2 month baby with cough and cold. Advice please....

[Hillbilly]

He is coughing so much he makes himself sick. Sometimes just mucus comes up but sometimes he vomits his whole feed up. We are trying to humidify the house to help ease his chest but does anyone have any other suggestions?

Raise top end of his cot/moses basket up a little. put wet towel on radiator if there is one in his room.
Vicks baby rub may help too. Also, keep him upright for a while after feeding.

while there is not a lot gp can do for babies with coughs, use your instincts. If he gets a temp or struggling to breath, get medical advice.

Saline drops for nose may help remove congestion too (ask pharmacist - you have to put them in with a tiny dropper)

Thanks fullmoon. His cot is raised and have been using wet towels. Will try vicks.

I'd take him to the GP - he's still so little and if he can't clear his chest, it could get worse without antibiotics.

Also, he really needs to be having his full feeds so he doesn't lose weight at 8 weeks and being sick a lot could dehydrate him too.

The GP might say he's fine but I'd certainly get him checked out as he's so young.Hope he's better soon.

Thanks.

I will take him in to GP first thing tomorrow morning.

But if it is a viral infection (which most coughs and colds are) anti-biotics won't do anything. And I personally wouldn't want such a young baby to have antibiotics unless it was absolutely neccessary...
But yes, as i said before, if you are worried, deffo see your gp.

Are viruses contagious as my DD (2.6) prob had a virus. She is better now but had very high temp (39/40) for nearly a week over christmas.
DH has a chest infection and is on antibiotics. I had a mild version but soon got over it when I had to look after everyone else!!!!

I was meaning if it turns into a chest infection then he would need antibiotics. I realise that giving young babies antib's isn't ideal.

Even with a normal cough or cold, I'd still take a baby that young to the GP - they really wouldn't mind.

i've had the same thing with dd - snottiness that turned into a horrible cough, and she kept coughing until she was sick. took her to gp a couple of days ago: gp listened to her chest and said she thought she was okay, but gave me penicillin for my chest, as i've caught it too!

seems to have gone on for ages - snottiness started weeks ago. does anyone know how long these things last...?

If its a virus (which it probably is) could take 6 weeks or so to clear in a newborn! Our DS2 (7 weeks) has this at the mo and is bringing some/all of his feeds back. he was taking 5oz per feed every 3-4 hours but now we're giving him 2-3 oz a feed but more often more often, keeping him upright afterwards and letting him nap in his chair so he's partially upright. Not much else you can do except wait it out, raise the cot head and humidify the house. GP said to give him calpol every 4 hours at 6 weeks but as he doesn't have a temp we haven't done this and he seems to be cruising along ok at them mo

I think you should see the GP.

My DD got very ill at 4 weeks earlier on this year. She ended up being hospitalised.

Better safe than sorry. It will only take the GP a few minutes to listen to his chest and diagnose with upper respiratory/bronchial or whatever it maybe.

It could be bronchiolitis, which has the same cause as a common cold in adults RSV, which while viral can rapidly become quite serious in young babies. You are doing the right things in the meantime but if you are at all concerned see someone today please. dd was sick with it and became dehydrated. Can he cry properly , is his breathing more shallow and/or rapid than normal, sucking under the ribs, cold hands and feet or blueish lips ? We left it overnight and barely slept with worry. It is the most common cause of lo's being hospitalised so very common especially in winter and is best treated quickly. Hope your ds is ok.