What's up with dd?

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Our little one is six months today. She has had a cold since last weekend that finally seemed to be easing off. However, yesterday afternoon she developed bright red cheeks and became suddenly very sleepy. Despite a good afternoon nap she was exhausted an hour before her usual bedtime.

This morning she seemed a lot happier, although perhaps still slightly listless. Then, after a long and heavy lunch nap (for her) she has the red cheeks again and a temperature of around 37.8. She's also exhausted and, despite feeding OK at 3pm, has just sicked half of her milk back up. The only other symptom we have noticed is a slight rapid breathing through her mouth. Her nose is a little congested though, and she's not really having trouble breathing as such.

So, what might this be? I'm concerned she might have bronchiolitis. Should we continue to treat with paracetamol and see how she is tomorrow? I'm puzzled why she seems so much worse in the afternoon though.

I think if you are concerned about her breathing, you should seek to see an out of hours doctor or go to A & E.

I have to say though, it sounds alot to me like some heavy going teething going on.

All the same, get it checked out by an expert if you are worried.

Rfd cheeks are often a sign of teething and babies can get cold like symptoms when cutting a tooth. Does your baby have any teeth yet? They all vary but my son got his first at 4 months.

Sorry, red not rfd

Thanks for the replies.

She actually cut her two bottom teeth after about 4 weeks!

She's had red cheeks before but they usually foretell another cold. This time its unusual in that she seems to be getting a temparature (which is coming down with calpol) and is quite weak and very tired. Also that she's getting these symptoms after lunch. Are these signs of teething? She's also not really munching her fist (less than normal actually) or seeming in particular pain or distress other than when she's overtired.

I am monitoring the breathing. Its not really a problem at the moment - she's not short of breath or wheezing or anything like that. It could just be her bunged-up nose causing her to breath through her mouth more.

OK, an update as we're still not sure what's up. She had a reasonable night's sleep but had been sick in the night evidently.

No raised temperature this morning (same as yesterday - she seems to heat up in the afternoon) and reasonably content but off her food. We managed to give her about half her usual intake at 7 and 11 (she's normally a very hungry milkaholic). Quite sleepy and went down for her nap without her normal protests. 3 dirty nappies so far today.

So, should we continue like this - giving her the small amounts of food and some paracetamol if she shows sign of her afternoon temparature rise? Her breathing isn't any worse really - not wheezing or short of breath at all.

I have had something for the last few days which is causing a slight fever and weariness so maybe we have the same thing? Should we normally expect things to improve by about Wednesday (given that she came down with this quite suddenly on Saturday afternoon)?

Can you tell this is our first baby?

Bump.

She hasn't vomited since Sunday and has eaten much better for the last few days (only rejecting an ounce or two or her feeds). However, as well as still being slightly listless, she has started to show more signs of diarrhoea - 5/6 greenish nappies each day. She's been a little like this since Saturday, but its been worst yesterday and today. Her temperature is occasionally a little higher than normal, but not close to feverish as she was on Saturday and Sunday.

Are there any changes to her diet that we should make, or medicines to give her (we have some dioralyte)? Is it time to visit the GP?

She's not too unhappy but these problems have been going on for a while now.

If it were me, I would take her to the GP, if only to put my mind at rest. It's probably just a virus, but the GP will be able to examine her and give you more information.

Yes, will take her tomorrow.

I'm a bit confused by what I have read about diet though. Some places recommend giving no milk, or giving it diluted, whilst other places I read that I should give formula as usual. We're doing the latter for the moment and she is taking around 3/4 of her normal amounts.

Maybe it is teething or maybe she is getting rid of one virus and picking up another. I wouldnt give dioralyte if she is drinking and eating ok. Can understand you being anxious and so will your GP but if you cant get appointment why not try calling NHS helpline and see what they advise? Hope she feels better soon.

I wouldnt change her diet just yet if you have an appointment with gp and she is no longer vomiting just keep giving her formula as usual.

Thanks. I'm pretty comfortable that we're doing the right things for her and she isn't too bad. Its just that so many things we read say "consult doctor if symptoms continue for more than 48 hours", etc. I guess this is just a cover-all - GP is bound to just recommend we continue as we are unless she gets a lot worse. Anyway, have an appointment for tomorrow.

I know it can all be very worrying but sure the doctor will be able to put your mind at rest tomorrow.

My 5.5 month old soon has very similar symptoms. He has a bit of a cold, sometimes has a bit of a higher temperature and has very red cheeks. Doesn't appear to be teething. He also has very bad runny tummy, although he has not been sick. He is taking all his bottles but has been on solids for about 4 weeks now and has completely gone off them.
Although he is very tired and seems to want to sleep all the time, he wakes up after a half hour or so during daytime naps and upto 3 times during the night. He is almost inconsolable and it takes ages to get him back to sleep at night. Please let me know what your doctor says. Have to phone doctor tomorrow to see if I can get an appointment for him.

Have just had a text from my friend with a son who is six months old. He started with a cold, had a bit of a temp and couldn't keep his food down. He also has terrible stomach cramps. She took him to the doctors who said there is a stomach bug going round so that could be a possibility.

sorry to butt in, but what you are describing sounds like my dd )8 months)at the moment, I am putting it down to teething as she got first tooth last wed and I can see other one pushing thru. The only symptom dd does not have is problems breathing. Hope you get thru this soon

Well, we've just got back from the doctors who has diagnosed tonsilitis and prescribed penicillin. He said her tonsils were more inflamed than he had ever seen before in a baby!

Anway, at least we know what it is now I suppose. has anyone had experience with treating tonsilitis in a baby - how long might we expect it to take for her to improve?

The strange thing is that she has been generally quite content. A tiny bit listless and off her food but largely happy enough.

Awe the poor soul - at least you have a prescription to help her now. Sorry no experience of this but sure someone will be able to offer some advice. Hope she is better soon.

Hello gnu. My dd2 had tonsilitis from practically birth to age 4 when she had them out! I would recommend always having plenty of calpol/brufen/medised. Also use a 'vaporiser' thingy in her room with menthol pads in it. Make sure she is always getting enough fluids and when she is eating solids, plenty of yoghurt, soft fruit, ice cream etc Good luck I hope she feels better soon, I really sympathise.

Keep an eye out once she starts the penicillin. It was never confirmed as the route of problem for us but our dd took it last december for the first time (age 4.5) after being ill for a couple of weeks with similar symptoms and gradually got very ill. It may or may not have been a trigger for something else so I don't mean to 'scare' you, just keep a close eye on her. Our first problems were very red and swollen lips and blisters in the mouth.

Hope she's better soon.

Her lips changed about 24hs after starting penicilin.

Oh god- hope dd has not got the same, she is really lethargic, off her food/milk and pooing yellow runny poos. But does really seem quite happy in herself- do you think I should take her to the docs??

I suppose I would now say yes. We wouldn't have thought of toncilitis without going.

my dd has not temp though and has no cold or breathing difficulty either.