Where has my baby gone?
The coughing startles me, sharp staccato burst after sharp staccato burst. I listen to see what kind of cough it is.
Pure asthma? Post nasal drip induced? Simple cold cough?
After five years of nursing two children through asthma exacerbated colds I can distinguish coughs so well that even at work I can tell when my coworker needs her inhaler even before she's noticed.
Tonight Little L's cough isn't wheezy or scary. She's reacting to a stuffy nose and some serious post-nasal drip.I try to let it go, but the bursts increase in frequency and keep me from falling back asleep.
I have a last ditch remedy, one that really shouldn't work, but for some reason does, when nothing does the trick. Vicks VapoRub... on the soles of the feet.
It's crazy. I know. But even snopes.com can't completely debunk the myth. Fact is, it works. Despite having no scientific reason behind it. And who am I to turn down a solution that allows me to get some sleep?
I tiptoe into her room and find the little jar of salve. She's curled into a tight ball, sweaty and hot to the touch.I untangle her from her blanket and loveys and smooth the hair out of her face. Then I gently ease my hand up her shirt to smooth some vaporub onto her chest. Hopefully breathing in the menthol will clear her nose a bit.
Then I turn my attention to her feet.
Pure asthma? Post nasal drip induced? Simple cold cough?
After five years of nursing two children through asthma exacerbated colds I can distinguish coughs so well that even at work I can tell when my coworker needs her inhaler even before she's noticed.
Tonight Little L's cough isn't wheezy or scary. She's reacting to a stuffy nose and some serious post-nasal drip.I try to let it go, but the bursts increase in frequency and keep me from falling back asleep.
I have a last ditch remedy, one that really shouldn't work, but for some reason does, when nothing does the trick. Vicks VapoRub... on the soles of the feet.
It's crazy. I know. But even snopes.com can't completely debunk the myth. Fact is, it works. Despite having no scientific reason behind it. And who am I to turn down a solution that allows me to get some sleep?
I tiptoe into her room and find the little jar of salve. She's curled into a tight ball, sweaty and hot to the touch.I untangle her from her blanket and loveys and smooth the hair out of her face. Then I gently ease my hand up her shirt to smooth some vaporub onto her chest. Hopefully breathing in the menthol will clear her nose a bit.
Then I turn my attention to her feet.
On March 14, 2011
