keep her lungs clearer so that she could breath. I slept on the living room floor with her and watched and gave her treatments all night. The cold air seemed to help the most, as odd as it sounds. The cool air always calmed her and she just sat there. I would bundle her and I up and we'd just sit and watch birds and squirrels. She still needed treatments, but I do believe it helped with coughing fits. (She would vomit from it, as well.) I am assuming that they gave you an antibiotic regime, as well? It's not something to wait out, don't feel bad about getting another doc to check him out. Try to get hubby to help out a bit more, so that you can get your rest, too. Maybe a friend or family member can come over once a day to give you a break for a nap? Good luck!
It sounds like you have taken him to the doctor, but you may want to take him back. My son had a croup about 6 months ago, and after a few days of it not going away/getting better we took him to the doctor and ended up in ER. He got a shot of steroid to open up his airway and a couple of treatments of albuterol. We still ended up going back to the doctor two days later for another steroid shot. At the ER they told us that until kids are 2 or 3 their larynx isn't completely open, so it is really scary when they get croup because their larynx swells up and closes even more. I would take him back in, and ask the doctor about getting him a shot of steroid. If you are anywhere near Puyallup the Woodcreek clinic is open for walk-ins on Saturday and Sunday. I hope he feels better soon.
Instead of warm moist air, try cold, brisk. Wrap him well and sit outside with him when he starts barking. My son had this same condition at about the same age. We were visiting relatives and ended up taking him to the emergency room it was so bad (and my cousin is a nurse). The dr. recommended the cold, brisk air.... and sure enough, this did the trick. Keep him warm (and you too), but when he starts barking go outside and sit with him. It's a virus, and it takes a few days, but it will pass. Hopefully this will allow you all to get some sleep.
My son is getting over croup right now....I put a pillow under his mattress to elevate his upper body and make breathing easier. I also put a humidifier in his room for naps and bedtime. Like your son he wouldn't eat much so I fed him mostly yogurt and cereal. It's been almost a week for us and still kind of hanging on so I guess just treat the symptoms, wait it out, and get naps in where you can
S.,
My 2 year old daughter is just getting over croup; it has taken her almost a month. She had the barky cough. We got worried when we saw blood tinged saliva. She threw up one night and my husband saw the red and thought it was from something she ate. The following morning as she was drooling on my white sweatshirt I noticed that the drool was blood tinged. We took her to the doc ASAP. That was when we found out she had croup. He gave us an Rx for an oral steroid to be administered twice daily for three days, and told us to keep her medicated with Tylenol/Motrin to help with the pain. Poor baby, this has been the first time she has ever refused/fought us while taking meds. She spent that whole weekend crashed out in my arms and only this past week has she really bounced back and became herself again.
I would suggest going back for a second opinion. We knew it was bad for her when she was refusing to drink the pedialyte/juice we were offering her before the doctor visit. The steroid really seemed to help and the Tylenol helped control the fever, not sure about the pain though.
Hope this helps,
Melissa
PS Did I mention that she cut three new teeth at the same time? Poor baby had it rough.
my 14 month old had croup earlier this month. after a week of coughin and throwing up our RNP prescribed tylenol with codine for nights so we all could sleep. it only lasts for 6 hours but every second counts
