Help with 10 Month Old

I wouldn't worry about behavior. You little one just feels miserable and the only way she has of cummunicating that is crying/screaming etc. Once she's better she will be back to herself. Good luck. It's hard on us moms too!

I hate to say it but it can take up to a month and a half for a child under one to get over a virus. I know it sucks, but it is the truth and you do just have to wait it out. At least it is half way over and she isn't having an uncontrollable fever. Then she will need to readjust to being well which will be hard but not as hard as her being ill.

Hey A....i'm sorry to hear she has pneumonia, but i'm happy that at least now she is getting some help. Now, remember that it will take a while for her behavior to change again to the sweet little girl she was, but give her time, and still try to correct her when she doesn't behave...remember by now she is used to not behaving as she used to...good luck...!!! Hope she feels better.

I would say go to the docot again, maybe even a different one. My daughter didnt get the flu, but she did have a cough for like 4 weeks, it was mainly just a cough coming and going,never really getting any worse. But then it made her vomit so the next day I took her in and they checked for allergies and stuff, all negative. So they put her on antibiotics, but also gave me a perscription for an allergy medicine if the antibiotics didnt clear it up. Well the antibiotics did clear it up. Then about a month later she was coughing again and threw up really bad. So called the nurse, said said fill the old allergy med precription and see if that helps in 24 hrs, it didnt so we took her in, but all they said was keep her on the allergy medicine. Next day she said her ear was hurting so we took her in again and then they found an ear infection. It was actually the first time she told us her ear hurt. She does get an ear infection every yr but we always just happen to be in the doc office for something else when they find it. So, anyway...you always can get a second opinion if you do not like what your doctor has provided you with so far.

I am very happy to hear your daughter is getting treatment and everyone feels better.

First off I always prefer natural homepathic remedies as opposed to lab created (man made) remedies not only for children, but even for myself. With the recent scares with over the counter children medicines it has become more evident to me that natural remedies are definately the way to go. Since you can't use the others anyway and nothing else is working for you, you might want to try an all natural medicine for infants and children. If you copy and paste the following address into your browser it will bring you to one of those options:
http://www.evitamins.com/product.asp?pid=13482

If you are not pleased with this one or want to search around a bit just do a search on the internet for all natural flu remedies for infants. As always you may want to consult your doctor before giving anything to your child. I hope this helps.

Hi A.,
I know it's hard but it's very natural for babies and toddlers to regress when they're sick and then to create some bad habits, that may start to last into their returning wellness. But you can't completely give in to her or cater to that (especially if it means you won't take her on a walk or outside at all anymore) b/c that isn't good for either of you. Remember, you're the adult... it's your job as her mom to teach her where the boundaries are. And you won't resent it if you do and she learns, even if it means another week or two of tough times. Bottom line, all babies and children keep doing things that get them results. When you stop giving them what they want... and paying attention to trantrums, remaining calm and aloof, then they stop. No one continues behavior that's not productive... not kids and not adults either.

You have the ability to do this within yourself every day... but you just need to pull back, get perspective and refocus on the ultimate goal. Nothing is harder than when Mommy and baby are sick at the same time... nothing. I'm a single mom and last year, when we had the flu, I had to lay on the floor next to her and could barely get up to feed her! It's awful. But it passes and then things need to return to normal, even if the transition is difficult. Also, start talking to her about it... babies understand much more than you think they do and maybe she needs to know why you're so frustrated... it's a normal emotion and if you show her a constructive, appropriate way to deal with it, she just may learn from you, her best role model!

Hang in there, hope this helps a little big... remember that no matter how hard this is now... it will pass. You just have to make the start for things to be different. Stay strong and don't worry one bit about what anyone else says about your child! No need to be embarassed by her... she's just being a baby and when she knows she can't get what she wants anymore, she'll stop.

Good luck,
K.

Hi A.,

What is hard for parents to understand is that when little ones are sick it hurts their whole LITTLE body and they do not talk so they can not tell us what is wrong. She is crying so much because she is hurting all over and she has never felt this way before and the reason why she would not let you out of her sight for one minute is because YOU ( AS MOMMY ) MAKE HER FEEL BETTER WHEN YOU HOLD HER AND LOVE ON HER.....
SHE IS COUNTING ON YOU TO MAKE HER FEEL BETTER.

