TRIP

Asthma-like symptoms in babies

Better Health Channel (Australia), 2004

Because the airways in young babies are immature and floppy, they do not constrict as they would in a child with asthma.
Ensure that the baby: Rests as much as possible Drinks fluids regularly Baby Panadol can be given if required.
You should seek medical advice if you are worried or if the baby: Is breathing rapidly and/or irregularly Refuses food and drink Turns blue Seems tired, pale, sweaty and is very irritable.
Wheezing or bronchiolitis in babies does not mean that a baby will progress to more persistent symptoms and develop asthma in childhood.
The risk factors for developing childhood asthma include: Wheeze developing in late infancy Family history of allergy Exposure to cigarette smoke before or after birth.
Recent Australian research suggests that breastfeeding a newborn baby for up to four months can significantly reduce the risk of your baby developing childhood asthma.
Most doctors do not diagnose asthma in babies until after 12 months of age, once the muscles around the airways in the lungs have matured.
Sometimes, though, they may prescribe asthma medication before the baby is 12 months, to see if the symptoms respond to that treatment.
Asthma Victoria, Helpline Tel.1800 645 130 or (03) 9326 7088 Maternal and child health nurse Things to remember Coughing and wheezing in babies is usually the result of a viral infection such as bronchiolitis.
Having bronchiolitis or another lung condition as a baby does not indicate that the baby will develop asthma as a child.
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