Quick help please does my baby need a hospital?

[mummytopebs]

DD 13 month was in hospital thursday with a high temp and cough, snet home with a viral infection diagnosis. Still high tem yesterday but today temp has subsided. She still has a bad cough she is laid next to me now and her lungs are crackling sounds like someone scrunching paper.

Do I take her back to hospital or wait till morning? Have been out and had 4 halfs so shouldnt drive so would have to call ambulance. Please advise what to do

It sounds like she has a chest infection tbh.

If you are unsure, call NHS direct. They will take all the details and refer you to the appropriate service. If it's a chest infection, try running a hot bath and taking her in the bathroom to breathe the steam, this may help loosen whatever is on her chest.

Did she have any antibiotics for the infection?

Can you hear the crackling generally or only if you put your ear right on her chest?

And does she seem distressed and is she struggling to breathe?

Last question if you answer yes then yes I would go back to hospital. The others I suppose it depends how worried you are.

With her history I wouldn't mess about. Get her to hospital. (She has an ongoing blood disorder doesn't she?)
You lose nothing by getting her to hospital.

No antibiotics cos they said it was viral. The nurse who admitted her said she should have a chest x ray cos her cough was bad but the doctor said she didnt need one.

No you dont need to put your ear on her chest. She is asleep so not distressed is just breathing heavy.

I have rang nhs direct waiting for them to ring back.

If I hadnt been out tonight I would take her to the hospital, now I feel really guilty :(

Blimey. Best not to hang around - get there asap and they can decide what next. Early treatment way better for stuff like that anyway :) Good luck!

if you tell nhs direct that you have a 13mo with breathing probs they will also say hospital, afaik. In any case, don't let them fob you off with the "wait and see" line, littles can change from okish to unwell in minutes, can't they...

are nhs direct treating it as a priority call back? i wouldn't wait too long, i think.

Could you get a taxi there or could someone take you? Don't feel guilty, mums are allowed a social life occasionally! I hope she is feeling better soon.

I am going to get a taxi to our local hospital, it doesnt have a childrens dept but they will assess and if she needs a paeditrician will transfer us.

sounds like a good decision

keep us updated when you get chance

Hope she's ok. Don't worry about the drinks - you have a life too and you're an excellent mummy - nothing to feel guilty about!