To take my baby to GP

[Fruitcorner123]

My DD is almost 5 weeks old. She has a cold and this is day 3. It hasn't been affecting feeding so far and she doesnt have a high temperature. The reason I am considering taking her is because she has a chesty cough which sounds almost like a bark and she is so young. What would you do? Wait a few days and monitor or go in for an emergency GP appointment (it will be a three week wait for a routine one). I could try and see the practice nurse I suppose. It's the cough that is worrying me as she is so little but I am probably being over cautious.

If you're worried then you should take her. Your doctor won't mind seeing a baby that young.

very reasonable. I'm always happy to see tiny babies - they get ill quickly and are difficult to assess.

Always best to get them checked over when so small.

Most GP surgeries have a telephone triage system for emergency appointments now. I think it’s definitely worth at least talking to a doctor.

Take her - it could be bronchiolitis.

I would take her with her being so tiny.

She’s so new I would take her.

Could be croup - definitely take her in.

I would take her in, and I took my DD to the doctor for the same thing when she was about the same age.

They’ll be happy to check her over and will also explain the things to look out for.

My dr would say take her in to be checked at that age.

Fingers crossed they just send you away :)

(After checking her and saying she's fine, I mean 🙈)

At 5 weeks you're not over reacting, go with your gut instinct.

I would call the surgery, even to get the nurse to have a look at her. When babies are that small, I'd err on the side of caution.

Thanks everyone. I have spoken to the doctor using the triage system. He asked several questions about her feeding, breathing etc. And said he doesnt need to see her unless it affects her breathing feeding or she has a temperature or is not respondinf/sleeping as normal.I feel much better now but hate the idea of wasting their time.

I'm sure she's fine, but it's definitely not U to take her. I probably would too in the same circumstances.

She's 5 weeks old, she's tiny, they really won't mind seeing her

Oh x post sorry! Glad you've spoken to someone.

I know what you mean about wasting their time; they seem so under pressure just now I always feel like apologising for calling them! They're always fine with it though. Unless you're calling every other day because your baby sneezed once or something.

Did they tell you what signs to look for with regards to struggling to breathe?

Yes rapid or irregular breathing or oulling off when feeding to breathe.

Pulling not oulling!

Babies breathe through their nose which is why they can’t cope as well when they have a cold and feeding may also tail off as they’re too busy trying to breathe.

Keep an eye on below the ribs as well, if it looks as if its sucking in quite a bit then that's a sign of laboured breathing. Chances are your baby will be fine if not a bit grizzly.

Feeding will end up probably being even more little and often so make sure you get some rest too especially if you are breastfeeding or you will be exhausted too!

I'm very happy to see babies /young children based purely on a parent's basic instinct that some thing 'isn't right' or they are concerned. Babies are unpredictable and change very quickly. You did absolutely the right thing and would still be doing the right thing if you ring back and want a face to face assessment. I'd far rather see a child and confirm they are OK than not seeing purely as the parent doesn't want to be seen as a time waster. Hopebaby is feeling better soon!

You are never being unreasonable in taking a young baby to the GP if they’re unwell.
Always trust your instincts.