Tell me about croup. Ds has it and he won't nurse..

[dalia]

I'm kinda scared because he has a fever and won't nurse I guess because it hurts? Worried he's gonna get dehydrated because he doesn't really drink water he just nurses for his liquids. His doc is not terribly concerned and is coming in the morning (yes, she does house calls!) But I didn't ask her about the nursing thing because he just started refusing tonight. Anyone have any thoughts?

[pbjmama]

I would just do whatever you can get get him liquids - popsicles, watered down juice, watery fruits like grapes. You will find out when she comes if he has a secondary infection. Keep gently offering nursing when you can.

[springmum]

You could try taking him outside in the cold air (bundle him to keep him warm) for a minute or two to open his airway then bring him and nurse him. 

Cold air is great for croup. Read on Dr. Sears website for other info.

He is likely not nursing though b/c he's feeling miserable with the fever. Just keep gently offering, even if he only takes a few sips here and there. If you're worried about supply, pump a little. 

How great you've got a dr to do housecalls! I hope he feels better soon.

[Peony]

Often you can trick them while they are asleep and they will nurse then. 

[dalia]

 Thanks to everyone. We had a pretty yucky night but I know some have had it much worse so I can't really complain! He is doing better today but still on the edge of maybe having to get prednizone (yuck). He did nurse later last night and again this morning. Won't eat anything but blackberry sorbet, though!

BTW, the nurse came this morning and she was FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She was even sympathetic to my vaccine concerns (which I am reconsidering because this illness has been scary for me... not sure how I would handle whooping cough and it does go around here..). So lucky to have a lady like this in our area. :-)

[elmh23]

Ugh, croup is no fun for anyone!  We ended up at the hospital for a nebulizer treatment when ds1 was 9 months old.

Something that works at home is taking him in to a closed bathroom with the shower on to get LOTS of steam.  Then immediatly take him outside in the cold.  It opens their lungs amazingly well!

As for vaxxing, I'm a delayed vaxxer, preferring to wait until they are over 2.  But we do DTaP on schedule because pertussis is so scary and dangerous in little ones!