Hi babybear, it's really difficult to tell isn't it? The GPs kept saying DS had Croup,of course as it's worse at night they never got to hear the cough itself.. until i taped it,and took it into the surgery for the eldest GP!! He confirmed it, and kept the tape for the younger GPs to listen to..
The thing is unfortunately there is nothing that can be done ultimately as well you know,if you've been thro' it before,other then ease the symptoms with steam(i can remember sitting in the bathroom with bath after bath running),or i was advised, and it helped-to wrap him up warm and go outside into colder damp air for a tiny amount of time (luckily my neighbours DC had had it when younger,so she was very sympathetic when the coughing woke her up,bless her!)..but it is good to have it on the DCs medical records (got a tape recorder?).. DS had it for 9 weeks.
I would say the whoop is probably the same regardless of age,but if it goes on and on,and your DDs chest remains clear, you'll get a real possibility..I do remember DS not being particularly snotty tho'it was all quite dry,and there are some really strong nasty bugs around that i've heard and sound
very whoop like,so with any luck it may be one of those and not last as long.
Sorry,Not much help i know, but good luck,it's totally knackering for you both,
and i feel for you, as it is very scary in the early hours especially! x