I am wondering if I might need to get a second opinion on a stuffed up nose that has been plaguing my 12 week old son for the last 8 weeks. It started with a cold at 4 weeks and has just stuck around. At my childs 2 month check (4 weeks ago and 4 weeks after it started) up his DR dismissed it as a normal infant thing or maybe allergies. She said it's probably not a sinus infection, because there was no fever. I know this is not the time of year to be disputing the possibility of allergies, but his nose is gooey and yellow or green and never clear and runny. Also none of the rest of us have any thing but super minor seasonal allergies. It is especially bad after sleeping and I have tried elevating him, using the humidifier, not using the humidifier, and he sits in the bathroom to steam while I shower every day. I suction him only when I really need to for feeding and sleep (about 3X per day) because the DR said that doing it too much could make his nose swell and make it worse. This constant stuffiness gets in the way of efficient breastfeeding and causes him to wake up sometimes from a sound sleep. I am now wondering if I should go see a different Doctor and ask again - its been two months and I am wondering if it is time to try an antibiotic just in case (after all - I've never had a fever with a sinus infection). I'd love advice or experiences you might have. Thanks.
I made an appointment for tomorrow. The nurse did act like I was a crazy person, "you know when they are so young we can't give them anything." I hate the crazy mom treatment, but at least we will be seing a different pediatrician. Our NEW pediatrician was very thorough and thinks that the problem could have one of two causes - a) his originally infection was an RSV like viral infaction which in preemies can be syptomatic for up to 3 months after it is gone or b)his reflux is causing irritation in the throat that is causing the nose to produce excess mucus. She felt like it probably was not food allergies in my breastmilk and definately not airborne allergies. She'll check again in 3 weeks at his 4 month check up and refer him to an ENT if neccessary. If he doesn't clear up soon I will try the no milk route.
Lol @ Darth Vader. My son use to breath like that and snore so loud you could hear him through the walls. It ended up being very enlarged tonsils which we had removed at age 3. He breaths normal now and doesn't snore. Maybe you can get referred to an ENT.
Definately go see another DR. It does not seem right that you dr would dismiss it. I know that green and yellow mucus is a sign of an infection . I hope that it clears up and you find a Dr to actually look into it.
You might try a saline nose spray (like Little Noses) and see if that helps clear it up and out. Green and yellow is typically a sign of infection, and fever may or may not be present. My kids NEVER had fever with sinus infections...I think every body resonds differently. Go back to your doctor and if she still blows you off, then ask for a second opinion. Saline is a WONDERFUL thing though. I have all my kids flush their noses regularly when allergy season rolls around, and we haven't had a sinus infection in years (knock on wood). I started them with the Little Noses spray. To me it seems a more holistic approach to sinus/allergy issues..
do not take no for an answer... Take him back to the dr and let them know it has not cleared up... If its gone on for 8 weeks that is a long run time for anything... Allergies or cold... Dr should look again...
It may be enlarged adenoids which cannot be seen on an exam with the naked eye (you need either an xray or an ENT doc with a scope) but the sinuses in infants are typically not large enough to develop infections as previously stated so I don't think antibiotics are the answer. Ask you child's pediatrician for a referral to ENT especially if the baby snores or mouth breathes
A few other suggestions would be to boost up his immunity by taking vitamins and probiotics yourself so he can get them through your breast milk. Florify probiotics are great supplements and VERY affordable, compared to others on the market.
Also, I am a BIG proponent of chiropractic adjustments for everyone, including infants. I have been seeing a chiropractor for years and totally believe in the benefits of chiropractic care. I got adjusted during both my pregnancies and my children have been adjusted since they were days old. We have given our chiropractor the title of our primary family physician and we see him before we go to the medical doctors (that’s how much we respect his expertise!). If you go this route, be sure that you see a pediatric specialty chiropractor for your son…there are chiropractors that will adjust infants and children without specialized training and it may not be a good experience.
Finally, when my girls get congested I rub them down with essential oils, R.C. and Raven. I order mine online through Young Living, but I’m sure you can find them at natural food stores. The oils usually help clear out their sinuses and get the gunk out. It doesn’t treat the infection, but keeps them more comfortable. I use the oils all over their hair, clothes, bed sheets, blankets (avoid the eyes) etc. and reapply 3-4 times a day until their symptoms clear.
I would follow up with an Ear, Nose & Throat doctor. Sounds like this might be out of your doctors hands.
Little people are very interesting. Always remember yellow and green mean possible infection and clear means just runny. You can take your baby to the doctor today and they see nothing but take them tomorrow could mean an infection. Please see someone else. This may not go away on its own. Make sure the doctor checks the ears as the ears and nostrils connect some how. If you're not satisfied with the doctor, by all means find another one. Good luck
I agree that you should follow your instincts and either go back to the doctor and express your concerns or take him to a new doctor for another opinion.
