4 1/2 month old with constant snotty nose and cough

[gonza]

Good morning!  My little guy (20 weeks 2 days old) constantly has a snotty nose and cough with phlemn.  I took him to the doctor for this about 2 months ago and he was given medicine that I gave him until it was gone.  He would get better for a few days and then it would gradually come back.  It would go away and come back.  Now, he has had it for about a week and I have been waiting for it to go away but it has not.  He has a snotty nose (especially in the morning) and coughs alot.  Any suggestions?

[waterskigirl]

He's probably just teething or if the phlegm is clear, the poor little guy might have allergies.  I would only worry if it was a REALLY bright fluorescent green, then he might have an infection.

Good luck!


Carlye

[Christie2004]

Sorry I'm not so good with the babies as they get older!

I would just give the ped a call and see what they say about it.  Has it really been 20 weeks???  Where is the time going??

[gonza]

Well, he really doesnt cough it up.  If he does, he immediatly swallows it.  His runny nose is clear.  I just feel like he is miserable.  His little cough is pitiful :(.  I am waiting on the nurse to call me back now.

[gonza]

I had called the pedi just before I posted.  I know all the ladies here know just about everything to do with the common happenings of babies, but I still like to consult a good old fashioned pediatrician.  It has been that long.  :(  It makes me sad.  He is rolling all over the place and chattering away in his own little language!  He even walked around in a walker this past weekend!

[Wisegirl]

Sounds like what my DS (7 yrs) had when he was a baby, turned out to be allergies.

[gonza]

Allergic to what?  A girl I work with said her daughter (6 weeks older than my son) started having this and was allergic to her formula.  He has been on the formula way longer than he has been like this.  Is it possible that he is allergic to the dog and it waited until 13 weeks to show up?  How do we determine if it is allergies and what he is allergic to?

[Christie2004]

Believe it or not, dog allergies are very uncommon.  Cat allergies are much, much more common.  And I'm not just saying that b/c I'm a dog person!

Something about dander, dogs have a different type, kind, amount, whatever...I just know my allergist said it is actually quite rare to be allergic to dogs, although some people may tell you differently.

Wish I could be more help.  I do think you can develop milk or formula allergies after you've been on them for a while.  I don't know if they manifest themselves by nasal stuffiness.  I know I'm badly allergic to fall type pollens and allergens, not so much to spring and summer allergens.  

Allergies are so hard to pin down.  Good luck!

[gonza]

Thanks for the comments.  I just spoke with the nurse and the doctor wants me to bring him in so he can listen to his chest.  I hope we can get over this little cold!  :(

[Wisegirl]

He was allergic to cats.

[gonza]

Well, he has an ear infection in both ears.  He has not cried or anything.  The doctor was glad I brought him in.  I am so glad I did also.  We have medicine for 10 days and then we go back to doc.  Thanks for all the comments.

[Wisegirl]

Maura just had an ear infection last week. With her too she didm't cry so I also had no idea !  They told me it was from teething.

[bonniejean]

At that age they are still getting used to the enviroment and haven't biult up enough resistance like we have after constant exposure. I would worry about if it included a fever and any discoloration in the phlim. Allergies are very common in the first year and are usually grown out of.

Hope this helps

Bonnie

[gonza]

OK, as I stated earlier it was an ear infection in both ears and we have medicine.  Now, my problem is getting him to swallow the medicine.  He has to take 5ml twice a day.  Well it comes in a bottle with no squirter or anything.  So, I got a dropper from an old bottle and washed it and decided to use it.  I have to do 5 drops to get the correct amount.  Any suggestions on how to get him to swallow it?  It took both DH and myself to give it to him last night and we had to hold his mouth shut like you do when you give puppies medicine.  My mom suggested I mix it with bananas.  Do you think that will work?