My 5 month old went to the Dr. last week due to a cough and congestion. Turns out his ears were red inside so the Dr. put him on antibiotics, nasal medicine and some ear drops (if needed). He seems better but he is still so congested. He doesn't cough a ton, but when he does it sounds as if he just needs to spit out all the phlegm in his throat. Of course he can't but we can tell that he is only coughing because he has so much chest congestion. His nose has been running a thick mucus which is kind of good I guess because I can tell the stuff is trying to come out. Meanwhile, we need a good chest congestion medicine safe for a 5 mo. old. I think I may take him back to the Dr. on Monday if he doesn't improve. Thought I would see what other moms think before I call his pediatrician. Thanks.
Thanks so much to everyone for their advice!! I didn't know that these congestion meds were not recommended for babies. It's so crazy that they are available at the stores!! I have been doing the vaporizor since the beginning and can see that little by little my baby is doing better. Thanks SO much!!!
When is it that you can start using Benadryl? 6 months? I think I started a month early with my daughter because she had so many colds, but you should ask your doctor first. Our ped only recommends 1/2 t. of this for younger toddlers, because the cold medicines don't work. It is an antihistamine, but should clear up some of the runniness and may help with sleep.
I agree with Cindy, there is nothing you can give him. In fact the FDA is conducting a study on all cold medicine for infants and toddlers because they have been linked to deaths, and doctors say they don't work.
What we always did is run a cold mist humidifier, spray saline in his nose, and suction out the snot. For the chest congestion we would do just as Cindy suggested, make a steam room out of our bathroom and sit with him on our lap.You can also try having him sleep more upright, either by getting a wedge or letting him sleep in his swing or car seat.
You really shouldn't use cold medicines on babies. Some babies died a few years ago from them and they aren't studied in kids that young.
We run a warm mist humidifier at night and prop the end of the crib matress up from underneath. Use the nose sucker a lot with little noses saline drops and you can even use breast milk if you are breastfeeding.
If they don't sleep well in the crib try in thier car seat in your room, or if they are only sleeping totally upright, put them in the snugi and you can sleep upright in bed with them. you can also Try baby Vicks. Even though Tylenol won't take the stuffiness away, it might help them sleep better just because of any congestion headaches ,sore throats or aches.
I'm a pediatric RN and M.. It is not safe to use decongestant meds for babies and children in general. I'm sure your baby is miserable but the best would be to use a humidifier and I like the vicks BABY rub. It doesn't have the medicine in like but has herbs and euclyptus. Definately return to the MD if it doesn't get better and he/she can direct you in a better way.
Unfortunately, there's nothing safe for a 5 month old. You can try and alleviate his congestion by running a hot shower in your bathroom allowing the steam to fill the room..then sit in the bathroom with your son a few minutes at a time..also tap his back and chest with your palm to help loosen some of that congestion. I got this idea from an article I read by Dr. Sears..I will try to find it and post it. I hope your son feels better soon.
Here's the article and link..hope it helps. http://askdrsears.com/html/8/T081000.asp The info I found is under..NATURAL TREATMENTS FOR COUGHS, RUNNY NOSE, AND CONGESTION.
I have to agree that the tapping on his chest and back can really help to loosen up his phlegm. This treatment is used in hospitals by nurses and doctor to help loosen the mucuous that is stuck in patients lungs and airways.
However, I have a treatment that is extremely effective. In Europe and other countries a nebulizer is commonly used for infants and young children to treat coughs and chest congestion. When we were overseas my son was seen by two doctors who both prescribed a nebulizer. The treatment is safe and makes a dramatic difference. Last year both of my sons had terrible coughs and chest congestion that prevented them from being able to sleep well and it really started to take a toll on them.
We visited their pediatrician and I asked her if she could prescribe a nebulizer and the solution that goes with it. She was willing to give it a try and I am so glad that she did. We picked up the prescription for the saline and medicine drops at the pharmacy (which are completely safe for babies and young children), and the prescription for a nebulizer was calling in from their doctor's office through a medical supply company and it was delivered in person the same day to my home. And insurance covered it.
For a safe, extremely effective treatment, I strongly encourage you to ask your pediatrician if he is willing to let you give it a try since your son has been so miserable. Plus, once you have the nebulizer, you can use it in the future when he gets a bad cough or congestion. Basically, you just use the little mask that is connected through tubes to the nebulizer, and your son breathes in the mist and usually within 5-10 he can breathe much easier and the cough settles.
Good luck!
I've been there myself with both of my boys but there is nothing you can give an infant (or toddler) for it. You'll see such medicines at the pharmacy, but my pediatrician said not to waste my money. All you can do is put a vaporizer in their room for naps and bedtime, and use a bulb on their nose and hang in there. I imagine this is what she'll suggest but check with her. Good luck!
I was told by my childrens dr. and nurse not to give them decongestion medicine. They said that the medicine will stop the coughing, but will not let all that phelm (bad stuff) come out. And that is what needs to happen. I know how you feel when you hear the coughing, but I was told that on more then one occasion. They said to have a humidifier in the room so the air can be moist and all that stuff in their noise won't dry up in there.
If your baby develops an ear infection try putting some breast milk in his ears. It is a natural antibotic. Sounds gross, but works.
