My baby had 2 colds in Nov and now has a third cold. He just stopped sounding congested last week! I'm going to the ped. tomorrow to check his ears bc he had a mild infection related to the second cold in Nov and he was on antibiotics. He's also getting his molars. Do you think the teething is causing him to put more germs in his mouth (he's definitely putting his hands in his mouth alot) or do you think there's something else I'm not doing that I should be doing to prevent these colds? I just don't want him to go thru another cycle of congestion/cough/ear infection! It is just too hard to listen to my baby try to breathe as he eats (he's still nursing) and sleeps. Help!!
2007-12-10 02:58:24 · 10 answers · asked by J D 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
this is common. My son went for his 6month checkup last week and the doctor told me that its common for babies and young children to get up to 10 colds a year. Theres not much we can do for them except saline drops suction and lots of fluids. Both my kids have colds right now and have been that way for 10days. IF the congestion is interfering with nursing, you can call your pediatrician to see if they will prescribe a decongestant. Also if the mucus is any color but clear/cloudy they need to be seen as that is a sign of infection. Good Luck and i hope your baby feels better soon!
2007-12-10 03:08:23 · answer #1 · answered by llllll_amanda_lllllll 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A few things to look at:
Is it really a cold? -- Cold like symptoms without a fever may indicate allergies.
If the child constantly breaths through his mouth, even in the absence of a runny nose, you may want the pediatrician to check for enlarged adenoids. A good indicator of this problem is to listen to him sleep. When the autonomic breathing starts our default is to breath through our nose. Listen for long pauses of no breathing followed by a gasp then mouth breathing until he has enough oxygen. Then the cycle will repeat again. A good indicator that the nasal passages are blocked.
Our children get an immune system boost from breast feeding, receiving antibodies from you. If your son was not breast fed then he most likely will contract more colds than might otherwise expected.
The best thing for you to do is make sure you bring up your concerns to the pediatrician and don't let him dismiss them like many doctors do. You know your child better than anyone, and ultimately, you are responsible for his health and well-being. Remember -- the Doctor works for you... Not the other way around.
2007-12-10 03:24:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
JD, it is absolutely normal. Welcome to parenthood! Generally, the tots get lots of illnesses for a couple of years then they will tail off. Your baby is developing it's immune system. It will get better!
Call the pediatrician and speak to the nurse. Tell her the symptoms. Antibiotics for cold induced ear infections are useless unless they are associated with a bacteria. Colds are viruses and antibiotics will do nothing. My ped will not see my son unless he has been running a fever for at least 2 days (unless it is higher than 102 f then he just wants us to call to discuss and make a decision.)
2007-12-10 03:08:40 · answer #3 · answered by RmW 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am in the exaxct same thing with my 13 m old. Hes been sick for almost 2 months on and off. Ear infection too, and also getting all of his molars. I have to give him nebulizer treatm,ents cuz he sounds congested liek junk in his lungs... actually he sounds liek a kitten purring lol. Its the season, Hopefully ours will get better! Mine seems to be now. Good Luck Mommy, keep your head up.
2007-12-10 05:34:55 · answer #4 · answered by KK 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If its a cold, its actually probably just 1 cold that hasn't gone away completely. It could also be possible that your toddler has started having spells of environmental allergies. You could ask your doctor about that. This is a horrible season for allergies and something like Benadryl or a daily allergy medicine like Zyrtec might be better on his system than another course of antibiotics.
2007-12-10 03:24:25 · answer #5 · answered by Denise S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son had many colds last year when he was about this age and he the same thing is happening this year. I would also make sure your house isn't too dry. Having a low humidity can help virus thrive, making your child get the cold virus easier.
2007-12-10 04:27:10 · answer #6 · answered by lm 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes but may have dairy intolerance - causes congestion/ear infection, mucus, dark circles under eyes, pale translucent complexion where food is not be absorbed properly causes weakening of imune system.
2007-12-10 03:06:36 · answer #7 · answered by Isabelle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tis the season. Also teething doesn't help any. Good luck to you. Also if you baby puts a lot of his toys in his mouth I recommend that you take some clorox wipe ups to them.
2007-12-10 03:05:22 · answer #8 · answered by bluefroggy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is also that time of year, things will improve, i am sure it is taking a lot out of you, try setting up a vaporizer they are very very helpful, you are doing all the right things it is just what happens
2007-12-10 03:09:28 · answer #9 · answered by melissa s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, very common.
2007-12-10 03:02:32 · answer #10 · answered by Level 7 is Best 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