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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not take DD to Doctors when she has a chesty cough and cold?

34 replies

VulvaVoom · 01/06/2013 09:50

She's nearly 8 months old, poor mite had a nasty chesty cough and is very snotty.

She seems fine in herself but her breathing was very noisy and snory last night (though she slept well)

I know Docs won't be able to do anything, so am not planning on taking her and DH definitely thinks it would be a waste of time. But I do wonder if I should anyway, just to be on the safe side?

OP posts:
Sirzy · 01/06/2013 09:51

An under 1 with a chesty cough and abnormal breathing I would always get checked out. Probably nothing but always safest to check

Bearandcub · 01/06/2013 09:53

Calpol, karvol or olbas on a tissue in the room. Keep her fluids up and an aye of her temperature.

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 01/06/2013 09:53

I think like Sirzy that an under one should be checked out. They're too vulnerable to be left.

quesadilla · 01/06/2013 09:54

It depends on the situation. You are probably right; if its a viral infection (which most of these bugs are) they won't be able to do anything. If it gets significantly worse or there is a high temperature, rash or vomiting you should get it checked out though, hope she feels better soon.

Signet2012 · 01/06/2013 09:58

My dd (9 months) has had a few colds and coughs. Provided her breathing is ok and she's not drawing in at her neck or under her ribs I just self Medicate and use steam etc. I always check with mil as after raising 6 kids I figured she has plenty of experience but if it lingers I would take her or if she sounds rattley (sp?) I always weigh it up with the risk of her catching something in the waiting room (bit worried about measles)

DrCoconut · 01/06/2013 11:12

I would have her checked over. But DS is a chesty baby and has been in hospital twice with it so I am maybe more cautious than average.

maddening · 01/06/2013 12:18

Younger dc should be seen by a gp imo - they can succumb to illness far more quickly than someone older.

FutTheShuckUp · 01/06/2013 12:27

Nasty chesty cough could mean a chest infection. It could also just be a viral infection the point is unless you can listen to the chest yourself and know what you are listening for (I do because of work) its a risk that isnt worth taking imo

DoJo · 01/06/2013 13:02

I would take her, but then I am asthmatic and have horrible memories of not being able to breathe and waking up thinking I was drowning, so am probably a bit more cautious than most. You know her best though, so if she's all right in herself and not worrying you then you're best placed to judge.

Coconutty · 01/06/2013 13:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Jinsei · 01/06/2013 13:06

I remember dd being like this when she was a baby. Didn't really think she needed a doctor but took her to the GP just in case. He asked us to take her straight to A&E and she was admitted to hospital overnight as she was struggling to get enough oxygen. I had no idea, and felt like the worst parent ever! Blush

Get her checked out, OP. Better safe than sorry.

wannabedomesticgoddess · 01/06/2013 13:08

DD2 had this recently. I didnt take her. Nothing they can do. But if she had a temperature or wasnt eating/sleeping I would have.

wannabedomesticgoddess · 01/06/2013 13:08

Shes 6 months btw.

Idocrazythings · 01/06/2013 14:12

Yes, I agree get her checked, what if its bacterial- she could have antibiotics.

Onemanwenttomowameado · 01/06/2013 19:46

Why do people keep saying there is nothing the doctor can do? They can assess the baby and determine if she needs treatment, be that fluids, paracetamol etc or hospital admission.
If you are concerned enough to post on an Internet forum, you ought to seek proper medical advice.

Jinsei- good post.

crumblepie · 01/06/2013 19:51

if its chest i would always take them , my dd had pneumonia ,she was older ,but i just thought its just a chesty cough left her for days, now i always take her to get her chest listened too for peace of mind .

Sirzy · 01/06/2013 19:54

Why do people keep saying there is nothing the doctor can do? They can assess the baby and determine if she needs treatment, be that fluids, paracetamol etc or hospital admission.
If you are concerned enough to post on an Internet forum, you ought to seek proper medical advice.

Exactly. DS when 8 weeks old (a lot younger than the OPs child I know) had what I thought was just a cold and chesty cough but decided to get him checked over in A and E - he left hospital 10 days later because the virus he had was so serious.

At the end of the day parents can't diagnose something, they can't check sat levels, do chest x rays or anything else like that so when chest is involved its always best to air of the side of caution

LEMisdisappointed · 01/06/2013 20:00

If you are sure you don't need a doctor then why did you post? genuine question? If you are unsure then she needs to be seen, however it is he weekend and the judgement is does she need OOH? If her breathing is laboured - isnt the definition of this, if the stomach is drawn in with each breath its laboured? See, i don't know, because im not a doctor........maybe a call to your OOH surgery would be wise, they wont want you to go in unless its necessary so give them a call.

issimma · 01/06/2013 20:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Twoflowers · 01/06/2013 20:04

Get her checked just in case. Dd2 was chesty with every cold she had, usually developing into an infection which needed antibiotics. She was hospitalised with pneumonia when I was a bit slow getting to the doctors for a chesty cough when she was 3.5 yrs Hmm

timewastingaway · 01/06/2013 20:07

I could've written this yesterday! DS 18m had awful cough for last 2 days and raspy breathing yesterday.Thought it might be croup but was worried about the breathing so went to doc yesterday and it is a bacterial infection, DS now on antibiotics.
I would definitely take her

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 01/06/2013 20:12

A baby should always be checked out. If you get sent hole great. But it's worth getting checked out. If its something like bronchiolitis that's something that gets worse and baby can suddenly really struggle.

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 01/06/2013 20:13

Hole? Home

LeggyBlondeNE · 01/06/2013 20:26

Things a doctor can do:
ABs if it is a bacterial chest infection
Salbutamol inhaler for symptom relief
Oral steroids
Giving nebuliser in clinic
Admitting to paeds for observation, checking oxygen levels etc

Our eldest is likely asthmatic and lays gets nasty coughs with colds. I always take her if her breathing is loud or cough is very frequent.

SimLondon · 01/06/2013 22:22

I agree with the others, take her to get her chest checked out in case its a chest infection that needs antibiotics.