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Original poster

Worried about my sons breathing

29 replies

Riggsisadino · 12/10/2021 12:47

My 6 month old son has had a nasty cough for a few days. Over the last couple days he has started breathing really quickly. Yeserday he started sucking in his breathing and his neck. He seemed happy in him self. This combined with waking up with blue feet and having a very long nap I was worried and took him to a&e. We aired ages (they did his observations once oxygen heart rate fine was breathing fast) once. They said he probably had a mild cold. This morning he's just had a three hour nap I've had to wake him up from. He's still breathing really fast and sucking in his tummy. I don't know if I should take him back or ring gp. He's my first! I have autism and struggle with hospital/ doctors. Don't know if I'm overreacting. Don't want to be that parent. Any advice ?

OP posts:
sesamebreadsticks · 12/10/2021 12:49

You are absolutely not over reacting! This sounds like bronchiolitis - my son had this as a baby and it causes the sucking in you describe. You must take him for medical help - it's very treatable but he may need a little help with oxygen, as our son did at the time. Good luck

Hungry675tf · 12/10/2021 12:50

Yes ring GP or take him back to A&E. Sucking in their tummy like that is a sign they need to be seen. If you can't get hold of GP then do go to A&E, don't wait Flowers

sesamebreadsticks · 12/10/2021 12:51

Also to add, I recall our doctor said it was just a cold and we ended up taking him to A&E on the night and seeing another doctor who immediately diagnosed him. Doctors are amazing but don't always get it right first time

RestingPandaFace · 12/10/2021 12:52

Take him back to A&E but ring 111 first so that they can book you in.

Original poster
Riggsisadino · 12/10/2021 13:00

Thank you. I was wondering bronchilitis. But they said cause his oxygen says where fine and temperature was fine so it couldn't be that. He also wasn't seen by anyone nurse or doctor with peads training. I just don't want to be overacting. Alot of the a&e staff recognized me from when I had been in myself and were quite negative so I always doubt myself. I'll get onto doctors know.

OP posts:
TheCheeseBadge · 12/10/2021 13:04

Give 111 a call. Sucking in of the neck / stomach is a sign they're really struggling, so it does sound like he should be seen again.

Alternatively, could you take him to a different hospital where you might feel more comfortable?

girlmom21 · 12/10/2021 13:05

I'd be going to A&E if he's sucking in his chest

QuicklyNowThen · 12/10/2021 13:07

My ds had bronchiolitis numerous times this sounds definitely like it is bronch op straight back to a and e

JuneOsborne · 12/10/2021 13:10

No doctor minds seeing such a small baby. Things change fast with babies and children (both ways! They can get worse very quickly and recover similarly quickly).

If you're worried, take him to be seen.

Magicstars · 12/10/2021 13:13

... do you have a specials children's A&E nearby?
My son has had multiple attacks like this & they are amazing with him (lots of waiting around though). Listen to your gut instinct & if it's telling you to get a second opinion then I would.
Good luck.

Theraindropss · 12/10/2021 13:22

Call 111 right now!

I took (2 week old) baby girl to the doctors with similar issues, GP sent us home. The next day the health visitor took one look at her and we had to rush to hospital and she was there for a week with bronchitis.

Never ever worry that you are being ‘that parent’. I don’t. I take her in all the time now and I will never apologise for being cautious after we were let down! Not ever.

Viruses are terrible right now and babies can deteriorate very quickly. Broc is usually at its worst day 4/5.

Flowers
Theraindropss · 12/10/2021 13:23

Actually you now what I wouldn’t call 111. Just go in! Flowers

Etonmessisyum · 12/10/2021 13:27

I’m a paeds nurse
If you’re worried. Even if it’s nothing you need to take him to gp/a&e. Bronchiolllitus can become worse before it’s better, so they can chug away but if you’re worried you need to go back and be seen.

Sats on their own aren’t an indication that a child/baby is fine. Work of breathing, reap rate and heart rate, the child/baby colour, feeding are all assessed in conjunction to sats as children can compensate for a long time before getting tired and becoming more unwell.

We usually give advice and information prior to discharge what to look for at home and when to phone back (any time if you’re worried) they do still cough for ages after the acute phase passes but I’m always happy to reassure parents. Insist that you’re seen and baby is checked over and ask what to look for when you go home. It’s a horrible thing when your baby is ill so I hope he’s on the mend soon, don’t be afraid to ask to be checked overs

Tillysfad · 12/10/2021 13:30

They will absolutely want to see him. If you see his tummy going up and down like that take him in urgently.

You're not over reacting at all.

Mumdiva99 · 12/10/2021 13:33

If you haven't already left and are at home video the sucking in of breath to show them when you are there. Good luck.

StoppinBy · 12/10/2021 13:37

Those are signs of laboured breathing. Always trust your gut, I'd rather look a fool 100 times than not react strongly enough when I should have and the doctors will have the same mentality.

I had my son in hospital as a 5month old with a cold that caused breathing issues, long pauses in his breathing and having to be given a nudge to take his next breath etc, it was very scary, even though he presented fine with regards to oxygen sats we stayed in for a couple of nights so he could be monitored.

girlmom21 · 12/10/2021 13:42

@Theraindropss that's horrendous! I hope you've made a complaint!

Theraindropss · 12/10/2021 14:07

It was. I’ll never get over the guilt of not being more assertive and trusting myself. As if the health visitor didn’t come out the next day I don’t know what would have happened. Now I will always push when it comes to my children’s health, mothers know best.

Their defence was that babies can go downhill quickly.. basically covering themselves. They have made some changes and done more training as I complained they didn’t even check oxygen levels. My beautiful girl was only about 5lb at the time. She is still snuffly and hasn’t fully recovered.

Original poster
Riggsisadino · 12/10/2021 14:27

I wasn't given any follow up advice apart from hed be fine. Couldn't get through to gp trying 111

OP posts:
Wombleofwimbledon1984 · 12/10/2021 14:39

I think they will say go to a and e. My son has various health problems and we were always told by the cardiologist that the things to look out for were a stridor and also the obvious effort needed to breathe as you describe. Better to be safe than sorry I think.

Bialystockandbloom · 12/10/2021 14:45

Yes I'd go straight back too. Def sounds like bronchiolitis. Insist on review by paediatric A&e doc.

Can your dh/DP or anyone go with you too to help back you up on this if you're not feeling confident enough? (Though they might not allow two adults re covid, but worth a go?)

Good luck

Theraindropss · 12/10/2021 14:49

Definitely go back in to A&E if GP can’t be contacted. So much can change in a day.

Good luck xx

happylittletree · 12/10/2021 14:52

I'd go to A&E

Choconuttolata · 12/10/2021 14:53

Sounds like bronchiolitis and it can get worse around day 3-5 of a viral illness. You are doing the right thing by seeking medical advice.

Under the Equality Act the hospital have to make reasonable adjustments for your disability so if you need another adult with you as support to help with communication with health care professionals in A&E that is something they have to allow.

SunshineCake1 · 12/10/2021 14:57

Never put the worry of what a doctor will think of you before the care of your child if they are worried.

Babies perk up quickly but they also go down hill incredibly fast. Hope you get him seen soon.

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