OT Little ones & colds

[PigletsMommy]

My 13 month old daughter is going into her 3rd week of having a "cold". It is mainly just a running nose but at night she seems to get a bad cough with it. No chest congestion...just the nose stuff.

We took her to the Dr and they said there isn't anything they can do we just have to let it run its course.

She has a humidifier in her room. I try to make sure we keep her nose cleared out (with the nasal aspirator) & do the saline drops. I give her benedryl at night (at the dr suggestion). Am I missing something? Does anyone have any suggestions for toddlers and colds? 3 weeks just seems like a long time.

 

[bumbershoot]

Well....why the benadryl? Her body is trying to rid itself of something, that's why she's making the mucus. By giving her something to clear it out, you're thwarting her body and her immune system. I have *always* found that when I dose myself with a drug so I get a bit of a break, I make the illness last longer than it otherwise likely would have lasted (from my experience with my illnesses and what I know my body usually does). I'm sure the benadryl is making your nights easier, and hers too, but maybe skipping it, dealing with some nights where an adult is up holding her and rocking her and easing her through the stuffiness in that way would pay off (sure did and does with us!).

 

[Mom2JoeyandBen]

We were told the same thing yesterday when we took our 2 yr to the Dr. Basically she said that it will take awhile. It has been about 3 weeks. He was coughing alot at night but that has stopped. She listened to his lungs and since she didn't hear wheezing or anything she said just wait it out. Of course today he seems to have a full blown cold now. I understand how you feel. It is frustrating!

 

[RMulieri]

Small children have very small nasal passages and airways.Colds just take longer to get over.When my daughter was that little she had a cold/cold symptoms for over a month.

 

[mjkacmom]

It's probaby not the same virus. When my kids were little, they were sick most of the time between October and May, and weren't even in daycare. You just wait it out.

 

[PigletsMommy]

Well....why the benadryl? Her body is trying to rid itself of something, that's why she's making the mucus. By giving her something to clear it out, you're thwarting her body and her immune system. I have *always* found that when I dose myself with a drug so I get a bit of a break, I make the illness last longer than it otherwise likely would have lasted (from my experience with my illnesses and what I know my body usually does). I'm sure the benadryl is making your nights easier, and hers too, but maybe skipping it, dealing with some nights where an adult is up holding her and rocking her and easing her through the stuffiness in that way would pay off (sure did and does with us!).

I gave her benadryl because its what her dr suggested. She took a nap yesterday while I was holding her upright and coughed the whole time through the nap. That was before benadryl. I did hear hear her cough some through the night (after bendadryl) also. So I guess it is not doing anything to help anyway. They also suggested raising the side of her crib that her head is at so we have also done that. I guess so she is not laying completely flat.

Thanks everyone for responding. I'm just frustrated for her. She hates having the mucus "sucked" out and the nasal drops and I hate having to do it to her.

We've been really lucky. Other than a stomach virus in October this is her first illness. I guess its just the first time mom thing... I'm second guessing everything I'm doing because it doesnt seem to work and she is miserable.

 

[princessmom29]

Well....why the benadryl? Her body is trying to rid itself of something, that's why she's making the mucus. By giving her something to clear it out, you're thwarting her body and her immune system. I have *always* found that when I dose myself with a drug so I get a bit of a break, I make the illness last longer than it otherwise likely would have lasted (from my experience with my illnesses and what I know my body usually does). I'm sure the benadryl is making your nights easier, and hers too, but maybe skipping it, dealing with some nights where an adult is up holding her and rocking her and easing her through the stuffiness in that way would pay off (sure did and does with us!).

benedryl is an antihystamine, not an expectorant and would not do anything at all for a true cold. It is designed for allergies, not colds. I imagine the docn suggested it with the thought that it would make her sleepy. It is not going to do anything at all to clear out mucus. I would at least call the doc and see if they want to see her again. She may have a sinus infection and need an antibiotic. 3 weeks is a lot of time to be sick, and she may have picked up an opportunistic infection secondary to the cold.

