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We saw the ped because she had a fever (and I didn't realize it was croup!). He prescribed an oral steroid for her. I don't think the steroid was necessary, but it helped with her breathing. The only other things he recommended were a humidifier and elevating her crib mattress. Hope S feels better soon!

We took her to the dr because we didn't know what it was....she wasn't prescribed anything. Just warm mists, some cool air outside, and some advil to help alleviate any discomfort. Said it gets worse before it gets better

I had taken J to the ER per the triage nurse's direction and I wish I hadn't. As soon as I took him into the cold air outside, his airways opened up and he was breathing fine. All they did was say he has croup, there's nothing we can do, he can have steroids if he's having trouble breathing- but he wasn't- and sent us on our way. We paid a lot for nothing.
It ran it's course and he was fine.

I would only be concerned if she is having trouble breathing.

My older son (4) is prone to croup. It's usually worse at night, sitting with him in the steamy bathroom with the shower going definitely helps or the cool, night air. One time I put him in the carseat and drove around with the windows cracked open, it really helped. I've taken him in once, it was when the strider got bad during the day and I feared it would get even worse overnight. He was given a steroid injection and was so much better. The physician we saw explained to us that it is a viral illness and that my son would get better on his own but the steroid helps to acutely relieve the upper-airway inflammation. I would try the steam/cold air first and if that doesn't help I would have her seen.

We didn't go to the doc, but spoke with the nurse. She said what other posters suggested - a blast of cold air (even the freezer will do). She also said some babies respond better to a hot steamy bathroom. We also elevated his crib using tuna cans under one end (not too high so he didn't wiggle down to the bottom). Hope LO feels better soon!!