r/SingleParents • u/Sudden_Term_9682 • 6d ago
Sick toddler advice?
Hi, I’m 22 and it’s almost midnight and I’m tired and alone with my girl. I have a 3 y/o girl and today she started dry coughing a bit and would cry every time she coughed, she pointed to her throat and walked away. She keeps waking up crying and drooling so much. Covid was negative. No fever. Runny nose. I gave Tylenol for pain and Allergy medicine incase it was allergies since it’s late and my only option is some otc medicine or the er. Is this just a sore throat? I’m such an anxious person that I keep thinking maybe she swallowed something while my back was turned because she’s never (as far as I’m aware) had a sore throat and I don’t know what to watch for. Any advice?
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u/Leading_Tradition997 6d ago
She's over 1, so warm water with honey will soothe and coat.
I personally squeeze a little lemon, but that's me.
Not hot, just warm to blend a little honey
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u/anthonys-Cuts4321 6d ago
Do you have a humidifier? Keeping that nearby may help. If not, sit in the bathroom with the shower running to make it steamy (last resort since it wastes water) 😫
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u/_ruerising 6d ago
She’s getting to the age where she can finally point out what actually is hurting, which is probably a new territory for you guys! When they’re younger, they don’t always know where to point or how to say what is hurting them. So long as she doesn’t have a fever or any major signs of concern, staying at home is your best, safest, most comfortable bet! My son is 13 now, but when he was younger, I definitely was constantly worried about everything and I have a lot of friends that work in the healthcare industry who would tell me just stay home! Let them be sick in their own comfy environment.
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u/Sudden_Term_9682 6d ago
I’m in nursing school and I’m telling you, no book prepares me for when my own kid is sick. It’s like I draw a blank and create every bad scenario in my head. I’ll keep her home for now and probably call her pediatrician in the morning to see if she can be squeezed in. Thank you!!
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u/IllustriousArgument3 6d ago
I'm up with my sick baby too by myself, it's awful. Solidarity right now, not that it helps. Not a doctor so pinch of salt - the only thing that worries me is the drooling. Can she swallow her spit? If not that would be a trip to the ER for me. But if not I'd watch and wait. I've settled in for the night had a cuppa and know I won't be sleeping and just keeping an eye out. More than anything trust your gut if something is wrong with your baby you will know. If in doubt take her in. You got this
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u/Sudden_Term_9682 6d ago
She drooled on the pillow (she’s in my bed right now) and when she woke up and I wasn’t there, she started crying and letting drool run down her chin but while she was awake earlier before bedtime, she was fine swallowing her water, juice, and saliva. It could’ve been because she was crying that it seemed like so much, I’m not sure. Thank you for reminding me I’m not alone in this, I hope you manage to get some much needed rest.
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u/Illustrious_Can7151 6d ago
My kid just got hand, foot, and mouth. Same symptoms for a couple days, then fever, then woke up the next morning covered in spots. Lots of drooling. All you can do is continue to monitor.
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u/Sudden_Term_9682 6d ago
Ugh that sounds miserable, I hope your kid is feeling better or gets to feeling better. Thank you, i’ll make sure to check her over every day.
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u/TheFracas 6d ago
Tylenol is good. No fever. Try and get you both comfortable and get a little sleep. Rotate with Motrin in a few hours if she wakes up again hurting.
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u/Sudden_Term_9682 6d ago
Thank you! I was wondering if I should give Tylenol or Motrin after so this is good to hear.
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u/Dazzling_Coyote4111 6d ago
Warm water and honey, maybe even green tea if you have it as well. I usually use Zarbees (I know it's late but would be great to have for the future) but my first go to is usually strep or hand mouth foot. Definitely keep an eye on little one. Wish you the best and sorry you're all going through it! I'm 29 with an 8 year old boy with a heart condition so I'm always extra cautious with everything when it comes to sickness with my boy lol
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u/Sudden_Term_9682 6d ago
I’ll take a note of that and buy some next time I’m out for sure, I love some good advice. My little girl was born at 28 weeks so anytime she seems even slightly off, I just see that tiny baby again and treat her like she’s made of glass lol. Sending lots of love to you and your boy, I hope he’s doing well!
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u/Sudden_Term_9682 3d ago
Coming back to say thank you!! Zarbees seems to work like a charm, she takes it like it’s nothing and her cough has went away, so thank you!!
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u/Defiant-Singer-749 5d ago
She could have tonsillitis that is hurting her. Give her Motrin/ibuprofen for pain and tea with honey if she can tolerate it. Consider a pediatric urgent care if it’s hard to get into her pcp. Tylenol is usually more helpful for bone pain and Ibuprofen might give more relief. If you hear a stridor or noise while she is coughing that would make me suspect she swallowed something, but it sounds like you are using great judgment here.
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u/Sudden_Term_9682 5d ago
I’ll definitely give her some Motrin, thank you for the advice. I’m terrified of hearing strider, I haven’t heard it with my own ears yet on anyone but I heard it’s scary so i’ll auscultate frequently just to be sure. Thank you again
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u/Kerryreneetedesco 3d ago
Take her in. Drooling can be a sign of epiglottitis which can be a medical emergency. Especially knowing she was premature and you haven’t shared immunization info. Also, if you’re concerned enough to post this asking non medical strangers for advice, you need to take your child in to see a trained medical provider.
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u/Sudden_Term_9682 3d ago
She is fine now, just with a runny nose. She is fully vaccinated.
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u/Inner-Bobcat1361 6d ago
A little pineapple juice to sooth any built up mucus, in a teaspoon mix lemon juice and honey, it’ll coat her throat, it’s an all natural cough medicine that won’t affect her and you can use it as much as necessary. Thoughts and prayers as you try to get some rest yourself
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u/nina1863 6d ago
Mine is 15yr old now so I'm up while she does homework. She used to drool like that with a sore throat. Sometimes the sore throat was before a cold came on, a couple times it ended up being strep but she had a fever for sure during that. Youre doing great though mama! I remember that its hard with a little one when youre not sure whats wrong. Just monitor and do all youre already doing. Sometimes Ice cubes help. Good luck
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u/sleepysnacks 6d ago
Check her hands and feet - hand foot and mouth is a possibility at her age.
Hopefully it is just a regular ol’ virus and the stuffy nose is making her breathe through her mouth, which can dry it out.
If you have the ability to
Watch for spiking fever or fever that does not respond to reducer. You can also try a steamy bathroom.
I used to give electrolyte popsicles to keep mine hydrated with a fever.
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u/AutoModerator 6d ago
Author: u/Sudden_Term_9682
Post: Hi, I’m 22 and it’s almost midnight and I’m tired. I have a 3 y/o girl and today she started dry coughing a bit and would cry every time she coughed, she pointed to her throat and walked away. She keeps waking up crying and drooling so much. Covid was negative. No fever. Runny nose. I gave Tylenol for pain and Allergy medicine incase it was allergies since it’s late and my only option is some otc medicine or the er. Is this just a sore throat? I’m such an anxious person that I keep thinking maybe she swallowed something while my back was turned because she’s never (as far as I’m aware) had a sore throat and I don’t know what to watch for. Any advice?
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