 

[crysplefty]

She may not need the saline drops. If your doctor didn't tell you to use them then don't because you could make her cold worse. If your doctor didn't tell you, you should be using a cool mist humidifier. It is possible that seasonal allergies is causing the cold. In this case zyrtec would be better to use then benadryl. She should be able to take 1/4 tsp once a day. She should also be able to have 1/4 tsp of delsym every 12 hours to relieve her cough. I would just give it to her at night since shes only coughing when she sleeps. Check with her doctor before you give her zyrtec or delsym. And don't be afraid to shove that aspirator way up in there, gently of course.

 

[AwaitingMagic]

Poor baby! When my kids have bad coughs at night I put vicks all over their feet and then put socks on them while they sleep. They stop coughing with 10 minutes, I swear. When someone told me about this, I was skeptical, but it really works. Hope she feels better soon.

 

[RMulieri]

benedryl is an antihystamine, not an expectorant and would not do anything at all for a true cold. It is designed for allergies, not colds. I imagine the docn suggested it with the thought that it would make her sleepy. It is not going to do anything at all to clear out mucus. I would at least call the doc and see if they want to see her again. She may have a sinus infection and need an antibiotic. 3 weeks is a lot of time to be sick, and she may have picked up an opportunistic infection secondary to the cold.

Actually it can control cough too.It also has some other "off" label uses. The Dr. probably picked Benadryl since you can not give babies Robitussin or cough medicines per the new Pediatric guidelines.

 

[PigletsMommy]

She may not need the saline drops. If your doctor didn't tell you to use them then don't because you could make her cold worse. If your doctor didn't tell you, you should be using a cool mist humidifier. It is possible that seasonal allergies is causing the cold. In this case zyrtec would be better to use then benadryl. She should be able to take 1/4 tsp once a day. She should also be able to have 1/4 tsp of delsym every 12 hours to relieve her cough. I would just give it to her at night since shes only coughing when she sleeps. Check with her doctor before you give her zyrtec or delsym. And don't be afraid to shove that aspirator way up in there, gently of course.

Yep Dr did suggest the saline drops. We do use a cool mist humidifier. I called this afternoon and we have an appt tomorrow afternoon. I will ask them about the allergies. Thanks!

Poor baby! When my kids have bad coughs at night I put vicks all over their feet and then put socks on them while they sleep. They stop coughing with 10 minutes, I swear. When someone told me about this, I was skeptical, but it really works. Hope she feels better soon.

I have never heard this either! I have "baby" vicks but my mom always put it on our backs/chest.

Actually it can control cough too.It also has some other "off" label uses. The Dr. probably picked Benadryl since you can not give babies Robitussin or cough medicines per the new Pediatric guidelines.

Yes I've heard Benadryl has lots of other "uses" to. A friend of mine was told by an ER dr to give her son some when he had a stomach virus. Apparently it also has something in it to calm the stomach.

 

[Keri]

Vicks is really helpful, and the vapor plugs are really good too, the scent lasts a little longer than the rub, IMO. They are kind of expensive, like $1 per pad, but they have been a lifesaver in my house the last few years.

Tylenol can help, too, just to calm the irritation in the throat a little so they don't cough as much.

 

[cwojchik]

I would always give my kids a bath in the menthyl johnson wash and it seemed to help temporarily. I opted to run a humidifier and sleep in our recliner with them at night. Hope things get better soon!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I would always give my kids a bath in the menthyl johnson wash and it seemed to help temporarily. I opted to run a humidifier and sleep in our recliner with them at night. Hope things get better soon!

I love this stuff, I just gave my 5yo a bath in this tonight, it really helps clear out his stuffy nose.

The only suggestion I have that I haven't seen here is make sure she's drinking alot of water. It will help thin the secretions so she doesn't get stuffy.

 

[tr-ray]

I'm glad I'm not the only one going through this!
It seems like my DD (15 mos) has had a semi-cold for about 3 or 4 weeks at a time, (bad runny nose) and then it disappears, only to come back again for another 2 or 3 weeks.

So hard when you can't tell a small child to blow their nose, or cough it up!

 

[pipersmom]

Just a second vote for the vapor plugs, 8 yo dd cannot take any cough suppresants due to her CF and the plug has been a lifesaver for us since it first came out. It truly does make a big difference! Glad you're taking her back to the Dr..you want to make sure it doesn't go into pneumonia.

