Albuterol for coughing baby

alphaphi98

My DD got sick aound New Years and was very congested & coughing. She wasn't feeding well and would throw up. She didn't have a fever though. I sucked out so much nasty snot with the nosefrida. Doctors didn't give her any meds except Albuterol. She breathed it in with the nebulizer. They didn't recommend meds for 3 month olds. She was better after one week.

She's getting congested and coughing again, but definitely not as bad. She's still eating well and STTN. I know she'll ride this out and be fine. Doctors told me to give her Albuterol again for her cough. Anyone else use Albuterol before?

katigox

I use an Albuterol inhaler for my asthma, and it works great for me, but I don't know about using it for a baby.  I'm guessing if the doc ordered it it's probably fine?  I do know that if I haven't needed it in a while, it can make me a bit jittery, and had a classmate who had some shaky hands after using one for the first time.  So that's the only thing I could think that I might look out for?

GL! 

CurlyQ284

Yes, they prescribed it for DS when he was diagnosed with RSV. They gave me extra because he has a lingering cough so I can use as needed. I haven't noticed any side effects.

LissaLee

I'm a respiratory therapist and I feel that Albuterol is over prescribed in kids because it is relatively safe and docs feel like they should do something. I have had docs admit to me that they will give Albuterol even though they know it won't help, just because it makes the parents feel better. Albuterol helps to relieve spasming airways, but contrary to popular belief it does not thin mucous or decrease inflammation. It will quiet a cough if it is due to bronchospasm, but not if it is due to mucous or irritation of the throat.

If your baby is wheezing or really struggling to breathe then yes give a treatment. Other than that, I would make sure to suck the nose frequently, elevate the head of the bed, and use saline drops and a cool mist humidifier to keep mucous thin.

StephRN23

LissaLee:

I'm a respiratory therapist and I feel that Albuterol is over prescribed in kids because it is relatively safe and docs feel like they should do something. I have had docs admit to me that they will give Albuterol even though they know it won't help, just because it makes the parents feel better. Albuterol helps to relieve spasming airways, but contrary to popular belief it does not thin mucous or decrease inflammation. It will quiet a cough if it is due to bronchospasm, but not if it is due to mucous or irritation of the throat.If your baby is wheezing or really struggling to breathe then yes give a treatment. Other than that, I would make sure to suck the nose frequently, elevate the head of the bed,nbsp;and use saline drops and a cool mist humidifier to keep mucous thin.

Albuterol is way over used. I second everything she said.

CurlyQ284

I do agree with that. It does nothing for mucus.

auburnbride2be

My dd had asthma and has used albuterol in a nebulizer and/or inhaler since she was about 6 months old. My DS has a virus with congestion and coughing with wheezing so he is on it now too. I think it's pretty common.
Eta we are also doing the things pp said as well.