3 month sick boy?

Question

My son is 3 months old. He has watery eyes, congestion, and a small fever.

Will the doctor actually give him medicine? Or, is it best to just give him the tylenol and motrin?

Answer 1

I prefer not to use any sort of pharmaceutical decongestants with my children (of any age), instead I use a lot of steam (take him in the shower with you or in the bathroom while the shower is on) and if they are a baby an aspirator. My son was congested last month (he was 3 months old) and as he is nursing I did the above and offered the breast often. It seems to help him feel comfortable when he is nursing and I assume that the additional fluids are helpful too.

I will give Tylenol or Advil to a baby for fever if it is above 100.1 as I know it is effective. As far as what your doctor will do, I have know idea. I do call if the fever is above 100.1. He probably just has a cold but you never know with out that phone call.

Answer 2

I would call the doc just to give him a heads up. Because teh congestion can go along with an ear infection or asthma. BUT, there are some really frustrating things:
1) The younger the child the higher their base-line temp is...Doc's don't get worried until a babies temp is over 104. So, you get frantic (cuz you know if your temp was 102 you'd feel like you want to die) but the docs are like - just keep an eye on it.
2) Children under 1 year have virtually zero medicine that its ok to give. The doc might recommend a little infant tylenol or motrin - but talk to the doc first. These meds aren't really designed for a baby under 1.

Keep the baby hydrated - which will be difficult since he can't drink as easily. My boys had lots of ear infections and congestion. I used one of the bulb suckers to suck some of the congestion frmo the nasal cavity. THe babies HATED it but at least they could breathe enough to eat. You can also take the baby in the bathroom and turn the shower on hot (don't put the baby under the water) just sit in the bathroom in the steam. Finally, angle his matteress, put a book or two under one end of the mattress (the side his head is on), or let him sleep in a swing or bouncy chair, this will
help his sinus cavity to drain more easily.

Answer 3

I would say go see his pediatrician. The small fever can be dealt with using Tylenol and Motrin, but the water eyes suggest that there could be allergies and with allergies there comes congestion a lot of the times. Or the congestion could be from something like asthma. Two of my children have asthma and it was found early and treated. The Dr. will prob. give you a prescription. If you can't fill it right then ask for a few samples if they are available. It's better to be safe than sorry concerning our children. Good luck.

Answer 4

I agree with a previous poster about a humidifier in his room. That should help to ease the congestion (and the white noise from the humidifier may help him sleep too!).

Also, saline nose drops/spray is a safe thing to use. A common brand is Little Noses saline nose spray. it has no medicine in it (just salt water). 1-2 sprays in each nostril, wait a minute, then use your aspirator to suck out some of the mucus (snot).

Definitely call the doctor's office about the fever. They likely will not want to see him, but they can recommend Tylenol. I don't think Motrin is recommended in babies younger than 6 months old.

Answer 5

There really isn't a medicine to give him that you cant get over the counter unless he has some kind of infection. Try the infants tylenol cold to help with the congestion and watery eyes, plus it is already a fever reducer. Good luck

Answer 6

Call your doctor and see if he needs a check up first. Sounds like his sinuses, which might start draining into his stomach. My doctor recommend Motrin when my baby had a fever, but congestion is another story. Always check with your doctor first. He may give him something because if it continues he may throw up a lot of mucus. Happen with my son, scared the hell out of me.

When your infant gets a fever it's important to call your doctor as soon as possible.

Answer 7

Sounds like the little guy has an allergy or sinus problem. He may give a prescription. I don't think that you can buy this type of medication over the counter any more. I heard on the news not to long ago that Tylenol was pulling there infant medication off shelves. Good Luck!

Answer 8

A vaporizer and tylenol and motrin -switch back and forth every other dose (thats what the pharmsist told me to do) what ever you do dont give him any decongestant -i did when my daughter was that age ( i didnt know better) it made her worse and she wouldnt go to sleep -she just wanted to nurse -she stayed awake for 19 hrs. -I took her to the doc -the med I gave her had ephedrine in it!! It was an infant medicine too. I felt like the biggest piece of crap -so dont do that just vapor and fever reducer!

Answer 9

Would he benefit from medication?

Is there an eye or sinus infection that is not getting better on its own?
Is the congestion making it hard for him to breathe?
Can he sleep?
Is the fever above 102 degrees?

Unless you answered yes to one of the above you shouldn't give him any medication, even tylenol or motrin.

Not every infection needs antibiotics, and antibiotics have risks particularly for infants.

Most decongestants and cough suppressants have risks, and the production and expulsion of mucous helps get rid of the infection.

Fever from 100-102 helps the immune system kill the illness faster.

Answer 10

Call you doctor and ask them for advice, because tylenol and Motrin might not be the best for him. Or check with your pharmacist. You don't have to actually see your doctor and get billed for advice you could get over the phone. Hope he gets better!