Baby to the doctors?

[LorelaiVictoriaGilmore]

My ds (7 months) has had a cold for 7.5 weeks now. I took him to the doctor after 5 weeks because I was worried he might have an ear infection but he was all clear. Doctor said bring him back in two weeks if he's not any better - but I suspect he was just getting rid of me!

Is there any point in taking him back to the doctors again? The cold is, if anything, worse. I didn't know such a small nose could contain so much snot. I'm mopping it up with muslins as normal sized tissues and hankies aren't cutting it! The snot is also a pretty nasty green colour with clots of dried blood in it sometimes (sorry - tmi!) It's entirely disgusting and seems to have gone on for far too long. He is also coughing a fair bit but probably just coughing up snot that's gone down the back of this throat. And he's struggling to feed. But there's nothing a doctor can do, is there? Then again, surely there is a point when I do have to go back to the doctors if the cold continues? 10 weeks? 12? Argh! WWYD?

[Topsy34]

I would go back. You are concerned for your childs health, they might ask you to take her for a chest x ray

[Gileswithachainsaw]

That's not a cold.

first thought -allergies.

take him.back and see a different gp!!

[TeaBelle]

I would call the health visitor to ask advice - if they feel you need an appointment they can get you in quickly if they feel that it is needed

[OzzieFem]

The very fact that your baby has had a cold for 7.5 weeks, has green snot, and clots of dried blood in it sometimes, and you are querying whether to take him back to the doctors is a concern.

Any snot (lovely word) that is coloured indicates an infection, dried blood clots may be due to baby sticking fingers up nose, but equally may not. I would take your child to a walk in doctors asap.

[LorelaiVictoriaGilmore]

Right, I'll take him first thing tomorrow. The first doctor made me feel like a bit of a fool tbh. I asked about allergies because he has eczema and suggested a sinus infection but the doctor was very insistent that it was probably just one cold after another.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

eczema asthma haygever amd allergies often go all together.

being gunky was a sign.of my Dds Cmpi.

[LorelaiVictoriaGilmore]

Hmmm. The cold gas also almost exactly coincided with introducing solids. I wonder if that might be a factor.

[LorelaiVictoriaGilmore]

*has not gas!

[Gileswithachainsaw]

can you think.of it's worse after any particular food?

is he bf or ff?

[LorelaiVictoriaGilmore]

I can't honestly say that I've noticed. His nose dribbles really badly when he's eating but I thought that was probably just due to the mechanics of eating.

He was ebf until 6 months. So his cold must have started around the time I started introducing solids as the cold seems to have been going on for about 7 weeks and he's been on solids for about that time too.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

was he ever snuffly to any degree when ebf?

what's a typical day like fir him food (and milk) wise.

[LorelaiVictoriaGilmore]

He had quite a few colds while ebf but never as dramatic as this and they always cleared up within 12-14 days.

Typical day:

• breakfast is porridge with fruit purée or scrambled eggs
  

• lunch is veg purée then yoghurt or fruit/veg finger foods
  

-dinner is meat and veg purée then fruit finger food.

I guess between the porridge and the yoghurt could be quite dairy heavy.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

I was going to ask if you made the porridge etc witg cows milk.

it's the likely culprit if it is allergies.

I definitely think it's a possibility..colds dint go on that long.

it's allergies or an infection.

I'd definately gi back and see someone else. I'm. pretty sure it's not a cold. and I'd nit be fobbed off as such

no one could explain my Dds gunky eyes she was swabbed and everything.

I diagnosed her not the drs. and I was right. went away as soon as I asked fir the milk.

no way a cold stopped so suddenly went from screaming at feeds to drinking like a fish and not having to spray steiner up her nose several time a night.

the dry skin went too.....

food luck with the appointment. if they don't listen I'd be inclined to cut fairy amd soya from your diet and make porridge with expressed milk (or oatly) and see if that makes a difference. then go back.if it does for proper plans

[LorelaiVictoriaGilmore]

Thanks! Definitely worth a try. I hate seeing him so miserable.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

It's horrid isn't it.

I certainly think they have to admit that you have given the "wait and see" approach plenty of time, and even if they aren't able to make a diagnosis I think.theres enough evidence that there's something definately wrong.

you have listed the eczema and the "colds
have a long think, is there anything else? tbimgs you or others wrote off as normal fir a baby. sleep disturbances, poo anomalies? periods of "colic" etc

is there anything that you wouldn't link to the colds but thinking back create a bigger picture?

[Gileswithachainsaw]

hope you managed to get an appointment today

[LorelaiVictoriaGilmore]

Yes! Antibiotics for a week due to all the green snot and if that doesn't clear it up the doctor suggested cutting out dairy for 5 weeks!

I had a think about other possible symptoms and the only think that's slightly confusing me is I don't think there are really any stomach symptoms... I guess except for some slightly dramatic nappies but I don't think unusual for a baby. He never had colic, reflux, bad wind or anything like that. I thought that those would usually be expected with a food allergy?

[Gileswithachainsaw]

They manifest in different ways. Dd was clearly in pain yet was never sick.

but she grunted and strained for hours and was really bloated. the nappies were revolting

[LorelaiVictoriaGilmore]

Much nicer doctor. I really hope the ABs sort it out. Cutting out dairy from both of our diets would be a nightmare! I'd at least need to think about a calcium supplement for me. Thanks for all your help with this Giles.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

It's not as hard as you might think there's a thread on here somewhere with a whole list of surprising dairy free finds.

but I do realise it seems like a mammoth task so don't be afraid to use the formula. we had aptamil pepti.

I would steer clear of soya as that cab cause a reaction too in up to half of cmpi children.

koko coconut milk is very good.

and porridge etc comes out just fine with that. and pancakes and stuff.



I'm. partial to hazelnut milk in my coffee

don't bother with dairy free cheese though It's rank.

[LorelaiVictoriaGilmore]

Not being able to eat cheese will just about break my heart - but hopefully it will just be for a few months!

[Gileswithachainsaw]

how is he doing today. I know it's early days but is there even a hint of an improvement after 24 hrs of the ABS?

< wishful thinking so soon sorry >

[Gileswithachainsaw]

How's your ds today :)