Hi I have a 1 1/2 year old daughter I am sixteen I know very young I dont have parents so doing this alone is hard I have alot of question but right now my main focus is her sickness ever sence she was 5 months she had a horrible choking type cough that never goes away so I came to the concluion it must be asthma so I took her in and the pediatrician said its just a cold she will be fine but she kept on with her cough sometimes he will not sleep crys and it effects her breathing a times so I got really scared and took her to the emergency they told me to mix her sippie cup with warm water and honey and let her sleep with a humidifier so I did but I was scared to give her honey because I heard it could be poisoness to babies but I did the rest and it did not help I have been to 3 pediatricians and the emergency room 10 time they dont give me answers does anyone know what may be wrong with her I need to figure it out its like the only thing that helps her right now is being lifted up on a pillow as she sleeps

Ari - posted on 05/23/2012

If she is still on formula try Simalac sensitive RS.It works wonders.My son was dealing with similar things and it really helped.Even if she isn't try it.It might work.

Liz - posted on 05/17/2012

The problem with giving honey to an infant is an increased risk of contracting botulism. After 1 year, doctor's say it is safe to give them honey. And she is old enough now to sleep with a pillow, if you feel comfortable. Hang in there!

Krista - posted on 05/17/2012

I can understand why you're frustrated. I definitely echo the other recommendation to see if you can find a mommy's group in your area. Sometimes just having other parents to talk to can make a huge difference in not feeling so alone.

Louise - posted on 05/17/2012

Breanna hang on in there, things will get better. Your a great mum and she is lucky to have you. Things will improve as she gets older. Look at this as the hardest times, things can only get better! (((hugs)))

Breanna - posted on 05/17/2012

Thank you very much this has really helped alot and I appreciate the time given into this I just really hope she gets well and I will try anything in my power to make it happen I will definitly look into a gastroenterologist after I do a log and put the pillow under the mattress I have a humidifier I keep it on every night for her and she hasnt drank milk since a month after her first birthday all she drinks is water the reason for that is because she has real bad constipation when she drinks milk I thought maybe if I fed her 2% it would help but it didnt so she doesnt drink it I just am really stressed with all this and dont get me wrong I will never regret having her even with my age but I really just feel like giving up I know I cant im all she has no dad no other family but me and none of this is her fault to pay for it. Thanks so much!!

Krista - posted on 05/16/2012

P.S. Sad, but true -- your doctors are probably dismissive of you because of your young age. So before you get in to see the gastroenterologist, start keeping a log of your child's symptoms. What she ate and when, when she went to bed, when the symptoms appeared and what they sound like (record the sounds, if you have a voice recorder). Keep it very detailed and very objective -- insert no emotion into it, just the bare facts. When you see the doctor, state that you've kept a log of symptoms, and hand it over. It'll show the doctor that even though you're young, you're a responsible, mature individual who has her stuff together.

Shawnn - posted on 05/16/2012

Breanna,

You are doing fine, hon!

Louise has excellent advise...and has been around this block for awhile, so she's someone that I trust to listen to...And I agree with what she said.

Also, just a couple of other tips...Yes, the honey before 1 year can cause problems...Can't remember exactly what, but I didn't try it...LOL

But, humidifiers are excellent. Erin's suggestion of a pillow UNDER the mattress is good too. I did this with my kiddos, and worked wonders. Certainly saved me from sleeping on my back, with my knees up, and the kid resting upright on my legs.

Look into local support for young or single mothers. There is usually some sort of group that you can get into. Just hang in there, and make sure the you have SOME sort of respite support...someone that can watch baby for an hour so that you have some time for you.

Good luck!

Krista - posted on 05/16/2012

There are a few possibilities here. One possibility is croup, but another is reflux. If being lifted up on a pillow at night helps, then my guess is reflux, or GERD.

Croup is a barking, hoarse cough. If it's a gagging/choking cough, then yeah...my guess is reflux.

It's not surprising that the pediatricians just say it's a cold, but it's absurd to think that a cold would last several months! I would seek out a gastroenterologist -- a doctor who specializes in the gastro-intestinal system. Tell him or her the full history, and be sure to mention what works and what doesn't work, and ask about reflux.

Louise - posted on 05/16/2012

If you have ruled out a chest infection then this sounds like croup. This is a nasty cough that normally kicks in in the evenings. She does not need to be seen by a doctor. What you need to do is get some moisture into the air. If your daughter is awake then run the shower on hot and block the air from escapeing the bathroom with a towel. Sit with your child in the steam for 15 minutes. If you have the money buy a cool mist humidifier to put water into the air. If your heating is on then place a wet towel over the radiator to put moisture into the air.

Do not give your daughter milk before she goes to bed as this makes the spit in her throat thicker than a clear liquid like water would. If you are somewhere that is warm then leave your daughter window open to allow moisture in. Any moisture will help with the coughing. Sadly there is no cure for croup, but she should grow out of it by the age of three.

Erin - posted on 05/16/2012

A child cannot be diagnosed with asthma before 5 years of age due to the fact they have to follow directions with a breathing machine. If you're scared to let her sleep with a pillow yet, but being lifted up helps, then place a pillow under her crib mattress to lift it up. Good luck.