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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To take baby to hospital and demand an answer

157 replies

notsurewhattodo7 · 02/01/2024 06:44

Hello

Regular user but changed names.

Baby is 7.5 months old and nearly 3 weeks ago, she started coughing, nose running etc. she also cut her 2 bottom teeth around the same time. We started calpol/nurofen, baby Vicks, humidifier, snot suction etc.

Within 3 days her cough was so bad and she was taking less than half of her usual feeds so I took her to GP and they listened to her chest, diagnosed RSV and sent her to paediatrics to be checked over.

Her oxygen levels and temperature were fine at the hospital, they monitored for 6 hours and sent us home with an instruction that if she had dry nappies etc to bring her back up.

A few days later, her chest was vibrating, you could feel it when holding her so DH took her back to GP who started antibiotics as she said the infection had moved lower and was now a chest infection.

5 days of antibiotics, cough went but still wheezy and rattling chest/snotty nose and unhappy.

30th December, called 111 again as she was so unhappy, no calpol or nurofen seemed to help and just a feeling that something isn't right. They sent us back to paeds, they listened to her chest and told us she should never have been given antibiotics and it's still RSV and will improve.

It's now 2nd Jan, still really unhappy and crying/fussy most of the day which is not like her, she's always been such a happy and content baby, snoring, hates being laid flat, sleeping more than usual, chest still sounds like it's rattling and hasn't had a poo in 2 days which isn't like her.

I'm so worried that something is being missed. I hate seeing/hearing her like this. We've got the humidifier running all night, calpol is still being used, she's pale and her eyes have dark rings around them but I feel like if I take her back to GP or hosp or call 111 they are going to think I'm an absolute pest, overprotective first time mum and not listening to them that it's "just RSV".

I'm worried she has pneumonia or something more serious and I can barely sleep at night.

What would you do in this situation?

OP posts:
Tobleronebear · 02/01/2024 06:46

If you're worried she's not right then go back. I wouldn't care what someone might think of me coming back in.

Judgejudysno1fan · 02/01/2024 06:47

Oh, no please don't feel you will be a pest at the hospital....go there this morning, please. It sounds like little.one is really struggling. The hospital is there to help you, whatever the situation is!!! Wish you all the best!

Perhapsanorhertimewouldbebetter · 02/01/2024 06:47

If you're worried then go to the hospital. I'm not sure being demanding is the best approach, but express your worries and ask for as thorough an answer as they can provide. It may well be busy too so expect a wait, even with a baby. Hope baby is better soon.

Discomboobulated · 02/01/2024 06:50

GP this morning if they are open.

WandaWonder · 02/01/2024 06:50

If you feel you need to go then go but sure what you think demanding anything will help the situation, they are not psychic

notsurewhattodo7 · 02/01/2024 06:52

Sorry I probably worded it wrong putting "demand" in the title, I don't know how else to describe how frustrated I'm feeling that I feel something isn't right and is being missed. I'd never be rude etc to anyone let alone NHS staff, I'm just at a loss on what to do and feel like she's so poorly and not improving 😢

OP posts:
determinedtomakethiswork · 02/01/2024 06:52

I would insist on a GP appointment this morning. I really hope everything is okay, poor little thing.

Goodlard · 02/01/2024 06:54

Go back, you've got to get to the bottom of it. Even if it ends up as nothing concerning.

notsurewhattodo7 · 02/01/2024 06:56

She's also being sick after every feed and meal. Not sure if this is relevant.

OP posts:
Ducksurprise · 02/01/2024 06:56

She is still tiny, who cares if you are seen as overprotective, in fact that is your job.

Having been throughout all the illnesses it sounds fairly normal, it does take time to shift but there is no harm getting checked again.

Zanatdy · 02/01/2024 06:58

I’d take her back, who cares if they think you’re fussing, it doesn’t sound right. I’d want some reassurance it’s not anything more serious as chest infections can become more serious

Muthaofcats · 02/01/2024 06:58

Back to GP if still worried, ask to see a different doc? A&e is for emergencies so don’t do that unless baby struggling to breath/limp/floppy/r dehydrated etc although if in doubt they would always prefer you err on side of caution with a baby so if you truly think something is very wrong then do tell them that.

definitely do go back to docs though - they can tell you if a&e necessary and more likely to see them quicker if you call this morning asking for urgent appt.

sorry you’ve had such a rough time - rsv/bronchiolitis can be really scary

Zippedydoodahday · 02/01/2024 07:00

I would get an emergency GP appointment. In my experience they are often better with these things, and you won't have to expose her to such a long wait in a gern filled waiting room. If they do think she needs A&E, usually your wait is reduced because your GP has sent you.

