CROUP.....yes, it appears it's that time of year again. Where are my partners in crime?

[foxinsocks]

Poor kids have been coughing all afternoon while we were out. Have dragged them home (rather than staying out for dinner!) because I can see that they're going to be croupy tonight aarrgghh

I know there are loads of people on here whose children get lots of croup but I can't for the life of me remember who you are. Was wondering if anyone else's children have started with it.

My ds2 has already had one attack about four weeks ago. At least now four years into knowing how to deal with it I go on Auto Pilot and he's asleep within a few minutes of steaming and magic honey juice.

aaah Alibaldi, I knew there would be someone out there!

Yes, mine are now age 6 and 5 so I've got quite good at it - still horrible though isn't it? I hate it when they get all distressed (though must admit, mine are very good now because they know what's coming).

How old is your ds2 now?

thanks Fio x

My ds2 is 3, and ds1 will be 5 shortly. They've both had it badly, lips turning blue etc, to the point where I nearly dialled 999 at one point. Now though I stay far calmer, switch on the shower and mix the honey, oj and warm water and the calpol sachet and hey presto it works. As we're in Colorado now we also have humidifiers because of the lack of it hey. So for ds2 last time I had him in bed with me and pointed his face towards the humidifier, that really really stopped the wheezing within about 30 mins. The Dr here says it's probably hereditary as both my mum and I had it badly as small children. Hey ho.

OMG I had forgotten about croup. Ds always gets it and last year had to be treated with steroids twice.

I really need him to not get it this year.

My ds had his first bout of croup at 3mths and it frightened the life out of me!! He usually gets it now every winter. Usually steamy bathroom or a breath of cold air sorts him out. I know its only a matter of time.....!!

ah yes nuttie, I remember you from past croup threads! I hope he doesn't get it this year. I don't think there's anything you can do to stop him getting it?

Countto10, let's hope it's not too soon!

I think mine have been knocked by the change in temperature and there's been a cold going round school! aarrgghh - sometimes it would be nice to wrap them in cotton wool!

is it really cold in Colorado now Alibaldi?

Ds always gets a croupy cough with every single cold now. We get a night or two of snotty tickly cough, then croupy and then chesty. Those though I can cope with, but full blown croup is crap.

As far as I know there is nothing to prevent it is there. Will just have to hope it chooses a night when my mums in if I have to take him to hospital.

how old is he now nutcracker?

I was told it gets better with age - we still get it fairly frequently but we (me and the kids) deal with it better and I think the attacks seem less severe than when they were babies/toddlers (when it was at its worst) - but I don't know if the attacks seem better because we deal with it quicker/more efficiently iykwim.

what is croup? heard it lots recently

here's the netdoctor link - croup

basically, it's a barking cough - normally comes on at night (with mine, usually after they've been sleeping for a bit - so sometime between 11pm and 3am!) - they can also get very hoarse and have wheezy sounding breathing

i've not even clicked the link and think that ds1 has it he was up from 11 - 3 last night coughing and has coughed since he went down tonight, been fine in the day. coughed himself sick

going to click the link now for a read......

how old is he mumofmonsters?

there are lots of little strategies you can employ to try and make him more comfortable. If you think it is that then let us know and we'll all post our tips.

Been there done that, both mine suffered badly with it and been hospitilised a few times.

My advise if it gets bad and you have tried everything just call 999, the treatment they get at hospital gives instant relief on most occasions.

DS 9 has grown out of it but still barks a little if he gets a bad cough, DD had a bit of it last winter but she is 7 so perhaps she won't suffer this winter.

It is a very distinctive bark and a usually a bit wheezy, they can get vert distressed and when bad they can struggle for breath.

Do all the usual stuff, found we needed to avoid going out in cold night air if any hint of a cold and putting a pillow under the head end of the mattress helps to raise them up with out them slipping down.

It does sound like that. hes 3.7 and has been a bit lethargic and 'sickening' for a few days. Hes been a hot steamy room tonight but thats only coz he came in as the bath was running!

it is a bark but i thoiught it was because he had a sore throat...i feel like an awful mum now! I keep getting annoyed with him for waking me up! He is quite wheezy anyway when he has a cold (which he has got at mo)

awww mumofmonsters poor thing...just keep an eye out for the blue lips, struggling to breathe (the ones they point out on netdoctor) because as Skribble says, once they are in hospital they can give the right medicine to them very quickly

we have always found cold night air works better on our two than steamy air - also just letting them sit up with us and watching some TV or reading a book to them (just so that they don't lie down) - and a warm, soothing drink after the cold air.

Could be croup, might just be a bad cough.

Croup is a viral infection in the upper airways. Usually starts once they are already in bed.

Keep an eye on their temp as they can get a fever and watch/ listen for any difficulty breathing. Central heating causes a dryer atmosphere so can make it worse so steam ond humidifiers can help.

Interesting fox, we found cold air made them worse but we never went for the fullon steam either just dishes of water on the heaters, diofferent things help. Trial and error to get what works best for you.

Well at least i know what it is now

He has had warm milk sat up with us while he was reading a book and their radiator is on low beacuse he struggles more when its too hot and his nose is blocked.

Good idea mumofmonsters, best not to make room too warm, I get hoarse myself if I have bedroom too warm.

yes - I remember the last thread on croup - steamy air works for some and cold night air for others!

I guess the most important thing is to know when you can't handle it at home anymore.

Glad to hear your don't get it so badly now Skribble. Gives me some hope for the future!

I must log off in a minute and try and get some sleep before they start coughing. Thanks for the chat everyone. Hope your night is not too bad mumofmonsters!

thanks everyone

foxinsocks, if one of them wakes up in the night its not so bad but last few nights they have both woken (ds1 coiughing, ds2 different LONG story - they share a room)will just get an early night i think!