Croup

[Ying]

I think Becky is having a croup now I suspected it since last night because her coughs sounded a bit like barking and she made a funny noise when she's breathing. This morning it seemed better (although I kept her at home instead of sending her to daycare) and she had a mild temp. Her voice started to become hoarse and now that she's sleeping, the barking coughs are getting worse.

She doesn't seem very bothered though and is still quite normal and well. Should I take her to the GP tomorrow or it can be managed at home? She only had croup once when she's about 4 months old and we took her to the GP straight away as she's so young. Should I take this very seriously this time?

[Pobie]

If she is still sleeping ok and its not effecting her breathing then I would say leave it for today and see how she goes tonight. If she starts to have trouble breathing then call Nurse on call.

[aussieclownfish]

All four of our kids get croup quite badly, and I have done a lot of middle-of-the-night emergency department trips... I now just have prednisolone at home, and know how much to give each one, and I give it to them if it gets really bad and they are usually fine after one dose.

The annoying thing about croup is that it is always worse at night, and it usually gets worse on the second and third nights. If it is quite mild and you can ride it out, it is normally all better after a few days, but if it does get severe and she is struggling to breathe (or loud stridor with each breath, and you can't get it to go away) then it will most likely mean a middle of the night trip to hospital.

[Linds]

Aww poor love, perhaps if she's unwell too that's also contributing to her needing you a lot at the moment while you're not feeling well either.
Evan had croup too and it was awful. Trouble is, he never actually 'barked' at the doctors when he was supposed to!! But as harsh as that steriod medication is, it really did work and everyone got a great night's sleep. I really do think it would be worth getting her to the doctors jmo.

[Theresa]

Ditto everything Ruth said - Georgie gets it at the drop of a hat and the signs Ruth suggested to look for match everything we've done/been told as well.

It sucks, because Georgie is usually fine during the day while I am struggling to keep awake from being up half the night with her

[Ying]

Yep croup it is Went to the doctor this morning and got a steroid medication. Her coughs don't sound very barking now after a dose of it, but we'll see tonight. Last night she barked like those little yappidy dogs across the road and her breathing sounds like a cat purring or a seal making funny noise! It did feel like sleeping in the zoo last night for me

I hope she'll be over it soon, poor little thing.

[saulylee]

You poor bugger, I really hope she gets over soon not just for her but for your peace of mind. I know how stressful it was for me.

[milasmum]

Hope Becky gets better soon
Croup is so scary! When Mila had it she sounded like a seal and was so distressed.

[Bec259]

Poor Becky! Is she feeling better? Thank goodness we've never had it here.

[Ying]

She's a bit better today That medicine works really well!

On the negative side, her tantrums are at the max though....poor me....