CaptainMyCaptain · 02/01/2024 07:01

Perhapsanorhertimewouldbebetter · 02/01/2024 06:47

If you're worried then go to the hospital. I'm not sure being demanding is the best approach, but express your worries and ask for as thorough an answer as they can provide. It may well be busy too so expect a wait, even with a baby. Hope baby is better soon.

Edited

This. Go in if you're worried but don't go in DEMANDING anything.

Vinrouge4 · 02/01/2024 07:01

Definitely see someone today. Doesn’t sound right

BeethovenNinth · 02/01/2024 07:01

Just go to paediatric A and E. I learnt this the hard way

Humbugg · 02/01/2024 07:02

I would go to GP or failing that I would call 111 and ask for a last minute GP appointment (they have the ability to arrange).

I would avoid A&E as that’s for true emergencies eg is she sucking her ribs in for every breath? ls she struggling to breathe?

notsurewhattodo7 · 02/01/2024 07:05

Thank you everyone I will get her seen today whether that's GP or I call 111 if no appts.

She's not struggling to breathe as far as I can tell, the sucking in under her ribs disappeared after 3/4 days of being diagnosed with RSV. Just very noisy breathing and bunged up.

OP posts:
MrsPatrickDempsey · 02/01/2024 07:08

RSV is nasty and it's so worrying when they are little and poorly.

This explains it quite well and gives useful safety netting advice to help decide if you can self manage or when you need medical intervention.

www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Pages/RSV-When-Its-More-Than-Just-a-Cold.aspx

WorriedMillie · 02/01/2024 07:09

Def get her checked out. My DD had a number of hospital admissions with breathing issues and the staff always said they never, ever minded seeing little ones.
I hope she’s ok ❤️

MissTrip82 · 02/01/2024 07:17

Demand what you like, that makes no difference, but it’s reasonable to follow the instructions you were given on the very first visit which were to re-present if the clinical picture changed.

RSV can take a while, it can be supersceded by a second virus or superimposed by a bacterial infection. It’s entirely normal clincial
practice to advise returning for another assessment if things change or don’t improve. There’s no need to demand anything at all.

honeysuckleweeks · 02/01/2024 07:17

Whilst you sort something better have you tried standing in the bathroom with bub. Shower on full hot. The steam seems to help. Only a temporary measure I know but just in case you are waiting for the GP.

Perhapsanorhertimewouldbebetter · 02/01/2024 07:18

notsurewhattodo7 · 02/01/2024 07:05

Thank you everyone I will get her seen today whether that's GP or I call 111 if no appts.

She's not struggling to breathe as far as I can tell, the sucking in under her ribs disappeared after 3/4 days of being diagnosed with RSV. Just very noisy breathing and bunged up.

Sounds like she's improving - it's awful watching them suffer though.

Kitkat2065 · 02/01/2024 07:25

My daughter was exactly the same and I felt like "that mum". With my son, he again was the same. GP appointment and the usual "nasal drip" (which makes them sound chesty but it's basically pooled snot....yummy!) Three days later he was worse so back to the GP and got antibiotics as he had a crackling chest. A week of antibiotics and no improvement they diagnosed bronchiolitis probably from RSV. Hes been ok for the past three weeks but all in all took about 6 weeks for him to sound vaguely normal!! Go back if you're worried, I'm no medical expert but kids can often sound worse than they are, they can't blow their nose or cough anything up so it just lingers xxx

Popetthetreehugger · 02/01/2024 07:26

If she hasn’t pooed then that’s why she’s being sick , little love is full up . Take her back , on top of everything else she will need something to get it all moving again . Such a tiny system, how would you feel if you were constipated and had trouble breathing. Go back to gp , if you’re not happy, got to hospital. Good luck 💐