Croup? - Overland Park,KS

My son got croup often when he was young. My pediatrician said to give him whatever he wants, since crying does not help the coughing. Also, he said taking him out in the cold air would open the airway, and I remember going outside in the middle of the night with him and sitting on the porch for 5 minutes. It really did help. It happened a lot in the winter, so I don't think the type of weather we are having right now would do much to help,but if it happens in the winter time, keep it in mind. No meds were given to my son, either. I liked it that way, since I don't like giving meds to kids unless completely necessary. Croup sounds terrible, but it only seems to last a couple days and disappears. Good Luck!

my daughter had the croup earlier this year. it hurt me just to watch her cough! i had a very small baby at the time, but he never ended up coming down with it. i just tried to keep them separate. unfortunately, the thing that helps the most is cold air. another thing that is really going to help is to have him/her take a warm shower, with the door shut, or even just sit in there and color or read books while you have the hot water running so that the room really steams up. hopefully that helps!

It is viral, but sometimes medication is needed. My 2 yr old needed a steroid shot to help open her airway. It helped almost immediately. Cold air helps, so you can hold him in front of the freezer, and steam helps, so you can run a hot shower and just sit in there with the door closed for a bit. It's always worse at night and when they are laying down. If your kiddo starts to get really wheezy and gasping for air, it's time to make a trip to the ER. It's possible that breathing treatments (or like I mentioned above - steroids) might be needed.

Croup is just basically a really bad cold. Same thing, just more serious symptoms because they are so tiny and immune systems aren't built up yet. I didn't get croup when my daughter had it, but I did get a bit of a cold. If you're nursing your 5 mo old, chances are he won't get it because you'll have immunities passed through in your milk. Nothing you can really do to prevent it, just good hand washing & hygiene.

Hope he feels better soon. It really is miserable. :(

Hi T., our son had it last year when he was 2. There was really nothing we could do but listen to the poor thing bark. We woke up several times in the middle of the night to make sure he was ok. I suggest having him sleep w/ you this week. We did put a humidifier by the bed and put some liquid vicks in it to help him breath better and that seemed to help some. Usually the really bad bark only last a couple of days, but he'll have the sniffles all week. I think the hardest thing is, is knowing there's nothing we can do but feel bad and wait it out.

There are several things you can do for Croup. Sit in the bathroom with your 2 year old and turn the shower on. Let the room steam up and sit in it for 15 minutes. This should help the coughing.

They do give steriods for croup.

My son has had croup 9 times this year alone!!!! I know what you are going through! I have a 2 year old who will be 3 in october and I too have a 5 month old!

Make sure your sick one doesnt touch or kiss baby! Keep his hands washed at all times (or try to) Cool Mist Humidifier, Hot Showers (dont put him in there just in the room with door closed so he can breath in the vapors, Put his head in the freezer or if that fails take him outside in the cool brisk air of the night that should help but make sure you wrap him up in a blanket. Try to keep him calm because crying during a croup attack can make it worse, if you notice he is breathing funny at all and he is sucking in his stomache or you can see his ribs when he breaths take him to er or dr for Orapred (prednisone) Steroid! My son always gets the stridor where he cannot breath and we spend hours in the er for a shot of epinepheren(sp?) and predisone (sp??)

It is contagious. You could get bronchitus from it I did and I was 6 months prego so not fun. I have been lucky my little guy hasnt gotten it yet, the dr did say that babies could get a slight cold and not the croup. I dont believe that but we have been lucky and he didnt catch it!

Usually the first 2 nights are the worst then it gets better it can last 3 - 5 days! No meds will make it better other than the steriods! Plenty of fulids, gatorade, sprite, juices and popsicles.

Good Luck to you and your boys! :)

T., My two little one's get it all the time. I would suggest taking him to the dr. because he may need a steriod to help open up his bronchicle tubes. It's amazing how fast it works and makes a huge difference.

Hope your little one gets to feeling better soon!

L. Krevitz

T.,
My youngest has had breathing issues since he was born and gets croup all the time...had it about every other week last winter. His pediatrician put him on a steroid every single time he had it & said that the cold air was the best thing for him. He even told me to take him outside in the middle of the night during coughing fits. My oldest also had it a couple of times & they treated him with steroids as well. So, I would definitely take him to the doctor. Otherwise, it can turn into pneumonia. Good luck!!

Creup sounds like a barking seal. And although it is viral, the doc can prescribe steroids (liquid) which help with the breathing, and helps your kid relax, which helps you relax.

My kids have had this repeatedly. And the only relief we've found that works is a humidifier in their room - and I put it close to their face. And then when it's really bad, go to your smallest bathroom that has a shower, run it on super hot, and let the steam fill you. My kids would sit on my lap in the bathroom and finally finally fall asleep. Sure you are both a hot sweaty mess, but hey, sick kids who get sleep are SO much easier to deal with.

I would take him to the doctor to be safe. However, if you need to get through the night, the cold night air helps. Just bundle him up and take him outside, or at least sit him in front of an open window. Also, giving a popsicle or even ice water can help reduce the inflammation. Popsicles are well received at my house.
Good luck!

I agree with the other responses on here. Your doctor should give him a prescription for steroids. Also, the steam in the shower will help, so will a humidifier, and so will letting him breathe the cold night air. My son has had croup a few times already, and he is only 16 months old. Once he got it the first time, it just seemed to come back everytime he got a cold. Good luck! I hope it passes quickly for your son and doesn't come back!