Sickness in 17 month old - does this sound normal to you?

[mammaduck]

DS was violently ill about 7-8 times on Wednesday night. Was on phone to NHS Direct and then to out-of-hours doctor. Eventually he wasn't even keeping water down so doctor said to bring him to hospital to be checked for dehydration which we did (1am - lovely).

They were happy he wasn't dehydrated and sent him home. Rest of Wednesday night was obviously very disturbed.

Had drink of water first thing Thursday - brought it up. But tried water on a teaspoon and he kept that down. Then upped it to little sips from cup - that stayed down. Ate half slice dry toast on Thursday but slept loads - 3 hours in the day and 13 hours last night.

He had a bit of porridge for breakfast this morning at 7am, and is still drinking water regularly and keeping it down, but is sleeping loads - slept 8am till 10am this morning and has been asleep since noon today as well.

We are avoiding dairy products as advised by doctor.

Also has a bit of temperature, 37.8oC but have avoided giving calpol unless it goes up any more.

Just really hard because he's been so healthy this is the first time he's been really 'ill' (just had snuffles for a couple of days before this) so I am finding it hard. He is totally out of routine as well which is really hard.

Thanks - just looking for reassurance I guess.

[dejags]

Poor you Mammaduck.

FWIW, it all sounds like an absolutely normal tummy bug and it's a really good thing that liquids are staying down.

Stick to dry toast, bananas, grated apple and water and he'll be right as rain in no time.

[belgo]

You're doing fine, and it sounds like your ds is getting better. It's normal for him to be sleeping loads as his body gets over the illness.

[mammaduck]

Thanks dejag. Haven't tried bananas but he usually really likes them. Might try a bit when he wakes up.

All this sleeping he's doing is great for him I'm sure but terrible for my nerves because I just worry all the time that he's going to be sick again and I keep checking and checking him.

On Wednesday the second time he was sick he didn't even wake up and I only realised he'd been sick becuase the woman on the NHS Direct told me to go in and see if I could just rouse him. He'd had a bump on the head on Monday at the childminders and at that stage they were worried about concussion, but that's been ruled out now thankfully.

Am being daft - there are lots of children with much worse I know.

[notsogummyanymore]

ooh its awful when they're ill isn't it. My lo was violently sick in the night a couple of weeks ago, i went into his room to find him covered in vomit from head to waist. it was everywhere! He was ill for about a week and then soon was back to normal, if that's any consolation? Hope he's better soon.

[mammaduck]

Yes - I've been really lucky he's been so healthy up till now.

He's managed half a banana at lunchtime, but is asleep again now! This is his third nap of the day - normally he just has one.

[cheekymonk]

Its is worrying, my ds seemed to catch a few tummy bugs/get diahorrea at this age. He woke up one night slightly murmuring I went up and he had been violently sick! It is very distressing for both of you but it sounds like you are doing everything right.
It is so unsettling when they are so out of their routine but try to take each moment at a time and take it easy. Maybe have a bath or relax in some way while he is sleeping. You need to look after YOU too x Hope he is better soon.

[mammaduck]

thanks for support.

even when he is awake he is incredibly lethargic. he is falling asleep at the drop of a hat - totally unlike him. that's disconcerting.

am going to offer him bit of dry toast but don't fancy my chances...

people are saying it can be a week like this before he gets back on track - is this the case in your experience?

[cheekymonk]

Yes it has been for up to a week in the past. When my son was very lethargic and I mean really worringly tired and falling asleep on me all the time, it turned out he had an ear and chest infection, and after 4 days on antibiotics, he was as right as rain. Just be alert to any changes in his behaviour and you should be fine.