Q: I gave my 4-month-old baby erythromycin and Vitamin C for a cough and stuffy nose. She still sounds congested. What should I do?

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Question: Hello, my 4-month-old baby has a cough and nasal congestion. I was advised to give her erythromycin and Vitamin C, which I started yesterday. While the cough seems a little better, the congestion and a noisy sound from her nose persist. I tried using a nasal aspirator but couldn't see any mucus. Also, she had a bowel movement right after I gave her the Vitamin C syrup. As a first-time mom, I'm worried. What should I do?

Answer: Good morning! It’s great that you’re being proactive about your baby’s health. Here’s some advice based on what you’ve shared:

Cough and Catarrh: Cough and nasal congestion (catarrh) are often caused by viral infections, which usually resolve on their own without antibiotics like erythromycin unless a bacterial infection has been diagnosed by a doctor. The nasal noise might be due to dry mucus or narrow nasal passages common in babies.

Vitamin C and Stool: It’s not uncommon for some babies to have looser stools after taking vitamin C syrup. If the stool is watery or frequent, consider pausing the syrup and consult your doctor.

What You Can Do: Clear the Nose: * Use saline drops and a nasal aspirator to gently loosen and clear mucus from her nose. * Keep her head slightly elevated while sleeping to ease breathing.

Hydration: * Ensure she’s getting enough breast milk or formula to stay hydrated. This helps thin mucus.

Avoid Overmedicating: * If erythromycin was not prescribed by a doctor for a confirmed bacterial infection, it’s better to stop it. Overuse of antibiotics can cause more harm than good.

Monitor Her Symptoms: * Watch for signs of breathing difficulty, fever (≥38°C or 100.4°F), reduced feeding, or unusual lethargy.

When to See a Doctor: Take her to a pediatrician if: * The congestion worsens or she has difficulty breathing. * The cough or nasal congestion lasts longer than 7–10 days without improvement. * She develops fever, fast breathing, or appears unwell.

You’re doing a great job as a first-time mom. For now, focus on keeping her comfortable and monitoring her symptoms. Let us know if you have any more questions

For extra peace of mind and clear guidance when tracking your child's symptoms, the FeverCoach app is always there to help.

https://fevercoach.us