My 2 yr old daughter has the roughest time sleeping. She breathes so rapidly, it's uncomfortable just to listen to. She tosses and turns all night long because she just can't keep up with her breathing. I can tell she tries to breathe out of her nose but can't. I have a feeling there's some underlying problem, but I've brought it up to my ped and she just says it's allergies. Also, my daughter's nose has been constantly running for almost a full year. I can't remember the last time that we haven't gone somewhere without kleenex on hand. I don't know if I should see an ENT specialist, or just keep watching night after night, her struggle for peaceful sleep??? DOes anyone have any similar experience? I would greatly appreciate any suggestions or advice. Thanks in advance!!!
Yes, I would take her to an ENT...I'd also consider getting a new Pediatrician.
Poor girl, hope she feels better soon! :)
I feel for your daughter and for you!! We used an air purifier(a Hepa Filter) for my son and it made a huge difference. He was coughing and his nose was running all the time. We also saw an allergist who put him on short term medication. We also got our son a special allergy-resistant pillow, sheets, etc. He already sleeps in a room with hardwood floors. Please, please follow up on this, see an allergist or ENT, and definitely switch pediatricians. Allergies aren't "just allergies" but they are something that can, to a certain extent be controlled. Hope that your daughter feels better soon!! Doctor Detchen (sorry, that is not the correct spelling) in Kenilworth is excellent, and if he's not near you could possibly recommend someone else.
Yes...go to an ENT! My son had horrible issues for years with sleep issues. We finally got his tonsils out and he's so much better. And he was 7 when we did that, the younger you do it the better. You could always video her sleeping and show your doctor. If it's left too long, it could cause sleep issue forever.
I would not ignore your instincts. Maybe you can bring her to an allergist/immunologist and see what they say? I have her of Singulair being effective in children that young. Maybe start by asking the doctor if you can start her on that and see if it helps. Good luck!
For peace of mind, I would go to the ENT. How much is a consultation visit? Maybe $100. It is worth it to make sure there isn't something you could be doing to help her sleep better.
I would absolutley see an ENT. At this point, what do you have to lose? If this had only been going on for a month or so, I would think it may need to run its course. But a year? Time for a change. And if the ENT says there is nothing he/she can do, I would see an Allergist. Maybe you need to replace carpet with hardwood floors, or maybe she needs a humidifier. Who knows...I would book an appt with someone to get to the bottom of this. Poor kid!! Best of Luck!!
N.---What is her diet like? Her diet is the first place to start in helping to calm and balance the immune system. Dealing with the immune system will help with that constantly runny nose.
The best thing to do is keep a food diary. Please understand that I am not suggesting you have a poor diet, rather one that is lacking in enough of the right nutrients to support what your daughter's immune system needs. Eating mostly fruits and veggies, whole grains, legumes/beans, nuts and seeds while eliminating cow's milk (it is one of the most allergenic substances in the world and it contributes to excess mucous production-www.pcrm.org- put diary in the search box) and minimizing animal protein and processed foods will all help.
I'm taking a series of classes taught by a Naturopath who has her PhD in Nutrition. I have lots of resources that I'd be happy to share. I also have food serving charts for kids of all ages. Let me know if you'd like that. It will tell you the number of servings and serving sizes that your 2 yr old should be eating. But, that chart indicates the amount of fruit and veggie needs for living and breathing. If we have allergies/chronic illnesses, are active/work-out, training athlete or when we are sick, we need more than what is recommended. Our bodies are working overtime to heal and that requires a higher level of optimal nutrition under those circumstances.
It would be my honor to share this info with you. It is that important, and unfortunately, our current healthcare system knows nothing of the healing power of food. Send me a personal message and we can go from there. Good luck...and really, stop feeding your family cows milk. Try it for 2 weeks, especially with your 2 yr old. You won't believe the difference. And don't worry about calcium. You can get more easily absorbed calcium from many plant sources, as well as fortified OJ and plant-based milks.
Be well, D.
The fast breathing is concerning to me, as it can be a sign of breathing problems (asthma, etc.).
Please, don't let your doctor discount your mother instincts. Insist that your doctor take another look and get a referral to a pediatric allergist. Allergies can be treated--my son has been on Singulair since he was 14m, due to allergies (he snored like a champ, and is a "mouth breather" especially at night). Other meds that generally have a good "safety record" for young children include children's Zyrtec and benadryl, but you should not use these without talking to a doctor first.
I'd also get her a wedge pillow or 2 pillows under her head to make breathing a bit easier during sleeping.