 

[Tiger926]

She may not need the saline drops. If your doctor didn't tell you to use them then don't because you could make her cold worse. If your doctor didn't tell you, you should be using a cool mist humidifier. It is possible that seasonal allergies is causing the cold. In this case zyrtec would be better to use then benadryl. She should be able to take 1/4 tsp once a day. She should also be able to have 1/4 tsp of delsym every 12 hours to relieve her cough. I would just give it to her at night since shes only coughing when she sleeps. Check with her doctor before you give her zyrtec or delsym. And don't be afraid to shove that aspirator way up in there, gently of course.

I'm just wondering why you think saline drops will make the cold worse? The saline clears out well, and allows them to breathe and get some much needed rest. It's drug free, so that's good! Our 2 yr old baby has asthma, and has spent much of the past 2 years in hospital/emergency with pneunomia and bronchitis, as well as ear tube surgery and adenoid removal. Once we started with regular saline, we have seen a huge improvement.

I guess I'm confused why you recommend some strong drugs (none of those should be given to children that young as per our doc and pediatric society), yet no saline?

Tiger

 

[princessmom29]

I'm just wondering why you think saline drops will make the cold worse? The saline clears out well, and allows them to breathe and get some much needed rest. It's drug free, so that's good! Our 2 yr old baby has asthma, and has spent much of the past 2 years in hospital/emergency with pneunomia and bronchitis, as well as ear tube surgery and adenoid removal. Once we started with regular saline, we have seen a huge improvement.

I guess I'm confused why you recommend some strong drugs (none of those should be given to children that young as per our doc and pediatric society), yet no saline?

Tiger

there is a school of thought that believes that stripping the mucus from the nasal passages with saline is a bad thing. The salt drys out the membrane and slows mucus production, and some medical professionals feel that that leaves the nasal membranes an open conduit for reinfection by whatever bacteria or virus is causing the problem. My DD tool zyrtec and benedryl at the at that age, and they really helped her. She went from infections(sinus or ear) at least once amonth to 2 in a year when she went on zyrtec at a year old. Ther benedryl has stopped many an allergic reaction and saved us a trip to the hospital.

 

[crysplefty]

there is a school of thought that believes that stripping the mucus from the nasal passages with saline is a bad thing. The salt drys out the membrane and slows mucus production, and some medical professionals feel that that leaves the nasal membranes an open conduit for reinfection by whatever bacteria or virus is causing the problem. My DD tool zyrtec and benedryl at the at that age, and they really helped her. She went from infections(sinus or ear) at least once amonth to 2 in a year when she went on zyrtec at a year old. Ther benedryl has stopped many an allergic reaction and saved us a trip to the hospital.

This is exactly why I suggested not using the saline drops unless your doctor told you to use them. Some doctors have the concern princessmom just explained. Our pediatrician has always recommended the saline drops, but I don't know what everyone's pediatrician recommends. Also, some doctors don't like infants and young toddlers to be given saline drops all day for extended periods of time due that they may aspirate the mixture of mucos and saline into their lungs causing bronchitis or pneumonia. I'm not sure what the op's pediatrician's beliefs are that is why I suggested she only use the saline drops if her ped. recommended it. And yes, zyrtec is safe for a 13 month old to take. Delsym may be safe, depending on the size of the child. If the op's DD is tiny like my DD, then she probably can't take it. But the average sized 13 month old can have Delsym. It is usually only recommended for a child this young if the coughing is keeping her from sleeping. This is why I suggested the op ask her doctor first before administering the meds.

 

[Tiger926]

there is a school of thought that believes that stripping the mucus from the nasal passages with saline is a bad thing. The salt drys out the membrane and slows mucus production, and some medical professionals feel that that leaves the nasal membranes an open conduit for reinfection by whatever bacteria or virus is causing the problem. My DD tool zyrtec and benedryl at the at that age, and they really helped her. She went from infections(sinus or ear) at least once amonth to 2 in a year when she went on zyrtec at a year old. Ther benedryl has stopped many an allergic reaction and saved us a trip to the hospital.

Yes, I have heard of that. We do our own little protocol. We put the saline on a Q-Tip and gently place at opening and inside the very beginning part of nose. We don't do it everyday either, but we do see a big improvement as our kids struggle to clear out their noses. We don't do the Neti Pots or anything like that with the kids.

Thanks, Tiger