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Original poster

12 month old with streaming cold - advice please

17 replies

pebbley · 02/02/2005 10:54

Ds (who is 1 on Friday ) has a horrible cold. Slight temperature, dreadful cough (throws up gunk when coughing really badly) and has refused to eat at all for 2 days now. I'm dosing with Calpol and Tixycold, and have given him an extra nighttime bottle of milk (as he's waking 3 or 4 times anyway...)

Not really bad enough for doctor's visit as I'm sure they'll just say "He's got a cold". Just want some reassurance really. This is his first bad cold since being weaned.

Is the not eating normal? And if it goes on, when should I get worried? Any other medication to recommend? Any other advice?
Not hugely serious, I know, but makes me anxious

OP posts:
iota · 02/02/2005 10:59

Try Medised instead of calpol - it's paracetamol plus a decongestant - helps them sleep at night and helps clear the mucus so they are more likely to eat - lots of babies won't eat when they have a cold - mine didn't

iota · 02/02/2005 10:59

Try Medised instead of calpol - it's paracetamol plus a decongestant - helps them sleep at night and helps clear the mucus so they are more likely to eat - lots of babies won't eat when they have a cold - mine didn't

iota · 02/02/2005 10:59

Try Medised instead of calpol - it's paracetamol plus a decongestant - helps them sleep at night and helps clear the mucus so they are more likely to eat - lots of babies won't eat when they have a cold - mine didn't

iota · 02/02/2005 11:00

sorry about the repatition

Original poster
pebbley · 02/02/2005 11:02

Thanks iota (x3!). I did ask the pharmacist for medised, but he recommended the Tixycold. Might just go and demand some anyway... Glad the not eating is normal. He's on 3 big meals a day normally, so I just don't want him to waste away (he's generally a skinny little lad at the best of times)

OP posts:
Hayls · 02/02/2005 11:03

My dd was one last weekend and had a stinking cold before Christmas and eventually got a chest infection as well. She didn't eat for nearly 2 weeks and I was so worried but she DID get better . AGree with MEdised advice, although I don't give it during the day as it makes dd really sleepy. Only other advice is to get Akrvol plug in. WE use one whenever she has a cold and it works really well at night.
HTH- I remember being really worried when she wouldn't eat. If you are concerned go and see your gp, I know I do! Dd's chest infection only appeared about a week after the cld started and in the end antibiotics were needed to clear it. It would put your mind at rest at least.

Hayls · 02/02/2005 11:04

Meant Karvol

iota · 02/02/2005 11:11

Just looked up Tixylix cold and see it already had a decongestant in it. Oh well.

Try elevating the head end of the cot - I used to put a pillow under the mattress to raise it up. Karvol as Hayls suggested, I even used to use Vicks as well, but I saw a recent thread on here saying that teh Frech are recommending that it shouldn't be used - can't remember why

pinotgrigio · 02/02/2005 11:11

Hi Pebly. Have to agree with the others. Medised is great for colds, but don't use it for any longer than you need to as it has some fairly powerful ingredients. I use a karvol plug in vaporiser and also surprisingly effective is some tea tree oil in a bowl of hot water underneath the cot. I put Vicks decongestant rub on my DDs chest and back too. I wouldn't worry too much about the food either, DD always loses her appetite with a cold. Hope your LO feels better soon.

mckenzie · 02/02/2005 11:17

Vicks on the soles of the feet too should help with his breathing.

Original poster
pebbley · 02/02/2005 11:21

Thanks for such quick replies . I love this website! Lots of ideas to try, and to think about.

OP posts:
iota · 02/02/2005 11:23

heres the thread on not using Vicks on babies here

iota · 02/02/2005 11:38

should also add - if it goes on and you are at all worried take him to the dr - they can check out if it's chest infection etc - don't worry about bothing the dr unneccesarily - our surgery are always happy to see babies - it's adults that can't get an appointment LOL

pinotgrigio · 02/02/2005 11:57

OMG. Hadn't seen the stuff about Vicks. I used it from about 6 months if she couldn't sleep because her nose was blocked and the dummy didn't work. I started off with the 'safer' (not sure now!) snufflebabe but didn't find it very effective. I'll ditch the Vicks. Thanks for the tip-off. Do you think these warnings could apply to the ingredients in karvol drops that you put on bedding?

iota · 02/02/2005 12:01

dunno Pinot - but I still use Karvol and Vicks on my 5 and 3 yr old - and on myself

CountessDracula · 02/02/2005 12:20

Karvol in a bowl of very hot water under the cot always works for me.

BTW the extra milk could be causing snottiness and congestion as milk produces mucus. Do make sure you are giving organic milk as this has a fraction of the mucus of non organic apparantly.

Try diluting it with water.

Original poster
pebbley · 02/02/2005 12:46

I'm going to try the Karvol in hot water tonight (don't have any Vicks in the house, so that saves that dilemma). I was worried about the extra milk, as I thought it probably didn't help the endless snot. Tip on organic milk is great, didn't know that. Thank you.

He ate a tiny bit of pasta and sauce, and a couple of bits of pear for lunch so things are looking up. Fast asleep now, though I can hear his cranky breathing from downstairs! I just hope he's feeling better for his birthday , and I will take him to GP tomorrow if no improvement and another sleepless night tonight.

Big thanks for all info and reassurance.

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