Videotape to prove point?

A dcb has been getting over croup and returned to care today after mom told me cough much better. Well, he had several coughing attacks thismorning and breathing during the attacks extremely difficult. She picked up early and said he isn't coughing like that at home. She does have the humidifier blasting at home so that's probably why. I kinda got feeling she didn't quite believe he had such severe attacks as I said which lasted 20 minutes with gagging and near vomiting. I almost wished I had video taped the episodes with my cell to prove (she didn't ask me to)but I feel parents should believe my word. What r your thoughts?

Edit: his breathing between attacks wheezy but not difficult... His breathing during the attacks between coughs extremely difficult with bark sound... So when he was picked up by mom he wasn't having attack and basically appearsed normal (but wheezy)

I have video taped/taken pics of things to show the parents but mostly just to show them a bump, split lip or to show them how well their "picky eater" eats at daycare.

If you are concerned, I would videotape even just to document for yourself. You don't need to show the parent though. Is there something in your home that would make him more likely to cough e.g. you're in a basement, carpeted floors, animals?

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Originally Posted by torontokids

I have video taped/taken pics of things to show the parents but mostly just to show them a bump, split lip or to show them how well their "picky eater" eats at daycare.

If you are concerned, I would videotape even just to document for yourself. You don't need to show the parent though. Is there something in your home that would make him more likely to cough e.g. you're in a basement, carpeted floors, animals?

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Thanks, good idea for documentation purposes to tape. We're on main floor and house has normal humidity so everything fine here. This child is prone to developing illness more severely than the others. The real problem is unfortunately she has no back up. Croup is dangerous and I felt really uncomfortable during the attacks. He needs so much humidity right now just to keep things loose. Thanks

One of my little guys gets croup three times a yr. I tape his coughing and show the mom and ask, this is how he sounds at home? And to show her how he is at daycare. When ever an attack is bad I just run him out the front doors. The minute he breaths in the cold air he stops right away.

I have found over the years that the parent who have no back up care always say the child is fine at home !!!

I don't think I'd ever videotape something to prove a point as I'm not sure how well parents would take that. But I also tend to give people the benefit of the doubt. On the other hand, I might videotape something if I felt it would be useful for the parent or to a health care professional when trying to determine what type of medical care is needed.

I think video it but not send accusing. Tone it around concern - "I know you said he fine at home but this is what he like here and I very concerned. Do you think I should call ambulance?"

Video taping could come off a bit strange )confrontational even) to the parent. But if the child is in that much distress I would be on the phone during the attack with the parent listening to what I am hearing. I would note my concern and be requesting pick up by parent or by ambulance. I think the parent would understand my concern if they were getting a call in the midst of the attack. I think it is valid to make it known at that time that you are caring for 4 other young children and cannot ignore them to provide constant monitoring to ensure the child is breathing.

Obviously don't sound over dramatic and out of control but the parents do need to realize the concern and that it is different in group care.

If the child does return and has another attack would running the hot shower and keeping him in the bathroom loosen the breathing? Until pick up. Strap him in a high chair in the bathroom? I know cool, moist air helps not sure if hot steamy air does. Might be worth researching to know should the situation arise where he is really struggling.

It really must be stressful for the family to not have back up care and to have a child that needs so much time off work. Even the best of parents can be under enough stress and pressure to put the blinders on and send the child to care. BUT, it is not acceptable in this situation.