Hi mommas...
My 14 month old son had a bad cold about a month ago, got better, and then about a week ago started with a little bit of a runny nose and a cough. He is also cutting teeth like crazy, at least 4 in the last couple of weeks. He doesn't have a fever, and his appetite is normal. His cough sounds really wet, but he's not constantly coughing or anything, and he doesn't cough for long periods of time or seem to have any trouble breathing at all. My MIL thinks I need to take him to the doctor for his cough. I've never taken him in for a sick visit, because I'm not the type of mom to go running to the doctor for every little thing, and I know that there's really not a lot that can be done for a cold. I don't want to have the doctor prescribe unneccessary medicine either. I've given him infant ibuprofen occasionally for his teething pain, and I started using the baby chest rub at night last night, which seemed to help because I didn't hear him cough all night. We have a humidifier next to the bed as well. My question is, do you think I need to take him in to see the doc for his cough? If not now, then when should I consider it if he's not getting better?
No I wouldn't take him unless he get a fever, starts wheezing or having labored breathing, has coughing attacks and can't catch his breath, stops eating or sleeping well, or isn't acting like himself. There will be many more coughs to come. It sounds like you know best!! Moms always do.
You're doing fine mama. Unless his cough is congested and harsh, I wouldn't worry unless he spikes a fever.
Teething can cause pressure in the ears which might have you think ear infection, and can also cause runny nose, drainage, and a cough. If he wasn't teething and had the cough this long I would take him, but since he is I would just wait it out since he has no other symptoms.
I wouldnt take him unless it sounded really bad or had a fever. Do you know how many times I have paid a $20 co-pay for them to tell me to do the exact same thing I was already doing? A LOT. Boo!
You sound like you know what you are doing. I wouldnt go to the doc either unless there was weezing and fever that would suggest bronchitus. It sounds like a regular cold that will run its course with plenty of rest and fluids to me. You might call the pediatricians office to get a suggestion for cough syrup that has the expectorant in it so he'll keep coughing out his phlem. Other than that I'm sure he'll be fine. They get colds back to back sometimes, especially if you've been out shopping and having to share air with others. That's why so many kids seem to get sick during the holidays unfortunately.
Do they triage you when you call the pediatrician's office? Mine does and they will usually just give you tips on how to deal with these "minor" things before coming in. They can also tell you if something is going around and how long it will last. They also tell you when to come in if things don't look better or get worse, it's really very helpful! If you want to just get peace of mind, or get your MIL off your back ;), then I would just call and ask to talk to a nurse!
I usually go with the 2 weeks for a cough thing. My son has had them that last FOREVER this winter.
Unless the cough starts to sound really bad or he's unable to catch his breath, I'd wait it out a bit.
Hope he feels better!
I agree with the other posters. I don't think you need to take him in for just a cough with no other symptoms. I am like you and don't like to run to the Dr. for little things, but I do call the office sometimes if I'm "on the fence" about whether or not to make an appt. Our Pedi's office has a great nursing staff and they often just tell me to keep up what I'm doing and they will offer suggestions of things to look for or give me a general "timetable". Maybe give them a call in the morning and see what they have to say? Hope he's feeling better soon!
I'm a little different than the rest of the posters. I watch coughs very carefully. Last year my daughter (4 then) started getting bronchial infections. Her cough changed in it's sound over a few days. Once it was in her chest I took her in. After that she kept getting them so I had to keep taking her in. This was a cough w/ no other symptoms. If the cough worries you, take him in.
If he isn't running a fever and he's teething I wouldn't worry but hey a trip to the doctor is no big deal. I always go with my gut, if I'm worried I take my son in, if I'm not then I just keep a close eye on him. Nobody can read your son better than you.
As long as they are normal, happy, no fever I wouldn't take them in unless cough persists over 2 weeks.
Teething can really do a lot of strange things to a child. From my experience, most children usually get a cough in the winter. If he doesn't have a fever then just keep doing what you are doing. You might want to go to a health food store and start him on children's chewable probiotics and they will also help keep him well.
i would just call the nurse and ask when you need to bring him in if the cough doesnt go away - you dont want it to turn into bronchitis, etc
I would get some eucalyptus essential oil for him. Put a few drops in a couple of Tbsp of a light oil (I use almond oil), and rub it on his chest and back. It is healing and soothing. My kids love it. And, it works.
From the symptoms you describe, it sounds like he is holding his own for now. Little ones can't tell us when they feel bad but they do give us hints by changing something like eating, sleeping, tugging on their ears, fussiness, pitiful crying, or a change in what does (or does not) end up in their diapers.
So my instinct would be to reassess in another 12-24 hours. BUT...! My MIL is eerily good at predicting when a simple cold is *about* to turn into something more serious
no what your describingis going around my son had it when i took him to the er for an ear infeciton. the doc never gave him anything for it. just the ear infection. I also have it it comes and goes kinda of a lingering goes away and comes back. I am not taking anything for mine my son is getting otc for the decongestant part so it doesnt go backin his ears. give him 3 weeks at least before considering doc.you are describing exactly what we have minus the teething. the teething will make him snotty and that is normal excessive snot makes him cough so I would wait unless he gets a high grade fever I wouldnt.
