7 month old with a cold...pillow?

[candelaria80]

Hello all. My DD has a little cold (actually may be allergies? runny nose, dry sparatic cough, sneezing and no fever) anyway, I was up with her last night so she could sleep in an upright position. She sucks her thumb and was having breathing problems laying flat.

Well this morning I decided to put a pillow in her pack n' play so she could nap with her head elevated. It has worked beautifully and she has been sleeping for a couple hours now. She is out here in the living room with me so I can keep a watchful eye on her, but would it be safe for her to sleep like this tonight? Of course I googled "pillow for an infant" and now am freaking out a little, but I really don't think suffocation is too much of an issue? She is very mobile and sits up by herself, but am I putting her in danger?

I would love any suggestions to help her sleep. I have suctioned her nose, but it only seems to help for a short time. We have also tried, shower steam, Vicks baby rub and a cool mist humidifier. She will not sleep in our bed or any device.

Thanks in advance.

[JordanKX]

I encountered the same "pillow fears" when my DS had his first cold. He's now gone through 4 colds (one was RSV) in his 6 months and we rely on the boppy because it keeps him upright and shelters him from rolling over and sucking down on the pillow. But even when he naps in his bassinet, I'll often put a pillow under the mattress so his head it elevated. IMO, if you're awake and watching while they're sleeping with a pillow, the fears are lessened. Elevate the mattress if you can, instead of using an actual pillow, or use a boppy.

[JordanKX]

another addition... Little Noses makes pretty good saline drops, and in combination with the 'sucker' can do some good. And homeopathically, kali bichromium for the congestion.

[candelaria80]

Originally Posted by JordanKX

I encountered the same "pillow fears" when my DS had his first cold. He's now gone through 4 colds (one was RSV) in his 6 months and we rely on the boppy because it keeps him upright and shelters him from rolling over and sucking down on the pillow. But even when he naps in his bassinet, I'll often put a pillow under the mattress so his head it elevated. IMO, if you're awake and watching while they're sleeping with a pillow, the fears are lessened. Elevate the mattress if you can, instead of using an actual pillow, or use a boppy.

The Boppy, good idea.
Thanks!

[candelaria80]

Originally Posted by JordanKX

another addition... Little Noses makes pretty good saline drops, and in combination with the 'sucker' can do some good. And homeopathically, kali bichromium for the congestion.

We actully have used the Little Noses saline drops, she hates it, but they seem to work. We actually started used breastmilk instead. It works great and she doesn't gag.

I have never heard of kali bichromium, I will look into that.
thanks again!

[JD5351]

My DP's neighbor is a doctor and when we went to visit last week he recommended elevating my son's head when he sleeps..He said to find a firm wedge or something to slide under his head to just prop it up a bit..He said it would help with his cough, (Allergies, I'm sure..As DP and I both have seasonal allergies) and he said it would also help to prevent ear infections.

[odoole]

Oh yes, absolutely elevate their head if they're having trouble breathing. If she has head control, she'll be just fine. Especially during the day, you can just check in on her to make sure her face isn't smothered in the pillow or anything. If the poor thing can't breath when she's lying flat, that seems more hazardous than a pillow would be.

My 7 mo is going through the same thing right now. We only do the drops or the suction if it's absolutely necessary because he HATES it. Shower is our best bet for long-term clearing. (Actually, suction IN the shower is the best.)

[Bokonon]

You can always put the pillow under the mattress to elevate it, and just make sure there aren't any gaps between the crib and mattress. Personally I would never use a pillow or Boppy in the crib or playpen at that age.

[candelaria80]

Originally Posted by JD5351

My DP's neighbor is a doctor and when we went to visit last week he recommended elevating my son's head when he sleeps..He said to find a firm wedge or something to slide under his head to just prop it up a bit..He said it would help with his cough, (Allergies, I'm sure..As DP and I both have seasonal allergies) and he said it would also help to prevent ear infections.

