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Original poster

Wheezing - cause to be alarmed or quite common in babies? HELP

38 replies

emkana · 04/09/2006 20:25

Since having been in hospital with bronchiolitis ds has been constantly wheezy. He has a blue inhaler four times a day, two puffs each time. He's happy and alert and feeding well. In the hospital here the consultant said not to be alarmed as long as those things were still the case, but to act if ds turned blue or went off his feeds. Is that right do you think or should I push for more, how alarming is wheezing? I've read in some places that it's quite common in babies, but other sites seem to suggest that it's really bad. What to think? And does anybody know anything about the term happy wheezer?

OP posts:
Original poster
emkana · 04/09/2006 20:34

bump

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LIZS · 04/09/2006 20:39

By the sounds of it the consultant is making you aware of those signs in case the bronchiolitis returns or he gets an infection in which case he'd need medical attention asap. Rapid breathing, sucking in the tummy under the ribs is another such symptom. Some babies apparently do seem to wheeze more than others but think I'd be concerned if the inhaler is seen as a long term solution in such a young baby and want to know more.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 04/09/2006 20:41

Fast breathing and/or drawing in around the neck and under the ribcage when breathing are signs of breathing difficulties.

Blue hands and feet are a sign of poor oxygenation.

SenoraPostrophe · 04/09/2006 20:42

it is quite common i think: ds gets really wheezy after every cold (usually diagnosed as bronchiolitis). it's distressing, but like your consultant says, nothing to panic about unless it gets really bad. not sure why those sites say it's bad - maybe they're talking about croup, which comes on suddenly and gets really bad really quickly?

humidifying his bedroom can help as can keeping him wedged up a little bit.

sympathy though: it's horrible having a wheezy baby.

SenoraPostrophe · 04/09/2006 20:44

ps ds's wheeziness lasts for 3 weeks-ish after every cold if that's any help to you. 4 weeks of it's really bad, but no longer than that.

Original poster
emkana · 04/09/2006 20:45

SP - first of all: Congratulations on your new baby!

And secondly: how long does the wheeziness last for your ds?

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Original poster
emkana · 04/09/2006 20:45

x post

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Original poster
emkana · 04/09/2006 20:46

The thing with the sucking in under the ribs - ds has this constantly, but the reason for that seems to be his small ribcage.

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PanicPants · 04/09/2006 20:51

Ds has to have the blue ventalin inhaler when he has a cold, and his wheeziness lasts a few weeks. Like you the doctor said to keep a watch out in case the wheeziness turns into a chest infection and he needs more urgent treatment.

Ds has come down with a cold again today, and already he's wheezing which is odd as it's normally towards the end of a cold that the wheeziness appears. So I'm looking for the chest hitch thing that the doctors look for - but don't really know what I'm looking for, that indicates difficulty in breathing.

Original poster
emkana · 04/09/2006 21:33

The thing is with ds and his wheezing that it comes and goes throughout the day - is that normal?

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Original poster
emkana · 04/09/2006 21:55

Oh please give me a few more answers!

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saggarmakersbottomknocker · 04/09/2006 21:57

Does he sleep on his back em - sometimes they can get a bit more congested that way. Maybe put him on his side or lift the head of his cot.

It can take weeks to get over though. Good luck on Friday.

Original poster
emkana · 04/09/2006 22:25

I just don't know what to think, looking through past threads on MN it seems as if a wheeze is a definite warning sign, but then why would the consultant be so blase about it?

HELP ME

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Flossam · 04/09/2006 22:29

I don't know that I can help because there could be lots of answers! Wheezing normally is not ideal - it is a sign that the airways have narrowed which obviously makes breathing and therefore oxygenation harder. However, if he has just recently had the chest infection it can take a while for this to right itself. The blue inhalers is the right treatment for him - it should relieve wheezing. I don't know about other inhalers in children so youg or even using the blue inhaler on a more 'as necessary' basis - I think your GP is best to advice here.

Nemo1977 · 04/09/2006 22:29

emkana
when dd is wheezy the hospital have told me to give her 5 puffs of inhaler and to allow her to breath 5 times with each puff. Also double check with gp as may need something to help get rid of last lingering infection as dd had recurrent episodes even when on steroids etc.

Original poster
emkana · 04/09/2006 22:39

Oh dear I just really don't know what to think. Just found a thing on the net where it said that wheezing on its own wasn't really a cause for concern. To believe that or not?
Have appt. with consultant on Friday, shall I leave it until then or not?

Am really getting myself into a state here.

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Flossam · 04/09/2006 22:40

I think as long as your Cons was aware of it, that DS is happy and dosen't seem short of breath and is feeding well wait untill Fri unless something changes.

Original poster
emkana · 04/09/2006 22:44

Thanks for that flossam.

Might still manically bump this a bit anyway.

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Original poster
emkana · 04/09/2006 22:54

manic bump

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Nemo1977 · 04/09/2006 22:56

emkana sometimes I would think dd was wheezing badly but it was actually more in her throat than her chest but they are so little it can be hard to tell. I think just keep an eye on him and watch for recessing chest as thats when you need to get to the gp/hospital.

Original poster
emkana · 04/09/2006 23:03

ah but there's the rub see - because of ds's condition (skeletal dysplasia which involves a small ribcage) he always pulls in under the ribs - he's done this from year one and even when he was absolutely fine, so I can't use that as an indicator!

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Original poster
emkana · 05/09/2006 10:08

day one sorry

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SSSandy · 05/09/2006 10:10

Go and get a medical opinion even if it is just to put your mind at rest. My sister had terrible asthma growing up and it was awful listening to her wheezing and gasping for breath. My mother went through hell with it. It's normal to be worried sick about your baby, I was forever going to the doctor when dd was small and they never once made me feel bad about it.

Nemo1977 · 05/09/2006 14:06

agree go and see gp as its hard to work out if you cant see the physical aswell.
Hope he is ok and just being a wheezy babe iykwim.

bubblepop · 05/09/2006 14:42

emkana, ds2 had bronchiolitis at 6 weeks old, we spent a week in hospital. i always found that as a baby and toddler he would be wheezy if he got a cold and i would have to use his inhaler, he had a blue one and a brown one. gradually he grew out of it and the need for the inhaler dissappeared.(he's nearly 7 now). when they go off their feeds thats usually the best indicator that somethings amiss. hells bells, as if you hav'nt got enough to be dealing with! keep smiling. x

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