How to assess your child’s breathing
How do you figure out when to head to the ER during respiratory season? What are some signs of respiratory distress?
Sometimes as parents what we need are credible visuals to help us understand what “trouble breathing” can look like. I originally posted this on instagram, but after receiving hundreds of messages from parents saying how helpful it is, it seems worth posting on the blog as well.
Although this video is very helpful, please keep in mind that this list isn’t comprehensive, and the video is purely for education. It is not medical advice. Always reach out to your child’s healthcare provider if you’re concerned about your child.
Difficulty breathing
Right now, every parent is primarily concerned about the current RSV and Flu surge, but difficulty breathing can be a part of many different illnesses. Remember: 98% of children get RSV before age 2. For most, it’s a bad cold. But about 3% do require admission to the hospital (most commonly for dehydration or breathing support).
In the video below, I collaborated with Dr Anita Patel, a pediatric intensive care doctor, and we go through some of the red flags that we consider important enough to warrant urgent or emergent medical attention.
A special thank you to all the parents on Instagram and Facebook who donated videos and gave us permission to use them for educational purposes.
Remember, you know your child best
To add to the content in the video, I want to emphasize that you know your child best.
If your child is acting more lethargic, or something is tickling your spidey sense, take it seriously. Sometimes children haven’t read the book, and both Dr Patel and I wanted to emphasize how important it is for parents to learn to trust their gut. As mothers and physicians, we really believe in the intangible gut instinct that comes with parenting, and while it is unfortunate that sometimes it falls upon us as parents to be persistent and advocate for our children, this is sometimes the case.
So please, please trust your gut.
Here is the video….
What happens if you’re admitted to the hospital?
Dr Patel and I also made a follow up video that discussed some of the different types of respiratory support you might see if your child is unfortunately admitted to the hospital. This one is worth watching too. Check it out here.
And remember — I often have content on instagram that is not duplicated on my website, so please make sure to give me a follow there too.
