9 month old - possible bronchitis?

Cottonfairy2428 · 2025-12-23T17:35:53+00:00

Just looking for a hand hold for maybe an anxious mum or advice etc. 9 month old with a week history of a cold, last 2/3 days developed a cough and a temp to go with it. Only ibuprofen is keeping it down. Shes not her usual self, can't stop coughing, is struggling to sleep because of it. Shes coughing so hard shes turning bright red and being sick, whatever shes had either milk or solids. I can see she is uncomfortable and struggling with it. Shes snotty also, and just generally grumpy. I did take her to the GP, they listened to her chest, couldn't find any issues, and said query bronchitlitis? Said her temp was up, and her heart rate was a bit fast. Just worried that she is struggling and ofc no mum likes to see that.

Hazelmaybe · 23/12/2025 17:38

Is she able to keep anything down? If not she could be getting dehydrated so I would get her checked over.

Original poster

Cottonfairy2428 · 23/12/2025 17:40

Shes keeping some things down, dad said he did her an extra bottle earlier as he noted her nappy wasn't as wet as it is normally. She is definitely keeping some down, but is definitely being quite sick. She also isn't very interested in solids, which is unlike her.

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Kosenrufugirl · 23/12/2025 17:41

Hi there, it's a mum of two. Please take you child to A&E ASAP to be checked over.

Bronchiolitis is a serious matter. My son was 11 months old when I took him to GP with similar symptoms. This was Tuesday, we were sent home. My friend came to visit by complete chance the following day. My friend is a mum of 3.

She told me to call the ambulance. My son was taken to hospital, spent 2 days in hospital on drugs and oxygen, another 2 weeks of treatment at home.

He was readmitted a month later with the same issue.

Please go to A&E ASAP.

Kosenrufugirl · 23/12/2025 17:42

Cottonfairy2428 · 23/12/2025 17:40

Shes keeping some things down, dad said he did her an extra bottle earlier as he noted her nappy wasn't as wet as it is normally. She is definitely keeping some down, but is definitely being quite sick. She also isn't very interested in solids, which is unlike her.

Please take your baby to hospital ASAP to be checked over.

APatternGrammar · 23/12/2025 17:46

Why would the GP query bronchiolitis yet not offer any treatment for it? Is she sucking her stomach in when she breathes at all?
I’d call 111 at least.

Original poster

Cottonfairy2428 · 23/12/2025 17:52

APatternGrammar · 23/12/2025 17:46

Why would the GP query bronchiolitis yet not offer any treatment for it? Is she sucking her stomach in when she breathes at all?
I’d call 111 at least.

Thank you all, she didn't offer anything. Just gave me safety netting regarding her breathing etc and what to watch out for. Said its viral, and she'll settle. Said it peaks around day 5, which is why she might be struggling the most today. Shes not pulling in or anything, think she is breathing a bit quicker than she usually would. Her temp is down atm but she had calpol at 2 and ibuprofen at half 5. She has also not slept all day cause shes coughing so much.

OP posts:

Hazelmaybe · 23/12/2025 17:52

I would take her to A&E to get a proper check. Better to be extra careful with babies. X

Original poster

Cottonfairy2428 · 23/12/2025 18:06

Shes fallen asleep, bless her. I think shes knackered. I did her breathing rates and its 50 per minute. So she is definitely breathing a bit quicker. I'm going to speak to 111, as I really don't want to wake her, shes not slept at all today, and see if they can book us an appointment to see the peadatric assessment unit at our local hospital.

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Kosenrufugirl · 23/12/2025 19:21

Hi there, have you called 111? What did they say?

Original poster

Cottonfairy2428 · 23/12/2025 19:55

I did! I'm waiting for a clinician to phone us back. She's asleep at the moment, bit warm, still coughing. Hopefully we hear from them soon.

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oustedbymymate · 23/12/2025 20:05

Is she sucking in at all under the bus or on the neck. Google sucking in bronch you will see what I mean. If she is you need to go to an and e. My youngest suffered with bronch and it was awful
to watch he had it first at 10 weeks old.

