DS has been screaming in pain since 2am.

[ImpYCelyn]

He's 13 months. He's had a bad cough and a stuffy nose all week, and I think he has teeth coming through.

We've had him crying once or twice in the night all week, but last night he woke at 2 and has been screaming in pain ever since. He's completely exhausted, but has only slept two 30 minute snatches since then.

Since 2 he's had one dose of calpol, one of neurofen and teething gel where we could get it (he doesn't want to open his mouth). We took him out in the pram at about 4.30 to try to get him to sleep, and DH is going to take him out again now.

But is there anything else we can do to help? I think he can have another dose of pain killer, but it doesn't seem to do much :(

I'm pretty sure it's just his teeth, his cheeks are burning, and I'm sure the cold isn't helping, but I've never seen him in so much pain and so miserable before.

Poor lad. It's a vicious circle though with the snotty nose and crying. I have seen my DD cry which seems to increase snot production which makes her cry which increases snot.....................
Can you get some carvol (or similar) to help clear his nose?

Ah yes, sorry should have said - he also has carvol drops on his sleeping bag, baby chest rub on him, and some sort of baby safe cough syrup.

I've cleared out the chemist :(

I feel so bad for him.

Meant to say - thank you for reminding me, he could probably do with a chest rub top up!

Could it be an ear infection from the cold?

Have you taken his temp? Do you think it could be a chest infection? Or, more likely, an ear infection? Ds was like you describe and it was a bad ear infection.

He's so little that if he has a fever I'd probably get him checked out.

Ear infection a high probability.

I checked his temp earlier. It was 36.9, which I think is fine - although he has had calpol, so maybe it'd be higher by itself.

I'll definitely call the dr tomorrow if he doesn't make much improvement, and maybe the OOH if he seems really bad once DH gets back with him.

Thanks everyone.

He may sleep if you hold him upright as it makes it slightly less painful for them.

Thank you RandomMess, I'll definitely try that when he gets back.

Sit in the bathroom with the door shut and the hot tap running, the steam will help soften the mucus (including that in his ears) and should lessen the pain. He could have a blocked sinus which is incredibly painful in an adult never mind a baby. I hope he settle soon for you

Yes, was going to add steam him--do you or can you borrow a humidifier for his room, otherwise, stick a wet towel over a hot radiator to add moisture to the room, as well as doing what imnotaslimjim suggested.

Does he like a bath, my DS loves them, and when he is poorly he ends up having 2/3 baths a day, really soothes him.

Ice lollies- you could make your own, very soothing on sore gums, dry throats.

Don't have a humidifier, but I'm just about to do a wash, so can definitely put something wet in his room.

He had a shower with DH which did seem to calm him down, so we can definitely put him in the bath again.

I'll try making some lollies as well.

Thank you so much!

I'd go to out of hours doc today OP as it does sound like an ear infection

yes, i agree, please get his ears checked.

Ok, thanks. I'll phone the OOH dr when DH gets home with him.

also some nurofen might help :)

Thanks again everyone.

I took him to the OOH and he has an ear infection, both sides, and a probable chest infection. We came away with prescriptions for anitBs, an inhaler, a baby spacer with face mask and nose drops.

And an enormous sense of guilt for not having done something sooner....

:(

Aww bless, we've all done it, don't be hard on yourself, the most important thing is he has meds and will be better soon, wishing you a good nights sleep x

Don't worry, you'll know for next time. This is how you'll learn - I only suspected 'cause been there and done that with ds + dd.

He'll be on the mend in no time.

Awww, poor chap. Don't feel guilty, it's hard to tell sometimes and teething itself can make some babies utterly miserable. He should start to feel better very soon.

Don't feel guilty! It's really hard when they can't talk to make that judgement call and balance making a fuss about nothing or kissing something potentially more serious.

The ear infection might only have appeared in last day, ditto the chest infection.

Fwiw there's only ever been one time with my 3 dcs where I've known immediately that we had to get urgent medical help - when ds1 recently had an asthma like attack and I knew INSTANTLY - had checked on him because he had a temp in the night and his breathing was so obviously wrong wrong wrong.

All other times, has been guesswork.

Hope your dd gets better soon.

Sorry I sound like an arse, I still don't know what I'm doing most of the time! I'm just well versed in ear and chest infections in particular!

Thanks everyone :) I'm hoping it is that the infection came on yesterday/over night. He slept not too badly the night before, so I think it might have.

They spend so much time telling you you're overreacting or it's only teething that it's so difficult to know when that's not the case.

We've always said he's not the kind who screams for no reason, and now we know for sure that's true, so I'm going to stick to that from now on.

Thanks again.

And I didn't think you sounded like an arse, leftmymistletoeatthedoor. I'm pretty sure I took it how it was meant - unless you meant to be an arse :o

Imp - we've all learnt they are the signs of an ear infection through very bitter experience.

My dd ended up being hospitalised with chicken pox at 11 months old as she hadn't slept for 3 days straight and was getting worse, yep eventually 12 hours after being admitted they looked in her ears and it was an ear infection!