4 Month Old with Breathing Problems

Updated on February 04, 2007
N.J. asks from Jefferson City, TN
12 answers

I went to the doctor today,the 3rd time in 2 weeks,because my son has been sick with what I was first told was a cold,I have been seeing the nurse pract. who told me to just give otc cold med,I told her I was very concerned about his weezing but she said he was fine that it was just "baby noises",well she was wrong I went in today and seen the reg. doc who was very shocked and said he had never heard a baby weez like that I explained to him that this had been going on long before he got sick but has worsened since,he also has ear infections in both ears and rsv,the doc explained that he thinks he has respatory distress and put him on 2 diff. meds for a breathing machine and antibiotics,he asked if athsma-? runs in the family my older children are fine and the only person I can think of that has it on either side in my little sister. Also neither my husband or I smoke,and it is not allowed in our home. To me(family even noticed)he has always had breathing problems of somesort,since day 1 at the hospital his lips turned blue but the nurse said it was brusing from birth{he was a c-section}then he spits up terribly and was treated for reflux for his 1st 3 months, Even before he got sick simple things seem to make him out of breath,ie...laughing to hard,eating a bottle without stopping to breath(sometimes while eating he jerks back and gasps for air),leaning forward while sitting and playing ect...I am so nervous about this I don't want to put him down because i'm afraid he will stop breathing,this being difficult because I have an 19 month old,if I do lay him down,however,he is elevated. It's so sad because he is such and even still a very happy baby,always smiling and "talking" and hes a big boy already 20lbs and 30in and on top of all this my poor baby has cut in 2 teeth!! If anybody has any advice or has had similar problems with their child any help will be greatly appreciated!!!Thank you-N.

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So What Happened?

I was so touched at everyones concern with my sons health,I am new on here and can't believe how much everyone cares,for perfect strangers to be praying for my baby is heartwarming. He is on 2 diff meds for his nebulizer,1 every 4 hrs and 1 twice a day(just for treating asthsma) he has a follow up appointment in a week to see if he is improving,I will without a doubt bring up EVERY possibility you all have gave me to what his problem could be and if I don't feel comfortable with what the doc says I will go to another doc! I do have another question,will doing his breathing treatments make him hyper? It seems that after he does his treatments he is restless and will not sleep,is this a side effect or is he just happy he can breath? Thanks again for your support,I will keep you updated,keep us in your prayers!
~N.

More Answers

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B.P.

answers from Hattiesburg on

hey i think i sent you a p.m. but i have not heard from you
we had the some of the same problems and if you e-mail with your phone number i would love to talk to you and tell you what we did.
____@____.com

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K.C.

answers from Jackson on

From:K. Your baby sounds just like my grandson to a tee. He just got out of the hospital for the fifth time since he was born. Those breathing tents are no fun for a 21mth old. We keep humidifiers running all the time plus air purifiers. He
was just in the hospital with rsv and his asthma. He also is the sweetest kid. He has stop breathing thank god my daughter is a nurse. One thing that helps us even when it may seem cool in the hospital do not put alot of clothing on him. When he is in the hospital the room is freezing and he is in the tent with nothing but a diaper. Try just a loose tee. If he is sick and you think he is wheezing put your hand on his rib cage if u feel rattle or movement chances are its his asthma. If he is on breathing treatments try those if they dont work straight to the er. Because we as parents and grandparents dont know at that point how low his air level is. My grandson cant run alot without coughing or sometimes wheezing especially this time of the year. I hope he grows out of it u know we all have those dreams of football, baseball, etc. But he will do well at whatever god hands him. I use to freak out now I stay calm if your gut tells you he needs to then go to the er thats what they are there for. Good luck

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M.B.

answers from Tuscaloosa on

N.,
You could ask your Dr to write a rx for an apnea machine. Both of my children were on the due to breating problems. The machine will alarm if your child stops breathing or if the breating isn't deep enough. He might not need it but I think it would help with your peace of mind. Most insurance companies will cover it if the Dr orders it.
Good luck
M.

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K.G.

answers from Nashville on

N.,
I would call my doctor asap and ask for my son to be seen by an ENT to make sure there is nothing wrong with his nasal passages! I might also consider finding a new doctor's office or at least ask that I never have to see the CNP again. Keep us posted and I will be praying for little Neeco as well.
K.

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R.D.

answers from Decatur on

N., I have a 4year daughter who went through about the same thing. Didn't know she had a problem until she got sick. We were blessed with a very good doctor (not that your not)she put here on breathing treatments and she improved so much. The doctor said it was asthma and it would get worse when she got sick, but would probably out grow it, she said most kids do that have the type she had. She is doing great and does not have to be on treatments except when she get sick she will get very rattley and I will give them to her. Lets pray that he will outgrow this and by all means if you are uncomfortable about him take him to pulmonary (lung) doctor and have him checked over really good. He may tell you something that will make you feel better. Good luck and my husband and I will say a prayer for you and your family

R. Hartselle, Alabama

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E.W.

answers from Chattanooga on

N.,

Did the doctor perscribe a nebulizer for him??? I hope so. Sound a great deal like asthma. My step grandson has ashtma since birth. Laughing hard or anything strenous can bring on an attack. They moved to Las Vegas for his health and he is much better. That the nurse told you it was just 'baby noises' is bull!!! She should lose her licence for that, or at least be disciplined. I would definitely make an issue of it with her employers!!!

