Infant Breathing - Croup

Infant breathing problems can cause major concern for parents, and for good reason: what seems like a “regular” cold can escalate into other problems quickly, so vigilance and knowledge are important keys to making sure you get medical attention when needed.

Croup is one of these problems that can be very frightening: a barking, seal-like cough is the number one sign of croup, a viral infection that mainly affects children under ages 5 or 6. Knowing what to do if your child has croup can help alleviate your anxieties greatly.

According to Dr. William Sears, croup is a viral infection that causes a child’s vocal chords to swell, thus producing the bark-like cough. Croup may begin suddenly, or gradually escalate from what began as a cold. Croup is as contagious as the common cold, and, like with colds, the best way to prevent its spread is by frequent, thorough hand washing. Croup usually lasts for 5 or 6 days and gets worse at night.

The major sign of croup is a bark-like cough that often awakens a child. Fever is usually present, but is usually below 104 degrees. Children with croup often have a hoarse voice. Stridor, a harsh, whooping, gasping sound you’re your child takes in breath, is a symptom to watch for, too.

If you child can lie down and sleep without being interrupted by coughing, his breathing is probably okay. If he’s his usual self, happy, playing, and interested in his surroundings, he’s not bothered by the croup, so it is probably not serious.

You can treat croup by calming your child (since crying will make him sound much worse) and keeping him relaxed. Since humidity helps, you may find running a hot shower and steaming up the bathroom and holding him on your lap in the steamy room for ten minutes helps.

Cool mist works, too, so you can let your child breathe directly in front of a cool mist vaporizer. Cool night air works, too, so you may want to bundle your child up and take him outside. Treat your child’s fever with the appropriate does of fever-reducing medicine, but check with your doctor before giving antihistamines or decongestants, which may dry his air passages.

If your child exhibits stridor even when he is calm (that is, not crying or upset), if he is not interested in interaction, if he cannot sleep because he’s just sitting up and coughing, then his croup is worsening. Look for labored breathing, too, by watching the dent in your child’s neck just above the breastbone. If it is caving in, he’s having trouble drawing in air.

If you’ve tried treating your child’s croup and you feel he’s getting worse, go straight to the emergency room. If you child cannot speak or breathe for lack of breath, has difficultly swallowing, becomes paler, and is struggling to get breath, act quickly. There, you child’s oxygen level will be evaluated and he may be given vaporized medicine to open the airways.

Of course, any infant breathing problem will have parents very concerned. The key to treating croup is to watch carefully for signs of worsening and to act quickly. Most croup is not serious, but always check with your doctor if you have any concerns about your child’s breathing.