Wet chesty cough two year old.

[Ash2021xo]

Hi,

Since my son started preschool he has been sick 5 times in 5 months. Fevers, vomiting, RSV and common colds.

Now he has come down with yet another bad cold. He's very chesty , coughing a lot and quite severely.

Is this normal for a 2 year old, or should I be more concerned?

Also how worried should I be about his cough? Is it something that should be seen to urgently ?

It's very normal for them to be ill when they start in a new setting - they're being exposed to so many new "bugs". It's probably even more likely if they've not mixed with others due to lockdowns.

With a cough, I suppose there's always the chance it's Covid related so you should probably test for that.

@SoupDragon my partner who also has had a cold was just tested for covid as there were showing similar signs. We were told that since they got sick around the same time and both had the same symptoms that they would test my partner
As my son was not letting them get near his nose.

I'm hoping to find a way to calm him through the night. His cough makes me very anxious as it seems to make him gag when he's half asleep.

My DD is 20 months and just getting over quite a nasty virus with bacterial tonsillitis, her cough is very chesty, very phlegmy and sometimes makes her sick where she coughs so much.

It’s really not very nice but as long as they’re not sucking in under their ribs, have very laboured breathing, grunting while breathing, wheezing when breathing then it’s pretty normal and can be cared for at home. If you notice any of the above I’d take him to get checked out as I know bronchitis is doing the round at the moment.

Hope he’s feeling better soon!

In regards to sleeping you could try rolling up a blanket under his mattress to elevate the head end slightly, sleeping on a slight angle can help prevent the mucus piling at the back of the throat triggers the cough reflex, it won’t take his cough away but may help slightly

Thanks @MyMabel yes. I've already been looking for those signs. He's actually very good otherwise. He has been baking cakes , doing dishes and playing as if he wasn't sick. It's just at night he seems so much worst.

He has been sleeping elevated and with a humidifier and baby balm to clear his nose, but I trouble to sleep. My worst fear is missing any dangerous signs whilst asleep.

It’s scary to leave them sleeping when they’re a bit poorly; I have to admit when mine was in the worst of it she co-slept with us for a few nights, I woke up periodically and watched her breath for a bit, it’s only natural as parents.

I would try to get some sleep though, maybe set an alarm to check on him in the night, that way you’ve got a bit of mental security to allow yourself to fall asleep easier.

Thanks @MyMabel ! I actually got my partner to move his cot to our room tonight! I know some people say I will
Regret it but I've already stayed up two nights watching him. I'm two weeks off having his brother and also need rest. So that's reassuring.