thread: Help for toddler with croup

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Aug 2009
    53

    Help for toddler with croup

    Our DD (17 months) had what we thought was as cold for the past 5 days only last night she began wheezing badly and had trouble breathing, so we called an ambulance and the children's hospital diagnosed croup. We were allowed to come home quite a few hours later once they had given her medication but they warned us that we may end up back there late at night for a few nights as the wheeze phase of croup can take a few days to pass and gets much worse at night.

    I know croup is a virus so it kind of has to run its course but does anyone have ideas/ experience about what might help to support her immune system at this age and get some of the congestion in her chest down? (She is still having 2 bottles of milk a day and she's EXTREMELY dependent on these so I don't think I can cut that out. She also refuses orange juice unfortunately).

    Thanks so much

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Feb 2008
    Country Victoria
    5,945

    Try a vaporiser at night.


    Hope she gets better soon!

  3. #3

    Oct 2010
    Baldivis, WA
    2,873

    What MM said

    Try a vapouriser or if you haven't got one steam from a hot shower is great.

    Eucalyptus oil is great popped in the vapouriser. You only need a tiny bit!


    Sent from my iPhone (via Tapatalk) so please forgive the spelling mistakes...

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
    Perth
    3,686

    Also put Baby Balsam on her chest, back and soles of her feet then put socks on.

    DD had a terrible cough in April which the doctors thought was croup and put her on croup meds but it didn't improve so they tested her for whooping cough but it wasn't so we still have no idea what it was! Anyway, it was awful so big hugs! I found DD actually increased her milk intake while she was sick as she lost her appetite and was obviously comforted by her bottle. Don't worry about it, just keep her comfy for now. She may vomit from the congestion though so don't be surprised if that happens - DD did that Friday night due to horrible congestion.

    Good luck hon. Hopefully the medication kicks in soon, it should do

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Aug 2007
    Country NSW
    452

    DS1 and 2 both get croup whenever they have a cold. DS1 gets it bad and several times we have had to go to the hospital. What we have discovered that works for us is to give him a dose of nurofen before bed (anti inflammatory and croup is inflammation of the voicebox) since we have done this we haven't had to make the midnight dash to hospital anymore;he still has the cough but not the stridor/breathing difficulties and sleeps all night. I have run this past our GP and he says it is ok to give nurofen for croup. HTH.