It can be difficult to detect asthma in an infant. For starters, the little one can’t verbally communicate what’s bothering her. So you’re left with the crying, most of the time, but those tears could literally mean anything.
If you have a family history of asthma or allergies, or even smoked while pregnant with your baby, it’s possible that she’s developed asthma in her infancy. And that’s not unusual – it’s a common illness in preemie children, according to this study.
The fast breathing, flaring nostrils, panting and wheezing when playing, coughing, exhaustion and pale face or lips are all signs of the respiratory illness in your infant, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. But don’t fret. There are ways to manage your baby’s asthma until she’s old enough to start managing it on her own.
Learn your child’s triggers.
Like allergies, triggers usually bring on asthma attacks. These allergens include anything from dust mites, pets, pests and mold to pollen and cigarette smoke. If you understand what sends your baby into fits of coughing and wheezing, then you can protect your little one from these things by keeping a clean home or avoiding the outdoors on high pollen-count days.