DD has bronchiolitis - experiences please

[Acacia]

DD has been unwell with bronchiolitis for coming up to 4 days now

On the second day as the chesty cold I thought she was developing got a lot worse I took her to the GP and that's when it was diagnosed, and that she had likely caught RSV. Was told that I was doing everything they would suggest to treat her already, and was told to come back if she got worse. She then had a rotten night and her breathing got a little worse, so I took her back the next morning. By that stage she had picked up a little again, and I was told just to continue doing what I was doing. Last night was pretty awful. She was really starting to labour to breathe and was breathing very fast at times and it was scary how forceful and uncontrollable her coughing was at times. I called the emergency care service here (which puts you in touch with after hours GP) and took her off to the after hours GP at the hospital again early this morning. I've now been told that it's likely some kind of bacterial infection that's causing it and she's been put on penicillin, and told that it's better that she's at home with me than admitting her to hospital (which I'm really happy about, although it's a little scary at the same time).

She's sleeping now, and sounds quite a bit better at the moment - it's just the evening/night/early morning that I'm worried about next, as that's when it's definitely a lot worse. I've been told if it gets any worse again I have to bring her back to the hospital.

Just needed to post what's happening for her as I don't really have anyone here who would understand what she (and I) are going through and DH is away today.

How long does bronchiolitis last for? How long should I expect it to continue to peak before it starts to improve? Is there anything else I can do to help make her more comfortable that I'm not thinking of? She's BFing like a newborn round the clock, which is great, and she is eating (just a little). She's having panadol and nurofen interchanging every 3-4 hours, and that is definitely helping - certainly helping with constant fever. I don't have a vapouriser and can't afford one at the moment so I am just using some baby's vapour rub every now and again. Is there anything else I can do?

It would be great to hear from anyone who's been through this so I feel a little more confident about how her illness may progress now and caring for her in the best way.

Poor little munchkin

[Miss H]

Not too much advice, just wanted to send some hugs your way as I know how stressfull it can be having a sick child. I hope the AB kick in and baby is much better tomorrow. If in any doubt though, I'm sure you know to take her straight back to hospital.

[*EmJa*]

Aww poor little mite

my son had bronchiolitis when he was 8 weeks old and had to stay in hospital so bit different as he was younger..it sounds like your doing the best you can for her, its so hard to see them sick.
i was told that it it usually lasts around 7 or more days to clear, but they can have the cough upto 2 -4 weeks. they also told us that the first few days are the worse so hopefully things will start to improve tomorrow for her..and lots of fluid is good so great that she is feeding well big hugs for you and your dd!

[Traveller]

My son was like this almost constantly until he was 11 months old (long complicated story which I will not bore you with now). The things I found that helped were:

Put a bowl of water under her cot at night, the moisture in the air as it evaporates will help her breathe

If you have any wet clothes, hang them on a clothes rack in her room, for the same reason

Put some eucalyptus oil on karvol/vicks on a cloth in his room with her

Raise the head end of her cot (I put a pillow under the mattress and this seems to be more comfortable than raising the feet of the cot)

Consider having her in your room so that you can hear his breathing and will be more assured of a better sleep yourself

Big hugs, it is a scary time when your child is ill but most recover from bronchiolitis fast. If you are in any doubt don't be concerned about taking her back to the GP.

T
xx

[Acacia]

Thanks for your support and advice, everyone I really appreciate it as I was feeling scared and down when I posted. I did read everyone's replies when they arrived.

DD is very much better today! The penicillin kicked in really really quickly (she had a big dose first up) and she was already breathing so much better after 12 hours. 36 hours later, she's as good as new! (Well... almost!) She has the most productive cough I think I've ever heard and an impressive amount of mucous, but she's raring to go full of energy today! So happy!

Traveller - thanks for those tips - they are great! We'd been using Karvol already, but the tips about having water that evaporates in her room is fantastic and I'll be doing that to help with clearing all the mucous in her chest now. She does sleep in her own room, but we have a decent monitor that turned up full sensitivity and full volume you can hear her breathing very clearly - she'd be in our room unless it was for this - I wouldn't cope if I couldn't hear her breathing, otherwise! I hope your son is well and truly over his boughts of illness - I can't imagine it going on constantly - I found this episode so scary, and I think you've been very strong to cope with constant illness like that

Thanks again, ladies

[Traveller]

so glad she is feeling better I hope she continues to a fast recovery