DS (6 weeks) has broncolitus, he seems so fretful and unhappy,

[mppaw]

Been to and fro the doctors for 3 weeks, with them telling me it is just congestion from his V quick birth. But over the past 2 days he has been so miserable, crying when awake and I am unable to soothe him, even with the boob!! So we went back again today and was referred to the hospital so the pead doctor can assess him.
They have diagnosed him with broncolitus, a viral infection that can not be treated, he will just have to ride it out.
Obviously been a horrid day , so just after other peoples experiences and to know that he will get better.

He is very young if I were you and really worried I would take him back to A&E and see another doctor ,usually they would not be happy to send such a young baby with broncolitus home to sit it out.

I have had a lot to do with this awful infection and wish that there was more information made available to parents about it I hope he gets better soon.

There was a really long thread a bit back will try and find it and link you .

Thx KerryM, the docs today told/showed me things to look out for, so will watch him closely for the next few days.
My GP refered him today as he saw his chest and was concerned. It seems to be really taking it out him when he breathes, but the Peads checked lungs, heart, stats and all ok so that is reassuring.
Fingers crossed he will shift it.

MrsJammi, DS has also had antibiotics as he had 2 boils on his bum !! these cleared up the boils and his gammy eye, but same as you, it did not touch this cold.

CWWM, I feel better after seeing the docs at the hospital as they did lots of examinations etc and all came back normal, but I am defo keeping an eye on him. If you do come across that thread, would be great.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=childrens_health&threadid=646949-Bronchiolitis-how-bad-before-going-to- hospital#13166458.

There is lots of good advice on that thread.

Congratulations BTW .

each of my three were hospitalised with this by 3 months old and had it again. ds3 has it currently - but he is well in himself

Mostly, you can care for him at home BUT if he shows any of the following signs, get him to ddocs as they can go down hill very quickly

1. high temperature
2. shallow breathing
3. sinking in at the diaphragm when breathing
4. takes less than half of normal feeds

Oh blimey, did not even think about keeping him away from my baby group !! doh.
Agree, he is better off at home at the moment, but I will not be afraid to get him straight back up there if I see a deteriation.

Plus, there were 3 babies waiting in a&e all with broncolitus, 1 was 3 weeks old, my DS 6 weeks and a 10 month old !! so clearly a v common infection.

Thanks CWWM, will have a read thru it now.

Popsycal, The docs at the hospital showed me the muscles I need to keep an eye regarding his breathing. They are the ones down the side of each nipple/under his arm pits, IYKWIM. Plus he is still feeding well, but like you say, if this stops, take him straight back. Thansk for the advice.

Its really common.

Dont hesitate to go to a and e if you are really worried in the night

it took me 2 trips to a and e in one night for them to realise that he wasnt right - silly high temperature and needed oxygen. This was after 2 doctors appointments and seeing paeds at outpatients at hospital in the few days before hand.

Really if the temperature goes up get him seen again. DS3 was 11 weeks when he was hospitalised but with a bit of oxygen and nurofen (calpol wasnt shifting it for a day~) they got him under control

DD2 had this when she was 4 weeks old. She had to be admitted and tube fed for 24 hours as she got very sleepy and wouldn't wake to feed but is fine now.
If he gets very sleepy and hard to wake then take him back. It is worst on days 7-10 apparently so bear that in mind.
I was told it was juts a cold for about a week until I begged to see my normal doc who knows I am not a panicky mother!
Once she was feeding we were at home but she was bad for awhile after, veyr sleepy and hacking cough.
I know loads of people whos kids have had it when they were tiny and had also never heard of it before. It hsould be mentioned by HV I think or at least be mentioned in books that go on about meningitis, which, alhtough a lot more serious, is nowhere near as common.

It can change VERY fast so please stay with him. My DS was ill over the weekend (we were away), I took him to the doctors on Monday morning, he referred him to A&E, we went about midday and he was discharged and then his breathing got much worse and he was admitted by ambulance that night. Have a look on NHS direct - there is advice on how to time breathing and what is too fast. If it is too fast, just call and ambulance. I don't want to worry you but it was bloody scary and my DS was 9 months and much more able to fight off infection than a 3 week old.

My dd also had this at 10 weeks old and was given an steroid inhaler (which I used once) was terrified of putting the steroids into such immature lungs and I am really glad I didn't. I took a friends recommendation and took her to see a homeopath; she took lots of information including details abt dd's birth, temperament etc - started with the remedies prescribed and she had improved dramatically within 10 hrs. I have since used homeopathy for a horrible ear infection that the the dr prescribed 2 lots of antibi's for but still hadn't cleared and it was gone within a day. I love homeopathy (alongside conventional medicine);the beauty is no side effects; so no harm to your baby.

good luck - keep an eye on little-one, but trust your instincts, no one else knows your baby as well as you do, even when they are really small.

Thanks for all these posts, some really good advice.
On Wednesday, my head was telling me that DS was ok, he is a good colour, feeding well etc, but my gut instinct kept telling me to take him back to the GP, and I always follow my gut instinct. So glad I did take him back today.

Good luck, and yes, trust yourself, absolutely. dd2 was 4 weeks old when she had it, and just before everythign closed for Xmas and she apparently had a bit of a cold....I took her to the GP. 24 hours later she was in hospital, where she stayed for a week in HDU: I'm not saying this to scare you, the odds are very low for that to happen (she had a floppy larynx, undiagnosed, which made it much more serious)but bronchiolitis can be nasty and instincts are life-saving things

Something else they taught me to look out for in hospital: dd foamed at the mouth (bubbly spit) - that wasn't a great sign - also fingernails that don't turn pink within a couple of seconds after being pressed and going white, and constant vomiting of feeds/water (risk of dehydration). But the tugging in at throat and/or ribs, and fast breathing, as people have mentioned, especially.

They also told me the 5th day is usually the worst - if you can pinpoint the onset of the virus, that can be useful. After that, they should start to get better.

Wishing your LO better v soon!

You poor love. DD2 was diagnosed with this at the same age. She spent a week in hospital and is now a fit and healthy 9 year old. Keep your chin up. Are you staying with him?

DD had to be fed through her nose, so don't panic if that's what they do.