first "real" cold

newly_naugler

My 19 month old is sick with his first bad cold. He's had sniffles and a runny nose before, but now he has a productive cough. At times he coughs so hard he throws up. I did call the nurse yesterday and she didn't think it was that much to worry about (keep an eye on the color of mucous and the sound of the cough). He is drinking a little milk (won't touch apple juice, water), but I'm worried about dehydration. Would you force liquids in him? There is no fever and I have been giving him baby Advil (which has helped him settle). Any tips for a paranoid momma?

Wilwarin

This is his first real cold at 19 months?

You must be a stay at home mom, huh?

I think what you are doing is fine. Just keep offering the fluids.

nosoup4u

Does he have a fever? Is he acting normal (not draggy or sick)? Is he peeing enough? This is a good post about what to look for if you suspect dehydration:

https://www.askdrsears.com/topics/childhood-illnesses/dehydration

Sitting in a steamy bathroom and using a humidifier at night should help with the cough. 

My younger son was just diagnosed with bronchitis - he had a cold, but had a coughed that lingered, low fever and was just acting sick and draggy all last week (not his usual self at all!), so I took him to the walk-in clinic at our doctor's office after a few days. If your LO doesn't get better, it might be worth a visit.

newly_naugler

No, but my mom looks after him so not much exposure to other kids. I just feel like I don't know what I'm doing, if I'm doing the right thing. Always 2nd guessing.

 Thanks for the great responses and link. Makes me feel more confident that I'm on the right track.

LilyRose28

If you have a crib wedge or firm pillow you can put under his crib sheet for elevation that might help, too. DS has a cold right now and I put the crib wedge from his infant days back in. Of course he moves around a lot but sometimes he sleeps on the wedge part.  Other than that we run the humidifier in his room and 2-3x a day I suck his nose out with the Nosefrida which he haaaaaaaates but he gets so stuffed up he can't eat/drink and breathe at the same time so I have to do it.