stuffy nose for over a month, normal?

[whosthis]

The LO had a cold in early December and got quite a bit cough and mucous in his throat. The cold was long gone before the Christmas. But his nose just wouldn't clear up. I spray his nose at least 3 times a day, nothing coming out and nothing going down either. He s not 3months yet and I can't suck the nasty thick thing out safely. But I hear he breathes very often with the kind of "hooloo, hooloo" sound in his nose and throat.

is it normal for such a problem so long after the cold was gone? How long it might still take?

By the way, my GP refused my request to take him in, as "he is feeding well, weeing/pooing well and no fever..."

Marking my place, my LO who is almost 4 months is the same. Is very mucussy and had colds on and off since 2 months. GP not worried which is great but disturbs her sleep, to the point I have to sit her up from 4/5am onwards.

GPs can't refuse an appointment request, you should be able to make an appoibtment whenever you want?
Unless you requested a same day appointment, which I think is fair enough for a refusal as it has been going on for a month anyway, so not an emergency.

Saying that, much sympathy, I'm in a similar position, holding a child upright in the middle of the night is pretty exhausting.

If the nose spraying isn't doing anything I would stop it. My hv thinks they don't do much good anyway.

What do you mean with "you can't suck the nasty thick thing out safely"? Have you tried a bulb syringe / nasal aspirator? I believe young babies aren't yet very good at breathing through their mouth, so trying to clear the nasal passages will do a lot for their comfort.

I'd recommend using saline spray, waiting a few minutes and then using a bulb syringe to suck the snot out (you may need your DP/other person to hold the baby's head still - your LO might not enjoy the process but I always found that the result far outweighed the momentary discomfort).

You could also get some vapour rub (I got one from Boots that is suitable from 3mo I think). At that age you may not want to rub it on your baby's delicate skin, but you could put a little bit on their sleepsuit/sleepingbag and on their mattress near where their head is when they're lying down.

I've found that the after effects of colds take a long time to go away (especially the cough & blocked nose) in my DS who is now 20mo. Still, I wouldn't take your GPs no for an answer and go back just to make sure your LO is recovering OK, especially as he is still so young.

Hello, I am so touched by your very caring replies! It is indeed very annoying for a mum to constantly wonder if there's anything more serious behind this...

Our GP has this "triage system", i.e. always go through a nurse to be given an appointment with "appropriate route" - being seen by a nurse or a doctor (or none, like in my case).

The chief nurse was really nice with my LO last time, but she's in holiday still. I plan to ring again next week to see if she's back. Perhaps she could agree to see my LO. - Isn't this a bit ridiculous that I have to know someone to be seen?

To rrreow: "I can't suck the nasty thick thing out safely" means that my LO is too little to get any help with the kind of bulb syringe you described, at least that was what we were told by the pharmacist in Boots. We were told the saline spray is the only thing at this stage could be used.

To Maternityleaveisawesome: yes, I agree. I suspect the saline spray shouldn't be used in an extended period of time, even though my hubby still asks me if I use it often enough to clear his nose.

Finger cross. Let it heal faster!