When can we ask baby questions? I have one!

jshrop

So STMs: my LO seems to have a little bit of congestion and although I'm not worried about it enough to call the doc right away, I am wondering if anyone has experience with this already and what I should/can do. She just seems a little raspy, and I have a feeling that it's due to the air conditioning in my house. I struggle to get it to maintain a temperature-- it's freezing then shuts off until it's too warm and then starts over again. Again, it's not an emergency, not calling the doctor, just wondering what I might be able to do. Also, what temp do you keep your home?

lest12

Ask all the baby questions, please! I have been wondering about the AC once LO gets here as well.

tbmadeamistake

We keep our house 68 in the winter and 72 wish in the summer, though this summer we are trying to use the ac less in order to save money. You could always take her into the bathroom with the shower on for a little bit, the steam should help loosen any congestion she might have. That was always our go to. Other than that, with her being so little, better safe than sorry. Keep an eye out for lethargy and a temp. If she doesn't get either of those, you are probably OK. Hope she feels better!

tbmadeamistake

Also, those of you who have babies should start asking whenever you need to!

Megan_e_rice

whenever my LO was congested I would just strip her down to a diaper, run the shower nice and hot and sit in the bathroom and let her breath in the steamy air. 

jshrop

@Lilygrace48‌ I'm watching it like a hawk. It doesn't seem to be all day either, just every now and then she's more raspy. I'm not sure how to tell lethargy now bc she sleeps so much, but she's not having any issues eating and she's still awake about 2 hours in a stretch about twice a day, up off and on in between. She also let's me know when she's wet or cold (it's seriously the only time she cries).

jshrop

I'm thinking the shower option sounds good!

tbmadeamistake

Is she more raspy a certain amount of time after eating? Maybe its something you/she is eating (don't know if you bf or ff).

jshrop

Hmmm... I'll have to pay attention to that. I EBF. Maybe it is after she eats. I'll try to make a note of it when I notice.

sjn00

A cut half an onion by her side at night and naps also works wonders for congestion!!

Mia081081

LoHerrim said:

A lot of times little ones have congestion especially Csection LOs, from not getting all the fluid out if their lungs when they were born. I agree with the humidifier & being sure there's no fever or lethargy. If she's feeding at least 8x a day and peeing and pooping at least 6x a day, she should be good. But any sign you're uncomfortable with, call the pediatrician. Avoid the ER if you can- too many sick people.

I agree with the above. With DD, I only pushed for 4 minutes and she was congested at the hospital. They had to take her to have her fluids cleared and we actually had to use the aspiration tube in her mouth a few times at home. She didn't like it, but there was still mucous in there. I'd call the dr to get his opinion on it. It'll just be a quick convo most likely.

ELC252011

My pediatrician told me when ever her nose was really stuffy to squirt a couple drops of breast milk in there. It sounds wired to me but ill have to try it and see if it works.

BrunoBabies

My son had a dry cough every night until I put a cool mist humidifier in his room. Also, Vicks has a little vapor mist humidifier for like $10 that works when they are congested. I turn it on for 45 mins before I put him to sleep and his room was nice and vicksy for him. Hope this helps

kcartwright12

I would try the humidifier, the nasal asperater and I used to spray a little saline solution up there and then sucked it out with with blue bulb. Worked for my DS.

ncbelle

It may just be "newborn nose" - newborns have tiny nasal passages and often sound congested when they aren't.

TheMrs820

I Am so glad you asked! Can't wait for more of these

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lynnblack

Check with your pediatrition before using the vicks. It is not recomended for kids under 2. A plain distilled water humidifier may help.

gmc222

I second (or third, or fourth) the cool mist humidifier, especially if you are using your AC a lot.

We keep our house at 69 in the winter, and maybe 73 in the summer. I also grew up with AC or central air so we often just open the windows and use ceiling/window fans if it's cool at night.

iris427

My son sounded like a snorting pig for the first month of his life from all the newborn congestion and our pedi said it was normal.  You can try using a humidifier in the room where your baby sleeps, or take them in the shower with you (or just stay in the room while the shower runs if your baby doesn't like the shower).  But for the most part, it's just a part of being a newborn and s/he'll outgrow it.

And of course if they have a fever, trouble breathing or seem lethargic or anything like that, call the doctor.

Mom&nurse

How much does your baby eat? My lil premi is an oinker. I'm doing a lot of pumping and then bottle feed her only because I want to know how much she eats. We do some BF too but with her latching so off and on they say it gets better when they are closer to due date. She eats 2-4 oz every 3-4 hours.

austinlyns

Hi. Newborn congestion can be normal. The raspiness might be reflux- it can cause an irritated throat and even some wheezing after eating. I would pay attention to see if it is after she eats and also if she is spitting up much. Good luck!

Rosebud2587

Mom&nurse said:

How much does your baby eat? My lil premi is an oinker. I'm doing a lot of pumping and then bottle feed her only because I want to know how much she eats. We do some BF too but with her latching so off and on they say it gets better when they are closer to due date. She eats 2-4 oz every 3-4 hours.

From what I remember that sounds pretty normal to me.

roadspeckle

shannonliggett said:

Not important, but how often do babies normally get hiccups? LO gets them about 4 times a day, and they last 10-15 minutes. He got them that often in utero too. It does make me sad though, that he gets frustrated when he has them - it can't be comfortable!

Same here, @shannonliggett‌ - I asked my doc about it and she verified NBD although they do sound painful most the time!

SarahS11

My milk just came in a couple of days ago... My breasts are really full and LO sometimes chokes and coughs on the middle of nursing because I assume the flow is too much for her. Anything I can do? She also is very hard to burp and often spits up just a little bit every nursing session. Is that normal or should I call the lactation consultant? She's never super fussy like it bothers her much. Thanks in advance!

Pepper6

SarahS11 said:

My milk just came in a couple of days ago... My breasts are really full and LO sometimes chokes and coughs on the middle of nursing because I assume the flow is too much for her. Anything I can do? She also is very hard to burp and often spits up just a little bit every nursing session. Is that normal or should I call the lactation consultant? She's never super fussy like it bothers her much. Thanks in advance!

In my BFing class, they recommended an upright feeding position or using a nipple shield to help at first.

austinlyns

On the hiccup issue, try gripe water (baby aisle in most grocery stores). It worked really well to stop hiccups for my daughter who got them all the time. On the breastfeeding issue, I agree that it will get better as your supply regulates. You mentioned that she is hard to burp- she may just be a very efficient nurser and not take in much air when she eats. Some babies hardly ever burp. If she seems happy, don't worry about it. Good luck!

Mom&nurse

My LO sometimes coughs or choked when she would get too much too but it is mostly when she gets sleepy. I use a shield and she still does it. My LC said most babies will not burp much if BF or they will burp at the breast when needed and continue. She said if she falls asleep or slows down or stops to try to burp then offer breast again to know if done or needed to burp.