Baby asthma

[mrswigglemunch]

Took ds to the docs a couple of weeks ago as he had been coughing in the night and had started wheezing on occasion. He's high risk for asthma so, although he was fine at his check up, gp said it was up to me whether or not I tried him with an inhaler. I didn't want to give him medication he didn't need though and as she said he's a "happy wheezer",I left it.

Been wondering last few days if I should have got one just in case though. Especially last few days as he seems to be getting a bit breathless (like he's been running!) when on his tummy and pulling himself around (he's nearly 7 months).

I'll get him into the docs again tomorrow but just wondered about people's experience with baby asthma. Why were they given an inhaler? How will he take his inhaler?

He's also been putting his head down for a rest when on his tummy which he's not done until now

No advice, but sounds to me like you should go back asap. We had an inhaler for DS1 but never used it. It came with a long tube and a little face mask thingy. Not explaining very well.

I think if he's breathless and getting tired from the effort you should probably try and take him to put of hours today. I haven't given an inhaler to a baby but for my toddler ds I used a spacer with a face mask. He didn't appreciate it at the time but got used to it. Hope he feels better soon.

I would phone NHS direct or whatever they are now for advice. They might be able to get you an ooh appointment so you could get seen before Christmas.

Out of hours that is

We had to use one with dd (thankfully grew out of it at 4). Every time she picked up a cold it was awful and always ended with hospital stay so I recommend you get him one just in case. It is so distressing watching your baby struggle for air, I would have to have it, hopefully you will never need it. It comes with a chamber that you place over their mouth and you have to count to ten with every puff so that they breathe it in.

I would ask for a referral as it is best monitored.

The good news is it can go as their air ways grow.

If he is struggling then I would certainly get him checked again ASAP.

DS was diagnosed with asthma at 11 months - had been on inhalers from about 6 - and the breathlessness was one of the things which triggered the diagnosis.

Most babies who have asthma symptoms grow out of it before they are 5, which is why they often don't like to formally diagnose as asthma so young but they can still treat the symptoms.

Thank you for all the advice. He hasn't been any worse so decided to leave it till tomorrow and see our usual doc. Hope if it is asthma he does grow out of it - unlike me!

Went to the docs today but ended up seeing someone different who said that inhalers didn't make much difference under 15 months? Just said to bring him back every couple of months for a check,or if he's so breathless he can't feed. Think at that point I'd be straight up to a&e.

So, still rattling and getting out of breath but just something to put up with for now apparently.

I'm sorry but my dd was given inhalers from just weeks old. I think they saved her life. I would still ask for a referral, I wouldn't wish anyone to go through what dd went through. Although he might seem well now you can't be sure what he will be like with a cold.

DS has been on daily inhalers from 6 months and as and when needed from much younger than that so they do work. Apparently ventolin isn't always effective in little ones but atrovent is given instead.

Was told the same for DS1, when is was 5mths. Was given atrovent but ended up a blue inhaler within days as it seemed more effective for DS1.

I would go back.