You don't want to use antibiotics if you don't have to because of the risk of building a resistant strain of bacteria. But, something's going on that needs some kind of intervention, and you're the only voice he has right now.
Just because you and the other family members don't have allergies doesn't mean that your children won't - it may be a recessive gene that you both carry and just happens to be expressed in this child. Still, it sounds like something is needed to help alleviate the congestion.
Good luck!
I would insist on an antibiotic and discuss asthma. I know it sounds early to worry about that but my young daughter had a cough/runny nose for 9 weeks. we were in the docs every two weeks, a new antibiotic each time. We went in on a saturday when i was FED UP and saw a diff doc who said "oh- this is asthma! you can put her on a nebulizer" and sure enough- it worked!!!!
I would definitely take him to the DR. It is very unlikely that it is a sinus infection because babies do not have sinuses. They develop later. And being that there is color to it, it may be something bacterial that needs an antibiotic. Hope this helps and that he starts feeling better soon!
S.
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I agree that you should see another doctor. Sounds like an infection to me. Perhaps it started as an allergy? Our Ped has always said to cut back on dairy and nuts in your diet if the breastfeeding baby is always congested. Those are two very common allergies.
Good luck!
I'm SO glad you will see someone else...I've been told by my Pediatrician and read a few other places that kids don't develop allergies (airborne, not food) until after they are a year old! Poor baby.
Oh NOOOO! Get another Dr...if it is yellow or green the baby has an infection. That's just pure laziness on your Dr's part. That can turn into ear infections etc...Babies sinuses drain into their ears until they hit a certain age and the watchamacallit closes up..can't remember but went thru it with my daughter who had tubes at 9 months
Hi A.,
You already have some great advise from other moms and I'm glad you will be taking your little boy to see another doctor. A second opinion is always a good idea, at the very least to be able to put your mind at rest.
I was just wondering whether you use regular chemicals is your home or natural products. A lot of the ingredients in products such as Clorox and Lysol can really cause inflammations and add to pre-existing sinus sensitivities. It seems like the little amount you spray when you are cleaning shouldn't make so much difference, but my husbands seasonal allergies improved dramatically after we switched to all natural products. Also if your little boy has sinus issues, don't use plug-ins or aerosol air fresheners because those products contain some really bad chemicals which can trigger asthma and allergies.
Hope this helps,
L. P
www.YouCanWorkFromYourHome.com
This is an old family relief, cover his mouth with your mouth as if to give mouth to mouth resuscitation and blow into his mouth. The mucous will come out of his nose. Of course it will get on your cheek, but he's your baby and this only takes a minute.
Oh boy, this is not fun! Take some breast milk in an eye dropper and use one or two drops in his nose a couple of times a day.
Please do not go right to antibiotics as some others have suggested. This is how we have gotten into antibiotic resistance in this culture.
Use probiotics. I add my vote for chropractic as well. Homeopathics are totally safe for anyone. Seek out a naturpathic dr,
Regards,
L. M
I would agree with Tanya about removing certain foods from your diet since you are breastfeeding. Dairy,wheat and nuts are very common allergens and can definitley cause congestion in an infant.
Also, I would recommend getting a referral to an ENT if you are not satisfied with the Doctor's response to your concerns. I waited months to have my son's lump (on his eyebrow) looked at and it was much more difficult to remove than if he was seen when we first complained to the doctor.
Sometimes doctors are so used to things that they really do not take some concerns seriously. I don't think they mean to but that is how it is.
Also, green yellow or any other color mucus does NOT always mean infection. Mucus can be any color and you can still be healthy. It is the bodies way of removing foreign objects from the airways. It could also be the pollen coming in.
Good luck and always trust your instincts.
He may have inhaled a foreign object, like a spider or something. I would follow up with a different doctor and see what can be done to check further....You are right. Allergies are not green or yellow.
Also keep in mind that babies are incredibly resilient and in all likelihood, his body will resolve the problem on its own....
Good luck!
Definitely go back and have it checked out. What may not have been an infection a month ago, may well be one now.
Babies are resilient, but 2 months is a long time for him to be fighting this off. Especially since he is so young. Definitely go for a 2nd opinion.
Always go with your gut. Doctors often (in my opinion) just dismiss things as whatever is most 'likely', and often they are correct. That doesn't mean that they aren't sometimes wrong (sometimes wildly wrong) and you need to trust your instincts. You would rather be safe than sorry.
Hope your little guy is feeling better soon.