Do not get upset at her, this is your job to love and care for her and your other child. They are gifts from GOD.

I am sure that you are doing a fine job, just don't get upset at her. She is a baby. YOUR LITTLE PRINCESS. :)

I read that you have an 8 year old, I can bet that you have forgotten some of the things that you used to do for the 8 year old when he/she was sick as a baby. I know that it is not easy but it will come back to you, on what to do.

I have this poem that a friend sent to me and i want to share it with you,

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TO MY CHILD

Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying.

Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.

Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles..

Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.

Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.

Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.. !

Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.

Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.

Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.

Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.

Just for this evening when I run my fingers through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.

I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore.

And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask him for nothing, except one more day......... .....

Hi. I am a 29 year old father. Me and my wife have a wonderful life together. God blessed us with a child. Our daughter's name is Rachel, and she is 10 years old. Not long ago did the doctors detect brain cancer in her little body.

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Take good care of your family and GOD BLESS.

From one mother to another. :)

I'm a chiropractor and I would recommend that you take her to one. I know that might seem a little strange to suggest that, as most people think that chiropractic is for adults with pain. However, we actually work with the spine on all ages, from newborns to the elderly, because of how working with the spine affects the nervous system. The nervous system controls everything in the body, including our immune system. Chiropractors work kids with all sorts of problems such as asthma, allergies, ear infections, etc. and we have great success. It is a natural way to get and stay healthy. Look for a chiropractor that has a family practice and that has had experience taking care of children. A great website to look at and to find a doctor on is the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (www.icpa4kids.com)
Just realize that she is in pain and uncomfortable. Even adults get cranky when the are not feeling well, but they (sometimes!) have a little more self control.

I would get a second opinion on treatment options for your daughter. And, make sure you get some time to yourself so you don't completely lose your mind. good luck and I hope she feels better very soon.

It sounds like your little girl has an ear infection. If she cries when you lay her down and when she is confined in a car she screams. Lying on the ear or the change in pressure in a car would cause her to scream if she has an ear infection. I would seek another Dr.'s opinion. Go to a family practitioner or another pediatrician.

I have a termilly ill son and when he was little and always sick there were times I felt the same way. take time for you try to get someone to watch your daughter for a couple of hours. Even if its your husband. If you can get a grandmother or friend thats better. You go get a manacure and go to dinner with your husband. Or take a long bath and then go shopping. Something you like to do. You need to regroup and start over. She may cry but it won't hurt her a bit. If anything it will break up the mucus some. Good Luck and My Prayers are with you.

Well A.,

I wouldn't want to go anywhere or do anything if I were sick either. Is it possible that you have to keep moving and she is getting pulled around too much while she tries to recover?

My son has a sleeping condition. You don't recognize yourself after about two weeks with no sleep. I know that. Forgive yourself and move on. Look at today and forget all the anger. It's just because you're tired.

She may know that she has the power to make you act crazy now. That's normal for that age too.

What I would do is apologize for being angry. I do that a lot. I tell my son, "look, I don't have a right to act that way./The next time you are not listening or you're screaming or doing something that REALLY upsets me, I am going to be calm and patient until we get through it." She may be too young to understand that but your energy can say the same thing. Apologize to yourself and commit to remaining calm. Demand rational behavior by having it yourself. She takes her cues from you. She'll feel a difference.

You will have to tend to her till she's better. There's no getting around that. Mucolic Drainage formula is a good one for too much mucus. It's at the Natural Health store.

NO MILK. Milk is so so bad (cow milk.) Breast milk is OK. Cow milk HOLDs the mucos in the sinus cavity like glue.

Vitamin C in any form, Water and more water.....Rest and a show she likes or you can play toys in the bed. Happiness is a good healer.

Sounds like you could use a little break. Is there any one who could give it to you? I never want to be away from my Sammy when he's sick, no one can care for him like I can. You should play with the idea in your head that she is going through a growth spurt when babies NORMALLY have fits and want their way AND she's sick. Carry her though it mama. You can do it. When she's better you can break all her bad habits. Don't listen to OTHER people. I'm glad I am having a boy is a very RUDE thing to say.

Every child goes through these phases. It's how the parents react that determines whether they stay that way or get through it a little wiser.

