Croup - how can I help DS sleep while he's got it?

[grumblinalong]

DS2 (15 months) has got croup, the cough kept him awake all last night and he is struggling to breathe when I lay him down. He's only just collapsed into a nap today and is now awake again after ten minutes because of this bloody rasping cough. He's exhausted, anyone got any advice on how to make him more comfortable?

wet towel on the raidator to humidify the room

run a hot shower and take him in the room but no wheere near the water

he needs humidity
hope he gets better soon
also tilting the cot may help

When you say 'croup', do you mean rasping cough or do you mean that he is struggling to breathe and barely able to sit up?

Because that's what an actual attack of croup is - when the airways close up due to laryngitis, usually at night.

Agree w. going to a+e if he can't breathe - this is very scary for both of you. Or call NHS Direct to establish what it is

If it's a bad cough, propping him up might help - and is he taking anything for it?

Has he seen the doctor?

If so, and no help there, then humidity, steam with a very little Olbas oil and iced drinks or ice lollies to help reduce the swelling of the bronchial tubes will help a little. And see if he can sleep better sitting up, either propped up on pillows or on your lap. Get settled in front of the TV first!

He should be over the worst now - it doesn't usually last long . Hope you have a better night tonight.

Thanks for all your replies.

We saw the GP this morning, he said it was croup and to take him to a&e if he goes blue at all. I sat him on my lap after my first post and he fell back to sleep, just laid him back down to sleep on the sofa and he's making that whooping noise/cough constantly. His breathing is really fast and kind of whistles? He isn't blue as far as I can see, just pale.

Oh and he has a temperature too.

A and E, I think. Or the emergency doctor.

i think he needs more medical attention

but steam may help we have one in dd's room for her astmas from argos £25.00

in fact even before her astma we used to use it when she had coughs and colds it has been money well spent

Hope you've been to A&E just in case. DD suffered from croup from 18mths 'til about aged 7yrs; they seem to grow out of it at this age. The best thng we found that helped was cold air - if she was suffering at night, I used to stand holding her beside a wide open window for some cold air relief - it seemed to help.