5week old with a cold?! WTD

[is it puppies?]

My dd woke up with a snotty nose- it was crusted all over the side of her face. Mostly clear looking other than one greenish boogery thing. She is breathing fine other than a flap sound or something once in a while especially when I clean her nose. She will make the odd phlegmy clearing her throat noise. I have salined and suctioned her nose a few times and gotten a big snoogy or two but not a lot. It is clear when it's running but the boogers I got out were kind of sticky and green like pea soup. She doesn't have a fever and is nursing well. She was a bit fussy yesterday and nursed more than usual but it wasn't anything I was worried about at the time.
Should I worry? When should I worry? Should I take her to a doctor? When do I HAVE to take her? We don't have a ped and I really don't like doctors very much...I would prob take her to my doc if I could get in.
What should I do?

[gardenmommy]

I think what you've done is fine. Keep on doing it. As long as babe is nursing fine, having adequate wet/poopy dipes, she should be ok. She may be fussier, just because she doesn't feel very good, so plan on holding her more for the next few days. I wouldn't worry too much *as long as* she keeps nursing well. If she stops nursing, or develops a fever, or you feel that it is more than a simple cold, at that point, consider taking her in. I generally follow my gut instinct with this sort of thing, and just watch the baby's comfort level, etc. to determine whether or not a dr. visit is necessary.

[is it puppies?]

thanks...
how high of a fever is too high?
like, at which point to I have to break down and give her acetamenophen (terrible enough but with fake sweeteners and flavours ICK!) and when do I rush her to emergency in the middle of the night?
hope to gods it won't come to anything like that, but I am realizing today how ill prepared I am for some things!

[gardenmommy]

Well, I may get the bad mom award, but... I don't really go by the number on the thermometer in determining when to call/take them in. I go more by how they are acting: eating, drinking (or not), acting lethargic, are they sleeping a ton, etc. Esp. with a newborn, if you can't get her to wake up and eat at least 5 or 6 times in 24 hrs., I would take her to the dr., because they can get dehydrated so quickly. Once that happens, it is way more traumatic for them, and harder for them to bounce back. IMO, it is better to call and get the dr.'s opinion (or the nurse, however it works in your office) about it, then to wish you had, kwim? Maybe you feel like an unprepared, paranoid first-time mom, but that is why they are there, to help walk you through these times. Again, go with your gut instinct: you are her mama, and even if you don't think you know what to do, chances are your first reaction is correct.

As far as medicating a fever, I rarely do, simply because fevers are therapeutic. However, my rule of thumb is if the child is too miserable to sleep comfortably at night, I will give them medication. Sometimes a half dose (or two half doses a couple of hours apart) is enough to make them comfortable. Trust yourself, if baby is so miserable that she can't nurse, she needs some help, and that is why the medication is there.

Here are a couple of other things that have helped my babies when they are congested:

Prop them at an angle, like in the car seat, swing, bouncy seat, on your chest, etc. It helps keep the fluid moving down, which is also good for preventing ear infections.

Steam baths/showers may loosen the mucous and make it easier for her to move it out as well.

Small amounts of a eucalyptus rub (like vicks or something comparable from the natural foods store) on the feet improve their ability to breathe. I usually do that before bed, and put socks on the feet to keep the rub there. Just a small amount is effective; don't overdo it, because a strong menthol (like in their noses, so don't put it on your newborn's chest) can make it difficult for them to breathe. I haven't found that to be a problem with older babies (like toddlers).

You are a good mama! Hang in there, it is hard to see your baby so uncomfortable, but you will both get through it just fine.

[Llyra]

I'm not one to pay too much attention to how high a fever is. But with a newborn baby, like under two months old, ANY FEVER AT ALL would send me straight to a medical professional, at any time of the day or night.

[is it puppies?]

thankfully she seems to be feeling better today, nose is almost clear just she sounds a bit phlegmmy when she cries. I will keep cleaning her nose out today and probably stop tomorrow if she is fine. I guess I should look into finding a (naturally minded?) pediatrician just in case...

[pumpkinhead]

I"m glad she seems to be feeling better .

Personally, in a baby younger than 2 months, I'd want to have her seen for pretty much any fever. After that, like the PP said, I go by how they're acting rather than the numbers on a thermometer.

I hope she's 100% soon!

[gardenmommy]

I'm glad you guys clarified that, because I would take a little baby in for any fever, also. It's only when they are bigger that I don't worry so much.

OP, how is your baby feeling?

[BathrobeGoddess]

movedto Health and Healing...

[Artichokie]

I just wanted to chime in to suggest a little breast milk squirted up the nose to help with the congestion.

[springmum]

I would be taking a baby that young in to be checked for an ear infection if there was a fever. Congested little noses could easily mean congested little ears, which you can't see. I might be a little more of a worrier with a babe that small though. Hopefully she gets over it quickly