5 month old cold/virus

[elm26]

FTM and 5 month old DD has a horrible cold.

She's so bunged up that every now and then she chokes trying to breathe and I can't sleep through worry. I have to keep checking she's breathing okay when she's been quiet for a while.

I need any tips and tricks I can get. DH has gone down with it too but has to work as he has a project to finish, he's got an extra long day today doing 7am-7pm on site and I'm exhausted.

I've got the calpol plug in on in our bedroom, kept DD in lounge today with the humidifier on with eucalyptus and lavender oils in it, baby Vicks on the inside of chest area of her babygrow, a few drops of olbas oil in a muslin tied at the bottom of the cot and saline nasal drops. She's still so bunged up, I also sat in the bathroom with her whilst I ran her bath using just the hot tap at first so it was steamy.

She doesn't have a temperature, I check every few hours but she was so upset earlier and also teething that I gave her calpol.

About an hour ago, she did the choking noise and I got up, held her upright and then changed her nappy and she'd done a poo which isn't like her, she hasn't had a dirty nappy at night since being a few weeks old and also it was kind of a grey colour and must of been really watery as was soaked into the nappy like wee does if that makes sense? Offered a bottle but she refused and just wanted her dummy back whilst having a cuddle and she's gone back to sleep now in her cot.

Is this all normal for a baby who has a cold, the dirty nappy and choking noise? I think it's where her nose is dropping down the back of her throat. Sorry for the long post, I'm pretty anxious about her being sick for the first time (had 13 miscarriages before we had her) and just need some reassurance/advice.

Sounds perfectly normal to me. If you can get a gp appointment just to check her over for reassurance as she is only tiny. I remember the worries very well. First baby and first illness are so worrying. Mines 17 months now and I still worry. Take care x

It all sounds normal but calm your GP for an appt if you're worried, they won't mind. Hope you all feel better soon.

Thank you both.

She's had another 4 full dirty nappies since the middle of the night one, she's reluctantly having some milk but 1 or 2oz every couple of hours instead of her usual 7oz every 4 hours. Unsure whether to bother GP. It's so hard isn't it!

My almost 6 month old is exactly the same at the moment and it's definitely a worry!
She normally drinks 7oz 4 times a day but it's a struggle to get a bottle down her at the minute.
The woke up 3 times in the night having coughing fits and I had to pick her up.
And today her poos were a strange darker colour than normal, but according to google this can be a sign of a bacterial or viral infection so I'm assuming it's because she's not well.
As long as they aren't struggling with their breathing or getting dehydrated I think that's the main thing!
My DD has been poorly for a week now so I am going to make an appointment with the GP if there no improvement in the next couple of days, it is such a worry isn't it!

I would take your baby to see a Dr even if it means you have to spend hours waiting in A&E. 5 months is a very young age and the fact she seems to be choking doesn't sound right.

Further to the earlier message... it's probably too late to get an emergency GP appointment. At least call 111 and let them make a decision

Ah no @slm1994 sorry to hear your little girl is suffering too. It is so horrible. DD's poo was grey and then yellow this morning and since it's been a light green/grey colour, her little bum is so sore. Hope your DD is well soon, keep me updated on what doc says. X

Thanks @Tiredbehyondbelief if there is no improvement by tomorrow at this time I'll call 111 unless she gets worse beforehand x

I am a medic ( see username) get some rehydration sachets ( trade name diarrholye) and try those rather than the milk ( assuming it's formula not breast milk) if you can't get these for any reason try clear apple juice let down 50:50 with cooled boiled water.

Try propping the cot mattress up with some books to help keep her airway clear.

Finally if you are worried I wouldn't mess about with 111, go to A&E it would be a rare night a 5 month old with breathing difficulties wasn't seen very quickly.💐

Like this

My daughter always gets weird poos with a cold (from swallowing all the snot)

I would put her mattress on a slight incline and I used to use snuffle babe drops to try and clear her nose. (I could never fathom the snot sucker things)