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Anyone got any helpful suggestions for a baby with cold.

Redwood

Redwood

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Guys,

I'm reaching out to you in desperation (well, I must be if I am posting this on a golf forum!!! ;) ).

Our 3 week old son has a really bad cold, so we've done all the usual things that are suggested by midwifes/health visitors of raising the head end of his moses basket, sticking karvol on a hanky near his bed, but he is really struggling to sleep/breath at night.

Anyone had a similar situation with a baby and found something that worked for them, as we are willing to try anything at the moment.

We spend most of the night just lying awake to make sure he is still breathing. :(
 
When OJ was tiny she was always having problems with colds and congestion so we rubbed Vick's on her chest under her PJ's. We even resorted to buying a wee nasal suction thingy (looked like a tiny turkey baister) that drew the .... eh ... mmm .. there is no nice way to say it ... SNOT out of the nostrils but it was traumatic for her so chucked it after one try.

Regarding the sitting up all night issue I genuinely recommend The Angel Care monitor. It has a sensitive pressure pad that goes under the mattress and detects any non movement from the baby. We couldnt do without ours and have bought 5 for friends who have had children and they have all loved the peace of mind they got from it.
 
Get a bowl of hot water and let your baby boy breathe in the steamy vapour and this will help. Or if either of you are having a bath today, put the baby in a sitting position if you can in the bathroom and keep the door closed. This will also be beneficial.

Hope this helps.


Snelly.
 
Speak to a healthcare professional, monitor the child closely as if this gets on their chest it can be serious. Never be afraid that you may be wasting a doctors time, if in any doubt, get down the docs.

I would say in this instance, if what the midwives and health visitors have said, get to the doctors.

We thought my boy had a bad cold last week, then he went downhill quickly (within 4hrs) so we took him to the docs. Looked like it was going to christmas in hospital for us as the antibiotics worked very quickly on his chest infection.

Did I say get to the doctors?
 
When OJ was tiny
Click to expand...
Who calls their kid Orange Juice?

As to the cold thing, if it's truely just a cold you'll just have to wait until it goes away, just follow the advice from the midwives they've been doing it for years. Like yourself when you have a cold you will breath through your mouth if your nose is blocked, so what I am saying is "Don't Panic" that's why we have two holes to breath through.

I take it this is your first kid? :rolleyes:

Shark
 
Amen to Snufflebabe!

Used it all the time when ours had colds. The worst thing is feeling helpless. Not a lot you can do for them but keep them as comfortable as possible.
Heartbreaking when the little ones are poorly.

As long it's only cold nature will take it's course mate and your little one will be over the worst soon.

I know what you mean about listening for their breathing. I remember always having one ear tuned in. Many's the time I'd jump out of bed thinking they'd stopped breathing.

Congratulations on the little man. Enjoy the time, they grow up way too fast!
 
For your 3 week old child?? I'd go see a doctor.

I'd probably put some vicks vapo rub on a cloth next to the child at bedtime but not apply directly to the skin of one so young.

Make sure it has plenty of water as making snot can lead to dehydration.
 
Guys,

I'm reaching out to you in desperation (well, I must be if I am posting this on a golf forum!!! ;) ).

Our 3 week old son has a really bad cold, so we've done all the usual things that are suggested by midwifes/health visitors of raising the head end of his moses basket, sticking karvol on a hanky near his bed, but he is really struggling to sleep/breath at night.

Anyone had a similar situation with a baby and found something that worked for them, as we are willing to try anything at the moment.

We spend most of the night just lying awake to make sure he is still breathing. :(
Click to expand...

As already said keep an eye on temprature and keep him hydrated you could also put vicks in a bowl of boiling water obviously keep away from small children

When our little guy was small we had a breathing monitor in his basket then cot, it really gave us peace of mind you could enjoy the fact he was quiet rather than wondering why he was quiet

I hope he gets better soon
 
We use calpol plug in's which vapour the room rather than drops on bed sheet (sorry not sure what age group they start at ) tesco stock them so if you have a 24 hr supermarket near you you could try that
 
I got the following from a good freind in an email the other day. Not sure whether it would be of use in your situation but could be useful for the future.

During a lecture on Essential Oils, they told us how the foot soles can absorb oils. Their example: Put garlic on your feet and within 20 minutes you can 'taste' it.

Some of us have used Vicks VapoRub for years for everything from chapped lips to sore toes and many body parts in between. But I've never heard of this. And don't laugh, it works 100% of the time, although the scientists who discovered it aren't sure why. To stop night time coughing in a child (or adult as we found out personally), put Vicks VapoRub generously on the soles of your feet, cover with socks, and the heavy, deep coughing will stop in about 5 minutes and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief. Works 100% of the time and is more effective in children than even very strong prescription cough medicines. In addition it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly


Just happened to tune in A.M. Radio and picked up this guy talking about why cough medicines in kids often do more harm than good, due to the chemicals in them This method of using Vicks VapoRub on the soles of the feet was found to be more effective than prescribed medicines for children at bed time. In addition it seems to have a soothing and calming effect on sick children who then went on to sleep soundly.


My wife tried it on herself when she had a very deep constant and persistent cough a few weeks ago and it worked 100%! She said that it felt like a warm blanket had enveloped her, coughing stopped in a few minutes.So she went from; every few seconds uncontrollable coughing, she slept cough-free for hours every night she used it.

If you have grandchildren, pass this on. If you end up sick, try it yourself and you will be amazed at how it works.


DON'T SHUN THIS ONE.. TRY IT THE NEXT TIME YOU GET A BAD COLD.
WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO LOSE ~ ONLY YOUR COUGH....
 
Babies are prone to snuffliness, but it is usually inconvenient and delays feeding rather than causes any serious problems. Most medicines have to be used with caution in babies because of their immature livers which cannot process them. That includes essential oils, and I would NOT use those on a small baby.

The key issues are whether the baby is feeding OK, and whether he or she is having satisfactory nappies. If they are dry, then he/she is not getting enough fluid. You can usually tell the difference between a baby who has a cold but is otherwise OK, and a sick baby. If you think you have a sick baby, call the GP. Don't bother with NHS Dire(ct). Waste of time, in my (and most doctors') opinion.

Inhalants rubbed on the chest can help, and sometimes taking baby into a humid bathroom can help too. Run the shower with the window closed and the fan off until it is like a Turkish bath, then take baby in and the humidity might help. Steam tents are a traditional hospital treatment for some of the baby chest problems.

If the baby is wheezy, coughing up stuff, running a high temperature or doing anything else that worries you, call the GP. The GP will not be unhappy to see a false alarm baby of that age. The cold is a viral infection, and antibiotics are not helpful per se, but sometimes a secondary bacterial infection can occur, and antibiotics will be needed for that. The GP can give a dose suitable for a tiny baby, and they usually take it happily, although you may need to squirt it into their mouth with a syringe!
 
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