We do have a wedge, I just wondered if it was elevated enough.
I am super worried about ear infections, she has never had one, but I am very prone to them myself.

[candelaria80]

Originally Posted by odoole

Oh yes, absolutely elevate their head if they're having trouble breathing. If she has head control, she'll be just fine. Especially during the day, you can just check in on her to make sure her face isn't smothered in the pillow or anything. If the poor thing can't breath when she's lying flat, that seems more hazardous than a pillow would be.

My 7 mo is going through the same thing right now. We only do the drops or the suction if it's absolutely necessary because he HATES it. Shower is our best bet for long-term clearing. (Actually, suction IN the shower is the best.)

My DD hates the suction!! We have the bulb and a battery operated one. The bulb seems to not work for us? I have to do it over and over to get anything. The battery operated one works, it is just so loud, it scares her. There has to be a better way!

[candelaria80]

Originally Posted by Bokonon

You can always put the pillow under the mattress to elevate it, and just make sure there aren't any gaps between the crib and mattress. Personally I would never use a pillow or Boppy in the crib or playpen at that age.

It does scare me. Right now is is on the livingroom floor with her head on the Bopppy and it seems okay, but I think if I placed her in it through the night, I would be too worried to sleep. I think tonight we will put the pillow under the mattress and see how it goes.
Thanks for the input!

[Aufilia]

Are you using a humidifer? DS has had a stuffy nose the last week or so, and I'm using a crib wedge under his mattress and running a cold mist humidifer in his room all night. That won't work as well if your DD is napping in a large open space, but if she sleeps in a smaller room at night it would help keep her nasal passages moistened.

DS also hates the nose stuff. You don't need to buy the Little Noses, btw, any drops or spray that are just saline solution work the same (and are usually cheaper). I found an adult brand that works great as a spray, and it's easier to get spray up DS's nose than drops.

[tracymom1]

You could also actually elevate one side of the crib a bit if the pillow does not work under the mattress. We put a couple of books under the side of the crib where we usually find DS in the morning and it worked well. We only raised it about an inch but that was all it took to help him breathe a little better.

Hope your LO is feeling better soon!

[PrincessAnika]

we have a pillow under the pnp mattress so half is on an incline, have since birth - she is nearly 8mos - also would run a vaporizer and do the saline drops, can also run a hot shower and sit or nurse in the bathroom for the steam...

[candelaria80]

Originally Posted by Aufilia

Are you using a humidifer? DS has had a stuffy nose the last week or so, and I'm using a crib wedge under his mattress and running a cold mist humidifer in his room all night. That won't work as well if your DD is napping in a large open space, but if she sleeps in a smaller room at night it would help keep her nasal passages moistened.

DS also hates the nose stuff. You don't need to buy the Little Noses, btw, any drops or spray that are just saline solution work the same (and are usually cheaper). I found an adult brand that works great as a spray, and it's easier to get spray up DS's nose than drops.

We are using a cold mist humidifier, actually, it is on pretty much non-stop while she sleeps because of the noise it makes.

[candelaria80]

Originally Posted by tracymom1

You could also actually elevate one side of the crib a bit if the pillow does not work under the mattress. We put a couple of books under the side of the crib where we usually find DS in the morning and it worked well. We only raised it about an inch but that was all it took to help him breathe a little better.

Hope your LO is feeling better soon!

Thank you! She is feeling better today.

[candelaria80]

Originally Posted by PrincessAnika

we have a pillow under the pnp mattress so half is on an incline, have since birth - she is nearly 8mos - also would run a vaporizer and do the saline drops, can also run a hot shower and sit or nurse in the bathroom for the steam...

Nursing with the shower on is a good idea, bf'ing has not been easy for her with her nose all stuffed up.

[candelaria80]

Thanks for all of your suggestions! Last night we ditched the pillow and placed the wedge under the mattress, not only did DD sleep, but she only woke once during the night!! Of course I still woke at 11, 1, & 3, but that is beside the point.

That is a big deal for her, seriously. I think the elevated mattress is here to stay.