Had to call ambulance for my 4 month old. Hand hold

[firsttimemum987]

My 4 month old has had a cough for about 3 days now. Today it turned really nasty. I gave her some cough medicine as recommended by my pharmacist. As soon as I gave her the medicine, she came up in hives, her lips and face started to swell and she was struggling to breathe. I called the ambulance straight away. They got to me in 3 minutes. They injected her with adrenaline and we were blue lighted to the hospital. We are now in paediatric resuscitation unit.

My DH is in another country on a work trip and I cannot get hold of him. So it's just me and the baby. I feel so guilty. It's all my fault.

You've done amazingly OP. Well done for getting medical attention so quickly. You must have been terrified. What do they think she reacted to? I have an allergy baby and it's hard

I'm so sorry OP, this must be terrifying for you.
You have done absolutely everything right, and did an incredible job getting help to her so quickly. There is not a single thing that you could be at fault for. This is something that has happened to you, not something you have done, and you have responded admirably.
I hope your little girl is much better soon.

You're in the best place. You've done everything you can and you did so well.

I've been in paeds rhesus before and all you want is to not need to be there. I'm so sorry you're going through this. Xx

That must have been so scary. I hope your baby is ok

Not your fault at all, you couldn't have predicted that the medicine recommended would have set off a reaction to it. Your in the best place possible for the little one. Hope everything goes well. ❤

I wonder if it might be worth notifying the adverse reaction via the yellow card scheme?
bnf.nice.org.uk/medicines-guidance/adverse-reactions-to-drugs/
It's not just for prescribed medication, it's for OTC stuff too and it's not a blame thing, it's just to collate information which might be useful for HCPs and drug companies .
Hope your DD is making a good recovery, OP.

I gave her some cough medicine as recommended by my pharmacist

This is surprising. OTC cough medicines are not recommended for under 6s. I'm unaware of one suitable for a 4 mo in particular.

Not your fault, I hope your baby is ok! You were just trying to help her! I once put my youngest in hospital when I gave her her sister’s cup of cow’s milk instead of her soya milk by accident. Things like this happen, that’s what ambulances are for. I know how scary it is to be watching that reaction happen before your eyes, I hope you’ve had a chance for a cup of sweet tea now your baby is in safe hands

There is a Calcough syrup for 3+ months, to a PP. a quick google would've told you that.

Hope your little one recovers quickly, OP. You did all of the right things here.

Oh no OP. You’ve not done anything wrong. I hope your baby is ok.

what is in cough medicine?!

Well done for calling an ambulance so swiftly. Absolutely not your fault, you couldn't possibly have known.
However, I gave my son a taste of baby porridge at ,6 months and he had anaphylaxis so I absolutely remember the horrible realisation I had purchased the porridge and given it to him. It still haunts me a little now (he's a big robust teen now!)

Be gentle to yourself and make sure you don't try and rush back to normal when you get home

Not your fault and so glad they got to you so quick!!!

Oh gosh. I am so sorry. Do you have family who can come help help?

I’ve had a similar situation with my then 4 month old and being in hospital for a week. It is horrible seeing them go through this but remind yourself she got help and is in the right place. Stay there for an extra day if you need to/dont feel comfortable taking her home. We had breathing issues too and I just felt comfortable there with the machines attached so I could sleep and be woken if her oxygen levels dipped. The first night at home was terrifying bcos if the lack of machines.

do let us know how you get on. You’ll be in our thoughts

Hopefully they will run allergy tests before you go home. That's what they did for my son.

Allergy UK and anaphylaxis UK both have lots of advice and helplines

And you should feel so proud you reacted so quickly. It must have been a long three minutes waiting though. I will never forget that wait.

That's interesting thanks. It isn't something I've seen in Ireland (where I am) so wasn't aware. I was going on HSE advice: www2.hse.ie/conditions/colds-coughs-children/#:~:text=Cough%20and%20cold%20remedies%20for,to%20clear%20a%20blocked%20nose).

I assumed it was the same in the UK, it's obviously not.

How terrifying, so glad the ambulance got to you so quickly. I'm an allergy parent but there's something extra scary about a reaction to a medicine I imagine. Highly recommend the book understanding allergy by Sophie farouque once you're home and everything has calmed down.
Hope you can get hold of DH soon, you're amazing copying with this by yourself

Another mother with a child who has an anaphylactic allergy. You 100% did the right thing. You did nothing wrong. Well-done on your quick thinking! I hope your DD is ok. Sending hugs @firsttimemum987

**Was meant to say another mother here.

You poor thing OP, you must have been so scared. It is not your fault at all that your baby had a bad reaction to medicine that a pharmacist gave you it was bad luck.

If it makes you feel better similar happened to one of my nephews and his mum felt awful too. I hope you get through to DH soon x

Hope you are both ok x

You were doing your best for your baby. You acted quickly and your baby will be well.

Hug and a handhold, OP. Hope your wee one is feeling all better very soon.

You'll be in shock, be extra gentle with yourself and just take it all one minute, hour, at a time.

Oh lord! How horrible for you and your little one! It's 100% not your fault though, you took advice and did what you were told was best, the pharmacist wiuidnt have predicted this either so don't beat yourself up. Hope little one feels better soon x

OP that sounds terrifying. I imagine you're reliving the moment when you gave her the syrup, wishing desperately you could stop your past self. But that doesn't mean that it was your fault.

I hope you have reassuring news by now, have reached your partner and are getting some rest. Take care.

Your poor baby and poor you too. What a horrible experience for you both. 💐