Kids Still Sick - Is Doc Doing Enough?

I feel for you but sometimes you just have to suck it up. The doctor is not going to take care of them for you and cannot make them better instantly. I know it seems like it's taking forever but it takes time for the virus (or whatever it is) to work its way out of their bodies. Keep their little heads elevated and keep them well hydrated. If you aren't already, keep them away from cigarette smoke and other irritants as that will make it worse. Hang in there!

Hi Nicole,
My name is B. and I have a 9 1/2 month old. He has had this problem many of times and we finally figured out that he has under developed nasal and ear passageways. So, when he gets congested it gets worse and stays for a long time because it has no where to drain. He recently got ear tubes and we have seen a great improvement. Your little one's are to young for that but my son was the same way when he was there age also. I found it helped his congestion when I fed him at an angle (never flat) and he also slept at an angle. Honestly, the congestion and boogers probable bother you more than it bothers your babies. I was the same way at first. Just keep trying everything you are doing and don't push for a bunch a meds from the doctor just yet. And the saline spray worked well for us also. It may just be the time of year that is bothering your little one's noses. Go with your instinct. Hope this helps!!

B.
from Saint John, IN

Nicole,
You must be so tired!
If the doctor thinks your babies have a virus, she wouldn't have given you an antibiotic for them. It seems like a long time, I'm sure, but you should give this bug 7-10 days to run its course. How long did it last for you and your husband? If you are really upset, get a second opinion--this doctor seems to be confident and unlikely to change her opinion. Keep nursing. This is the best medicine. Congratulations and good luck.
Amy

Humidifier, Saline, baby vicks, & a bulb syringe to clear their noses. They hate the bulb syringe, but it really works. My dd had a really bad virus at 3mths. She was running a fever 103.5+. The fever wouldn't go down even alternating tylenol and motrin. The ped. wasn't very concerned as long as she was eating well. It took about 10 days for it to go away. I feel for you especially with two. With the bulb syringe I have found that if I angle it toward the center & down that works best for me.

Hello,

I had the same thing with my daughter and all the responses below is what I did. The humidifer and vapor thing do work. I didn't try the shower thing but I was told by the doctor to keep them in the bathroom like a sauna and the mucos naturally comes out.

My only problem, is that I had a funny feeling and I took my daugther to the doctor a 4 th time. She ended up with a double ear infection, because I couldn't get the mucus out of her. and the worst thing is that I got antibodics and then told not to use it unless she runs a temp. The doctor told me since she was already on antibodies a few weeks earlier that it's not good to put them on again. As long as she doesn't have a temp that means the body is fighting it and it sit and wait it out.

my only advise is if you have a gut feeling that something might be wrong go to the doctor. I did. I would rather pay the money and feel safe than to know that something else is wrong.

Good luck and hopefully your twins get well soon.

Nursing is the best thing you can be doing. I'm sure that 5 days feels like 5 years with twins (healthy twins can be a handful) but unfortunately this sounds like something that just has to run its course. On the plus side, be grateful that YOU aren't still sick or this could feel even longer. Keep yourself well and your energy up (if possible) or it may just make its round again to you and your husband. And I would see if you can get a mom of sister, or good friend to come by and give you a chance for much needed rest. If all else fails, get a doula for a night or two to make sure you are not setting yourself up for another round.

Hang in there!!

It is frustrating I know I just went through the same thing with my daughter. You feel so bad when they can't breath when they eat and wake up numerous times when they sleep. Then a cough shows up towards the end. They are just too young for medications, so the only thing that can be done is the saline & booger sucking, humidifyers, vaperizers, vaper plugs with the menthol, baby vapor rub, and proping up when feeding and sleeping. It took about three weeks but she got through it. We all got through it. It will takes its course and move to the chest just know that means that it is closer to being gone.

Nicole,
My son went through the same thing at about the same age. My Dr said that there isn't much she could do because they are so small. Prop the head and keep giving fluids. I did the saline and sucked it out with the sucker. I know it's hard.
It seems never ending. My son ended up having his "cold" for about 4 weeks. It seemed to go to his chest and we did a x-ray (not much fun with a 3 month old) to make sure there was nothing else going on.
He since has had 2 colds and I keep doing the same thing. Suck the nose, add more fluids, and try to keep comftorable.
Mary

Hi Nicole,

Good grief! You must be exhausted. Hang in there. I'm wondering if you could use one of those Vicks Plug in things in their room? Check with your doc. I used one when my daughter had a bad cold and it worked wonders. You can buy them at Target or Dominicks. You just plug it in like a night light and put a vapor strip in the slot. It's worth a try!

And by the way, kudos to you for nursing twins. I nursed my daughter for a year and found it to be close to a full time job...I can only imagine double duty!

My son had RSV when he was 6 weeks. It was terrible to see such a little baby coughing so badly. We took him to the ER. After checking his breathing and everything, they said that there was nothing to do. Just treat the symptoms. Antiboitics don't work for RSV. We just took him home and had to watch his breathing.

They we right. It was a long couple of days but he did get better on his own.

Like other people said, keep thier heads elevated. The Johnsons bath for babies with colds really seems to help with the congestion. Ask your doctor is they are old enough for it. The nasal aspirator that I have is made by safety first. It forms a seal around the nostril and you can really get stuff out (especially after the bath.) I could never get the ones with the pointed tip to work.

Sice your twins were early, I would really watch thier breathing. Don't feel bad about calling the doctor. I'm sure you are not the only first time mom that the doctor has! I hope they feel better soon.

It is the pits when your kids get sick. The cold will last 10 to 14 days. Have you put a humidifier in their room? That will help. Also keep doing the saline and suck it out with the the nose plunger thing (I can't remember the name) twice a day. Keep their heads elevated, you might want to have them sleep in their carseats - just don't let them get too used to it I had a hard time getting my second one to sleep anywhere else after her first cold! That's about all that you can do for them. Antibiotics don't do much and you wouldn't want them to become resiliant to them. Just keep watching for signs of an ear infection - screaming when you lie them down, ear tugging doesn't count. You're doing a great job and don't worry it will be over soon.