Asthma in Infants...

What to Look For and How to Cope

What is more terrifying in life than watching your baby struggle to breathe? Asthma in infants can be very serious, but it is also tricky to diagnose.

What may look like asthma (wheezing, coughing, respiratory distress) could actually be another respiratory condition like croup or bronchiolitis. We prayed that was the case for our son, since these are sicknesses that will pass...

...but we weren't so lucky. Asthma is a chronic condition. That means it comes and goes, sometimes at an amazing speed depending on many (ever changing) factors that affect our son's health.

We were lucky though because, after three trips to the ER, our pediatrician decided to 'treat the asthma symptoms' even if he didn't yet 'officially' have it. Asthma in infants can be hard to diagnose, but she didn't want to mess around and risk more attacks.

That decision allowed us to get on track right from the start with getting this scary condition under control.

Why Is It Hard To Know?

• Babies can't talk. So they can't tell you when it hurts to breathe.

• The airways in infants are very tiny, so any respiratory infection could cause them to wheeze. But that doesn't mean the baby has asthma - some babies stop wheezing as they grow and their airways get bigger.

• Other symptoms, like irritability or fussiness, could be symptoms of almost anything.

So what should you do if you aren't sure if infant asthma is the right diagnosis? Simple...

...Get treatment for ANY breathing problem. It's too serious to hesitate. And things can go downhill very quickly, especially in babies.

What Are Some Simple Signs?

• Difficulty sucking or eating
• Lethargy
• Fussiness
• Unusual crying (My son always sounded a bit hoarse, like he was losing his voice.)
• Fast breathing or panting
• Stomach or ribs sucking in
• Wheezing

Our doctors didn't want to formally diagnose our son until he reached age three. The plan we followed in our home from the time he was fifteen months old was to treat asthma in infants, so it was brought under good control within a few months' time.

That's not the case with some babies. Their asthma is more severe, or medications don't work as well as expected. These are the ones who spend so much time in and out of the hospital. If that is your child's situation, do yourself a favor...

...pack a bag for the hospital and keep it in an easy-to-grab location, just in case.

Some things to keep in it?

A change of clothes, toys, a good book (for you), important phone numbers, snacks, and a roll of quarters. And don't forget a small notebook and pen for those times when you're too tired to remember what the doctor told you. It's also useful for keeping your own record of the medications that were given to your baby and when. You can't be too careful.

What Can Parents Do About Asthma in Infants?

• Visit your pediatrician or specialist regularly. Ask questions.

• Stick to the asthma plan prescribed for your baby.

• Avoid common triggers, even if you don't know the specific ones for your baby yet.

• Don't smoke or allow smokers in your home.

• Clean up. Use vacuum cleaners with hepa filters and nontoxic cleaners

• Minimize 'dust collectors' in your home. These include carpets, stuffed animals, draperies (use washable curtains), etc.

• Eat healthy.

• Choose high-quality multivitamins.

• Use high-quality air purifiers, vent filters, etc. that will keep the indoor air of your home clean.

• Concentrate on the baby's bedroom, since that's where infants spend a huge chunk of time. Use mattress covers that reduce allergens, remove carpeting, pillows, stuffed animals, etc.

• Get flu shots. Viruses and respiratory infections can worsen asthma in infants, and the flu is a big culprit.

• Keep the windows closed during spring and fall - high pollen counts trigger asthma in many kids.

• If your baby starts to show any trouble breathing, call the doctor or get to the ER.

And most importantly...

...Don't Panic. Stay as calm as you can during asthma attacks, follow the treatment plan, and get medical attention if you need it.

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