Baby with bronchiolitis

[Fraser0704]

Hi! I have a 6 month old baby who started with a cold last Thursday which then developed into wheezing and sucking in at the ribs on Sunday so I took him to A&E where they said he has bronchiolitis, his oxygen levels were okay and he had taken 50% of his usual milk so they were happy to send him home and let him "ride it out". Yesterday his wheeze got worse and was constant and he was sucking in at the ribs still so I took him back to A&E who again said his oxygen is fine and sent him home again and said it was all normal for bronchiolitis. Today he is still sucking in at the ribs and everything online says that's a sign of respiratory distress but I'm not sure what to do because it's no worse than the other two times where they have just sent him home. He's very alert when he's awake and has taken some milk this morning so I was just wondering is the sucking under the ribs a normal part of bronchiolitis like what they are saying or should I keep pushing them to help?

[Thurlow]

Bronchiolitis is horrible, I remember being in and out of hospital and seeing doctors who said it was fine when I was worried about the same thing.

If he’s eating and drinking and sleeping a comfortable amount I’d just keep an eye on him at the moment in case the sucking gets worse, but at his age ALWAYS take them to see someone if you’re still worried. If he’s still sucking his ribs and throat a lot by this afternoon I’d probably go back myself.

[Fraser0704]

@Thurlow

Bronchiolitis is horrible, I remember being in and out of hospital and seeing doctors who said it was fine when I was worried about the same thing.

If he’s eating and drinking and sleeping a comfortable amount I’d just keep an eye on him at the moment in case the sucking gets worse, but at his age ALWAYS take them to see someone if you’re still worried. If he’s still sucking his ribs and throat a lot by this afternoon I’d probably go back myself.

It's so awful! He's had a good nap this morning after taking 6 ounces out of his usual 8 ounces which is better than yesterday afternoon when he was only taking 3 ounces a time, they let us go at 9pm last night and when they saw his sucking in at the ribs they didn't seem remotely concerned because he is so alert which makes me think I am over worrying about it, I even rang his GP yesterday morning who agreed with A&E that the wheeze and sucking in was part of the virus and if he's alert and feeding there's little to worry about but it's just so hard when he's so young

[FWBNC]

Keep pushing, take him back.

Definitely.

Best wishes x

[Soubriquet]

Dd had this when she was 13 months and ended up being admitted for 3 nights. Her oxygen levels were low though and she wasn’t interested in food and just wanted to sleep. She had to have a cannula in her foot to administer antibiotics. Your ds sounds the opposite so I would keep eye an him and hopefully he will improve.

[ChristmasPlanning]

Had this with all my DC. Sucking in ribs is a red flag so you are absolutely correct to keep seeking urgent medical attention.

It's horrid when they are so tiny

[DeflatedMummy]

My DS (3 months at the time) had bronchiolitis, sucking in ribs/chest, breathing fast and noisy. Went to GP and A&E over the course of it and they said exactly the same, that if his oxygen levels and feeding are ok then they wouldn’t do anything. He was observed overnight. They said they would only support with oxygen or feeding if needed. Happy and alert when awake.

However they also said that they very often see children with bronchiolitis more than once over its course and that if I am at all worried to just take him back in. They said it would peak about day 5 then get better and it did exactly that. Horrible to watch and worry about him being able for sustain that much effort to breath.

Keep taking him back if you are worried, they should listen every time and reassess. Wishing him well soon xx

[Pitapotamus]

Take him back if you are worried. Also, for the future, you can buy an oximetre thing quite cheaply - the thing that they use to test oxygen levels. I have one and have used it loads over the years with my kids.

[Fraser0704]

Thankyou for the replies! I've watched him closely all day and his breathing is much better today! As the day has gone on he has become more happier as well although he's just hitting 50% feed intake like he did yesterday when they let him go, so I'm hoping feeding is the next thing to pick up or he sounds better and is generally happier🤞🏼

[Fraser0704]

*now not or

[shivbo2014]

My little boy had this twice at 6 and 8 months both times we were admitted for 2 nights the second time he had to be tube fed and put in high dependency. I'm suprised they're sending him home when he's pulling in at the ribs. I would maybe call 111 but if you're worried go back. It's a horrible illness and so worrying. Hope he's better soon.

[Thurlow]

Ah, that’s great, hope he keeps getting better overnight!

[Littlejacksmummy]

Both my babies had this. The first at 3 months when he had bronchiolitis. GP sent us to hospital who said oxygen etc was fine and sent us home. It was horrible waiti g for him to get better. My second one had the sucking under the ribs issue at weeks at the beginning of August. GP said its fine as long as she was taking her feeds. I wasn't happy with that so I took her to a and e. Turns our she had tonsillitis. They checked her throughly and could definately tell the issue was around her nose. It seemed like it took forever for her to get better but it was a couple of weeks.

If you are worried about it, take the baby into hospital. Nobody will tell you off. Hopefully you begin to see gradual improvements soon. So worrying. ❤️

[Littlejacksmummy]

Both my babies had this. The first at 3 months when he had bronchiolitis. GP sent us to hospital who said oxygen etc was fine and sent us home. It was horrible waiti g for him to get better. My second one had the sucking under the ribs issue at weeks at the beginning of August. GP said its fine as long as she was taking her feeds. I wasn't happy with that so I took her to a and e. Turns our she had tonsillitis. They checked her throughly and could definately tell the issue was around her nose. It seemed like it took forever for her to get better but it was a couple of weeks.

If you are worried about it, take the baby into hospital. Nobody will tell you off. Hopefully you begin to see gradual improvements soon. So worrying. ❤️