Wheezing Baby...

Nebulizers are *amazing*. I bet your little dude feels better by tomorrow evening!

As far as what to look for in him potentially taking a turn for the worse, cuddles are the best remedy :) It makes you feel better (although super tired!) having baby right there, and gives them comfort. If his lips or nail beds turn blue, or he's literally gasping and choking trying to breathe, go to the ER. BUT, I think the nebulizer treatments will help him out a lot!

Don't be surprised if he gets really hyper after having a treatment, that stuff is like baby crack (not really, it just makes them super wild the first time!), so do it at least 30 minutes before bedtime ;)

Hope he feels better soon!!

I don't think there is anything wrong with trying Tylenol and seeing if it helps him be comfortable. He might have sinus pressure or a headache or a mild fever and it might help.

Use the cool mist humidifier and look for the mentholated (vicks rub) plug ins. Feed him upright. Suction his nose.

It stinks, but we all have to go through it a once or twice. If the treatments don't work with the wheezing, go to the hospital. If the cough changes for the worse, go to the hospital. Try to have faith in yourself. You will probably quickly recognize when things aren't right.

My son much older than yours(21 months) is just getting over RSV. It's a nasty cold virus. The doc said he was wheezing but it wasn't audible wheezing, so I never heard him wheeze. He was VERY congested and coughing a lot.I had to do nebulizer treatments for him.Helped a lot with the cough and breathing. My son had very high fever as well. If your son just has a cold and no fever ,you need not give him tylenol.

Your baby will most probably be fine with the breathing treatments. Things to watch out for are very rapid breathing which continues even with neb treatments, pulling in stomach and neck muscles (they do this because it's difficult to breathe because of congestion). If your baby turns blue on the lips, finger tips etc then it's time for ER visit. If not, watch the symptoms closely and do a neb treatment and see if there is improvement. If he seems like he is getting worse, get him checked.

Here's what we did this time and what we will be doing the next time he comes down with a cold which could lead to wheezing.

- neb treatments if needed (every 4-6 hrs)
- saline mist - really helps breathe better
- don't lie him down flat , prop him up using a pillow
- honey ( helps with the cough)
- cool mist humidifier while he sleeps
- run the hot shower with baby in the restroom , the steam helps them breathe better
- vicks on the bottom of feet, chest and back

My baby has it now. She is 8 months and its the 2nd time. Instead of propping the bed, have you tried having him sleep in the bouncer? It clearly props him and you dont have to worry about him rolling down the bed. I personally do not do the tylenol, just because he have gotten by without it.
If you keep up with the venitlator everything should be fine.
I would only really worry about hospital if there is a fever or he is having troubles breathing other than being stopped up in the nose. You will know the difference.

I know its scary, but a normal, healthy baby should be able to get throught it just fine. If you think hes not getting better in a couple days, take him back to the doc and get a chest xray for pneumonia, which could be serious or easily treated with antibiotics.

Oh yeah, and momofone reminded me, saline mist up the nose and suction it out works for us too. They hate it, but it works!

Could you prop the head of his crib or pit a pillow under the top of the mattress so it might drain the snot a little better?
Hope he's better soon.

I would try some nose saline as well. They make them for babies and are easy to find in the store. A good trick is to give a shot of saline in each nostril right before they have a bottle or nurse. That way, the saline goes in and loosens up some of that stuffiness. You will be amazed at how much this helps.
As for the nebulizer, this time of year unfortunately its a common thing and even seasoned mommas get nervous about wheezing so dont feel bad. I think you will definitely know when the wheezing would get that bad, but with the nebulizer it most likely wont.
Good luck and try to get some rest! Take some Vitamin C for yourself to boost your immunity since your not getting much rest. You dont want to end up sick too! Take care.