How do you tell if a baby has a chest infection

[twelveyeargap]

9 month old has a horrid chest cough which makesvher whine when she's coughing. Finding it hard to fall asleep and her breathing sounds slightly faster and shallower than usual, though she's bit struggling to breathe. She had a slight temp on Sat when it started but not since.

Am doing all the hot baths, vapo rub stuff, but she's miserable. When is it time to go to the doctor? I don't want to take up an appt if I'm just worrying for nothing.

Sorry, that should read NOT struggling to breathe.

I didn't take mine to docs when he was like this. But, I called NHS direct for reassurance. If you are worried take her to docs. have you put some minty stuff in the room to help ease congestion while she sleeps? Spend loads of time in bathroom - we played for ages and ages and it really helped. I know it sounds horrible but mine got one thing after another at that age. Hang on, he still does get colds and coughs alot at 2.

does she sound wheezy when she breathes?

Oh yes, prop her up in cot. Roll up a towel or two and put under matress. Had to keep checking and moving my wriggly boy back to the right end. Calpol and keep up fluids. Mine quite liked minty tea - luke warm/cold!!

i agree with wowooo towels under matress work brilliantly had them under my ds for the past week due to chest infection.

I raised the matress last night and it seemed to help when she eventually dropped off and I had one of those plug in Karvol things in the room.
Her chest sounds rattly with mucous, but not wheezy like DH's asthma sounds.

Am a bit more anxious than usual because we're supposed to be flying to Australia on Friday and I hate to subject her to that flight if she's not feeling well.

Calling NHS Direct is a good idea.

it could be a chest infection from what you have said, my ds suffers with a lot of them think hes been given abs for them 4 times in 6 months. If your going australia i think it may be an idea to take her to the doctors before you go so if she does need abs then you have them for her.

GP told me there is NO way of knowing, other than listening to their chest (with a stethoscope and experienced ears). I would take her to GP in morning, personally, if she's not better and you are worried - especially with journey ahead!

'Taking up appointments', BTW, with 9 month olds is more than ok: all doctors will tell you they'd rather you checked than risk it with a baby. Really.

Thanks all. Will ring the surgery tomorrow.

how did your dd get on at the doctors?

Hello

"Just a cough" apparently... Just have to sit it out and hope she isn't sick on the plane.

thanks for your help.

its ok. You cant be 2 sure. Im usually pretty good at takin my ds 2 docs just as a chest infection is coming on although once or twice hes just had a really bad cold and with his chest werent sure if it was. As chest infections can have same symptoms.