barfing from coughing? - advice needed

DansMom wrote: Daniel came down with a cold after getting chilled in his first infant/toddler swim class Saturday (that pool was way too cold! ). Now it's in his chest and he's coughing with lots of phlegm. Well last night he ate like a champ---way more than I'm used to! Half an avocado, a fist full of beans and almost a full jar of stage 3 Turkey and Rice (that's a lot for him). About an hour later he wanted mommy milk, but in the middle started coughing too much to nurse. Next thing I know his dinner is all coming up. When he was ready for bed I gave him a couple sips of water---he didn't want to nurse and was pretty whiny and sleepy, but no fever. He crashed on my chest and slept well overnight. He nursed twice. This morning he had quite a wet diaper, still no fever. But after nursing this morning he started that phlegmy coughing and lost everything again!

My question is: has anyone's toddler coughed so much from a chest cold that he/she barfed? Is it normal or should I worry and rush him to the doctor? I'm convinced it's the phlegm and gagging reflex from that, and not a stomach virus, because it only happens when he coughs. Is there some product you would recommend that you have used that will help reduce the phlegm in his chest? DH will likely call the Doc for advice today, but I appreciate your input on good medicines for this type of thing. I assume if he had pneumonia he would have a fever and not want to play---he's been very happy and playing with his toys although he is a bit low-key and clingy. He's also got molars coming in, so it's hard to tell what is affecting him!

I am so extremely a non-medication person: Daniel has only received Tylenol twice since he was born. But if he can't keep his food down from coughing, I'll happily give him anything that will help reduce his chest congestion.

amynicole21 replied: Well, Sophia hasn't had this problem, but I have. Coughing really hard usually makes me gag or throw up I don't think anything is wrong, but you might want to call your doc just in case.

I know that my doc always pushes fluids to thin out the phlegm. You might also try a humidifier, but I don't know if that would really help him or not.

I hope he feels better soon

Daddy of Schnoogly replied: Iain has this problem. It's usually caused by post nasal drip from his stuffy nose. There are several things that help us. We use a humidifier, and lately, when he's really stuffed up or has a really cruddy throat, we put eucalyptus oil in it. It only takes a splash. It makes the room smell minty for a while. We got a bottle at our local natural foods store for $3. Also, we put Vick's vapor rub on his chest, and that will help clear his sinuses as well as his throat.

We *don't* give him decongestant, because it upsets his stomach and then he throws up from that.

Anyway, the first few times it happened we called our pede, but it turned out not to be necessary for Iain unless he was doing it constantly or getting dehydrated, which would be signs of another problem.

Good luck

ediep replied: Something like this happened to Jason once, I called his ped and she recommended that I get a decongestant like pedia care and give that to him every 4 hours. Jason was stuffy and when he would sniff in, he would gag the throw up. You ped may recommend a cough med. I would check with him/her.
Hope the little guy feels better soon

MilMunchMOM replied: Triaminic is what we use..but i hear the eucalyptus is pretty good too if you would rather start with something natural!?!
Hope he feels better.

coasterqueen replied: Aww wish I had some answers but I don't I hope he feels better soon

victoire2002 replied: Yes, Aidan has done this a few times now. Ped nurse told me to give him Bendryl for children (I think dose was 1/2 tsp) because it cuts down on the phlegm production, but also has something in it to soothe the stomach. HTH!

Vicki

3_call_me_mama replied: Cameron did this yesterday morning... I called the Dr and the receptionist said " well obviously he has the flu... " and gave me the line about not having experience because it is my first child ( I HATE WHEN THEY DO THAT!!!!) Anyway, they wanted to see him andlow and behold (just as i had suggested) he threw up from coughing and had too much phlegm, and DOESN"T have the flu or any other viral stomach thing.... made me kinda pat my self on the back and stick my tongue out at the receptionist (I didn't really though, DH was with me!) and we use Tylenol brand simply cough... it only deals with coughs no fever reducer or anything else... it works great!

DansMom replied: Thanks everybody! I feel better now, that it's relatively normal for him to do this, and I have some things to try.

aspenblue1 replied: You can also try the simply stuffy to help dry him up.

jcc64 replied: Middle ds used to do this constantly, every time he had a chest cold. As you've seen, I think it's quite common. I think the decision to use the otc cold remedies depends on your own and your dr's philosophy. My brother(a ped) is not a fan, so we don't use them, but some people swear by them.

MommyToAshley replied: I don't have any advice. I just wanted to give some hugs

I hope he feels better soon!

kimberley replied: we don't use any otc remedies either. coughing or throwing up the phlegm is the bodies natural way of getting rid of the stuff. but we do keep the humidifier on and i will often steam the bathroom and just sit with them in there for a bit. i really hope he is feeling better soon. to you both.