[punkrawkmama27]

All 4 dc are sick right now. Last week ds (1) was dx with the croup. He is getting better, just sounds congested sometimes and has a wet cough every once in awhile. DD (8) was the next to get it. They both would cough so much that they spent alot of time in the shower to relieve the coughing. SHe also had an ear ache, and I used breastmilk for one day in it, and it cleared up. She still has a very wet cough, not all the time, but still quite often.<br><br>
Ds (6) and ds (4) are sick now, as well. Ds (6) is coughing, not as much, but has the wet cough and a clogged ear. No fever. I have been using breastmilk in his ear. Ds (4) had double ear aches, used breastmilk, and the ear aches are now gone. However, he still has a fever (101) and he is coughing more now.<br><br>
I am trying to treat them at home, myself right now. We lost our insurance and have to wait until August, I will take them in if I have to, but I really want this to clear up at home. I used to take them in when they were feeling like this and would be told they had bronchitis, or ear infections or whatever. The hcp would tell me, good thing you brought them in,this could have turned into pneumonia.<br><br>
Am I doing the right thing keeping them home. Having them rest, give fluids, use natural remedies? Does what they have sound serious enough for me to take them in to see the hcp?<br><br>
I have always felt that the kids are on abx a little much, but I worry that they will get worse as the hcp would tell me when I explain how I feel about to him about it. Could all the abx they were on before, be causing them to not be able to fight off sickness naturally at home.<br><br>
Thank you for your time in ansewering my questions.

 

[punkrawkmama27]

Also, is there anything else I can do at home to treat this. Thanks again!

 

[pianojazzgirl]

I'm no HCP, but I will say that from what you described if I were in your shoes I would feel very comfortable treating them at home as you have been.<br><br>
Besides breastmilk for the ears you could also use garlic/mullein drops (available at your HFS), and if you google it there's instructions for using a warmed half-onion held to the ear to ease acute pain.<br><br>
You might want to look into homeopathics to treat their coughs. I've gone with standard homeopathic cough syrups available at our drugstore, but someone who is knowledgeable in homeopathy could recommend more specific remedies based on the exact symptoms.<br><br>
Sounds like you're doing a great job mama! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug"><br><br>
ETA one of my main criteria for whether I want to take my kids to get checked out by our HCP is how they are acting. If they are sick and grumpy and more tired than usual, but still acting like themselves then I'll probably adopt a wait-and-see approach (depending on the illness of course). If they seem super listless or just really not themselves or my gut is telling me that something isn't right then I'll call to get an appointment.