Kosenrufugirl · 23/12/2025 20:23

A lethargic, vomiting young child with reduced urine output needs urgent assessment. Signs of meningitis for example could be very subtle and meningitis rash is a very late sign. Please take your child to A&E for an urgent assessment. You could be waiting for hours with 111

Original poster

Cottonfairy2428 · 23/12/2025 20:42

Shes not sucking under the ribs or showing signs she is working hard to breath, she is granted breathing a bit faster. When I queried this with the GP earlier, she said it could be a correlation to the suspected bronchitis and or her temperature. I believe she is being sick more because of the fact she is coughing so much, she is asleep and comfortable at the moment, apart from showing signs of breathing a bit quicker she does not appear in any immediate danger, I am and will continue to check on her regularly whilst I wait for 111 to call me back, I also suspect as she always does she will wake for a bottle within the next hour or two, if I haven't heard back from 111 and her urine output is still low, then I am going to take her up to A&E. Thank you all for responding. I think you've all answered what I thought, and either way I think we will end up either in A&E or at the peads assessment unit tonight. X

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Original poster

Cottonfairy2428 · 24/12/2025 09:24

What a wild 12 or so hours, went to hospital, doc essentially said shes better recovering at home and she should be fine, offer extra fluids etc. I then notice when we're back she's still breathing quite quick. I keep an eye and notice yet another pretty much dry nappy and shes pulling in under the ribs ever so slightly. I phone 111, they want to send an ambulance. A clinician from the ambulance service rings me, does a video call and assesses shes in no immediate danger and arranges another gp appointment. So now here we are going back into the doctors for round two

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LilacPomPom · 24/12/2025 10:03

Cottonfairy2428 · 24/12/2025 09:24

What a wild 12 or so hours, went to hospital, doc essentially said shes better recovering at home and she should be fine, offer extra fluids etc. I then notice when we're back she's still breathing quite quick. I keep an eye and notice yet another pretty much dry nappy and shes pulling in under the ribs ever so slightly. I phone 111, they want to send an ambulance. A clinician from the ambulance service rings me, does a video call and assesses shes in no immediate danger and arranges another gp appointment. So now here we are going back into the doctors for round two

Wow..

Firstly, I’m so sorry as this must be incredibly stressful for you. I have been there numerous times and appreciate it can be so worrying and also contradicting when different healthcare professionals are giving lots of different information.

My son got out of hospital about 1-2 weeks ago with RSV and, subsequently, Bronchiolitis. He required oxygen therapy but no antibiotics as they were not concerned there was an infection. Most of the time, illnesses that require antibiotics are often diagnosed when their heart rates are fast, ongoing raised temperature and other “usual” signs of infection.

A key thing to remember is Bronchiolitis is a condition caused, most commonly, by RSV which is rife at the moment. With the nappies, there should be around 6 wet nappies in 24 hours. You can often tell if the urine is concentrated because of the ammonia smell and the colour. When speaking with the GP, in layman’s terms - I’d be a “Karen” which is how I got treatment for my son.

Ultimately if you feel the GP is not taking your concerns seriously - hospital may be the way to go. My son was seen by numerous GP’s since RSV/Bronch in September and the only people who take me seriously are staff at the hospital despite the fact I am a medical professional 😂 and I know what I’m looking for… but also because I’m his mum!

Mum “gut” is a real thing and if you are concerned, no one should dismiss your concerns. RSV & Bronchiolitis is brutal but the key signs of respiratory distress is sucking in under the ribs, pulling in at the neck (tracheal tug) and noisy breathing. If she doesn’t have those things, that might be why they feel hospital is not the best place, but without you pushing for support - the GP’s will offer minimal care and tell you to support at home which is very difficult when you don’t have a plan. A child should be seen if they’re temperature can only be controlled by medication!

Sending lots of well wishes and hopefully your little one recovers soon 🩵

Original poster

Cottonfairy2428 · 24/12/2025 10:29

LilacPomPom · 24/12/2025 10:03

Wow..

