5 month old baby - do I call 111?

[Grabmygran]

DD1 (3) has been ill with what I think is croup (horrible barking cough, cold symptoms, no fever but rosy cheeks). Covid test was negative. DD2 (5 months) seems to have developed it too. Barking cough and horrible congestion. Tonight her breathing is raspy, she can breastfeed fine and will fall asleep on the breast on her side but if I transfer her onto her back she does some horrible painful sounding coughing. I can prop her up on my shoulder and she will fall asleep with some loud congested snoring.

AIBU to just stay awake with her on my shoulder as she seems comfortable enough in this position? Or should I call 111 for advice?

Calling 111 can’t hurt, and it might help.

Yes definitely call, agree it can’t hurt. Apparently whooping cough is doing the rounds too.

100% call 111. The wait times can be long but get yourself in the system. Please don’t wait my son was in hospital with croup. Hugs x

Call 111 without a doubt. Especially with the raspy breathing - just not worth taking any risks. Hope she feels better soon

Definitely call 111. If she’s snotty and congested can you sit with her up like that in the bathroom with the shower running hot? Old fashioned, but the steam might help.

Call 111. Hope all is well xx

When DS had croup we called the equivalent of 111 (where we live). The nurse sent us straight to A&E. He was 6 months. Please call. Croup is really awful for young babies. RSV could be even worse.

If you're worried enough to post on here , call 111.

Hope baby is better soon

Did you get whooping cough vaccine in3rd trimester?

Definitely call. My youngest is 13 months with similar symptoms and doctor wants to see him in the morning due to his age.

Please ring them if you haven’t already or just take her in to A&E if you can. My son used to get bad croup and although he had his injections for whooping cough he caught an unusual strain. He was in an oxygen tent and very ill at 4 years old. Breathing difficulties with a baby need medical attention.

Hope because you haven’t returned that it means you have already rang 111.

Call 111, babies can take a turn for the worse very quickly. My eldest had croup when she was 18mo. It was a very long and scary night when her breathing was strained and raspy. It still shocks me that I didn't take her to hospital. If it happens to my youngest I will take her in straight away.

I'm sure your DD will be fine, but that's still pretty young to have croup.

Worth getting checked out as steroids might be indicated if a medical professional thinks she has croup.

The only thing that helped dd with croup at 8 months was going to A&E and getting steroids in her. Worked like magic, we were in hospital for 6 hours and then she was okay to come home and greatly improved over the next 24 hours.

The sound of croup is awful.

I called 111, I called as thought they would just make her appointment at urgent care (usual where I am), but they insisted on an ambulance. I felt really guilty for that when I had a car sat here to take her, but they insisted they were sending one.