Bronchiolitis in Babies – Grand Rapids, MI Guide

Bronchiolitis is a common chest infection in infants, especially during the fall and winter months in West Michigan. This guide is tailored for families in Grand Rapids and the surrounding Kent County area.

What Is Bronchiolitis?

Bronchiolitis is a viral infection that affects the small breathing tubes (bronchioles) in the lungs. It causes swelling and mucus buildup, making it harder for babies to breathe.

  • Most common in babies under 6 months, but can occur up to 12 months of age
  • Often caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), especially in the winter and early spring in Michigan
  • Spreads easily in homes, daycare centers, and anywhere young children are in close contact

In Grand Rapids, doctors at Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health frequently see bronchiolitis cases during the colder months when families spend more time indoors.

How Bronchiolitis Starts

Bronchiolitis usually begins like a mild cold:

  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Sneezing
  • Mild cough
  • Low-grade fever

After a day or two, symptoms often worsen:

  • Cough becomes more frequent
  • Breathing becomes faster and may sound wheezy
  • Your baby may have more trouble feeding

Most babies are sickest for 3–5 days, but the cough can last 2–3 weeks.

Bronchiolitis vs. Asthma

Bronchiolitis can look like asthma because of:

  • Wheezing
  • Coughing
  • Fast breathing

However, it is a different condition:

  • Bronchiolitis is usually a one-time viral infection of the small airways in very young babies.
  • Asthma is a long-term (chronic) condition where the airways become inflamed and narrow repeatedly.

In young babies, the airways are immature and floppy, and they do not constrict in the same way they do in older children with asthma. Treatments that help older children with asthma (such as inhalers or nebulizers) usually do not work well for bronchiolitis.

Importantly, having bronchiolitis does not mean your child will develop asthma later in childhood.

Who Is at Higher Risk in Grand Rapids?

Any infant can get bronchiolitis, but some babies in West Michigan are at higher risk of severe illness, including:

  • Premature babies, especially those with past breathing problems
  • Babies with heart disease or major birth defects
  • Babies with chronic lung disease
  • Very young infants, especially under 8 weeks of age
  • Babies exposed to tobacco smoke in the home, car, or other enclosed spaces

Because Grand Rapids winters are cold and long, families tend to spend more time indoors with closed windows, which can increase the spread of respiratory viruses.

Symptoms of Bronchiolitis

Call your child’s doctor if you notice:

  • Coughing
  • Wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing out)
  • Rapid breathing or irregular breathing
  • Flaring of the nostrils with each breath
  • Difficulty breathing – working hard to breathe
  • Sucking in of the chest or ribs while breathing (retractions)
  • Reduced appetite or difficulty feeding
  • Fever

Warning Signs of Dehydration

Babies can become dehydrated quickly if they are breathing fast and not feeding well. Watch for:

  • Fewer wet diapers (less than 4–5 in 24 hours)
  • Dry mouth or lips
  • No tears when crying
  • Unusual sleepiness, weakness, or fussiness

Caring for a Baby with Bronchiolitis at Home

Most cases of bronchiolitis in Grand Rapids can be managed at home with supportive care, similar to other viral infections.

General Care Tips

  • Let your baby rest as much as possible.
  • Offer small amounts of fluid regularly:
    • Breastfeed more often if you can.
    • If formula-fed, offer smaller, more frequent feeds.
    • If your doctor has advised, you may offer small amounts of water for older infants.
  • Keep your baby’s head slightly elevated when awake (not with pillows in the crib, which are unsafe for sleep).
  • Use saline nose drops and a bulb syringe to gently clear nasal mucus before feeds if needed.

Fever and Discomfort

  • Infant acetaminophen (baby paracetamol) can be given if your baby is uncomfortable or has a fever, but only follow your pediatrician’s guidance and the exact dosing instructions based on your baby’s weight and age.
  • Never give aspirin to children.