Now, back to your son. Until he is a little better, it is best to keep him upright as much as possible when he sleeps. I know you have a lot of children to take care of but if you have a swing for him, or some sort of chair that he can be strapped into, that would be good because those chairs are usually adjustable and you can keep him more upright. If you have anyone to help you out with the other children for now, I would ask for help. You can't let yourself get worn out either. You have 3 other children and a husband to care for so you do need rest also. When my daughter would have her attachs of croup, I would sit up in my easy chair with her at night so at least I could get some rest while listening to her breathing. I will keep you and your little son in my prayers. Good luck and research asthma on the internet. You might find some really good adice there.

E.

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F.W.

answers from Nashville on

It sounds like your son is a smoker.(j/k) I think that may be athsma. The fact that he is cutting teeth may be hightening his athsma. Because with cutting teeth you may get a high fever and/or cold symptoms. And it may be adjitating what is already there.

Could milk be a issue? My daughter had some breathing problems and I just started giving her soy milk, she was good after that. And I gave her benadryl for her cold symptoms and teething problems.

Sometimes all it takes is a little change to make a whole lot of difference.

Good luck!

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S.M.

answers from Nashville on

My son has been on preventative breathing medications for Reactive Airway Disease since he was about 8 weeks old. He gets Pulmicort daily and Xopenex when he starts wheezing or sounds junky in his chest. Your son's breathing problems may be due to something similar or to reflux. If he's refluxing and it gets into his airways, it can make it difficult for him to breathe. Be persistent to make sure the doctor is covering all aspects of your child's health. If you feel like you're not getting the answers you want, request to see a pediatric pulminologist. They specialize in the lungs, breathing, etc. Good luck.

S.

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B.H.

answers from Huntsville on

Sounds to me like he might have what my daughter had, Reactive Airway disease. It can be a precurser to asthma. They won't offically diagnose asthma until 2. My daughter did much of the same things. She even stopped breathing at the hospital after she was born and was placed in the NICU for 9 days. By 7 weeks we had her on breathing treatments for flare ups which happened at least once a month. but it wasn't until she was 15 months old that the doctors got a clue and put her on preventitive meds. She had been constantly having to go back for steriods, so they finally gave us a daily breathing treatment called pulmacort and on singulair. I have to say it made a world of difference. She went from having flare ups at least once a month to about every 4-6 months and then all I had to do was up the pulmacort dosage and only about half the time did she have to get on the steriod treatments. When she turned 2 they put her on Flovent and has only had the occasion flare up due to a bad cold or when she is around cats or dogs and we just up the flovent dose and most times the steroids aren't needed. She was only on them 3 times last year. for a child that was on them 12 or more times a year that is a huge improvement. If your doctor won't consider those treatments, I suggest you see a specialist. We've trained our doctor enough to where now all we have to do is call and say she has been wheezing for 48 hours and the upped dosage isn't helping and he will call in the steriods without making us come in.
Diffinantly keep him elevated when you lay him down. My daughter slept in her car seat until she was 6 months old. It did delay her rolling over, but I had rather her be a little slow on the motor skills than to not breathe. She caught right up once we could lay her down and was rolling over by 8 months and crawling by 10.
Anyway, hope that helps. Just don't give up until the doctors can do something that makes him better. Hopefully it won't take until he is 15 months before they catch on.

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H.G.

answers from Biloxi on

you sould get an appointment w/a pediatric pulmonolgist asap as well as an pediatric ENT. My daughter sees the ent at Oschner in new orleans and the pulmonolgist at tulane lakeside. if you get a refferal from your pediatrician they will accept whatever insurance you have. it is a long drive but it is worth it. i messed around with the doctors in mississippi too long and she ended up being lifeflighted to oschner. hope things turn out weel for you.

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T.C.

answers from Johnson City on

N.,

Were tests performed to verify RSV? If so, your child needs breathing treatments (Albuterol). RSV is deadly and should not be ignored. ANY wheezing is bad and not "baby noises". My son had RSV at 7/8 weeks and almost died. RSV can also recur and can lead to asthma. You may need a second opinion and tests if they were not performed to determine RSV. Don't mess with this disease.

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J.D.

answers from Huntsville on

Hi- I have no advice to offer, other than trust your mothering instinct. I have ignored mine several times (usually because people make me feel like I'm over-reacting) and have regretted it to various degrees. I think that God gave us this instinct for a reason. Use it. If you question the doctor's diagnosis, seek a second opinion. If you just need more information, get in touch with the doctor's nurse.

There are some things that warrant due caution, and our child's ability to breathe is one of them, in my humble opinion! If a child is uncomfortable, sometimes they tend to be afraid, which makes us breathe faster, which may compound the problem.

I have friends that have kids that are asthmatic, and they will tell you that it's THE scariest thing they have ever experienced. Good luck with everything and you're in my prayers.

J.

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