Four week old baby with a cold...

[Elibean]

...sounds so minor, I know, but am a novice at sick newborns (dd was two months old before getting a very mild cold, and that was it till much older) and wondering whether I should be taking dd2 in to GPs or something. She is spitty, having trouble feeding or sleeping for long as very bunged up, though can manage both for periods of time, and has occasional slightly barky cough. Don't think its croup, as its very occasional - and seems to clear her airway when she does it (and make her throw up into the bargain half the time). Temp 37.5.

Anything I can/should do other than raise end of cot/saline drops? I know if she stops feeding/wetting nappies its time to bang on GP's door, but loathe to take her there on a cold day if no point...

Mostly, just feeling a tad anxious and unskilled and wanting to tell someone

sounds like you're doing fine. i'd stick with saline drops, raise end cot, some snufflebabe (if that's ok from birth) on her chest, karvol, maybe put her in the bathroom while you bath/shower to let the steam help.

Have you got a good HV Elibean - give her a ring?

If she's struggling feeding/sleeping could you get DH to go to boots or similar on the way home - get a nasal aspirator (snot sucker ;)) and a spray called 'sterimar' (you have to ask at the counter for it. First you spray the sterimar up her nose, then suck it out with the aspirator - that should help her breathe (though she won't like it ). That's what I've done with 2 very LO's with colds.

Sorry my wink didn't work - I also got advised to do the steam thing - I drop a bit of menthol in the bath with DS1 too - don't know if it helped him but worked on me a treat!

It's a worry isn't it when they're so tiny and ill!

Sounds like you're doing everything fine, but if she gets worse, go to the doctors, or even A&E if necessary.

THanks both - that was fast! Will phone dh who is at shops and place order...and yes, have lovely HV. GOod idea. dd is very snuffly anyway as aspirated lots fluid at birth, so hard to tell what is cold and what is post birth.

Had forgotten about steam, too - have a humidifier, will put it to use!

Wink did'nt work

Thanks Belgo, will do. Yes, its horrid

jsut to say.. hope LO is ok..you have had fab advice here..and hope you are ok too !

Hi Lulu

Yes, thanks, I'm doing well - dropped dose of bp meds yesterday, and feeling a lot better. And am amazed to find my recovery from section about a thousand times easier this time.

Have a great Christmas, and hope its a peaceful one - bet you're going to be busy in 2007

so glad honey..and hope the pain in your calf checked out ok!

emailed doula uk this am as still not had my membership back, so won;t happen now for a while...

anyhoo...merry xmas too , to you and yours xxxx

Sorry to hear that...though maybe in six months time you'll look back and be glad you had some calm before the demands poured in! xx ps calf checked out perfect, just stiff - phew.

hi, just thought i'd say, if you have any eucalyptus oil, you could put some in a bowl on top of your radiator. that's what i've been doing for my little one who has horrible cold.