What should you know about NICE bronchiolitis guidance?

Bronchiolitis causes swelling and mucus in the small breathing tubes. It often starts like a cold, then breathing and feeding may become harder over the next few days. A child may have a cough, fever, wheezing, irritability, or fewer wet nappies. Babies born early and children with heart, lung, or immune problems may need closer observation. Clinicians assess the child's breathing effort, alertness, hydration, and oxygen level rather than relying on the cough alone.

Offer smaller, more frequent feeds and keep the child upright while awake and supervised. Clear visible nasal mucus gently if it interferes with feeding. Keep the child away from smoke and wash hands before handling them. Check breathing, alertness, and wet nappies regularly. Most children need supportive care rather than antibiotics; nebuliser treatment is not routine for every case and should only be used when a clinician recommends it. A child health consultation can clarify monitoring.

Get urgent help if the child is struggling to breathe, has pauses in breathing, looks blue or grey, is unusually sleepy, or cannot feed. Seek prompt advice for clearly reduced wet nappies, repeated vomiting, worsening wheeze, or a fever in a very young baby. Trust a marked change in appearance or responsiveness, even when the temperature is not high.

Ask how to count breathing changes, how much feeding is enough, which signs mean emergency review, and whether your child's age or health history changes the plan. Check how to give any recommended fever medicine safely.