2 year old - Mucus on chest

[Isabelle728]

Hi everyone,

I need some help and advice please. My 2 year old is my first child, I am still learning everyday! He hasn't been ill since he was 3 months old so this is practically new to me. Since Friday he has caught a really bad cold, unfortunately he has caught this from me and my husband. He has been coughing continuously and at 2am this morning I woke up to him choking and he was sick mucus. This of course shook me a little bit, he was crying, you could hear the mucus on his chest, he is very bunged up. When he was a baby he got bronchitis and we ended up in a&e and I think this scared me so much that I am worried it's happening again.
What should you do with a 2 year old that is full of mucus? Should I get him seen asap or do I just wait for this to pass? I feel a bit stuck on what to do, I don't want to go a&e for something that happens all the time, but then I am worried that if I leave it he could struggle to breathe. Thank you in advance x

At this age most infections are virus and pass themselves but there is no harm in having your child assessed if you are concerned. 111 is your best option they can arrange an out of hours to appointment no need for a and e unless actually struggling to breathe
Things to look out for if your child is struggling to breath is seeing there ribs everytime they breath, using there belly muscles much more than normal and pulling in around the neck.

You don't need a and e unless he's struggling to breathe. Can you go to an out of hours doctor today? In the meantime, steam from a hot shower (hold him on your lap in the bathroom for a few minutes) might help to loosen the mucus a bit. And make sure he's staying hydrated if his appetite isn't great. A saline nasal spray might also help if you can get him to take it!