Poorly 5 week old DD

[Fletchasaurus]

DD was born a bit early, and spent a few weeks in the NICU for various reasons including feeding issues. We have only just come home. She has a heart condition, among other things, and appears to have picked up my cold. She is making squeaky sounds occasionally like a wheeze, vomited up a feed a few hours ago and is being clingy (won't go down to sleep but will sleep on me or DH). I can see her neck and chest moving, but I'm not sure how much.

I'll be honest I'm really scared, but aware a&e on a Saturday night is not ideal. Please help a frightened first time mum.

Hi op. The worrying never stops we just get used to going through the motions!

A&E for kids is separate to adults so won't be as bad. But my first step would be to call 111. They'll advise on what to do.
Well done mummy. You're doing amazingly xxx

Oh OP - it’s awful when the little ones are sick, especially when they are so little and more so still when they have had a tough start health wise. It doesn’t get easier for you when they are older either I’m sorry to say - mine are 5 and 1 and I still panic when they are poorly.

if you are scared at all, the best thing to do is go to a and e - you’re right that this time of year is terrible but they will prioritise such a little baby. And it will give you peace of mind maybe.

having said that, also don’t panic. This little one has their first cold and they won’t know what to do - plenty of cuddles and try to keep them comfortable. Maybe prop the mattress up a little so it’s on a slight slope to help them breathe? Have you given any calpol? (If they can have it?)

you are doing great xxx

When you say her neck and chest are moving do you mean pulling in like a tug??? If so, get her in so that her oxygen levels can be checked.
I know isn't really what you want to hear but it sounds like she could have an infection.

I wouldn't necessarily to be worried about the vomit or the clingy behaviour as these can be quite normal. I would however just want to get the wheezing checked out, go to a+e childrens, it's much better than a+e adults and hopefully you will be given reassurance that's she is ok xxx

With a baby that age with a wheeze I would call 999 or go straight to A and E now.

Just go.

Phone 111 I called the other evening for our 2 week old who had caught her sisters cold. They gave me an appointment for an hour later and we were in and out in 10 mins no waiting. Same when I took 3 year old due to war infection in October. They normally get kids in and out quickly x

If you're worried, then go. I took DD2 to A&E when she was 6 weeks old with symptoms that when I listed them didn't sound like a problem really but I felt like there was a difference in her and that something wasn't right. We were admitted and she spent 48 hours on IV antibiotics for a UTI.
With such a tiny baby it's worth checking if you feel like something isn't right.

Hope you’ve got her seen by now. With a 5 week old baby with a background of a known heart condition and some wheezing I’d want her seen and assessed ASAP probably by paeds which does probably mean A+E - sorry. I’m a GP and this is the advice I’d give a patient. Hope all is well and take care.

We are there now, have been for a few hours. She is still lethargic but the wheezing has eased it seems. No update just yet, but grateful for the support!

Good, so pleased you’re both there and she seems a little better. Will be thinking of you, it’s so horrid when they’re tiny and not well and it sounds as though you’ve really been through it already.