Worried about cough & fever - please help!

[neonalee]

DS (7 months) had a 100.8 fever this morning.  Around lunch it went down to 99.8.  Mid afternoon it was up to 101.5.  DP gave him baby ibuprofen at some point today.  He's spent an hour or 2 on my lap napping & nursing.  He was very warm & I went to change his dipe & take his temp when I discovered DP had rinsed it & it's currently not working   Waiting for him to get back from picking up DSD.

DS doesn't seem to be in too much discomfort.  He had an EPIC spit up, but I think that's more due to me upsetting him by spraying saline up his nose.  He's sitting calm on my lap, doesn't happen too often but he's not lethargic.  Thing is, I've got a HORRIBLE case of bronchitis.  He's had a cold/sinus infection practically all winter, but today he's coughing a lot more, and it's a wet cough, probably every 20 - 30 seconds on average.  He also appears to be breathing from his mouth.  Not easily but I don't think it's 'labored' either.  Still wants to nurse but my supply is a little low from being sick so I'm not sure how much he's getting.  He's nursing ok right now.

I talked to his doc and she said watch for refusing to eat & fever spikes.  She also said trouble breathing, but in more serious terms that I can't remember.

I don't even know what I'm asking.  I'm just worried.

[annettemarie]

*hugs* It can be so scary when your little one is sick, can't it? Sounds like your doc gave you good advice. i hope your little one feels better soon.

[neonalee]

I think I'm scared i'm underestimating.  maybe his breathing IS labored.  maybe he IS lethargic.  or maybe i'm overreacting.  sigh.

[chattyprincess]

Hmmm things to look for if you are concerned about labored breathing is to take off lo's shirt and to watch the ribs. If the areas in between the ribs seems to be sucking in hard thats a sign, also the part of your neck/collar bone that is directly below your chin that indented area there? if that is sucking in really far with each breath then its labored. Look for cold fingers toes that are hard to warm or blueish or white (indicates lack of oxygen).

Lethargy signs would be just no intrest in life. Wants to just lie on mommy or daddy and not move, no intrest in food or the activeties around them. Really they just seem listless.

[neonalee]

Oh thank you for those signs!  We got another temp - 102.3.  But then he was playing a little on the changing table and now he's playing with DP, so I guess he's ok for now...

And he just spit up again.  He's only had breastmilk today.  Is it from coughing?  Is it from fever?  This is the 3rd time, the 2nd was minimal, and this was more than minimal but not a lot.  Just that first time was a lot.  Of course, he probably hasn't had a lot to eat since that first time.

[chattyprincess]

if you are using saline at all that ALWAYS has caused both my girls to get super spitty. nurse the baby as much as he will let you. Breastmilk is really high in all that he needs to feel better and to keep him nourished.

[my kidlets and me]

Coughing could definitely cause spit up, esp if phlegm touches his gag reflex.  Hope he feels better soon.