Please help, unsure what to do now

[snowchick1977]

Hi

Im after some advice on my daughters cough and breathing. She is 7 months old, was born 3 weeks early. For the last 8 weeks now she has coughed and coughed....it has come and gone and she gags often. Its worse at night.

The doctor said there is nothing they can do, but last week we ended up in hospital, due to the fact that she was struggling the breathe. We were sent home with an inhaler, after spending 3 nights being monitored.

She is still coughing. Also, she has a vomiting bug and diahorrea and has had this for 48 hours. Any food she has comes up and milk is only staying down if we keep her flat.

Im not sure how much longer I can take her suffering. Has anybody got any advice? The health worker has said keep feeding her milk, until her tummy is better, but its been 48 hours now.

Thanks x x x

Unfortunately viral cough and wheeze can take ages (weeks and weeks) to resolve.

With vomiting and diarrhoea, I would say avoid milk, give water or dioralyte or whatever bloody fluid you can get in her. Give little and often; 10 mls every 10 min or so. Give reg calpol if she will keep it down.

If giving her tiny sips doesn't work, or she has no wet nappies then take to to OOH Dr. Poor her - and poor you.

I would take her straight back to A&E.

What health worker are you talking about? Are they a qualified doctor? If not, then I would not follow their advice.

I am a nurse BTW.

Oh sorry should have said in a doc.

She is sleeping now after the initial coughing, she always settles after a while. I just guess i want an answer as to how long this cough will last but no doctor can give me that answer.

Ill see how she is in the morning and if she still has the diarreah ill try and get an appointment

Thanks x

Oh good, glad she's sleeping.

Breastmilk is fine, would avoid formula and give water instead.
Hope she's better soon.

Have they tested her for whooping cough? They don't always 'whoop' with it but it can last for a very long time. It was known as the 100 day cough.