what best to do re cough in 2yo

[redwellybluewelly]

DD is 2.9 years old and since Sunday night has had a dry cough which only happened (until today) at night and can make her retch. I've done some impressive leaping out of bed in the early hours at some of the coughing but she has slept through it. There is no fever and she hasn't come into contact with any children with colds. No major sneezing or eye rubbing.

Have held off visiting GP because in all honesty I am not sure what they can do, no indication that her O2 levels are affected and it isn't worse after exercise. The only thing we have noted is that she is perhaps eating a little less but that coukd be something as simple as the warmer weather.

Is there anything I can do? DD does still suffer from reflux due to poor trunk tone and we have open access to our children's unit due to long standing neurological issues and I'm aware if how to check laboured breathing but just not sure if there is something I've not considered and should do. With her history if I ring OOH or NHS Direct they send us straight to CAU anyway!

Many thanks

This has worked for me at night time....Get the bathroom steamy : put Vicks in the sink with hit water and sit in there for 20 mins.

Have the windows in bedroom open - brilliant if its a bit nippy - sit in front of open window for as long as you bare it... 10 mins or so.

Seems to release cough.

Only really works on cold nights though.

Thank you for advice - we did opt to get windows open at 3am!

Spoke to GP after an appalling night for DD, she was semi awake for hours (as was I) in my arms coughing and coughing - no struggling to catch breath though. GP said to just offer fluids and not to bother with cough syrups (which I knew).

Just had call from nursery and on way to collect her as she cannot stop coughing and is becoming lethargic - couldn't stay asleep for her nap. GP said that today would probably show wether it was going to be a week long thing or several weeks depending on whether she improved or not. Looks like we are in for a long haul - hoping to see GP again as well.

That sounds grim. You must all be so tired. Sleeping sitting up can help but obviously you do only semi sleep.

Hope it passes quickly.

OK seen GP, not asthma but a respiratory infection which so far has hit her with a cough but her chest, ears, throat are all clear, since this morning she has got snotty and the cough has got wetter.

Just a case of fluids, steamy bath before bed and because of the risk of febrile seizures then 24hr nurofen.

Oh and just to add to the fun of it I'm having an ELCS next week - almost 39weeks pg!

Did your GP consider whooping cough?

I cannot link at the moment but if you google 'English GP and whooping cough' you will find the website of a GP who has done lots of research on this (including scientific publications) and on his website there are short films of what whooping cough in vaccinated children sounds like and looks like.

His name is Doug Jenkinson.

Thanks I'll take a look, I have had the WC vaccine during this pregnancy and DD is fully vaccinated but that could cause a few issues if she did have it.

My ds had similar last year and was diagnosed with cough-variant asthma which really does just manifest as a constant cough, only alleviated by his inhaler.

Get calpol plug ins - they produce a vapour which helps keep noses clear etc, a big help.

Also I've had loads of doctors saying Tixylix isn't worth trying, but we got to the try anything stage. It definitely helps get them down to sleep, so worth it just before bed if at no other time.

Unfortunately the whooping cough vaccine is 90% effective. So on average 1 in 10 vaccinated children can still get it if exposed. Also the protection wears off after approx five years, health authorities are now considering a booster for teenagers.

It is a disease with significant risk of complications,especially pneumonia, so well worth to positively exclude it. Also, it is a notifiable disease.

Tea tree, eucalyptus, cypress and thyme oil (or olbas / Vicks) on feet, backs of hands, shoulder blades, spine and breast bone. Plus in burner while you are in the room.

Boil an onion, drain it and add honey, give a spoonful a few times a day.

Look at Buteko breathing on you tube to get lungs working more effectively.

And, (MN anti alternative therapies brigade not keen so bracing myself!!) Osteopathy has helped my kids, loosens up the ribs and shoulders which stiffen during coughing allows lungs to move more freely and hence to clear.

And be mother lion for breathing distress signs. Cammomile tea and honey for you!!

Ds got whooping cough mildly at four weeks old even though I had vaccination when pg. the doug jenkinson website convinced me as he sounded exactly like the non whooping coughing baby on the website - not all babies actually whoop. Sure enough 100 days later it seems better. (it's called the 100 day cough in china)

Inhaler?

Inhaler works for DS when he's like this. He's 3 now.