I jut say this too, so I'm editing my response to say--Poor baby with Pneumonia!! Sleep is still uber-important both when they are and aren't sick though, so I'll just leave the rest below:

Oh when they are sick they are so much more cranky! My 2 1/2 year old has been fighting ear infections since Thanksgiving and what I thought was the "terrible twos" was really him not feeling well. His ears are all cleared now, he is sleeping well, and he is a new child.
I guarantee once she is better and you guys are back to normal she will be so much happier and so will you.

My advice is trying to keep her on a good nap and bedtime routine/schedule--and maybe tty earlier nap times and bedtimes (15min-30) since she is sick. At 10 months she should be at least taking one morning nap (1.5-2 hours), once afternoon nap (1.5-2 hours) and getting 11-12 hours of sleep at night. Being sick she needs even more sleep so she is probably getting overtired faster which makes her more cranky, and harder for her to sleep, etc. Just try to be patient, and remember how awful it is when you are sick and actually understand what is wrong with you.
Did the Dr OK any kind of decongestant? I know decongestants along with pain medication is the only thing my Dr recommends giving my son, but he is over 2, so I'm not sure will all the recalls on infants stuff if you are "allowed" to give her a decongestant...
Some homeopathic remedies include eucalyptus oil on the pillow which could help her breathe too and if course run that humidifiers. Just don't push her past her point of no return and make sure she is getting enough sleep--you'll have your baby back soon, I promise!

I study and practice natural remedies in my family. youcan call me and I'tell you what has worked for us
S. ###-###-####

This is so hard, when you go to the Dr so many times to hear "wait it out". Even though it is true, it is still very hard! The only medication I would recommend it tylenol or motrin for the head pain. The first response was right about the shower thing, especailly do that right before bed. Sleeping in the car seat in the crib is what was always best for my son. This is a hard time and I think you just need to let things go around you and help her through it. Her attitude could be getting worse through your frustration, so actively try to avoid getting like that (easier said then done I know). I have to disagree with any of the attitude or crying correction right now. She is a 10 month old baby who is miserable and the only think that can help is mommy. I do not think giving in to her until she is better is going to ruin her forever! I fall on the opposite end of a lot of opinions out there, I don't think babies are as manipulative as so many people say. If you leave her to cry and throw tantrums, the congestion and the pain will just get worse and where will that get you? If this keeps happening after she is all better, than obviously you can start corrections. I remember being a brat when i was sick as a kid and my mom was the only thing in the world I wanted! I have done this when my son is sick and when he got better, he went back to normal. This won't make you feel better, but it can take them double to triple the time to get better from something like this, so keep doing what you doing. And don't worry about other people's comments! They don't have a kid yet, that is the absolute only reason they can talk like that. In 1 year, they will be different people!

Johnson & Johnson makes "Vapor Bath" that you put in the tub with them. It is a menthol & eucalyptus liquid that should at least help...and the scent stays on their skin overnight so it should work like Vick's Vapor Rub. I also have had to prop up m son's mattress to help with his congestion and acid reflux and I have found that phone books work better than pillows, you can prop it up higher and it is a lot sturdier. Best of luck!

A., I have 2 questions. 1. Is she running a fever?
2. Is she having bowel movements, how often and what are they like? If there is no fever and not a problem with her bowels then the next simple remedy would be using the rubber syringe to take the mucus out of her nose, and yes you would have to hold her down for that. It will help in the long run and do this as often as you would think she needed to blow her nose. If you do these than maybe the medicine is not agreeing with her. I have 2 children, 2 grandchildren and have been a nanny for triplets-Trial and error is your best bet. There is not a simple answer when raising children. Trust your better judgement!

Your daughter will be sweet again. She is probably reacting to the medicine in her body. It make babies irritable and cranky. Take her back to the dr. She probably has a secondary infection ie earache or something else going on.

It is very normal for kids to get dependent when they are sick, so spoil her, nap with her, she needs extra security right now. This will pass. Your sweet girl is exhausted and emotionally confused right now. All she know is that she does not feel good and if she could talk she would tell you what hurts.

