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Original poster

11mo and the runny nose from hell

29 replies

MooseBreath · 26/04/2021 22:02

11-month-old DS has picked up a cold since starting nursery. It's not Covid, we've been tested. No fever.

He's irritable, has a little cough, sneezing all the time, likely has a sore throat (I do, as I have a bad cold as well), off his milk and food (which is totally unlike him), needing to be held and consoled all night, pulling his ear, and his nose has been running like a faucet. Any time he lays down either in his cot or on the floor, his entire face is covered in clear mucus within a minute.

I have no idea what to do about the runny nose. He's had Calpol for his ear/throat. We don't have a humidifier, but I have put a steaming bowl of water in his room and it hasn't helped at all. I have Vicks on a tissue in his room so that the menthol can vaguely reach him without actually putting it on him, as I think that's advised against now. I'm doing what I can to wipe his nose, but it's really no use as there's just so much. I'm also keeping him as hydrated as I can, though it's proving to be difficult as he's refusing every bottle I offer (I've tried formula, whole cow's milk, water, and watered down fruit juice).

I'm losing my mind - the sleepless nights are killing me. My own cold isn't clearing up because I can't sleep. I'm up all night holding DS. DH can't take time off work at the moment to help out any more than he already is. Does anybody have any kind of miracle suggestion that could possibly help? I will try anything, I just want DS to feel better!

OP posts:
fassnk · 26/04/2021 22:07

Have you tried a Calpol plug in? That really helped us through DS last bad cold. I hope you both feel better soon.

fassnk · 26/04/2021 22:08

Also try an ice lolly to get fluids in him, sometimes theyre happier sucking on one of those.

Original poster
MooseBreath · 26/04/2021 22:11

I haven't tried a Calpol plug in, didn't know it existed! Does it really work? Adding that to the shopping list for tomorrow.

OP posts:

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Original poster
MooseBreath · 26/04/2021 22:12

I've tried an ice lolly, but he's refusing to put it in his mouth. Poor little guy pushes everything away.

OP posts:
yikesanotherbooboo · 26/04/2021 22:16

We had months of this with DC2 and it turned out that they had poked some foam rubber up their nose. DH spotted it one evening when he was dangling them upside down in a 'game'. Hmm We had the same with DC3 but they were just snotty.

Kittykat93 · 26/04/2021 22:16

I know I sound silly but have you taken him to a doctor? If hes pulling his ear all night it could be an infection?? Also if hes not drinking fluids he needs to be seen

00100001 · 26/04/2021 22:17

You can get little suction things for their noses

00100001 · 26/04/2021 22:18

How long has he been like this?

00100001 · 26/04/2021 22:19

@MooseBreath

I've tried an ice lolly, but he's refusing to put it in his mouth. Poor little guy pushes everything away.
Will he take jelly?
Original poster
MooseBreath · 26/04/2021 22:21

Here's hoping he hasn't shoved foam up his nose...wouldn't surprise me though, he's into everything! Blush

I haven't taken him to a doctor yet as it's only been a couple of days and everything online/NHS-related says to wait a week for a cold. I'm managing to get some fluids into him through the day, just not as much as I'd like. But do you think I should be ringing a doctor? I want to, but I haven't because I thought maybe I was being precious.

OP posts:
Original poster
MooseBreath · 26/04/2021 22:23

He's been poorly for 2.5 days.

Would suction help in this instance? If it was a stuffy nose, I could see the use in it, but I didn't think it would work for a runny nose. Then again, I'm not a doctor and don't know how these things work.

OP posts:
Original poster
MooseBreath · 26/04/2021 22:24

Haven't tried jelly, but good shout! Thank you!

OP posts:
JustAddCoffee91 · 26/04/2021 22:25

I've just been through this with my two!! I just about survived... you have all of my sympathy OP
Things that helped me
Rolled up a blanket and put it under cot mattress so there was a slight incline
Albas oil on the neckline of their pjs/ sleep suits ( 2-3 drops)
Fan on in their rooms with a piece of tissue pegged on with albas oil on it (I bloody love that stuff can you tell)
Warm milk before bed/ warm water with honey & lemon (if he will take it)
... and a shit tonne of coffee!

JustAddCoffee91 · 26/04/2021 22:27

Ohh also forgot to mention one of mine was pulling his ears whilst he was poorly and when I checked in his mouth the next day he had new teeth coming in so it was a sign of teething for me too

jalopy · 26/04/2021 22:27

Just a thought but do you think its an allergy? I say this as my son, at a similar age, had a similar reaction to dairy. He had constant rhinitis, wheezy and was out of sorts. He was fine once he was put on to soya based products.

Obviously, its always best to seek proper medical advice but wanted to mention it anyway.

seepingweeping · 26/04/2021 22:31

Are you sure it's not hay fever?

StarsandStones · 26/04/2021 22:31

If he feels worse when lying flat, if he has a temp and pulling his ear, it may very well be an ear infection, as suggested above. Lying flat increases the pressure in the ear, it hurts more... you need to see a doctor to be sure. Maybe antibiotics are needed. The doctor also needs to know how wet his nappies are.

Our DD had this as well, the stuffed nose is also linked to the ear infection, as the mucus blocks the Eustachian tube. Yes, she needed consoling, had to be kept upright and was of her food and milk. Wishing you all the best!

jalopy · 26/04/2021 22:36

Sorry, didn't realise he's only been unwell for 2 days. I thought the problem was for longer.

Original poster
MooseBreath · 26/04/2021 22:37

Ooh, I think I have albas oil that I was using for stretch marks! Off to find that, and hopefully it can be implemented in the next 5 minutes. Will try honey and lemon in his next bottle, assuming he'll take it.

I don't think it's an allergy as he's had milk in cooking for ages and eats yogurt and cheese like crazy. But I'll keep it in mind if it continues to swap to almond milk or something dairy-free!

It totally could be hayfever now that you mention it. I get it badly, so it wouldn't surprise me if the cold I have is actually hayfever and DS has it too.

No fever in DS, but ear infection is a possibility. Will ring doctor in the morning.

Thank you everybody, this has been so helpful!

OP posts:
Yogamummy23 · 26/04/2021 22:38

It’s so hard when they are congested as they can’t sleep ! We hit DD (now 2) with the magic combo - calpol plug-in (amazing and worth every penny) , baby olbas oil on a Muslin UNDER the cot sheet but where she puts her head (I’ve no idea if this is recommended or not to be honest it just never crossed my mind it wouldn’t be so perhaps check!) and baby vapour rub on soles of feet (got that off here!) . Good luck !

Flippyflops2021 · 26/04/2021 22:42

You aren’t supposed to give babies under 1 year honey. Infant botulism or something..

I sympathise. My 8 year old has given me and 10 month old a cold. Just prepping myself for another terrible night ☹️ Poor little thing though. It’s not nice seeing them unhappy.

saxamaphone · 26/04/2021 22:45

Definitely olbas oil on the back of his pyjamas.
Or the calpol plug ins - they really are amazing!

JustAddCoffee91 · 26/04/2021 22:45

@Flippyflops2021 yeah your totally right about the honey... mine turned 1 & 2 (in December) so I was ok to give it... but yeah maybe don't use the honey just yet OP 😳

Original poster
MooseBreath · 26/04/2021 23:02

Ok, honey is out.
Turns out our albas oil is bio-oil Sad, so we'll have to do without tonight.
Vicks is on a tissue nearby as a replacement!

OP posts:
Flippyflops2021 · 27/04/2021 00:50

I hope you’re getting more sleep than I am right now :(

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