Baby Asthma

Are there any parents whose infant has asthma? I think there is something wrong with my son's breathing. It sounds like he wheezes when he sleeps and its way worse when is trying to eat. He has seen two different drs since he's been home, and they said he was fine, but I feel like there is something wrong. I was just wondering if anyone's child does have it, what were the symptoms and if anyone else's child does this and is fine.

My son is seeing an allergist/asthma doctor right now. They think he has asthma. My son would get an ear infection and also ended up with pneumonia or bronchitis. He has also had RSV. Does he have allergies? They told me allergies and asthma goes hand in hand.

Quoting Andrew Jordan's mommy:“ My son is seeing an allergist/asthma doctor right now. They think he has asthma. My son would get an ... [snip!] ... with pneumonia or bronchitis. He has also had RSV. Does he have allergies? They told me allergies and asthma goes hand in hand.”

Sorry I am typing to fast. When he gets ear infection he always ended up with pneumonia or bronchitis.

My Baby Is Wheezing. Is It Asthma?


Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs that causes the airways to swell, tighten, and produce excess mucus. It can be difficult to diagnose in children under the age of 5, especially in infants, because other conditions have similar symptoms.
It's also difficult to accurately measure babies' lung function (how well they breathe). Older kids and adults are better able to cooperate with lung function tests, which often involve taking a deep breath and blowing out as fast as the person can. This type of testing may show asthmatic changes in the lungs.
The mechanics of a baby's lungs also complicate the diagnosis of asthma. Infants' airways are small. When a baby gets a respiratory tract infection, these already small passages get swollen and filled with mucus much more easily than an older child's or an adult's. This can lead to coughing, wheezing, and othersymptoms of asthma (even if it is not asthma, but just a viral infection).
One common condition that mimics asthma in infants is bronchiolitis, which is usually caused by a viral infection, most commonly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The infection affects the tiny airways called bronchioles. The airways swell, making it difficult for a child to breathe. Infants are often affected because their airways are so small that they become blocked more easily than those of older kids or adults.
Symptoms of bronchiolitis include rapid breathing, a cough, wheezing, and fever. Infants who develop bronchiolitis may be more likely to develop asthma later in life. But it's unclear if that's because RSV infection causes asthma or because the child was born with a tendency to wheeze and was therefore more prone to both bronchiolitis and asthma. Studies are being done to clarify the relationship between bronchiolitis and the later development of asthma.
There are also less common reasons for wheezing in infants. A foreign object or piece of food inhaled into the lungs may cause wheezing. Premature infants who have insufficiently developed airways may wheeze. Cystic fibrosis can cause a child to wheeze, too, but it usually involves additional symptoms such as delayed growth.
Delaying Asthma Diagnosis


It's important to remember that just one instance of wheezing isn't enough to diagnose asthma. It must happen more than once. But even when wheezing happenson a recurring basis, a doctor may still not be certain the cause is asthma, especially in young children. More time, and sometimes more tests, may be needed to confirm the diagnosis and decide on the best long-term management plan for the child.
Doctors want to avoid an incorrect diagnosis, which might unnecessarily disrupt the lives of the entire family or label a child with a chronic condition he or she may not have. Fewer than one third of all infants who wheeze on a recurring basis during their first 3 years continue to wheeze into later childhood. In other words, most kids who wheeze as infants outgrow it and don't have asthma when they get older.
However, doctors know that uncontrolled and persistent asthma can damage the lungs over time. The early use of anti-inflammatory medications may help prevent this from happening.
For these reasons, doctors might choose to treat the symptoms as if the child has asthma, even if the diagnosis is uncertain. They may prescribe asthma medications, but probably won't officially diagnose a child with asthma unless he or she continues to have symptoms.
Diagnosing Asthma in Older Babies


You should talk to your doctor about possible asthma if your child has:

• wheezing that has happened more than once (with or without illness) constant or bouts of coughing that get worse at night or after active playing any other breathing problem that concerns you

The doctor also may ask you whether your child has breathing problems in different circumstances, such as during a cold, or when exposed to:

• cold air allergens, such as pets or dust smoke

It's important to tell the doctor about any family history of allergies, asthma, and sinus problems. This information and careful observation of your child over time will help the doctor decide if the symptoms are due to asthma or some other problem.
Treating the Symptoms


Just because the doctor doesn't diagnose asthma doesn't mean your child can't be treated for wheezing. The doctor may prescribe inhaled asthma medications to see if the symptoms improve.
Because these medicines are generally safe, even for use in infants and young children, the possible benefits of a trial of asthma medications usually outweigh the risks of side effects.
The severity of the breathing problems, as well as how often symptoms occur, will help determine which kind of medicine you have to give your child. The doctor also will consider whether your child needs continuous treatment or if medicine should be given only when he or she is having symptoms. Asthma medicines are often delivered using an inhaler with a spacer or through a nebulizer.
You should also review the treatment plan with anyone who takes care of your child. Ensure that caregivers understand the plan, and, if your child needs asthma medicine, teach them and family members how to use the inhaler or nebulizer.

