Baby's First Cold- Questions

So I guess we've had a good run and I should consider myself lucky...DD has her first cold at 17.5 months. Two questions:

1. How long are they supposed to last? She has been sick for a week now and still pretty congested.

2. Is chest rattling normal? I feel her chest rattle when she breathes sometimes, and according to Baby 411 this is normal and no need to go to the doctor. However, my MIL insists that this is something that needs to be checked out and she got me worried.

TIA! P.S.- She has a double ear infection too...don't know if that affects the answers.

Re: Baby's First Cold- Questions

If she isn't running a fever, then I wouldn't be worried. A cold can last up to two weeks. Are you doing anything to relieve the cold? I would suggest running a humidifier at night, limit her dairy and sugars and do a saline spray.

Baby's First Cold- Questions

Have you called your doctor's office? I'm assuming since you said she has a double ear infection that she's already been seen by her doctor. But it doesn't hurt to call, especially if she didn't have the chest rattling when she was seen.

Baby's First Cold- Questions

My dd was sick 1st visit to dr was told just a cold no meds needed. Nebulizer trestments and suction nose. Then a few days later i heard the congestion in her chest get worst (wheezing snd coughing) brought her back and it was now a worsened chest cold. She needed antibiotics and cough medicine.

Bring her to the dr dont just go based on a book. Its always better to be safe than sorry.

Re: Baby's First Cold- Questions

Thanks for the responses. We wound up taking her to the doctor today, and it turns out she has bronchiolitis . She's getting nebulizer treatments now, and we take her back to the doctor Monday to see if she's improved.