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Original poster

baby with cough - when to worry?

18 replies

SenoraPostrophe · 03/03/2004 10:41

here we go again...

ds is 7 weeks. He has had a cold for almost a week (and he was snuffly at night for a while before that). He has a nasty cough, and is sleeping much more than usual (only about 3 hours of being awake and alert as opposed to being awake and feeding). His temperature is consistently about 37 degrees - it hasn't gone higher than about 37.4. He's been awake and grumpy a lot at night too (so much so that I slept through dd's screaming this morning apparently - it was my turn so dp had earplugs in, but still woke before me). But that's babies for you.

I haven't been worrying - I figured if it was something to worry about he'd either have a temp or he'd be less alert when awake. However dp thinks I should take him to the docs just because it has been like this for so long. I am loathe to do so because I suspect she will simply bung me some antibiotics and I really don't want him to have those yet if at all possible. He is also still not registered although i should be getting his papers this afternoon.

Should I take him today? Or wait till tomorrow when I have his papers? or not worry?

OP posts:
twiglett · 03/03/2004 10:44

message withdrawn

Original poster
SenoraPostrophe · 03/03/2004 10:52

twiglett - I know they don't work unless there;s an infection - that's why I don't want him to have them (I know I've been given them in the past for something which wasn't an infection). But I guess he might have an infection - it is a chesty cough, and he gets a bit wheezy before coughing - I presume because his little system isn't very good with dealing with mucus yet.

Maybe I should try to make a proper appt for tomorrow (rather than an emergency one).

OP posts:
twiglett · 03/03/2004 10:54

message withdrawn

FairyMum · 03/03/2004 10:58

Take him to the doctor just to check him over as he is so tiny. It will give you and your GP peace of mind and the doctor will understand.

FairyMum · 03/03/2004 10:58

....Sorry, meant you and your DP, not GP.....

smellymelly · 03/03/2004 11:27

You could always ring the Doc first, or NHS helpline, they are brilliant. I ring them whenever I'm not sure, even after seeing a doc sometimes. You know your baby best, don't worry about bothering the Doc's that is what they are there for, and kiddies are so important.
if it is just a cold then at least you will have ahd his chest and ears checked!!!!

Original poster
SenoraPostrophe · 03/03/2004 11:32

I would love to phone nhsdirect, smelly, but I can't because I live in Spain. Hence him not being registered (it's bloody ridiculous - I have to take a form and his birth cert to the social security office in town before I can see a doc) and hence me being extra worried about don't-know-what-it-is-but-have-some-antibiotics-anyway syndrome (one doctor actually said this to me).

Maybe I should get my mum to phone.

OP posts:
WideWebWitch · 03/03/2004 11:36

Senora, I'm in the same position - dd has a chesty cough and I am wondering about the GP but have decided to give it a couple of days and see what happens. She's had it about 3 days ish. Mine isn't sleeping any differently though or awake at night, plus she's older (13 weeks) than your ds. It doesn't sound serious to me so I'd wait til tomorrow I think. But do go if you're worried. Or let dp take him if he's worried! Let us know won't you?

WideWebWitch · 03/03/2004 11:37

can't you get NHS direct online?

smellymelly · 03/03/2004 11:41

oops sorry, didnt realise you were in spain. My ds had his 1st cold at 2 weeks, and my dd has had colds with bad cough every 2 weeks or so ( now 17mths ). The only time I get really worried is when she at 3mths coughed so continuously she couldn't breathe! NHS direct got me ambulance to hospital etc, she had Brochiolitis (spelling?), but was ok to come home that day, thankfully.
She gets coughs all the time now but only worry when her chest gets crackly, very rarely does she need antibotics, as I don't like them either, but by golly(!) they work when you need them.....

So long as your baby is feeding ok, (if nose is too blocked you can get saline drops to clear nasal passages) then that is a good indication that he is ok, sleeping more is fine, that is good for the immune system....

Original poster
SenoraPostrophe · 03/03/2004 11:43

oh yes - nhsdirectonline.

Says to worry if he gets a new symptom. I'll leave it until at least tomorrow then so at least i won't have to argue about whether they see him or not.

OP posts:
Original poster
SenoraPostrophe · 03/03/2004 11:45

how long do they usually last in babies, smellymelly? dd didn't catch one until she was at least 9 months.

OP posts:
2under2 · 03/03/2004 12:25

SP, I don't think not being able to ring NHS direct is a great loss Anyway, on their web site it says that a baby under 3 months with a persistent cough needs to be seen by a doctor.
My ds had a cough at 9 weeks old and I took him to the GP after a few days (he also had a mild fever though - 37.5 - 38.5 - and was 'properly' poorly).
I'd take him just so that the doc can have a listen - he's still so little and small babies can get worse rapidly. How is his breathing? Is he grunting, does it look laboured when you take his top off?
Ds did have a bacterial chest infection and quickly improved with antibiotics.

smellymelly · 03/03/2004 12:29

My dd's coughs last up to 4 or 5 days, thankfully not too long. It is much worse at night when she lies down, and after her milk. At day it is only for about 2 or 3 days, it just drags out at night, which keeps us awake, as she sounds like she is choking or being sick - yuk! But she gets them so often, at least every 2 weeks. I think it must be coz she is 2nd child??? my DS is much healthier, even though he eats worse. Has a cold only every few months or so.
Not sure if I have been any help?

handlemecarefully · 03/03/2004 13:10

If there is no temperature, and baby is feeding normally then there probably isn't any need for medical review or advice. If however you need reassurance - then by all means see the doc.

zebra · 03/03/2004 13:59

I'm convinced that babies just cough a lot their first winter; born midwinter, yours is doomed to cough hack cough... Fighting off all the new bugs. So actually, if he's gaining weight and basically content otherwise, I don't think you should worry.

zebra · 03/03/2004 14:01

But your DD was born in spring or summer, wasn't she, SP? I'd be resting my case! And regardless, she wasn't around older toddlers and all their germs until much older than your DS, I imagine; your DS is just encountering it younger than she did, because he's winter-born, and she's bringing all the lovely germs home. Doesn't mean it will really be any worse on him. Just means more vigilence from you.

LIZS · 03/03/2004 14:18

Zebra,
I totally agree. ds is March born - first illness at 8 months (November) whilst dd August born was ill at 3 months (December).

SP,
without other symptoms would not go to the dr yet but if he starts vomitting or wheezing due to it, gets a fever or seems otherwise unwell I would.

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