Avoid Smoking

  • Do not smoke in the house, car, or anywhere near your baby.
  • Secondhand smoke makes bronchiolitis and other respiratory illnesses worse and increases the risk of hospitalization.

Treatments That Do NOT Help

  • Antibiotics do not help bronchiolitis because it is caused by a virus, not bacteria.
  • Vaporizers, humidifiers, or steam have not been shown to help babies with bronchiolitis and may cause mold or burns if not used correctly.
  • Asthma medications (like inhalers or nebulizers) usually do not help typical bronchiolitis in young infants unless specifically prescribed by your child’s doctor.

When to Seek Medical Help in Grand Rapids

Call Your Pediatrician or Primary Care Provider If:

  • Your baby is under 8 weeks old and shows any signs of bronchiolitis
  • The cough or breathing seems to be getting worse
  • Your baby is feeding less than usual or having fewer wet diapers
  • You are worried about your baby’s breathing or behavior

You can contact:

  • Your child’s pediatrician or family doctor
  • Local clinics associated with Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, or Mercy Health

Go to the Emergency Department or Call 911 If Your Baby:

  • Is breathing very fast, irregularly, or stops breathing for short periods
  • Is struggling to breathe – ribs or chest are pulling in with each breath
  • Turns blue or gray around the lips, face, or fingers
  • Refuses to eat or drink and has very few wet diapers
  • Seems very tired, pale, sweaty, or difficult to wake
  • Is extremely irritable and cannot be consoled

In Grand Rapids, emergency care is available at:

  • Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital Emergency Department
  • Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Emergency Department
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids Emergency Department
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health Emergency Department
  • Other local hospital emergency departments in the West Michigan region

In an emergency, always call 911.

Hospital Treatment for Bronchiolitis

If your baby is very distressed, having significant trouble feeding, or having serious breathing problems, they may need hospital care.

In the hospital, your baby may:

  • Be closely monitored for breathing and oxygen levels
  • Receive oxygen if levels are low
  • Get fluids through an IV (intravenous therapy) if they cannot drink enough
  • Occasionally receive breathing treatments if your doctor thinks they will help

Most babies recover fully with supportive care.

Is Bronchiolitis Contagious?

Yes. Bronchiolitis is an infectious disease and can spread easily through:

  • Coughing and sneezing
  • Touching contaminated surfaces (toys, doorknobs, tables) and then touching the face

Preventing the Spread in Grand Rapids

  • Keep your baby home from daycare or playgroups during the first few days of illness.
  • Avoid close contact with other babies and young children while your child is sick.
  • Wash hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and toys.

Older children and adults can catch the virus that causes bronchiolitis and may just have a mild cold, but it can be serious in young babies.

Local Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

For non-emergency questions or help finding care:

  • Kent County Health Department – Information on respiratory illnesses and local resources
    Website: accesskent.com/Health
  • Grand Rapids Public Health / City of Grand Rapids – Community health programs and resources
  • Your health system’s nurse advice line (check your insurance card or health system website)

Always follow up with your pediatrician or family doctor for guidance specific to your baby.

Key Points About Bronchiolitis

  • Bronchiolitis is a viral chest infection that affects the small airways in the lungs.
  • It is most common in babies under 6 months, but can affect infants up to 12 months.
  • Symptoms often start like a cold, then progress to coughing, wheezing, and fast or difficult breathing.
  • Antibiotics do not help because bronchiolitis is caused by a virus.
  • Offer small, frequent feeds to prevent dehydration.
  • Avoid smoking around your baby; smoke exposure increases severity.
  • Bronchiolitis is contagious, so keep your child away from other young children during the early days of illness.
  • Bronchiolitis does not mean your child will develop asthma later in life.
  • Seek medical help promptly if you are concerned about your baby’s breathing, feeding, or hydration, especially during the cold Grand Rapids winter months when respiratory viruses are common.

If you are ever unsure, it is always safest to call your child’s doctor or seek care at a Grand Rapids healthcare facility.