AboutDavid Olson, MD Expertise I would be happy to attempt to answer any questions about general pediatric topics, either medical issues or behavioral issues. This would include all the various questions one receives in a busy pediatric practice. I`m a board certified pediatrician in northern Michigan and have been in practice for over 15 years. I enjoy the teaching role I have in our practice and would enjoy the opportunity to help others with their pediatric problems.
Question Hi,
I'm a new mother and recently a sequence of changes in my 4 mth old baby boy has been worrying me and the pd here commented is normal till the last visit we had. Let me start from the sequence for better understanding.
During the 3rd mth, I'm back to work and my baby was taking care by the nanny. And at the same time we change the bottle nipple to level 2 from level 1 previously. At the end of 3rd mth, we realised some rejection of bottle from the baby and he'll turn his head away to reject the bottle. But latching on is still ok. Hence initially we thought he's develop a preference of latch on than using bottle. Slowly, there's some coughing now and then and spitting up of milk after feed. This is sth not so usual when he's in 1st and 2nd month old.
We suspect was teething affect his appetite but pediatrician rule out this though he's been drooling and start eating his finger in his late 3rd mth. He's been drinking less milk compared to before. Feeding always is a challenge as he'll turn his head away and get angry when we force him to drink. and slowly he develop this vomiting sound, everytime we force him to drink somemore, he'll have this vomit sound and we'll stop forcing him.
We've been bringing him to varios pd, and the last visit, diagnose that his nose was swollen (60% blockage) and that cause him to breath from mouth and throat inflame and gassy tummy. which could be the cause of lost of appetite. This Pd subscribe of nose drop and antibiotic for throat and colic for gas. I'm a bit reserve in exposing my baby to antibiotic so early stage and he don't really cry hence I'm reserve in giving the colic medicine as well. This few days his vomiting sound is getting more frequent.. though nothing come out, just that he'll have that vomit sound and like choking.. even at sleep (once).
Sorry, it's a long e-mail and I personally feel there's something not right but the pd here seem like taking things not as serious, need some advise here. Am I being too concern as a new mother or I should pursue more.
Thanks
Rgds,
Christine
Answer Hi, Christine,
Giving an antibiotic to a 4 month old with a red throat doesn't make any sense to me. Red throats are caused by viruses in a 4 month old. They do not respond to antibiotics.
Please consider seeing your pediatrician (or perhaps another) and ask about GERD being a possibility. Acid reflux is common in kids and they often act like this.
Again, the antibiotic, if really for the red throat, is not a good idea.
