Question About My 8 Month Olds Cold

If he's been sick that long, it's not a cold. If he's coughing up green phlegm, that's an infection. It could have started as a cold or allergies, but something else is going on. I'd push the doctors more. If that doesn't work, or if it goes away but comes back again, then you should look into a supplement made for kids. Something's "off" inside and his immune system needs to be strengthened.

I have several friends whose kids had food and pollen allergies, were on breathing treatments/nebulizers, and were sick all the time. They found a wonderful supplement, patented, research-based, by the same scientist who developed ProSoBee and Enfamil formulas. Liquid nutrition and a great immune system boost. My whole family is on it and no one has been sick since. Can't say enough about it! Contact me if you want more info.

Coughing up flem is a really good sign. Fighting this cold without medication will help him build a very strong immune system. It is nothing to worry about.

Poor guy! If hes coughing up green flem ,thats a RED flag & i'd call the dr back to inform him of this. He could have bronchitis or a touch of pneumonia. Things can change that quickly. Its so hard to figure out if its allergies. My 7yo daughter is having allergy issues right now too, (runny nose, thick & mucousy). Good luck, i hope he feels better soon. You too!

Hi S.
You sound like your telling my story..lol. My son (19 months) has been to the dr's 5 times in the last 3 weeks. It started with a rash all over his body ( dr said an irritation) it then moved to his face ( dr said maybe impetigo) put neosporan on it for a few days went away(wasn't impetigo) then developed a fever ( 102 degrees and over) for 3 days he is teething so I thought it might be from that but on day 3 I brought him back to the dr's( has a virus) then he developed a cough started on Friday by Saturday he was weezing,coughing up flem couldn't play ,was out of breath so I gave him a breathing treatment ( he had RSV when he was 6 weeks old and has a nebulizer for just in case times) so after a couple of treatments he wasnt any better so I called the dr on Sunday brought him right in ( again still a virus) on Tuesday I called and wanted to speak to his dr because he just couln't catch his breath and was weezing up a storm brought him right in again...guess what he has a lower respiratory infection. He has been on Pulmocourt and prednisone since Tuesday and he is already 100x's better. So My advice is your the mom and you know when something is wrong so stick to your guns and tell the dr to listen to your concerns. Good luck.

It sound more like a sinus infection and maybe allergies (that cause sinus infections). Ask your Pedi for a allergist referral. And I cannot believe your doctor would just let him keep going with a 'cold' for over 2 weeks! ugh

My son and I were tested for allergies and he has more than I do and they are some for the ones no one in the family has! (peanuts, dog saliva!) But trees, shrubs/bushes. weeds and grass..it can make your life miserable!

Podycat

That does sound like allergies, especially since you have them chances are he may too =(
Ask around in your area for a good doctor to see about allergies, your poor little guy must be pretty uncomfortable.
GOOD LUCK!

my pedi told me thattreating for known alergies at a young age is useless...however he did say to give him 1/2 a teaspoon of benedryl and see if that helps. if it does it is allergies. personally it sounds like an ifection in his sinus or even his ears.. a cold ussually last about a week. to help ease things 1 raise one end of his bed put apillow under one end( or if he uses a pillow)2 let him shower with you as much as possible steam helps alot 3 saloine nasal spray you can put a few drops in or mist it (whichever he will let you do.)
4cold night air can be helpful for those coughing spells 5 a hott steam vaporisor may help(out of his reach including the cord)
And lastly I hope he is not exposed to ciggarette smoke.
I hope he feels batter soon :) and of course keep having him checked at the drs or the hospital..

I was always told that if the phlem is green that it is an infection in the system. I would probably get a second opinion. Are there any other doctors in your son's office that you would be able to take him to? I certainly would.
Good luck.

Hi Stacey!
If you have allergies I would definitely be suspicious of the allergy connection with your little one. Colds just don't last for 16 days without some sort of relief showing. Coughing up the phlem is a good thing as it means he's clearing out what's in there. I don't know if you are nursing him or what but I would cut out dairy products while he's still sick and mucousy. Dairy will step up the mucous production and compound the problem.

Get a humidifier or cool mist vaporizer for his bedroom while he sleeps. Put a couple of drops of Rosemary and Eucalyptus essential oils in the water and let that infuse the air while it's running. They will help decongest him as well as help to clear up any infection going on. You can also have that oil going in your house during the day too in an aromatherapy warmer if you want to speed things up.

Everytime my daughter gets a sniffle - I freak.... so I hear ya on this one.

I would start by putting a humidifier in his room!!! This will put moisture in the air and help him breathe better.
Then I would put a tiny (and I mean tiny) amount of baby vicks (which some ppl dont agree with - but I do in certain circumstances) on his chest. Then I would give him Tylenol before bed.
If his fever has gone down, I would stress less. If it is just a cold ... then it will pass and he will be ok.
If he is drooling constantly - maybe a little orajel will help him out too?
But definately get a humidifier and start with that - if it hasnt cleared after a few days, I would call and just ask the pedi when the cold symptoms would be a cause for concern (they give them a certain period of time for it to clear on its own and then if it hasnt gone away - they will treat it somehow.... )
But remember - avoiding antibiotics if possible - is always best!
Good luck and I hope it clears soon!!!

call the ped and tell (not ask) him for a referral to a ped allergist. The sooner the better. It sounds like allergies and why let the little guy suffer needlessly

I would put a call in to your dr just to update them about he green phlegm. Sometimes babies can hang onto a cold or flu for ever!! As long as hes getting fluids and rest and a bit of food he will be fine. It is stressful though when you are going through it the first time!
Hang in there
S

My son was sick for the whole month of February and the end of March. And pretty much all winter. It was due to a cold and teething. He was pretty sick at 8 months and had a fever, snotty nose, etc. It was pretty miserable. And he is now 13 months old. So I think your son will get better, but it will take a little time. Just keep a watch and make sure things don't get worse. Coughing up flem is good. It is the way for the body to expell all the mucus in his chest. If it is okay with your doc, you can try giving him a little motrin to help with the inflamation which can cause excess mucous buildup in his lungs. It just sounds like the cold traveled from his head to his chest. If he is breathing okay, I wouldn't worry to much about it. If he has trouble breathing, then call your doctor right away and bring him to the emergency room if he is gray, or turning bluish, it means he isn't getting enough oxygen. I wish you well, this should pass soon!!

S., I would bring him back to the doctor. 16 days is a long time to be sick. The fact that he had a fever would make me think that it definitely is not allergy related. I would also think that it is not teething because teething symptoms usually only last a day or two and do not include fever except maybe very low grade. Don't feel silly for calling the doctor back. I'm sure that this illness started as a regular cold, but from the sounds of it has developed into a respiratory infection. Good luck.