Lingering cough after bronchiolitis

[MegBusset]

DS (8.5mo) is recovering from a nasty bout of bronchiolitis and is bringing up incredible amounts of mucus. How can I help to clear his chest? Already have humidifier in his room and raised end of cot, but seems to be making little difference...

What colour is the mucus?

If it not clear then it is an indication that an infection is still present.

Could you try adding a very tiny amount of obals oil (sp) to the humidifier. I don't know for certain if this would be ok with an 8.5 mo. But that should help with the congestion.

If the mucus still shows signs of infection then I think a trip back to the GP is required.

HTH

Megbusset - there is a special olbas oil for children that doesn't contain wintergreen (I think). The other thing you could do is put a bowl of malt vinegar in the room - the acetic acid that will evaporate off is what is in baby cough mixture.

My DS2 ( 6months) has had bronchiolitis for the past 10 days. It's horrible isn't it? he just can't sleep at night because of all the gunk that is pooling in his lungs. Medised does seem to help though.

The mucus is clear, and the paeds at the hospital (where he spent three days on oxygen) said it was normal as he's clearing all the gunge out of his lungs. But that still doesn't help him (or us!) sleep at night...

We have got some baby Olbas, putting it in the humidifier is a great idea, will try that tonight.

We haven't been using Medised at night as we were cautious that it might affect his breathing, although he doesn't seem so wheezy now, just very very snotty, so perhaps will use it tonight.

We have a Karvol diffuser that plugs in, and its great for keeping coughing down at night.

My DS2 had bronchiolitus at 6 months and it continued until he was 9 months (well the coughing, wheezing and mucus did). In the end it took STRONG ab's and a dose of steriods to get him right.

Haribo your poor DS. They told us antibiotics wouldn't do any good as it's viral?

My ds2 had bronchiolitus at 11 weeks. He was admitted to hospital for a few days because he was so young. He did recover quite quickly but was wheezy every time he got a cold for several years afterwards. This became very bad one easter weekend when he was 3 (why are children only ever ill on a bank holiday?).We could hear him breathing from the next room during the night. He ended up on a course of steroids and with a ventolin inhaler. He only ever had the one course of steroids thank goodness- he was a like a child possessed!! But he needed the ventolin until he was about 5. I sympathise with you bronchiolitus is horrible, I hope your son is better soon

Sounds like a post viral cough-i personally dont like those diffuser things-not sure what they are diffussing into the air.

Try taking the lid off a steam sterilizer .It soon fills room with steam.
All 3 of mine had bad chests and i managed to stay out of hosp many a night by using my steam sterilzer.

I think we all live in quite warm airless houses (central heating double glazing ect ) so firmly believe in cool rooms extra blankets instead of heating and plenty of moisture.Wet clothes on radiators ?

Humidifiers are available cheaply now and if i have a no. 4 i will defo buy one for the "bronch season " namely nov to march with all mine.
Hope your lo is better soon x

physiotherapy.
My Ds had 2 episodes at about 11 & 18 mths and both times one or 2 physio sessions cleared it completely.

they massage the chest to loosen and bring out phlegm.
It's not painfull at all. Babies cry though becaue it's strange being manipulated by someone other that mummy or daddy.

A lot of phlegm is brought out during the session. During that day, it is recommended to give lots of drinks and the rrest of the muccus is coughed out/swallowed and passed in stool.

If not available near you then yes humidifiers are a life saver.
we use it at the slightest sign of a cold now. It helps clear congestion before it goes down to the chest.

If you in south west london, I can give you an adress (private though)