Mums who’s children get repeated croup / bronchiolitis, advice please!

[Gettingonabitnow]

Hi

11 month old had 4 day fever and cough, proven covid negative. We are on day 6 now, fever has subsided but she’s still waking literally every 2 hours at night, not coughing continuously so that it wakes her, but waking then coughing ( if that makes sense).

She therefore exhausted during the day, not really eating although she is having wet nappies.

She had bronchiolitis when she was tiny (treated with oxygen for 2 days) and mild croup a few months ago.

Question is - should she ride it out given it’s viral, or, seek help? Should add she is managing bouts of playing during the day so she’s not ill ill.

Thanks

Hiya, I know exactly how worrying it can be when they get croup, it sounds so horrible. DD has had croup many times and has ended up in A&E three times with it. She's now 3 and seems to be growing out of it. My suggestion would be if he's still drinking and vaguely eating then just ride it out. I know it sounds strange but if possible take him outside, the cold fresh air will do some good. I'd only be concerned if he starts sucking his tummy in to breathe, becomes super drowsy or starts refusing to drink. Again, if you're still concerned call 111 or take him to the GP and they can probably prescribe him some steroids that'll clear it up a bit quicker. Hope he gets better soon!

Sorry just seen it's your DD! Don't know why I thought you had a DS, apologies!

In my personal experience, if there is no fever and she is well in herself during the day, but only coughing lots and being unsettled at night, yes, I would just ride it out. Mine have always been off for about 2-3 weeks after bronchiolitis, and actually 11 months is a rough time for sleep anyway, so you're probably seeing the combination of everything at the moment. Babies do get viruses and generally there are no lasting issues as a result. If mine were really unwell, I would want them treated, but generally the GP can't do much other than prescribe antibiotics, which I wouldn't want to give if not necessary (and if no fever, they very likely aren't necessary). They will sometimes offer an inhaler with paediatric spacer to help open up the airways if coughing a lot, so it's something you might ask about, but that would be for me the only reason I would want to be seen.

Fwiw, if you happen to be asthmatic yourself, the inhaler they prescribe is just a normal blue ventolin inhaler and you can buy the paediatric spacer online yourself and it will do no harm to give it a try if your child is otherwise healthy and on no other meds, etc.

Thanks ladies. I will just ride it out with her. And yeah think my cut off point will be when she’s not wanting her bottles.

X