My youngest who is 4 months has chronic bronchitis. I know its unbelievable in a child so young. We have a nebulizer and he is seeing an allergist as well.

they have liquid Albuterol. They gave it to Lana when she had bronchitis bc she was wheezing real bad

Quoting Andrew Jordan's mommy:“ My son is seeing an allergist/asthma doctor right now. They think he has asthma. My son would get an ... [snip!] ... with pneumonia or bronchitis. He has also had RSV. Does he have allergies? They told me allergies and asthma goes hand in hand.”

Not that I know of. He is almost 2 months old. BUT I do find it weird that he can't seem to handle breast milk or formula that has a high lactose level, or a normal level. He always throws it up. He also breaks out in lots of little bumps on his neck. I'm not sure if they're baby acne or heat bumps or what. I'm not allergic to anything so I'm not sure what to look for. I also have crappy medical, but I just changed his Dr so hopefully I'll get some answers when we go see the new dr next week.

My baby is 5 weeks old and sometimes when she is eating she makes this wheezing like gasping noise. She has made it while she isn't eating as well. My Mom said it sounded normal that me and my brother made similar noises. She was checked yesterday at the pedi and he said she is fine, I asked about it and described it since she didn't do it there and he said it sounds like normal baby noises. I was worried about it too when I first heard it but not so much anymore. I hope it is nothing, I am thinking if it the same noise I hear your baby is fine too.

My son has a nebulizer as well. He is on Pulmicort once a day. We have the Albuterol syrup if he gets really bad.

i grow up with ashtma..and now im 37 and still hav...my son who is now 11 got his 1st when he was 18 months...and i knew what to look for...put ur son ur lap..and lift his shirt...when he breaths watch his belly...if u could see his ribs everytime...and i mean see them..and u hear the wheezing..bring him in..most hospital..now dont not make u wait...at all...

Quoting MegSki ]|bir-bit|[:“ Not that I know of. He is almost 2 months old. BUT I do find it weird that he can't seem to handle breast ... [snip!] ... I also have crappy medical, but I just changed his Dr so hopefully I'll get some answers when we go see the new dr next week.”

I have the hardest time telling the difference between nasal congestion and wheezing. I am getting better now at it.

What Kathleenx3 said is another way of telling. You can sometimes you can feel his chest rattling as well.

i was worried about opal's breathing for a while. she had inhaled some meconium before delivery and had rapid breathing for a while. then she always sounded kind of congested. not really wheezy, but sort of gurgly... anyway, it seems to have gone away completely now.

and if u child is older..and gasps for air after saying 2 words..bring him in...and i know this might be hard...but trying to stop the crying..makes it worse for the little 1..my son has been in icu 5x...but he hasnt had a really bad attack in over 1yr...sooo we pray he is breakin from it

Quoting KATHLEENX3:“ i grow up with ashtma..and now im 37 and still hav...my son who is now 11 got his 1st when he was 18 ... [snip!] ... everytime...and i mean see them..and u hear the wheezing..bring him in..most hospital..now dont not make u wait...at all...”

Its hard to tell because he's still kinda skinny and I can see his ribs anyways. but I can feel like rasping when I put my hand on his back. I wonder if he is aspirating when he drinks. He did have fluid in his lungs when he was born I wonder if it was out or they just kinda pushed me along so we could leave the hospital.

i mean really see them..when he pulls in...his belly goes right in...like he is using his whole chest to get air....i could see my sons ribs 2..but there is a big diff...when they cant breath....

Quoting bittermelon:“ i was worried about opal's breathing for a while. she had inhaled some meconium before delivery and had ... [snip!] ... always sounded kind of congested. not really wheezy, but sort of gurgly... anyway, it seems to have gone away completely now.”

he sounds awful all the time. I feel so sorry for him.