Infant bronchiolitis cough

Bronchiolitis is inflammation and mucus in the small airways. An infant may first have a runny or blocked nose, then develop a cough, faster breathing, crackly sounds or Wheezing. The cough can interrupt feeds because sucking and breathing become harder to coordinate.

Bronchiolitis is a condition, not a label that can be confirmed from cough alone. A clinician may assess breathing effort, oxygen level, hydration and the child's overall appearance during a Child Health Consultation.

Keep the infant upright while awake and offer smaller, more frequent feeds. Clear nasal mucus gently with infant saline before feeds if advised. Allow quiet rest and avoid tobacco smoke, strong scents and contact with people who are unwell. Check breathing and feeding regularly, including during sleep.

Do not give cough medicines, antibiotics or other treatments without clinical advice. Nebuliser Treatment is not automatically needed; a healthcare professional decides whether it has a role after examining the child.

Call emergency services for severe breathing effort, pauses in breathing, blue or grey lips, collapse or an infant who cannot be woken. Seek urgent assessment if ribs pull in with breaths, the baby cannot finish feeds, wet nappies reduce, breathing becomes persistently fast or the child is unusually sleepy. Fever alongside a cough also merits advice, especially in a young infant.

Ask how to count breathing, what feeding pattern is acceptable, how often to check the baby and which changes require immediate help. Mention wheeze, fever, vomiting, prematurity or previous breathing problems.