To take my newborn to a&e?

[SleepForTheWeek]

Posting for traffic.

DD is almost 5 weeks old and has been very congested and mucousy since birth. I know this can be quite normal and Inwas told it would probably be the case and I was told she would probably be like that due to how quickly she was delivered.

The mucous that she manages to get out is usually quite green and can be blood tinged.

I've been issuing saline spray/drops and a nasal aspirator (which has been quite effective at getting visible bogies out). HV doesn't seem too concerned and is confident it will pass.

However, it's getting worse. Night times are horrendous as she can't lie flat for too long as she starts choking and spluttering.

We traveled to family today and it was quite a long journey, DD started struggling near the end breathing, she was coughing and really raspy, couldn't breath through her nose etc.

Since we've arrived she hasn't got much better and her breathing is so raspy, she sounds really uncomfortable.

She doesn't have a temp and although can get quite distressed when she can't breathe through her nose she seems to be content enough.

Is there anything I should do? Should I take her up to a&e for them to check her over or am I being a bit precious?

X

Ring the local OOHs service 111 for advice.

Green or blood stained mucous is worth checking out. Is there a walk in near you?
Any breathing difficulties in a new born should be taken seriously.
If you cant get seen anywhere else take her.

I would take her straight to a+e. Honestly you can't be too careful with a newborn. Please take her.

Take her. She is very, very little and it would be best you seek medical advice even just to put your mind at rest. Hope she is ok.

That does sound worrying, I don't blame you for being concerned.
If you believe she is actually struggling to breathe then A&E for sure but as you've said she seems otherwise content I'd try 111 first for advice.
If at any point she seems listless, unresponsive or really struggling to breathe (look for sucking in under her ribs) blueness around the mouth/lips a&e immediately.

Honestly, at 5 weeks old I don't think A&E would be an overreaction at all.

When you say you have been trying saline drops, is that on advice of the HV or have you seen anyone else about it?

Call nhs24 tell them what's going on with her and how far from home you are they can advise you on the best course of action

I'd head straight to a&e. Don t worry about it being an overreaction.

Please update us OP

Call 111

On a side note, walk in centres can't treat under 2s, as I found out when my useless gp receoptionist told me to go there when dd fell and cut her face.

Be prepared because 111 will tell you to go to a and e: breathing difficulties in newborn is a trigger

Call your GP? Tell them you're very worried and planning to go to A&E - they might fit you in (I would).

I had premature twins and took them to a walk in centre when they were a few weeks old. They said with newborns try and see if you can get a doctor to come out first because there are lots of dangerous germs flying around in hospital & a &e

I hope everything is fine but for a new born it is always better to be safe than sorry, so yes take her.

I would just take her to a&e straight away. If you call 111 with a newborn with breathing difficulties they will send you straight there anyway or call an ambulance out. Am sure it's fine but defo can't be too careful.

I might be wrong but I think newborns only breathe through their noses. Something to do with being wired up for the constant feeding? If I'm right with that I think if she's really blocked up I would take her to a&e. Not nice to see her so uncomfortable I'm sure.

No medical professional will mind looking over such a teeny baby...they can get very sick very quickly. They would rather deal with a false alarm.
Go to a&e and trust your instinct. Hope your baby is ok. X

In Ireland mum and baby are still patients if maternity hospital up to 6 weeks. Would this apply to you and save you a&e?

Hope little one is better soon op.

That sounds extremely uncomfortable for your little one so yes, I would take her to a&e

Thank you for all your replies.

She's now sleeping soundly and breathing easily - seems to be very position dependant.

I'm going to take get up if she gets worse - glad I'm not being over cautious. I wish they could just get all the mucous out for her!!

She seems to be feeding ok

Little babies really struggle with colds as they mainly breathe through their noses. Is she feeding normally (might take longer with a blocked nose)? If so, she's probably ok. Ill babies go off feeding very quickly. Green mucus with a little bit of blood is usually fine - the bleeding is caused by irritation.

However if you are concerned, see a doctor (I suspect an appointment with an out-of-hours GP via 111 would be less stressful than A&E).

I'm a GP btw

She's feeding ok, sleeping quite a lot but she's only a month old so that's reasonable.

It's just so horrible hearing her so choked up and not being able to help. Plus - the no sleeping on back thing!!

Hey there.

If you are worried with a newborn, then go see a doctor, as newborn's health can change quickly.

But just to help ( I had a newborn with recurrent bronchiolitis and second child had meningitis at 7 days) things that help a mucously newborn are

1- raising the end of the cot ( put some books under the legs on one end of the bed, or put cushions under the mattress.) If she was in hospital they'd have her on a tilted bed. I remember when I was in hospital with my newborn DD and the difference between the readings on the oxygen monitoring machine when the bed was tilted and not tilted were distinct.

2- Run yourself a hot bath and put the shower on in the room too and feed her in the bath/bathroom . Use upright feeding positions like "laid back position" and biological nurturing positions.

3 - Feed feed feed to keep her hydrated and thin the mucous.

4 - If you're worried about her breathing then watch to see whether she is having chest retractions, i.e. when you may see the muscles under their ribs sucking in with each breath, they may be grunting with the effort of trying to breathe, or they may be pale and sweaty
they have a rapid breathing rate of more than 60 breaths per minute . If they are not doing is, then try not to worry too much and get some rest yourself xx

For a very young baby if you call 111, the default is usually A&E - hope your little one is ok

I'd book a gp appointment for as soon as poss on Monday, and keep a 'watching wait' over the weekend.

If she deteriorates I'd take her to A&E. I'd be tempted to take video clips of her so that you can really tell the difference, and also to show medics if needed. There's a big difference between a snuffly bunged up baby and one who's struggling to breathe, but it can be hard to explain how bad it is if there's any 'anxious first time mum' vibe going on.

Hopefully it will clear itself quickly...