Babies cough getting really bad

[Lacrymosa]

Asia and I have had this cold it seems like forever. Well I've had it about two weeks now, still going strong, and she's had it for 8 days. Her cough is insane. She throws up many bottles due to her coughing and gagging. She has no fever but her cough is just terrible, she is completely miserable. I talked to the nurse she said to give the baby childrens benedryl and I'm not that all about giving her something that's kind of a sedative. Do you guys have any ideas I can do to help her cough? Also, it isn't getting better. She's been the same for 5 days now, not getting better and sometimes the cough even seems worse. When should I go to the doctor? They told me not to bring her in unless her fever gets over 103, but what if this cold never ends?!

[Maluhia]

If your gut is concerned - GO IN.

A cough lasting that long is problematic for sure, as is an extended fever even if it does not get super high.

Listen to your Mama voice

[Carhootel]

sounds like my ds when he had RSV last month

[Cheshire]

My six month old just got over RSV as well and needed breathing treatments because she developed a wheeze and her blood oxygen level was not what the doc wanted it at.

She also told me to give benedryl. Honestly, I think the benedryl did more than the breathing treatments. It did not make her more sleepy but would wire her for about an hour. I gave it to her for about three days when she sounded like breathing was a bit of a struggle. Usually about twice every 24 hours. I was skeptical because I thought it would only help with allergies but the doc said it would help with the wheeze. It did.

If you feel worried take her in and let the doc listen to her. Fever or absence of is not the best indicator of sickness - I think the nurse gave you crummy advice and you need to talk to your ped about it. If the ped feels the same way find another doc.

Best wishes and healing vibes!

[eli's mama]

We just got over RSV here too. It was pretty terrible there for a while. My ped said it's pretty predictably 10 days of hell. They gave us breathing treatments for home but said that they don't really do anything for RSV. I think if you are worried see your ped though.

[petey44]

i also don't understand why the nurse said not to bring her in. my dd had rsv when she was 4 months old, never had a fever, but had a horrible cough and needed nebulizer treatments. take her to the doctor. coughs can be serious symptoms with or without an accompanying fever. fwiw, i also would not have felt comfortable giving my baby benadryl.

[JordanKX]

no help here, just to say, you're not alone. my ds has been coughing for about 10 days now; 3 days of being very wheezy; and has periods where he loses his voice. the cough is the scariest part - strong bouts during the night where I wake him up and sit him up so he can get more air, but it still sounds like he's just gagging himself. So Scary!!
I'm scared of the idea of benadryl. I'm thinking if he's not better by monday, I'll take him in to the pediatrician. Wheezing just doesn't seem Good, ya know?

[Lacrymosa]

I took her in, she has an ear infection... glad I listened to my mama instincts!

[birthangeldoula]

glad you took her in! The benedryl will help with the ear infection. The antihistamine will dry it up quickly. It didn't' make my daughter sleepy either, it just made her happier because she could breathe.

[mags]

How much benedryl do you give a 6 mo old? My 6 mo old is at the tail end of this and now just seems to mostly have a lot of coughing in the morning when he gets up. He doesn't have an ear infection, BUT does have fluid in his ears and has been pulling at them. It would be nice to help with that issue with the benedryl.

[Carhootel]

glad you took her and glad it's 'only' an ear infection.

[Lacrymosa]

It goes by weight on the benedryl, 3 ml for 16 pounds which is how much Asia weighs. However I only give her 2 ml because I'm a freak about giving her meds. She is starting to feel better. So glad I listened to you guys!

[mags]

Originally Posted by Lacrymosa

It goes by weight on the benedryl, 3 ml for 16 pounds which is how much Asia weighs. However I only give her 2 ml because I'm a freak about giving her meds. She is starting to feel better. So glad I listened to you guys!

Thanks! I'm glad to hear that she is feeling better. I had never heard of the benedryl thing until I read this thread. Wish I would have known about it sooner!

[JordanKX]

Benadryl?

Glad to hear she's feeling better!

I took my LO in today, RSV. Yeehaw. But the pediatrician didn't offer anything. Said no to benadryl. And said if it's not better in TWO WEEKS (today is already day 8) to come back in. WOW.

I'm curious about the Benadryl thing. I'm internally terrified of the idea of giving him benadryl, but still... anything that might help him if he's going to be so miserable (literally 24/7 coughing/hacking/wheezing). I've not seen any in the stores that say OK to use on children under 4. Am I missing something?

[Lacrymosa]

I questioned the nurse DOZENS of times about the benedryl. I was very skeptical to give it to Asia but it really helped her. I only gave it to her a couple of times, because she wasn't getting ANY rest and it helped her breathe better and helped her cough. She was getting coughing fits that would last almost an hour at a time, and also throwing up a lot from the coughing, it was really sad.

My nurse said that the 4 year old warning is there so people make sure you ask your doctor about the benedryl first. They told me 3 ml for 16-20 pounds. I gave Asia only 2 ml and it really helped. I would call and check back with your dr. though.. or get other mama's opinions on here.. first time mom here.