My daughter is fussy, more than usual in the last few days. She's coughing off and on (more than usual) and waking up after 1 hour of sleep...which is weird for her. So...question is...should we head into the doctor and risk her being in a BIG disease vector (ie, doctor's office), or keep an eye on her and go in if it worsens?
No fever, eating normally, still happy-go-lucky giggly baby, crawling/active, poop is normal, etc. No changes...other than this cough and waking up...teething maybe????
Nose isn't runny, lots of sneezing though. I hate taking her to the doctor, where we'll both wind up picking something up (we go to Mercy in KC)...for either allergies or teething (seems the front top two are popping too). Since there isn't a fever--nothing to be worried about, right? Like I said, eating normally...normal mood, normal everything...just coughing & sneezing.
** doctor said not to bring her in just yet. Since we know she has acid reflux (controlled by adding rice cereal to her bottles), and seems to be stuffier than normal in the last week and a half...she suggested it was allergies too. Since we're at the beginning of flu season, she wants me to wait a bit and see how she responds to 1 saline drop per nostril at night, to soothe her nose. Her front teeth are popping too (top) so that could be it. Doctor does NOT want to see a healthy baby when she's dealing with loads of kids with colds and 24 hour bugs right now. But, should anything change, I'm to bring her in immediately. I'll keep you up to date!
*** we did go in for a well-baby check and all was well. Combo of teething and allergies. We're not doing anything except a saline drop in each nostril before bed, to soothe nasal passages. Seems to be working. The coughing was never deep, she didn't hear anything in her lungs at all and temp was normal. So--no allergy meds until it worsens (which I hear spring in Kansas is BAD!)
Could be allergies, but it could also be asthma. Is she weezing or coughing a lot? When my daughters asthma acts up she seems to cough a lot more at night. I would call her doctors office and see if she should have an office visit. If it is asthma you don't want to ignore it. Also, when allergies get worse they can trigger asthma. I hope she is feeling better soon. :)
Most likely than not it's allergies. She can have drainage down her throat without the actual runny nose. This can even cause a sore throat. My daughter is starting to have smptoms on top of the meds she's on because the allergens are so high right now. I would definantly call the doc and see what you can give her. Hope she gets better soon.
It may be acid reflux. Does she cough so much she throws up? I would take her to the doctor.
I know you've already responded to our postings, but even though it's just runny nose & sneezing....that drainage could go to the ears/eyes. With the fall seasonal allergies upon us, you might want to address this issue with your doctor. Getting that drainage cleared up might be easier that dealing with an ear infection on down the line.
I know how frusterating this is...I can't stand to listen to my daughter cough and cough all night. With her she was always having these symptoms without being really "sick" like you describe, no fever, no runny stools acting normally etc...ever since she was 3 or 4 months old. So stuffy all the time and coughed alot. Could definately tell the difference when she had a true cold or was sick for real so this was very aggrivating for us as well.
Fast forward to about 20 months and we finally figured out it has been allergies this whole time! Although I must say that when she wasn't fighting allergies, she had alot of coughing when she was teething due to increase in saliva.
She was put on Zyrtec (tried claritin, didn't work well) but you need to realize that it may take a while so keep at it until it gets built up in her system. The first time we gave it to her, it took a good 2 1/2 weeks and then VOILA! she stopped coughing. WE could all sleep. But as she got older (she is now 3 1/2) we had to add a chewable by mouth and the zyrtec and occasionally a nose spray when she is really bad. If we stay on top of it, she is symptom free or at least 80% better.
Good luck
Hi S.,
It is always great to speak with your doctor first, but my daughter has allergies and I give her allergy medicine prior to her bath. This allows it to work it's magic by the time she is put to bed (usually a 30 minute window).
We use the generic brand the doctor recommended and have had not issues. My daughter did not experience any side effects.
Take Care,
M.
My daughter is doing the same thing...I think it's the change of seasons and she's having drainage going down the back of her throat...I'd try some Claritin or Zyrtec or even an antihistime...basically they all work the same way...to dry you up you could also combine this with a cough syrup. If that doesnt' work then I'd get her into the Dr.s office.
Does she have a runny nose at all? My kids are coughing right now too, and it's due to their allergies. I have them on Zyrtec or Claritin, but the ragweed is so bad right now that they're miserable even with the medicines. If her cough is keeping her awake at night and doesn't get better in the next night or two, I personally would take her in.
I am doing the same thing and so is my 4 year old daughter. I have had several friends/friends' kids who have done the same thing and unfortunately it lasts quite a long time. If it is the same thing, the good news is it never gets worse though and it eventually goes away (from what I've been told it takes about 1 month).
I'm on about day 12 of it and although I feel just fine, I want it to go away so I can sleep instead of cough at night!
Good luck. Sorry you are going through this as well...
Definately allergies. Our kids are having the same problem. You might have to call the doc to see how much of the Zyrtec or Claritin you can give her since she is so young but that is definately the way to go. Give it to her before bedtime so that it is most effective through the night. You can also give her Benedryl on top of the Zyrtec or Claritin if she is really bad. Personally, we like the Zyrtec better. Claritin doesn't work very well for our family. Also, these medicines are more effective if they are used on a daily basis. They build up in the system and are then able to work better. So if you don't see a major difference on the first dose, give it a couple of days to really take effect. As long as she isn't running a fever, the doc is just going to tell you to give her OC meds.
