5 mth old seems v ill; seen OOH doc but still concerned

[ImNotAnsweringIt]

DS 2 caught ds1's cold/cough. However, he is so ill with it. He is audibly wheezing, constant discharge from nose, eyes today are both stuck up with discharge and red and swollen. He is hardly eating and when he does (ebf) he is projectile vomiting immediately due to coughing then gagging after each full feed. He is obviously v distressed.

Saw doc at walk in clinic today and, typically, ds had a 2 hour window when he picked up a bit. Seemed to dry up, stopped wheezing and streaming etc.

He is now in bed following a big feed which all camE back up, then screaming himself to sleep in our arms. Does this sound ok or should I be worried? Thanks.

Trust your instincts. I'd get him checked out again, especially if there's an audible wheeze.

Hi if you are worried i would take him back. Did they listen to his chest? He could have bronchiolitis
www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Bronchiolitis/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

Thanks, I am worried. Doc listened to his chest and said it sounded "loose". I don't want to make a fuss for no reason but obviously don't want to take chances. what do you think about the feeding? He has had and kept down 1 good feed today.

Sorry pressed to soon having a steamer in his room can help and having the head of his cot slightly raised. If you haven't got a steamer having a bowel of hot water in his room with some karvol in can really help but obviously were he can not reach it. Having him in a steamy room can really help as well.

Strip him off and watch him breathing. If the skin just under his breastbone is sucking right in as he breathes than I'd get a second opinion, iiwy.

DS2 had bronchiolitis as a baby and that whole area, including the skin between his ribs was really, really pulling in with every breath.

X post, that sounds like it. He is having lots of dirty vapours, more than usual but think he is ingesting snot as that is what his poo is like. Sorry if you are eating...

DD2 (DC3) had bronchiolitis in January (4mths ish) and it was horrible, her breathing was really laboured and she had the worst cold ever. OOH said that as long as she kept feeding they wouldn't need to admit her.

I'd keep him with you and see how he is at the next feed? Perhaps wake him before you go to bed?

The steaming is a good point. Standing in the en-suite with the shower on full blast and the door shut really helped DS2's chest.

you are worried enough to post here. take him to walk in centre or a&e. thats what they are there for.

Oh yes the stridor thing, sucking in of the ribs that is what the doc said to look out for.

iF it is less than half i would be worried. Has he had wet nappies today. To be honset if he was mine i would take him to ooh or a+e. They will always be happy to see a baby when there parents or worried. At the end of the day you know him best

How old is he?

Does he have a temp?

Whoops. Saw 5mths.

info here about when to see doc.

Going by that, I would say go back to doc. Doe you have OOH who you can see in evening?

Thanks everyone. Just timed his breathing now he is sleeping. Not rapid or laboured now, he just sounds a bit cold-y. Has not had the sucked in chest thing, checked for that after speaking to ooh on phone before going in. Temp also normal. Feel a bit better now he is asleep but still worried about the feeding. Definitely less than half normal amount, I keep having to express which I never do.

By the way, meant he is having lots of dirty nappies, not vapours. That wouldn't help at all!

Sorry just seen that he is ebf which makes it a bit harder to tell how much he is having. Has he had wet nappies as well as the dirty ones? Is he showing any signs of dehydration?
a sunken soft spot (fontanelle) on their head
few or no tears when they cry
dry mouth
fewer wet nappies
drowsiness
fast breathing

It's good that he has no fever but check the nappies - if they aren't wet (do a dry and wet weight check to be doubly sure) take him in to A&E. My DS went downhill very fast with bronchiolitis so keep an eye on him - I'd check him every few hours tbh

It helps to use a saline spray to clear his nose a bit right before a feed. You can either make a saline solution yourself (salt and cool boiled water, check for amounts on internet) or you can buy readymade saline spray. I like Sterimar, very easy to use.

Put baby on his right side and then put spray in his left nostril (e.g. the higher nostril), if it clears the spray will run out of his other nostril or through his throat But don't use more than one spray unless instructions say so. Then move him on his left side and put spray in his right nostril. Straight after give him his feed. For a little while it should help his breathing.

Also, make sure his room is not too hot. Humidifyer will help as well especially if you have central heating which makes the air very dry.

Most importantly, trust your instincts - if you feel worried see a doctor. LOs can deteriorate quickly, so better be on the safe side.

Hope he feels better soon.

If he isn't keeping feeds in then you need to look out for signs of dehydration - run your finger inside his mouth and if that feels dry then he needs seeing.

Any signs of struggling to breath or recession (sucking in of chest) then please don't hesitate to take him to A and E to get checked.

What you have said does sound like it could be bronchiolitis but in the vast majority of cases it clears up by itself in a few days. However some are more serious and need extra intervention so follow your gut instinct.

How is he doing this morning?

How is he this morning? Hope everything is ok and he is getting better.

Thanks all. Did the steam thing last night at 10 and 1, worked well. Had a feed this a m fine but vomited 11 am feed. Has taken some boiled water off a spoon. Doctor at 4 today. Stil a little wheezy but brighter and happier. Thanks so much for all your advice and concern.

Glad he is feeling better. Let us know how you got on at the dr