Bronchitis in 11 month old

[mum5]

My 11 month old has bronchitis, and has a terrible cough that makes him seem like he will choke. It is horrible to watch him, poor babe.

Just wondering if anyone has any good advice as far as remedies to help the cough. He is very tired, will sleep for quite long periods, and also well at night, and so far there is no fever.

I just really want to nip this in the bud, to prevent it from getting any worse, and then albuterol will be offered. Definately want to avoid that if I can.

Any suggestions? TIA

[mum5]

just bumping for advice :)

[jksmith]

I had bad asthma as a child and was hospitalized for bronchitis numerous times. The naturopath had my parents treat me with vitamin C, echinacea, and goldenseal, all of which I still use today. Vit C and echinacea should be used at the first sign of illness to stimulate tissue healing and white blood cell production. Goldenseal tincture should be started after about 3 days of illness, after giving the body a chance to heal itself. It works like an antibiotic I have read, and within 2-3 days should show marked improvement. It should be given in 4 or 5 small doses throughout the day in a little hot water to increase potency. It tastes pretty bad so try mixing it with hot water and honey for a little one. As far as dosage goes, I don't know what to tell you for a baby, check the package instructions, ask a naturopath, or see what you can find online.

For severe symptoms, my parents used a mustard plaster on me, but I have heard that it might not be safe for babies because their skin is so sensitive and they can get it in their eyes. I don't have the recipe any more, but it's a combination of mustard powder, baking soda, flour, and water. If you wanted to try it out though, just make sure that he can't get it in his face (perhaps do it while he is sleeping), and make sure it doesn't come into direct contact with his skin (you can put the plaster mixture into a large ziplock bag and push all the air out and then lay it on his chest). Then you put a bunch of blankets over it to keep the heat in and leave it for 20-30 mins. I think it works by a similar principle to a fever... raising the temperature to kill the bacteria, or just loosen the mucous and inflammation... but I'm not really sure, I just know it works!

Another technique to help open the airways and loosen inflammation is to "steam" him in the bathroom: plug the bath tub and run the shower on hot with a few drops of eucalyptus oil if you have it, and then sit on the toilet with him and nurse or read stories. You can also do "cupping" to help bring up mucous: pat his back rhythmically and firmly from bottom to top with a cupped hand. This is most effective after steaming  or mustard plaster.

Do you know how to listen to his chest for wheezing and other sounds? Because you want to make sure that his sleepiness isn't from lack of oxygen. If he is having difficulty breathing, it is better to use the albuterol now and be able to avoid steroid medications and antibiotics which are far more harmful. In particular, a steroid called prednisone is damaging to teeth and bones, both my sister and a young child I used to babysit had irreversible pitting in their baby teeth from it, and elder people who take it have increase risk of bone fractures. If he ever gets put on any steroid med, make sure you rinse his mouth with water after taking it to reduce risk of tooth decay and throat infections. Plain yogurt and/ or an infant acidophilus can help with the infection and the side effects of steroids and antibiotics.

And of course, lots of breast milk!

Hope this helps!

[mum5]

thanks so much for all the information.

He is not sleepy from lack of oxygen, just tired from the illness, but I am definately watching for signs of difficulty breathing. I am not anti western meds, just wish to avoid them at all costs, unless absolutely neccesary, much like yourself I am sure. I do wish that we had a naturopath here that took our insurance, but alas, I am hoping !

He does seem to be getting better, although the cough is still there, he is seeming more like himself. Still no fever, but really interesting colours of nose goop!

Thanks a bunch!