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Original poster

To take my newborn to a&e?

96 replies

SleepForTheWeek · 21/07/2017 16:55

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

OP posts:
Coffeeisnecessary · 21/07/2017 17:38

My ds was very similar (afternoon a very speedy birth also, didn't know that's could be linked) i took him to a&e once and while there he had one of those oxygen moniters on, it was reading very low, then he vomited up loads of mucous and his oxygen level so rose back to normal suddenly. If I hadn't been there though he may have vomited in the night and choked- I think the doctors/nurses thought I was worried about nothing, but I'd rather be a panicky parent than the alternative!

HeyRoly · 21/07/2017 17:40

Although most newborns are mucousy immediately after birth, to still be struggling at five weeks seems quite unusual to me. So I'd definitely push for some investigations.

hooochycoo · 21/07/2017 17:41

chest retractions breathing with their tummy

helen650 · 21/07/2017 17:43

Agree with all the above about calling 111 or going to A&E if worried about her breathing.
My eldest had this and it was honestly like brown tar coming out, she poo'd during delivery and I think she had meconium in her airway, I used to lie her on her front while I was there, she used to get so cross and angry she'd end up snorting a load out of her nose!!
X

clairethewitch70 · 21/07/2017 17:47

Was she born by Csection? My DS2 was really mucousy after birth and was suctioned out. Doctors said that during vaginal delivery the lungs are squeezed and mucus is forced out wereas this does not happen with CSection. She may have residual left from birth.

hooochycoo · 21/07/2017 17:52

Just to clarify, when I advised the hot bath and shower on thing, it was to make a steamy bathroom. That'll help her breathing and if you lie in the bath the you are relaxing too, and she'll be able to feed easier on you if you feed her whilst you are in the bath , using the "laid back feeding" position.

When mine were ill and little I spent many a sleepless night like this. Really helped to relax us both, helped her feed and helped me rest.

like this. 1.bp.blogspot.com/-TPWHIm-PEFk/T5R3OtSal8I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/Q2zdBTHTWdQ/s640/BF+in+tub.jpg

Obvioulsy if you are very tired or prone to fall asleep , then have someone sit in the bathroom with you ( and massage your shoulders while they are there of course).

bumblebeebuzzing · 21/07/2017 17:56

5 week old I would take her at that age things can change so quickly and better safe than sorry

SunnySkiesSleepsintheMorning · 21/07/2017 18:00

You would not be unreasonable to get her checked over, she's very little. I do think you need to push your GP for investigations though, the bloody mucus doesn't sound quite right.

WaxOnFeckOff · 21/07/2017 18:06

Try tipping the head end of her cot up slightly or put a folded towel under the mattress to raise her top half slightly, it'll help with the nose blocking (Not so much that she can slide down though, just a centimeter or two). Try lying flat on your back with a blocked nose, it's really uncomfortable.

autumngold6 · 21/07/2017 18:14

Sarah Jones - some Walk in Centres treat under 2s - my 18 month old granddaughter has been treated at our local one several times since the age of about 6 months.

Original poster
SleepForTheWeek · 21/07/2017 20:20

We've had the head of the Moses basket/sleepyhead raised for a couple of weeks. She sleeps best upright on my chest but obviously I can't sleep all night like this.

I've done the steamy bathroom too, it helps temporarily.

I'm home on Monday so might make a GP appointment for Tuesday if I've not taken her up to a&e by then.

She just sounds so rattley Sad

OP posts:
Sunshinegirl82 · 21/07/2017 20:27

I took Ds to a&e when he was a similar age. His breathing just seemed funny to me. He was checked out and was fine but the doctors said we were right to take him and not to muck about when babies are tiny. They'd rather see a well baby than not see a poorly one. If it was me I'd be taking her tonight as I know that otherwise I'd be up all night panicking! They always see the tiny ones quickly and it would put your mind at rest at bit.

regularbutpanickingabit · 21/07/2017 20:30

Please just take her to a & e. Newborns make all sorts of funny noises and hopefully she will grow out of it but when so teeny and so new, anything to do with breathing really should be checked out. Please don't worry about wasting anyone's time.

Dozenmorewonthurt · 21/07/2017 20:31

Call OOH, hope baby is ok xx

Sirzy · 21/07/2017 20:34

Get her checked if in doubt.

If you can get a video of her when she is bad so the dr can see what it is your seeing and hearing

LoniceraJaponica · 21/07/2017 20:37

Babies shouldn't be in car seats for long as it can affect their breathing. I really think you should seek medical help if there is no improvement. Couldn't family have come to visit you instead?

LouHotel · 21/07/2017 20:38

Ditto for 111.

Anyone know if calpol plug ins are ok for newborns? I used it in the winter but my baby was 6 months by then but it really helped to clear her nose up.

WellThisIsShit · 21/07/2017 20:41

By the way, I'd not rely on a hv for specifically medical advice.

There seems to be such a range in the up to date-ness of some hv's knowledge. Not to mention a weird mix of old wives tales and actual peer reviewed paediatric insight.

Definitely get a gp appointment next week and refuse to be reassured by platitudes of around what's usual in new borns, as she's 5 weeks now.

On the other hand I'd try not to panic either. Just keep a close eye on your DD and watch out for any decline...

SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower · 21/07/2017 20:43

A&E. Tonight please

I've had that respy newborn, I've was told over and over that it would pass, but it didn't. He needed urgent medical intervention.

You have a newborn baby that is struggling to breathe. I cannot emplasise enough - go to hospital.

SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower · 21/07/2017 20:45

He saw so many health professionals in his first month. HVs, GPs, medics etc. Then all missed the problem and passed it off as normal newborn issues.

Trust your instincts, if you think there is something wrong, please go

WomblingThree · 21/07/2017 20:53

Why do people do this?
OP: shall I take my baby to A & E?
Everyone: YES
OP: oh it's ok now

Why on earth post in the first place, if you are then going to decide that your baby is fine??

Almostthere15 · 21/07/2017 20:58

I'm sure it was a typo but did you mean "no back to sleep", you are placing her on her back to sleep aren't you? If her breathing is an issue I'd want to see someone before the return journey in a car seat, that could be making things worse. We're all just guessing, a medical professional can tell you and check her oxygen levels.

StarUtopia · 21/07/2017 20:59

Are you not still under the maternity ward?! Pretty sure I was told I was until baby was 6 weeks.

Seriously though. You were worried enough to post, everyone says yes, and now you're saying baby is fine.

Ring 111.

Flugelpip · 21/07/2017 20:59

I've never regretting taking either of my DCs to A&E. They are always so kind and helpful at our local (very busy) hospital and NEVER make you feel you shouldn't have bothered them. If you feel you should, you should - simple as that. Just take her.

CremeFresh · 21/07/2017 21:04

We are never ever cross when a parent brings a newborn into A&E.

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