My 3 mo old son has had a chronic cough for 2 1/2 weeks. He is still eating, and has not run a fever, but the problem is that I was due to fly bk to NY from CA last week. I saw a ped out here, who suggested that I postpone the return until he is clear, to avoid ear problems. However, he is not improving. (using saline nose drops, a "nose sucker" and a vaporizer.) I am hoping that a mom out there can offer any advice. I need to return to NY for work. My company has been flexible to let me work out of LA for a week, but I am afraid they will not be as lenient next week!
Hi A.,
Call the ped in LA and explain your time constraints. There are 'baby inhalers' that they can put medicine in to help clear that gunk out of their little chests. Ask if he can prescribe one - maybe it can speed things up.
Take care!
I had the same thing with my now 10 month old a few weeks ago. And from LA to NY as well. She was actually coughing, sneezing, had no fever, BUT also had the end of an ear infection. My pediatrician said that if I had to fly, then I just should and the worst thing that would happen is, on descent, she may experience a bit of pain. So, I went and she was completely fine. No pain at all. She doesn't use a pacifier typically but I tried to force one on her on descent because she just stopped breastfeeding.
She actually just got a little cold again and someone recommended vicks rub on the feet and cover with socks before naps/bedtime and it actually seems to be helping her congestion.
Good luck!
My daughter developed a cough at 3 months - I thought it was a result of her starting daycare. Now, 2 months later, she is out of daycare and the cough remains. She doesn't seem otherwise sick and the ped listened to her chest and said it's perfectly clear. Babies can also have chronic coughs as a result of either reflux or asthma as well, in which case, doing the usual things to make a baby comfortable for flying (nursing during take-off and landing) should do the trick.
Hi A.,
I would call your ped and ask what they think. I know I was told on airplanes the breastfeed or give a bottle/pacifier on take off and landing to help the pressure in their ears. When my daughter was young we were in Florida and she came down with a cold and cough our ped told us to bf on take off and landing also do the saline drops right before take off as well as give her baby benadryl. Hope that helps.
Good luck,
L.
Hello A.,
I hope your baby is doing better. about the 'little pain' when the plain is descending... it's the most horrible pain! worse than childbirth.... enough to make a grown-up cry like a baby. if you can wait, then wait. maybe the doctor can give you a prescription for a decongestant so you can use it for a day or two before the trip. they also have ear drops for the pain. Good luck! ~Carmen~