Firstly, I’m so sorry as this must be incredibly stressful for you. I have been there numerous times and appreciate it can be so worrying and also contradicting when different healthcare professionals are giving lots of different information.

My son got out of hospital about 1-2 weeks ago with RSV and, subsequently, Bronchiolitis. He required oxygen therapy but no antibiotics as they were not concerned there was an infection. Most of the time, illnesses that require antibiotics are often diagnosed when their heart rates are fast, ongoing raised temperature and other “usual” signs of infection.

A key thing to remember is Bronchiolitis is a condition caused, most commonly, by RSV which is rife at the moment. With the nappies, there should be around 6 wet nappies in 24 hours. You can often tell if the urine is concentrated because of the ammonia smell and the colour. When speaking with the GP, in layman’s terms - I’d be a “Karen” which is how I got treatment for my son.

Ultimately if you feel the GP is not taking your concerns seriously - hospital may be the way to go. My son was seen by numerous GP’s since RSV/Bronch in September and the only people who take me seriously are staff at the hospital despite the fact I am a medical professional 😂 and I know what I’m looking for… but also because I’m his mum!

Mum “gut” is a real thing and if you are concerned, no one should dismiss your concerns. RSV & Bronchiolitis is brutal but the key signs of respiratory distress is sucking in under the ribs, pulling in at the neck (tracheal tug) and noisy breathing. If she doesn’t have those things, that might be why they feel hospital is not the best place, but without you pushing for support - the GP’s will offer minimal care and tell you to support at home which is very difficult when you don’t have a plan. A child should be seen if they’re temperature can only be controlled by medication!

Sending lots of well wishes and hopefully your little one recovers soon 🩵

Show quote history

Thank you! It's been a crazy few hours. We just got out of the GP and I somewhat do feel listened too. Her temp is 37.7 with meds on board, which is better than yesterday. She checked her chest, pulse and saturation. Said she was breathing a bit faster than she should but chest sounded clear and oxygen levels were good.

She thinks we can manage this at home given her findings but has put a plan in place for the on call doctor to give me a ring in 3-4hrs. If she is worse or no better she'll ask the hospital to take action, if I think there is some improvement or I'm as her mum satisfied she's okay, she'll arrange a follow up phone call for a few days time. She has also ofc said if before they phone I think she's getting worse to take her back up to A&E.

She's had a wee this morning, but considering the nappy she's wearing has been on for 2.5hrs, its not very full. She's also off food and being sick with her milk feeds. Shes wiped out bless her and sleeping at any chance. All the snot and gunk is also made an appearance today.

OP posts:

LilacPomPom · 24/12/2025 10:31

Cottonfairy2428 · 24/12/2025 10:29

Thank you! It's been a crazy few hours. We just got out of the GP and I somewhat do feel listened too. Her temp is 37.7 with meds on board, which is better than yesterday. She checked her chest, pulse and saturation. Said she was breathing a bit faster than she should but chest sounded clear and oxygen levels were good.

She thinks we can manage this at home given her findings but has put a plan in place for the on call doctor to give me a ring in 3-4hrs. If she is worse or no better she'll ask the hospital to take action, if I think there is some improvement or I'm as her mum satisfied she's okay, she'll arrange a follow up phone call for a few days time. She has also ofc said if before they phone I think she's getting worse to take her back up to A&E.

She's had a wee this morning, but considering the nappy she's wearing has been on for 2.5hrs, its not very full. She's also off food and being sick with her milk feeds. Shes wiped out bless her and sleeping at any chance. All the snot and gunk is also made an appearance today.

Show quote history

Oh bless her! I’m glad you feel more listened to. Ironically, with the most recent episode of RSV, we didn’t have any of the gunk/snot which is what I was waiting for but we didn’t have the rash which is the first I’d seen for RSV. Initially got told he had slap cheek but then he was in hospital <24 hours later unable to breathe. I think with Children, especially between 0-2, a lot of it is guess work and “oh it looks like this” because invasive testing isn’t pleasant unless necessary.