daughter ill, good advice needed!!?

Question

my daughter is 5 months old and has a really bad cold and chest infection, have dosed her up with calpol and put a few drops of infant olbas oil near her to help her breathe. Am really worried about her and cant get to doctors until tomorrow as shut, is there anything else i can do to help her or does anyone know of websites with info to help? thanks x

thanks for all suggestions, phoned nhs direct and not very helpful, nurse i spoke to emphasised that i needed to redial my dr's number to get the correct emergency number to call for advice, explained to her this only number on machine message and advised to call there for information and advice but again she just empasised to phone doctors again for correct number!!

Answer 1

In addition to the other advice about calling NHS Direct or just going to Casualty if you are very concerned, I would suggest elevating your daughter's mattress either with a baby wedge if you have one or by placing a couple of books under the mattress. All this will do will help relieve a little of congestion (and subsequent coughing) on the chest. Due to the sleeping position of babies (flat on back) all the mucus collects on their chest as they sleep, aggravating them.

My daughter, due to the asthma she suffers has had pneumonia twice. I know how awful a cough can sound, so I sympathise with you. I also appreciate occasionally ineffective out of hours service of GPs.

If at any point you are seriously concerned take your daughter to casualty.

Let's hope the calpol gives her a good night's sleep at least, and remember not to over-heat her with too much clothing.

Good luck. x

Answer 2

Look if you're worried ring the NHS helpline on 0845 46 47. They are excellent at offering advice & you talk to real Nurses/Doctors
Your doctor,will not be annoyed if you called them out of hours. After all, we're talking abou ta 5 month baby.
I would worry more if she had a high temperature. Just make sure there's enough ventilation in her room, by opening a window, or putting a bowl of water in her room/near a radiator to put moisture back into the air.
Remember, you're the one who knows your own baby, if your instinct makes you feel uneasy, do what you think's best & contact NHS Direct, A&E, your Dr etc...
Good Look

Answer 3

Call you local surgery for the out of hours information or go on line to NHS 24. You dont want to be worried about her until tomorrow. The trained staff can ask you questions and will advise if they think a home visit is necessary & appropriate. Either way it will put your mind at rest

Answer 4

If you're that worried call the emergency drs, if you dont know the number it will be on your usual surgeries answer phone. in the meantime try putting a pillow under the head end of her cot mattress so herhead is raised a little to help her breathe n try n get plenty of fluids in her.

Answer 5

Phone any other doctors surgery in your area - they should have an REGIONAL out of hours service with the same out of hours service.
Good luck(haven't read all anwers so this may have come up, try taking her into steamy bathroom, or boil a kettle with the lid off (refill often) in her room to make it steamy.
Good luck.
If you get worried phone an ambulance - its what they are there for

Answer 6

All above are good advise, but make sure she doesnt get too warm as this can bring on a febrile convulsion otherwise called a fit. id say keep her cool dose while she sleeps if it doesnt get to much worse take her to the docs in the morning if it gets worse take her to the hospital. never worry about being over cautious - better to be safe than sorry. good luck. x

Answer 7

Are the hospitals in your area also shut? Your daughter needs to be seen be a doctor, and the sooner the better. If you can't get here there yourself, then call your local emergency services and have her taken by ambulance or even by air ambulance if necessary. JUST GET HER TO A DOCTOR, NOW.

You don't take chances with kids, and emergency services knows this very, very well.

Answer 8

im a father of 3 and have had this problem many times,first thing is to keep her cool ie bathing with cool flanel.also you should have a local nhs walk in centre near you phone operator to check.it doesnt matter aswell if she is of food 4 a couple of days as long as you give her plenty of fluids good luck

Answer 9

If she has a chest infection then you should cup your hands and tap her on her back the front of her chest and under her arms do this at least four times a day or as often as possible and she will eventually vomit all the mucus out its not an over night remedy but it will work good luck:)

Answer 10

Mine use to get like that alot. I use to put her in the car seat and put her in the bathroom shut the door and take a hot steamy shower. the steam in the room helps break it up. after that steam bath If She don't seem to be be breathing good then take her to the er don't mess with breathing and babies.