Not sure what to do -- Emily is really sick.

Emily has a really bad cold and was up twice in the night coughing really bad and making rattly noises when she breathed. It doesn't sound like the noises are comingfrom her chest -- more like from her nose and back of her throat from all of the congestion ---

I took her temp and itwas normal, 99.0. Of course the dr.s office isn't open on Sundays, and I'm not sure what I should do -- if it warrants a trip to the ER or not. I dont want her to sit in the ER for hours all miserable when I know she'd be more comfortable at home.

She is in OK spirts for the most part. You can tell she is uncomfortable and she isn't sleeping well but when she's away she plays with her toys. I just don't know what I should do.

Re: Not sure what to do -- Emily is really sick.

First of all to you and Emily.

Do you run the humidifier at night? If not, I'd say definitely run it today for her naps and also tonight. If it were me, I'd probably just watch her all day and make sure she's ok, monitor her temp, etc., and call the doctor tomorrow. But you are the best judge of your daughter. I'd say that as long as you don't think it's in her chest, and she has no fever, you'll be fine if you wait to call the dr. first thing tomorrow.

Re: Not sure what to do -- Emily is really sick.

This is probably what I would do, too.
But in case she does need to go to the Dr. I wanted to paste this link for the urgent care Center at Schneider's that someone posted a little while back so you don't have to go to the ER.

http://www.schneiderchildrenshospital.org/sch_pat_urgi.html#

Re: Not sure what to do -- Emily is really sick.

Why don't you call your pediatrician for advice?

Re: Not sure what to do -- Emily is really sick.

I would say that if she's in good spirits and doesn't have a fever, that it's probably just a cold. The congestion is probably making it difficult for her to breathe at night, which is why she's waking up. I've heard all you can do is:
-Run the humidifier
-Prop her mattress up on one side with books so she's not laying flat
-Use saline drops and the booger sucky thing (forget the technical name ) a few times a day to try to ease some of the congestion.

You could also give her a warm vapor bath or use baby vicks on her chest before bed. I find that usually helps Christopher a little bit. I hope she feels better soon

Re: Not sure what to do -- Emily is really sick.

i would do a vicks rub or bath, suction out her nose with a bulb syringe, give her a decongestive medicine and keep an eye on her temp. make sure she drinks enough and run the dehumidifier. i am not a big fan of running to the er. i would call the dr. in the morning if everything stays the same.

Re: Not sure what to do -- Emily is really sick.

Hayley had a bad cold & ear infection for New Years and I rubbed Vicks Baby vapor rub on her chest and put some at the edge of her nostrils, I run the humidifier every night anyway and I also propped up her mattress on one side. She did cough sometimes while sleeping but for the most part she slept ok.

Feel better Emily!

Re: Not sure what to do -- Emily is really sick.

I hope she feels better...

There is also a place called PM Pediatrics in Syosset, right off the 135 that is open on th weekends.. I think 12 and during the week open from 5-12. It is urgent care for children.. I would probably go there instead of the ER becuase they are geared toward children and the wait might not be that long...

Many of my friends have used it in these situations and I have heard rave reviews...

The downside is that they might not take insurance but you can submit the claim..

Re: Not sure what to do -- Emily is really sick.

Posted by JTK

i would do a vicks rub or bath, suction out her nose with a bulb syringe, give her a decongestive medicine and keep an eye on her temp. make sure she drinks enough and run the dehumidifier. i am not a big fan of running to the er. i would call the dr. in the morning if everything stays the same.

Re: Not sure what to do -- Emily is really sick.

Re: Not sure what to do -- Emily is really sick.

Liam was like this too. It may be a post-nasal drip thing. Does she sleep in a crib or bassinet? If crib, maybe take a pillow and put it in between the mattress and boxspring one one side to elevate her head. I found it really helped Liam with his nighttime coughing. If its a bassinet like the pack n play we found it nearly impossible to elevate that mattress just because of the way it lays in there, so we put him in his car seat when we coughed alot when he was still in the bassinet and taht also worked.

Re: Not sure what to do -- Emily is really sick.

Posted by My2Boys

Posted by JTK

i would do a vicks rub or bath, suction out her nose with a bulb syringe, give her a decongestive medicine and keep an eye on her temp. make sure she drinks enough and run the dehumidifier. i am not a big fan of running to the er. i would call the dr. in the morning if everything stays the same.

Excellent advice!!

Re: Not sure what to do -- Emily is really sick.

I hope she feels better soon!!!

Re: Not sure what to do -- Emily is really sick.

Maybe call the DR on call and see if they recommend any at home treatment like sitting in a steamed up bathroom to break up the congestion.

It took Alyson a good 10 days - 2 weeks to be rid of her last round of congestion. We used the Triaminic Infant strips (1 at a time) for the cough.

Re: Not sure what to do -- Emily is really sick.

If it's not coming from her chest it is post nasal drip. I was told lift the head, saline drops, you can use OTC cold/cough, I use vicks & the dehumidifier. Make sure you apt is not to warm. This makes it worse.

If you would really want to see a Dr is there a First Med near you? You could always go to one of them. You never have to wait to long in one of them.

ETA: Hope she feels better soon

Message edited 1/21/2007 10:23:35 AM.

Re: Not sure what to do -- Emily is really sick.

It sounds like what Katie just had - just a nasty cold. We gave her Little Colds and saline nose spray and it helped a lot.
I hope Emily feels better!!