Need advice on night time congestion in DS

[nigele]

My 4 month old DS has had bad night time nasal congestion for almost three weeks now. It wakes him up several times a night and he cries, snorts and occasionally gasps for air. It is very frightening for both of us. I took him to his ped when it first started and she said he did not have a cold but told me to use Infant Pedia Care decongestant as needed. A week and a half later, he had a terrible episode on a Sunday night and I called the ped who said he probably did have a bad cold after all. She recommended letting him sleep in his bouncy seat and continue to give him Pedia Care as needed. Neither of these make any difference. I don't think he does have a cold since he has absolutely no symptoms during the day and the only symptom at night is the congestion. I tried to find information in my infant care books and on the web but the only thing I can come up with, besides a cold, is enlarged adenoids or tonsils. Does anybody have experience with this? I don't know if I'm over-reacting and/or over-researching but I am really concerned and can't sleep well at night worrying. DS has his 4 month checkup on Monday and we will talk to the ped about this and probably ask for a referral to an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist. Thanks for any advice you can give me!

[egoldber]

My DD had a similar issue. There was a period of time (right around 3 months) when it seemed like she was ALWAYS congested at night. It did interfere with her sleep sometimes as well (although it sounds like your baby is a bit worse than Sarah was). When it was very bad I used the saline nose drops before bed. My ped said some babies are just prone to this. She did eventually outgrow it after a couple months. Definitely talk to your ped of course, but hopefully it will turn out to be nothing.

HTH,

[candybomiller]

It seems like my son has been congested since he was born! Our ped said it's likely that he has small nasal passages and there wasn't really anything I could do about it. Of course I didn't like that very much, so he said that if I had to do something, get a humidifier and leave it running in ds's room all the time. So, we've had a humidifier running for 5 months straight now. Has it helped? Can't say for sure. Do I feel better for trying? You betcha. If it's at all dry where you live, try a humidifier.

Candy
-SAHM to Matthew Nicholas, born 5/22/02

You poor thing! I have been going through similar distress, but during the day. I'm sure nighttime is much more alarming. I would try the nasal drops too. Also, do you keep your house very warm? We've had our room pretty cool at night these past few weeks. I've been told both steam and cool mist help. Each side says the other does nothing. I bring DS into the bathroom while I shower and we go for small walks around town. He's still coughing.

Have you thought about getting a second opinion? Three weeks is a long time for a ped to not really classify it as anything, even if it is just a bad cold. From your posts the ped seems to be pretty blase about it (JMO, not trying to offend). Obviously he won't be as concerned as a first time mommy with her first cold, but has he done any tests? Not trying to make your son go through unnecessary examinations, but I always like to rule stuff out and know exactly what it is I'm dealing with.

I don't want to scare you at all, but I've been dealing with this now for two weeks and have had to deal with the pulmonologist, nebulizer, peds every two-three days, etc. One thing my ped and the pulmonologist said is that if the baby is waking up because the coughing is so severe, there is cause for concern.

Here's the thread where I described what was going on and the signs of trouble. Maybe it is just a really bad bout of congestion, but you're right to be concerned. Good luck...please keep us posted! I'll be thinking of you!

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dcforum/D...D30/240.html#6

[nigele]

Thanks for all the replies. I have tried saline, cool humidifier, warm humidifier, taking DS in the bathroom with hot shower running (doesn't help the congestion but does calm him down) and also using a bulb suction-thing. None of these help the congestion. I do plan to push the issue with the ped tomorrow. Just one more night of worrying before I (hopefully) get an answer.

Joanne - I read your message about your problems when you first posted it. How is Gannon doing now?

Lisa, what did the ped say? Did you get to see a specialist? How's Thomas?

[nigele]

Joanne,

Thanks for checking on us! The ped still thinks Thomas has regular nighttime congestion. She gave us a prescription for a decongestant/antihistamine and told me if it does not help over the next week, I should call her Monday and she will refer him to an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist. The last two nights, his congestion has gotten better, although it is still there. I hate to give him another drug and will wait another night to see how he is doing. If he is still congested tonight, I'll try the prescription tomorrow. (He has had to take a bunch of meds in his short life, not to mention being exposed via breastmilk to a daily medicine I have to take so I feel so bad about pumping him up with something else if he may not need it.) She also does not think his waking up 5-6 times a night has anything to do with not being able to breathe well (she thinks I am misreading his symptoms - nice, huh??) but rather his inability to soothe himself to sleep. She wants me to wait until the congestion is worked out before starting him on a sleep program, which is just fine with me!

On a funny note, the day before his appointment, I called a friend and asked how I should describe the stuff in his nose to the doctor (I was too embarrassed to say the word "boogers!") Well, before I could bring up the subject with the doctor, she asked me "does he have boogers in his nose?" LOL!

Thanks again for thinking of us!

Try raising the head of his bed. I know, if he's in a crib, he'll probably turn around and end up head down, but it's worth a try. DD (3 1/2 weeks now) has a bit of congestion at night, too (not as bad as yours, though), and that has helped her. Just put a rolled up towel under the mattress.

[daisymommy]

Heres a question for you Joanne and Lisa--
Do your babies only get this congestion at night after you've fed them and laid them back down to sleep? Before I say anymore, let me know.

[nigele]

Amy,

No - my DS's "congestion" now happens every time he wakes up from a sleep - nighttime and naptime. He wakes up trying to scream, breathing heavily through his nose (sounding congested,) snorting and rubbing his nose like mad with his hands. The only thing that helps is waking him up completely. I have tried all the cold and allergy remedies and nothing has helped. We had a horrible, really scary night last night and this afternoon we have an appointment with an Ear, Nose & Throat doctor. I am so frustrated with our ped since this has been going on for four weeks and she didn't seem concerned. I feel just horrible that I didn't insist on seeing the ENT sooner. I am really nervous about what the specialist might say so wish me luck!