Croup

[Petall]

Does anyone have any suggestions for helping children (and therefore me!) to sleep, when they have croup? Both DD and DS have it and I've had a week of getting up with both of them several times. I'm shattered and know I should be in bed now, but as they are clingy all day whilst awake, I've only just managed to get the house sorted and bottles done etc. DH is away for the weekend, so any advice would be most welcome.

[mrsmiawallace]

wet towel over hot radiator? plenty of fluids? have to admit, when dd had croup when younger, i put her in bed with me all over christmas and new year, which led to sleep probs, but wouldnt have done it any different as i could sit her up and sooth her if she had a coughin fit. feel for you both

[ChicPea]

My DS had this last spring and I sat in a shower room with him every two hours for 10 mins each session. That really, really helped to get rid of it quickly.

[ChicPea]

Sorry, forgot to say that the steam really helps open up the airways. Depending on the age of your children, they could put their heads over a bowl of hot water with a towel over their heads for a quicker way of getting plenty of steam.

[Petall]

Thanks for the wet towel tip, have just done that, so fingers crossed. DS keeps waking for water (8months) and DD (2 years) has been in bed with me the last two nights. I'm just hoping they don't both need me at the same time like last night! (Once they saw each other they wanted to play -bless it was 4.30am!)

[ChicPea]

Petall, are you the same Petall that emailed me about the headband?

[Petall]

Hi ChicPea
Yes I am, and extremely happy with that treatment. Many thanks for that advice too!

[ChicPea]

How daft of me! Didn't read your name properly so didn't twig straight away. I received your email and sent you one back but have problems getting into Hotmail at the moment for some reason. The running of a hot shower in a shower room or bathroom does work. As your children are so young, putting their heads over a hot bowl is not appropriate for them. If you do the run shower for 10 mins to make room steamy, you will need to remove DS's headband so that it doesn't get wet.
As your DH is away I would suggest if your children weren't ill that you come over to our house this weekend. Our children are almost similar in age and we could compare headbands. Sves me working out how to email you photots too!

[Petall]

Thanks ChicPea, that's really sweet of you. I expect your DS will be headband free by the time my two are well again, it has been a very long month with one thing after another!

I'd be really interested to catch up though if we manage to find a time when all are well at the same time.

[ChicPea]

DS's band comes off at the end of January all being well. Anyway, we shall keep in touch. I hope we do meet up at some stage. Perhaps Chris Blecher can see you at our house?

[Petall]

Have just been in the shower with DS and that seems to have cleared him a bit as he's now coughing like crazy. DD had now woken up so better go!
DH took DS to see CB on Monday(I had been up all night with DD, so trying to sleep) , but it would be really good to finally meet up if you don't mind us having a check up at your house!

Had really better go as DD is calling out now!

[Loobie]

One of the other main things to do is to keep their temps down whether that be with meds or with the window open.Ds had croup from about 6mths to 5 years and was hospitalized for steriods etc but he always seemed to improve when we took him out on the journey to hospital??? the docs told me it was the cold air ,it cooled him down so helped stop the coughing.
The shower or bath thing works as does the wet towel on the radiotor.

[ChicPea]

Hi Petall, hope your kiddies are feeling better. We shall keep in touch about CB's next visit.