What You Need to Know About Croup
Croup can be really scary. Parents often find themselves trying to make tough decisions in the middle of the night (when croup symptoms tend to worsen) about whether or not to take their child to the ER. Let’s walk through it step-by-step, so that you can feel confident caring for your little one and knowing when to seek help.
What to Know
Croup is a condition where some trigger (a virus, allergies, or anatomy) causes inflammation in the upper airway. Kids can have fever, cough, and often develop a barking cough (like a seal barking) and stridor (a high pitched sound, usually when breathing IN, that comes from air passing through a narrow or inflamed airway).
What to Do
STEP ONE: Try to Stay Calm. Take a deep breath. You can do this, you’re the very best parent for your child. Your first job is to try and keep them as calm as possible, since crying/getting upset can make symptoms worse. Use a calm voice, sing a song to them, tell them a story, distract them if needed, and most importantly, let them know that you’re there with them and that they’re safe.
STEP TWO: Cool Air. Stand in front of an open freezer (or crack a window if it’s cool outside) and let your baby breathe in the cool air. This can help to ease symptoms.
STEP THREE: Mist Air. Move to a steamy bathroom or in front of a humidifier to help your child breathe in steam to help with symptoms.
STEP FOUR: Fluids. Staying hydrated is key to recovery. You can try regular fluids that your little one drinks or warm sips of apple juice.
When to Seek Help
If your child is having stridor at rest (not when they’re coughing but when they’re just sitting there), worsening stridor, increased work of breathing (see my Instagram reel on how to check your baby’s breathing), change of color, drooling or trouble swallowing, lethargy, dehydration, or if they have had croup before or have other medical conditions, then you should seek help immediately.