My girls and I have just gotten over this also. I have a 3yr old and a 2yr old. I still have a slight cough and some yellow mucus. Are you from Florida or just moved here. I used Benadryl to help dry up the cough and Children's Chestal Honey, which is homeopathic cough syrup that you can get at Native Sun. I also use Little noses, which is Saline spray/drops AKA salt water. This will help out drying up the nose. Did you check to see if she has allergies to mold, pollen, or animals? This may also be an issue. From what I understand from my doctor, Dr. Ceron, that is has been a bad round of the flu/cold and it is taking longer to get rid of. My girls and I got it before Christmas and did not get rid of it til the second week of Jan. I hope this helps! And if you are up for a change of doctors. Call Progressive Pediatrics of Jacksonville. I love this practice! C.

i just got this. im glad she was dx'd right and she is getting better, did they loan you a nebulizer(sp?) i know my now 3 yr old got rsv when she was 3 months old and got bronchitis really bad from it. just bam over night and she had to have neb treatments every 4 hrs and a steroid neb treatment every 6 i think it was. i was going to suggest taking her for chest xrays. god bless you.

Try children's dimatapp for nightime congestion. It works really well, and yes, my dr recommended it. He said 1 tps every 4-6 hours. I have used it a few times for my daughter when she was about 9 months and then again when she was sick recently. Hopefully, her attitude will change when she feels better and is getting more sleep. It is so tough when kids get so cranky. I hope she gets better soon. Take care.

Hi A.,

A friend of mine introduced me recently to this website, so I am new at this as well. This is also my first time responding.
I am assuming that you live in Florida as well. I have years of experience with children as well as in nutrition. It has been my experience that many children become sick (and some stay sick) because they are not getting their nutritional needs met. NOT due to parenting, but due to terrible food choices we have in stores.

It would be my recommendation that you start looking at nutritional alternatives as well as what the "medical communtiy" tells you to do.

Mostly, remember you are human and everything you are feeling as a mom is okay. I hope this phase of hers ends quickly. And don't get discouraged about the "girl" part. I ahve a 7 year old and he went through the same thing. It is a phase and it will stop. You are a good mom.

If you do live in Naples, or close, I can recommend a friend who is a Doctor, or we can meet. Make sure she is getting a lot of water and that you hold your ground. Thanks for listening.

Sorry your going through so much stress! If she doesn't get better soon, perhaps you should seek a second opinion on her illness. Perhaps the Dr is missing something. I took spent last night with my daughter in my arms as she is sick right now, and its exausting. Do you have a carrier that you could wear her in during the day? Baby's still really need their mom's closeness and while she's in the age of exploration, now that she's sick, she's vulnerable and needs you. This wasy she can be with you and you can get stuff done. Like a sling or Mei Tei

3 weeks with the congestion seems like a long time to me. I would seek the opinion of another Dr and ask for a decongestant to be prescribed. She's obviously suffering and is just not herself. You know a mom always knows when when something is not right so trust you insticts. your Dr only sees her 10 minutes once in a while.

I completely understand how you feel. It's so difficult to want to be with a baby that is miserable and demanding of you 24/7. Just try to relax with her and soothe her as best you can until she gets thru this.

I hope she is better soon.

Something is wrong she's congested and probably has a really bad sinus headache. Imagine how you felt and then multiply that times at least 10 and add the fact that you can't really communicate it that well to someone just how bad you feel and there's really not a whole lot out there you can take to make you feel better.
Get her in the steam of a hot shower. Like hold her in a the shower while the hot water is running and let it fill up with steam. DON'T PUT HER IN THAT HOT WATER, JUST STAND IN THERE WITH HER. Then turn the water down some so that you both can get in it. Also, using a very warm moist wash rag wipe her face down really good and if you can hold it on her forehead to help break some of that congestion up. If you can suck some of that out after the shower great.
Try to stay away from dairy products right now as that just thickens the mucus and makes it more difficult to pass. They have Mucinex for kids you can try that. Also, talk to your pharmacist they can help you decide what will help her too.
Also, give her the tylenol it will help with the sinus headache she is likely having. Lots of water to help flush that stuff from her system.
She'll be alright, you are doing all of the right things.
I would have them check her ears she could have an ear infection which likely occurs after a child has a cold or flu.
That will keep the mucus production up and cause her a lot of pain as well.
They will have to give her an antibiotic if that's the case in order to get rid of it.
Good luck.
P.S. If you have someone that could come and sit with her for an hour so you can get out of the house and take a breather, that would help both of you.

Have you ever tried natural medicine? Homeopathics are wonderful and 100% safe, risk free and no contraindications.