When a cough isn't just a cough

mishka29 · January 2014

LO recently had a cold (runny nose). Got better for a few days then it seemed she got sick again but this time it was runny nose and coughing. No fever. The runny nose has lessened to a dribble but the cough is sticking. It sounds like she is coughing up phlegm but once she gets going her whole face is red and her eyes are watering. She sounds like she is choking.

So I'm wondering if this cough could be more than just a cough and something more serious. DH is an over protective worry wart who says we should take her to the doc. But it also appears that she is getting a molar so I don't want to be laughed out of the drs office for hitting the panic button.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

colinsfebmommy · January 2014

Hey lady, I think it can't hurt to take him. I promise you that you won't be laughed out of the office. Better safe than sorry

kelly321 · January 2014

If your baby is coughing so hard it sounds like she's choking, then take her to the doctor. They're not going to laugh at you. It could be just a cough or it could be any number of things that need to be treated.
I understand the fear of looking like a paranoid mom, but if your instincts say take her, then take her.

mishka29 · January 2014

It's DH that think she needs to go, I think it's just a cold running it's course. I think she sounds like she is choking bc she coughs up phlegm into her throat and doesn't know what to do with it. For now we are going to keep an eye on it and see if there is improvement. Thx

Drea926 · January 2014

mishka29 said:
It's DH that think she needs to go, I think it's just a cold running it's course. I think she sounds like she is choking bc she coughs up phlegm into her throat and doesn't know what to do with it. For now we are going to keep an eye on it and see if there is improvement. Thx

FWIW We are in the same boat and are also waiting it out for a bit. As DS gets older I get less "let's go to the doctor! " and this is coming from someone who took their baby to the doctor to find out that the diagnosis was "noisy breathing" lol.

mishka29 · January 2014

@Drea926 - that's good to know. Has your LO been coughing a lot or does he have dif symptoms?

Drea926 · January 2014

@mishka29 he seems to cough more at night, but will in the day - usually after a bottle and it's pretty phlegmy sounding. Last night was the first night I didn't hear him wake up with a big coughing fit. He's had a clear runny nose, and is currently cutting the top 4 teeth, so I'm not sure if it's a cold or teething related. No fever and he eats, sleeps and plays like normal.

mishka29 · January 2014

@Drea926 Yeah with the molar I'm not sure how much is cold or teething. Sounds like very similar situations.

Rynleigh · January 2014

Anything that even remotely resembles having difficulty breathing/getting oxygen is a good reason to go in. There are persistent and harmless coughs that can last weeks or even months... but pneumonia can come on suddenly and be dangerous. Take baby in.

mishka29 · January 2014

Rynleigh said:

Anything that even remotely resembles having difficulty breathing/getting oxygen is a good reason to go in. There are persistent and harmless coughs that can last weeks or even months... but pneumonia can come on suddenly and be dangerous. Take baby in.

Yes I would definitely take her in if she was struggling to breath or anything like that. But so far that has not been the case. The only issue is during the coughing but i think shes coughing up phlegm and then its just sitting there hence the choking.

Rynleigh · January 2014

Choking and gagging are not the same thing... If she is just gagging (acting like she's trying to regurgitate), I understand the wait and see... but if she is *choking* (air is actually being cut off, regardless of whether she gags or not and regardless of whether you think it's just phlemg or mucous or how quickly it resolves), that isn't a wait and see kind of situation. Might just be a miscommunication of what's going on, but if she is losing the ability to breathe for even a couple of seconds off and on throughout the day, I would take her in.

mishka29 · January 2014

Rynleigh said:
Choking and gagging are not the same thing... If she is just gagging (acting like she's trying to regurgitate), I understand the wait and see... but if she is *choking* (air is actually being cut off, regardless of whether she gags or not and regardless of whether you think it's just phlemg or mucous or how quickly it resolves), that isn't a wait and see kind of situation. Might just be a miscommunication of what's going on, but if she is losing the ability to breathe for even a couple of seconds off and on throughout the day, I would take her in.

Yes you are right, it's more of a gagging. But I will watch carefully the next time to see if she can't breath for a second. I haven't noticed this but it may happen quickly. Thxs

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