Croup - is anybody still up??????

[joynovemberjoy]

Hi. I'm pretty sure that DS (6 months) has got croup. My DH and I both recognised the strange barking. We took him in the bathroom and turned the shower on for about 15 minutes. I've filled an inhaler pot with boiling water and put some drops of Children's Olbas in it near his crib. I've put a couple of blankets under his crib too.

What I really need to know is what now? Can I go to bed or do I need to sit up and watch him all night? Don't want anything to happen to him but could also do with some sleep! His breathing is fast but not too awful. I'm really scared. He is so little.

Is he sleeping in your room Joy? If so, you will be fine to go to sleep I'm sure. Mine suffered from croup too. He can have Calpol now he's 6 months I believe.. and get him checked by the GP tomorrow as this is suggested with a first croup experience.

Hope you all get some sleep.

mine only had croup when older but i would wait unti the breathing has slowed a lot more and then go by your instincts. when it happened with my dd, she often was so tired out by the laboured breathing, she was really knackered and slept like a log after, while i lay awake listening and worrying!
not a lot of practical info but just to let you know someone is here and reading.
hope your LO feels better soon
xx

Thank you so much to both of you for your replies. I'm sure you know that they mean a lot at this hour.

Shiny - yes he is in our room but I'm so tired and such a heavy sleeper anyway I'm scared that I won't hear. Thanks for the advice about going to the GP. I always feel as though I'm fussing over nothing when I go but hey, who cares?

Devonshire - his breathing has always been quite rapid (more so than just the normal baby fast) and I've just got used to it. Now I don't know whether I'm hearing something new or just more aware IYSWIM. Aaaarggh! I love being a mummy but the responsibility feels overwhelming sometimes! Thank you again for replying. I love Mumsnet. Far better than NHS direct!

good luck, joy, and g'night. hope you both sleep well
xx

You need to watch for Stridor (I think it is called). If he's having really bad problems breathing, he'll need to go into emergency, so they can give him things to help him breathe better. If his chest really collapses when he's trying to take in air, and he's struggling to breathe, that would be considered stridor. DS had croup many times, but fortunately we only had to take him in once for stridor.

Is it kind of cold outside where you're at? Sometimes the colder air helps them breathe better than humidifiers or showers. When I had croup as a child, hot air worked better for me, but we had much more success taking DS outside in the cold night air to help him breathe. HTH.

Hope you didn't have too bad a night. My ds suffers from croup and its not nice.

how are you all this am, joy? hope you didn't have too bad a night.

Morning,

He unfortunately had another episode at about 4am. Did the shower thing again and refilled the steamer cup. Managed to get him back to sleep until 7 but he seemed even worse then. I've booked a doctors appointment this morning.

He is really cheerful though (and was in the night too) - surely that is a good sign?

Thanks again.

how is he now joy? hope all is well in your household
xx