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Children's health

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Original poster

6 week old with bronchiolitis- when to go back to dr?

15 replies

Devonfirsttimemum93 · 02/09/2021 07:35

Hi all
After a bit of advice as a FTM. My 6 week old DS has got a mild case of bronchiolitis (oxygen fine as of Tuesday night), we took him to out of hours as I noticed his breathing seemed heavier, vomiting more frequently, runny poos and generally being very irritable when he’s awake. The paediatrician didn’t really say what to look out for and said just to keep an eye and give him saline nasal drops for congestion. At what point should I contact my GP if he doesn’t get better, 1 week, 3 days etc.? Not sure how quickly he should recover!
Thank you in advance ☺️

OP posts:

Sirzy · 02/09/2021 07:37

He is feeding ok? Is he well hydrated.

How is his breathing? Is there any signs of him working hard to breath? Tugging in under his ribs or at his neck?

Is his colour ok?

If in doubt when so small then don’t hesitate to get checked again. Otherwise do little and often feeds and try to keep slightly propped up when asleep

Hope he feels better soon

Ducksurprise · 02/09/2021 07:38

If you are at all worried about him get him seen.

He is tiny, and doctors would rather see him without reason than seem him when he is getting worse. Hope he gets better quickly

coodawoodashooda · 02/09/2021 07:39

One of mine had this. Id go back now. I waited far too long.

Flittingaboutagain · 02/09/2021 07:40

My friends baby has been in for a week with this and as above it was due to continuing to struggle to breathe and it putting baby off feeds.

I hope your LO improves soon.

52andblue · 02/09/2021 07:41

My dd had this at the same age.
If you have the slightest worry go back.
Better safe than sorry at such a young age.

JennaPenna · 02/09/2021 07:46

Don't hesitate at this age op, if you aren't happy get him seen again.
GPs see babies that age straight away.
Hope he feels better soon

Original poster

Devonfirsttimemum93 · 02/09/2021 08:12

He’s been feeding fine, if a bit more frequently than usual (probably as he’s vomiting more!), loads of wet nappies and breathing at around 40 per min when asleep, so that’s all normal, he hasn’t had a temperature and colour is normal. I first noticed as it seemed he was tugging under the ribs intermittently when he’s asleep on his back, but the doctors seemed to brush this off as it wasn’t constantly. He was a c section baby (albeit 39+6 and nearly 10lbs!) so he’s always been a bit mucus-y but definitely seemed worse the past few days which is what made me want to go to dr, plus he’s been sleeping a lot more.

OP posts:

Flittingaboutagain · 02/09/2021 08:57

Maybe just asked GP to have a phone call to talk about how he's doing? Then they'll ask you to come in if needed.

whatswithtodaytoday · 02/09/2021 09:22

If you don't think he's right, take him back to the GP or to A&E. They can go downhill so quickly. Bronchiolitis gets worse before it gets better.

I am surprised they dismissed the tugging in under the ribs, I've always been told that's an A&E symptom.

Shabbathehut · 02/09/2021 09:33

Bronchiolitis is a tricky one. My DS had it at 5 weeks old but he was very premature so hit him very hard.
There’s a weird pattern with it as they tend to go look like they’re improving then it can be a quick turnaround and they go downhill.
I took DS to the GP in the morning, he looked ok then he was really poorly that night.
I’d just keep a very close eye on the sucking in with breathing or if any apnoeas happen(stop breathing very briefly). Sounds like your little one is doing ok though with the feeding, wet nappies etc. So I’d just monitor for now and, if you’re in ANY doubt, get them checked out. SATS are a good indicator of how they’re coping with the illness so a dr will be able to check that easily for you

JuneOsborne · 02/09/2021 09:58

At 6 weeks, I wouldn't hesitate to get a medical opinion. No Dr minds seeing such a small baby who's poorly. Honestly.

Tinkerbellfluffyboots79 · 02/09/2021 10:20

They didn’t give you a bronchiolitus leaflet or any advice at all for a 6 week old?
That’s scary in itself!!
I’d look up nhs bronchiolitus guidelines - if you can get your local trust leaflets online your local paeds unit/hospital might have theirs online or even another area as I know ours is quite good. Parents need to know what is acceptable and when they need to come back with their baby especially a 6 week old.

You want your baby to be settled, feeding and the cough will last for a long time even when your baby is better from all the other symptoms.

Feed less often as large volumes are difficult to process when you’re also struggling to breathe. It’s very hard to suck with a blocked nose. Then they vomit so smaller amounts more often for a few days. Basically if your baby isn’t coping or you’re worried at all go back to help, probably gp/hospital or a&e do not be afraid to return as I know I’d rather see and reassure than have a very poorly baby because parents were scared to come back, always seek help. Notice your babies breathing - how fast and also work of breathing and their colour. You might notice their tummy moving very fast and ribs sucking in, sometimes a tug at their throat - sometimes you can’t see this in larger babies. Babies often are totally miserable and eyes are red and they are exhausted.

Prop the head end of your cot/ Moses basket up equally - from the floor not mattress. Sit up in a bouncy chair post feeds or cuddle upright as it’s often more comfortable than lying flat after a feed. There are devices for removing mucous use these prior to a feed not afterwards. They swallow a lot which goes into tummy and mixed with milk can make them sick more but that’s just part of the illness. It usually gets worse before it gets better, id have a hospital bag ready in case you do need to go back. And with such a young baby if you’re worried at all go back for help. Not sure I’ve been any use but I’ve nursed babies with bronchiolitus for the majority of my career and I am more than happy to see them back if parents are worried so just pick the phone up and/or go to be seen. If they see you and discharge - ask for further advice - if you’re in hospital speak to the nurses we manage the babies we look after in terms of 02, feeds, etc and can show you what to look for and reassure you, speak to someone if you’re not happy about discharge. Hope your lovely little one is on the mend soon

Buyitinbamboo · 02/09/2021 10:32

I have a lot of experience with a newborn with bronchiolitis (6 weeks in hospital within the first 12 weeks) and the fact that he is feeding, having wet nappies and resps are 40 wouldn't make me super worried but absolutely take him in if you are concerned, they won't mind at all . You are looking for reduced feeding, increase in work of breathing, so heavier, faster, sucking in, apneoa etc. I'd go in if he's more sleepy than usual, I appreciate newborns are sleepy and he needs to rest to recover but I would still have him checked if that is the case. Keep a close eye, bronchiolitis is horrible, they can go downhill very quickly.

Buyitinbamboo · 02/09/2021 10:34

I forgot to say don't look at feeding in that "oh hes had 4 oz instead of 6 "or whatever. look at what he is consuming in a 24 hour period. With bronc you want him having little and often really.

pinkgin8 · 04/09/2021 11:36

My son currently has this 8 weeks old . Been warned the 5th day is the worst and he's probably going to get worst anyway. Took him to a and e today. Struggling to breathe by the looks of it but his oxygen levels were ok so they discharged us.. will be taking him straight back if things worsen. He isn't himself at all.
How is your little one now op??

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