Oh, c**p. I have a sick baby on my hands. Please help my miserable little guy?

Question

I'm not sure if there's much I can do except let this run it's course, but maybe someone has an old hat trick that might alleviate some of his discomfort.

It started last night. He didn't fall asleep until near midnight, and woke up at 1:30 a.m., screaming inconsolably. He had a runny nose and diarrhea. He had difficulty breathing, therefore he had difficulty nursing. All I could do was walk him around the house and sing to him.

The diarrhea is gone, but his nose is still runny. For the record, he's rather cheery today, considering he can't breath and is running on two hours of sleep. He's also taken to biting me, which makes me suspect teething, but would that cause his nose to run?

I am using the aspirator, and that goes over like a lead balloon. I'm not in favor of shoving a bunch of OTC meds down his throat, but, if anyone has any advice on keeping him comfortable, I would love to hear it. Thanks.

Answer 1

Awww, poor little guy :(

I use Little Remedies chest rub (it actually works great on chest and bottom of feet).  Vicks also makes a chest rub for babies.  A humidier is also a huge help with a stuffy nose.  Other than that, rest is the best medicine.  Good luck!

Answer 2

My baby will be 9 weeks tomorrow & she's sick for the first time :o(  She woke up Thursday morning & sounded horrible- wheezing, coughing, sneezing, etc but no fever thankfully. I knew she wasn't herself because she wasn't smiling & playful. I took her to the doctor because I thought it was a cold & I know that OTC medicines aren't good for babies. It turns out she has some kind of respiratory virus & needed 3 medicines. She's much better now but I got sick with the flu this weekend & a fever of 102.9. I hope she doesn't catch it. I would definitely recommend taking your baby to the doctor. How old is he? I'm REALLY glad I took my baby because if I would have assumed it was a cold & she would get over it, it would have gotten much worse.  

Answer 3

Poor little guy! When my baby has a runny nose i spread some vaseline just under her nose she it doesn't get sore from the wiping. Try putting him a sling while you walk around today, at least he might get some sleep.

Other than that i would just let it run its course, i don't like to use medicines for little things either.  

Answer 4

My MIL always told me rub vicks vapour rub on the bottom of their feet and put socks on, it's an old wives tale, but it has worked for me.

They do have baby strength vicks vapour rub, that will help with clearing the air ways or you can use regular strength and just dilute it using vasoline.

Cold mist humidifier in the room he sleeps in will help with breathing tremendously.

Just bringing him in the bathroom while the shower is running will help, the steam should ease his congestion.

Tylenol will relieve any aches and pain, but there is no otc medicine you can give infants anymore.  

Good luck!

Answer 5

Yeah, a runny nose is a sign of teething., along with the pain and diarrhea.  Here's what you do...

1.  Keep going with the aspirator.  Yeah, he hates it, but it will help his breathing.

2.  If you don't have a teether, let him chew on a cold washcloth.

3.  Get the humidifier going.  The moist air will help his sinuses.

4.  Freeze his favorite fruit juice in ice cube trays and put one in his juice.  The cold will ease the pain.

5.  Lots of love and patience!  And, no, don't bother with the OTC meds.  They don't work.

Answer 6

Here is what you need to know.  Breathing problems at any level and copious bleeding, or bleeding you can't control means SEE A DOCTOR right away.  Emergency room comes to mind.

By looking at my votes it's no wonder why so many babies and small children die every year, most of breathing difficulties, or is that just

neglect?

BTW!  A mother that comes on the internet to look for old hat tricks(?) from strangers regarding her ill child  leaves more than one question in my mind and what really boggles my mind is the number of foolish people prescribing care from this person based on what she may, or may not be observing.  Hello, anyone home?  Oh, I know, some of you raised from 1 to 17 kids and they all survived--but where did you get your info, not from the inet, I propose.

Answer 7

Teething may have biting, diarrhea, and runny nose.

It does NOT cause the child to have difficulty breathing though.  I do not know what your "difficulty breathing" means, but if it continue's even with the OTC (OTC drugs should relieve the breathing with the first dose) you should check with the doctor.

Perhaps your child has allergy's.  Get them to a clean air environment and see if that helps?

Answer 8

My best guess would be teething or allergies if his mucous is clear.  

A humidifier works good, as does the aspirator/ saline.  But, I've found that taking them in the bathroom, closing the door, and letting the hot shower run for 10 minutes works best.  Good luck, I hope he feels better soon.  

Answer 9

Yep, sounds like teething issues!  :(  Poor honey.  Squirt some breast milk up his nose, then use the nasal aspirator.  Repeat as needed.  That should help him breathe.  I do agree to keep an eye on the color of his mucus.  

Hope he feels better soon!!

When Sophie hurts from teething, I offer the Hyland's tablets.

Answer 10

try sitting in the bathroom with the shower on as hot as it can go and let him breath in the steam it'll help to loosen up what in his chest and nose then clean it out with the asperatior. and repeat as needed it wont harm him in any way. also try a cool air humidifier in his room at night this should also help

Answer 11

buy some of those saline nose drops to loosen up the snot and then suction out his nose with the little booger sucker thing. also if the poops come back try some pedialite. one more thing i would do that helps is to take him into the bathroom and close the door while the shower is running hot water. the steam will help break up any congestion. Oh and while he is sleeping run the humidifier if you have one, if not, it would be a good investment b/c they help.

Answer 12

You already have some GREAT advice...

I just want to offer hugs for you both...I know sick babies are so helpless and it is so sad...Call if you want someone to talk to...both my guys are asleep so I have time to talk hun...again hugs for you both...

Answer 13

Oh yeah.  Sounds like how my little girl was. :)  Not fun, I know that!

Teeting can definately cause runny nose and diarrhea.  So try some orajel, for releif.  Freeze a teething ring.

Suction out his nose with the bulb.  To help him breath.

Is the boogers clear?  Clear is a good indication its just teething, or just running!  Yellow or green means infection or virus.

Also, run a hot hot hot shower and steam up the bathroom.  Sit in there with him.  The steam helps too, to loosen things up.  Then suction out his nose.

Good luck, not fun but you dont need to give him OTC meds for this. :)  Why pump him full, right?

Answer 14

I just wanted to offer my sympathy.  My little guy also has a runny nose (making it difficult for him to nurse) and a slight fever.  His naps have been so-so, but thankfully he's been sleeping well at night.  I haven't been giving him anything (except teething tablets, because he, too, is acting like he's teething), but then again I don't know what I would give him.  The little noses won't help cause it's really runny, and the aspirator is a pain (he fights it off) and I don't' really think it helps anyhow.  I just keep a receiving blanket nearby to wipe his nose (much softer than kleenex, plus it has a lot more surface area!)  Good luck, hope he feels better soon!