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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to want to see the doctor sooner?

37 replies

LeonMighty · 19/11/2018 17:06

My 4 week old has suddenly become quite raspy. He hasn't cried much, but he sounds a bit bunged up and his voice is crackly and hoarse when he makes any noise.

Phoned my GP who made me an appointment for Wednesday.

I wouldn't mind if it was me, but my baby is 4 weeks old and I feel like he needs to be seen tomorrow, latest. They wouldn't make me an appointment. I spoke to the receptionist who didn't ask for a second opinion and insisted that Wednesday was fine.

I know my GP is busy, and I guess they don't have time to fit me in, however I am a bit anxious about this.

What are my other options? Am I being silly? He's my first baby and I'm really anxious about his health. I'm not trying to be a time waster, I just want to know he's ok so I can sleep at night (or in our case, whenever he's sleeping!).

OP posts:
kitkatsky · 19/11/2018 17:08

Call your health visitor for advice. They're trained nurses and will be able to get him bumped up the surgery queue if they feel it's necessary.

Governoress86 · 19/11/2018 17:09

I think me personally I would phone 111 and see if they can give you an out of hours appointment and explain that you cannot get in until Wednesday and your worried and see what they suggest.

I was the same with my DD when she was born but she was born prematurely and I developed health anxiety.

marriageoftrueminds · 19/11/2018 17:10

I would call your health visitor or go to one of their drop in sessions if they do them in your area? They’ll be able to set your mind at rest (or tell you if you need to take action). Good luck. I have a 6 week old so I sympathise!!

Governoress86 · 19/11/2018 17:10

I also agree with what KitKat has said about the health visitor.

BendingSpoons · 19/11/2018 17:11

You could also call NHS111. I find they err on the side of caution so might make you an out of hours appointment as your baby is so young. Or recommend you are prioritised tomorrow and you can use that with the GP surgery.

Original poster
LeonMighty · 19/11/2018 17:12

Thank you.

I never used to worry and I'll go weeks before seeing a doc myself (stupid I know). I had a rough pregnancy, he had to be worked on after he was born which was terrifying and we were expecting him to possibly have something wrong with him based on early scans (he's all ok thank goodness!).

This has left me with an underlying anxiety I think that he's not okay. His voice has genuinely changed though and he sounds very raspy.

OP posts:
Original poster
LeonMighty · 19/11/2018 17:14

@marriageoftrueminds congrats on your 6 week old :)

OP posts:
LIZS · 19/11/2018 17:15

Raspy. Is he sucking in below ribs, feeding normally? Ring back and ask to for a same day appointment in case it is bronchiolitis ( related to the common cold but can be serious in a baby)

marriageoftrueminds · 19/11/2018 17:18

Honestly, I’m the same, please don’t feel you’re overreacting because:

a) you’re not a health professional and this is your first baby, you can’t make this call, only a doctor/similar can tell you if you are ‘over reacting’ and for this you need to see them;
b) even if your little one is actually ok, you will keep worrying until you’re seen and that will be agony for you;
c) that’s what the NHS is there for, your first baby is scary for everyone and they would always rather see a healthy/easily treatable baby and reassure or prescribe, than deal with an emergency at 2am (although of course they’re happy to do this too, don’t mean to put anyone off taking their child to A&E if needed!!).

It is also worth remembering that for the wider NHS, averting an emergency situation by seeking prompt care actually saves them time and money. I’m not at all saying your baby would be in this situation bjt worth remembering whenever you feel bad seeing advice!

Justaboy · 19/11/2018 17:22

Seeing his age and the raspy breathing if he were mine he'd be up at A&E Now! No messing at that age!

Babes of a few weeks old can go downhill very rapidly in my past experecne. No one would blame you for taking him there.

greathat · 19/11/2018 17:27

Never had to wait with a baby! I thought they HAD to see you same day, I've been seen in the nurses lunch break before

CondomsLubricantAndFlapjack · 19/11/2018 17:28

It's probably just a cold, but with him been so little you need to put your mind at rest. Only you know your baby so don't hesitate or worry you are bothering anyone.

When my DD was only a few weeks old she caught a cold and I put her in her car seat for a few nights as she seemed most comfortable and settled there. The back reclined but kept her semi-upright.

Conseulabananahammock · 19/11/2018 17:28

Id go a&e. Babies can go downhill very fast. Speaking from experience. My youngest has had respiratory issues since he was born. Dont mess about

Original poster
LeonMighty · 19/11/2018 17:47

DH just got home and is so blasé 'it's just because he's been crying'

Currently on hold to 111...

OP posts:
ButtMuncher · 19/11/2018 17:58

I'm not normally one to go against people @CondomsLubricantAndFlapjack but very young babies shouldn't be left in car seats longer than 2 hours at a time - I think it's even recommended it's around 30 mins last time I checked. Sorry to be a bore but they don't have the neck control to prevent potentially suffocating at that age.

Elevating a cot however is a good idea, putting a blanket or wedge underneath the Moses mattress will help with breathing.

Cornettoninja · 19/11/2018 18:07

Your GP surgery sounds pants. The few times I rang for dd when she was under a year they’ve took one look at her date of birth and squeezed her in, they’re usually more than happy to prioritise the littlest babies.

I think you have go get babies checked out when you’re not happy, they can’t communicate so need someone with all the right gear and knowledge to check them over. Takes minutes if it’s nothing. It’s not like an adult who can verbally express their symptoms and recognise if they’re just a bit under the weather. Not to mention you can’t give them anything over the counter when they’re tiny so if they need a painkiller or something you’ve no choice really.

We found those nasal sprays and snot suckers really useful when dd was little and those plug in menthol things (snuffle baby I think). Mostly it was just riding it out though.

I hope it’s just a bug and you’re snuggled up reassured soon.

hewhinessoshewines · 19/11/2018 18:15

Your doing the best by calling 111

Peaseblossom22 · 19/11/2018 18:18

My GPs will always see tiny baby’s with breathing difficulties , they can go downhill so quickly. Definitely talk to 111 and if he gets worse A&E . Sitting in a steamy bathroom will help the breathing as will a one of those plug in vapouriser.

Sleephead1 · 19/11/2018 18:22

I work in s doctors we are advised any ill child gets passed to on call GP if no appointments. So just insist and ask for the on call doctor. other option is 111 who will give you a appt or walk in centre

LondonLassInTheCountry · 19/11/2018 18:24

DO NOT put your child in a car seat over night or for any prolonged time at all

LondonLassInTheCountry · 19/11/2018 19:06

How is he?

MrsG841 · 19/11/2018 19:10

GPS have a duty of care to see all children 5 and under. I would make a complaint

Claireshh · 19/11/2018 19:10

My son had raspy breathing when very young. He had bronchiolitis and we had to stay in hospital overnight. He was fine but I was glad he was seen by out of hours GP’s.

Original poster
LeonMighty · 19/11/2018 19:24

We are at A&E getting checked out to be safe. It's likely nothing and his lungs sound okay but better to be safe than sorry.

On the car seat note. We have a seat which lays baby totally flat. Even that says baby should be in for no longer than 2 hours.

Thanks all for your kind words and advice! My poor little guy.

OP posts:
HoleyCoMoley · 19/11/2018 19:26

Glad you're getting him seen, hope he feels better soon.

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