Croup advice

[GG2017]

Merry Christmas everyone,

Just wondering has anyone dealt with croup in a baby was told by doctors my 13 week DS has it and was given a steroid but it hasn’t seemed to help.. I’ve never dealt with it before. Please help

Dd had croup a lot as a baby. I used to take her into the bathroom and turn the shower on. The steam seemed to help. (It was advice passed onto me by a colleague with grown-up children who'd done the same when hers were babies).

I was told to keep the room cool (no more than 18 degrees)

The doctor told me not to do any of that, it’s awful especially when he has a bottle soon as he starts coughing he’s bringing his bottle back up, he seems to be in pain with it as well..

We did steam too but not sure how much it helped. Cold night air did seem to help although discovered coincidentally.

Ahh Yes, both mine had it, awful.
So it’s viral, it goes almost as quickly as it comes.
It sounds horrific, and I think that they have a sore throat with it so calpol for that.

I used to put a wet towel over the radiator in the bedroom to humidify the air a bit.
fluids, really just to lubricate the throat and keep hydrated.
Try to get them to sleep uprights so a couple of towels under the pillow. Being flat seemed to make it worse.
Just ride the storm, it gets better.

Have a look on NHS choices website, there is good evidence based information about how to treat, what to look out for etc, it’s a cracking website for any illness.

Wrap your baby up and get them outside for fresh air. Hot, humid air used to be recommended, but it's not anymore and actually exacerbates the symptoms. My little one used to suffer badly. There is an oral steroid called Dexamethasone which can be prescribed, but it's very expensive so I think GPs are reluctant, but it really does work. My son had it when he was admitted to a&e after a bad night of croup.

They gave him a steroid yesterday that I had to dissolve in water, he had that yesterday and I haven’t seen any improvements he’s had the cough for about 5 days, he’s only 13 weeks so I’m reluctant to put anything under him at night just in case he rolls, thank you for the advice

Cold night air is the best thing for it.

The consultant told us (DS2 gets it a lot and has been in hospital a few times) that the steroids do help open the airways but they don't 'cure' it as such. They help minimise the risk of complications.

Try and keep baby calm as that can help ease it. If they have stridor at rest they need to be seen again.

Hope they're feeling better soon!

Both of my children got/get croup. We have found a humidifier in their bedrooms helps when they have an attack. Also as others have said, get out in the cold air. However, it may be that they need more steroids. After a dose we've found there to be an almost immediate and lasting improvement. If your child is no better and they are struggling with breathing etc I would go back to a&e. Croup is horrible, hope it goes soon x

The ones dissolved in water are prednisolone, I think dexamethasone is much better (but obviously not all kids are the same)

We were told not to do steam, also got prescribed steroids

Forgot to say we were told to hold dd upright by open window if he was struggling to get his breath

If really struggling then A&E obviously

Dd not dd

At that age if no better or worse or worried just go back -

Cold air may help so step out to front door and get fresh air and see if that makes a difference

I would go to out of hours and ask for dexamethasone it has pretty much fixed my dd almost instantly each time she's had it. It's a tiny tiny amount that you give orally, usually the chemist load it into a syringe for you so you can give there and then. Good luck.

Thank you all, I’m going to see how he goes next couple days and take him back if no better, it’s awful to see him like it. Hopefully it’ll get sorted, it has all steamed from a viral infection but I thought he was getting better then he developed the cough, he does go out in the pram when I take dog for a walk but it’s definitely worse at night..

How is he today?

He’s still coughing but taking him out in the fresh air did him some good, once the doctors are re opened I’m going to take him back. Just to be on the safe side and see if they will give him anything else to help.