should I take my baby to A and E?

[ginortea]

Could use a little advice...

He did the most enormous, Sci-Fi movie style projectile vomit on Thursday and since then has had v bad diarrhea. He's in v v good spirits, is very active and alert. But he's totally refusing fluids and solids.

Since friday, we've only managed to get around 13fl ounces of milk and half a jar of food into him each day.

Offering him bread and banana to keep things simple and easy on the tummy but he's totally refusing.

He's nine months old... Any ideas? My instinct is to let him be and make an appointment with the GP tomorrow. Anything else would be alarmist... right?!

[belgo]

So he is drinking milk and eating half a jar every day? ie. he isn't totally refusing fluids and solids?

Is he weeing regularly?

If he is alert and in good spirits, I don't see any need to take him to A&E.

[CombineArvester]

Given he is active and alert and the diarrhoea has only been going since Friday, it doesn't sound like an emergency. I would give your out of hours GP service a call and see what their advice is. Is he taking any water?

[HarrietSchulenberg]

If it was me I'd have the same instinct as you. If he's active and alert then I wouldn't worry too much but definitely keep trying with fluids. I'd be tempted to use a medicine syringe to get some cooled, boiled water into him, or try sponging his mouth with a wet flannel to encourage him to drink. Would be worth a GP visit tomorrow, though. I wouldn't worry too much about solid food but keep trying with fluids.

Obviously if things change and he's no longer active and alert then head for A&E, but at the moment you're probably looking at a long wait to be told that your instincts are actually right.

Hope he gets better soon.

[Choufleur]

It's not an emergency. If you are worried phone out of hours doctor. If they think they should see him they will send you to an out of hours clinic.

[DeWe]

Given he's active and alert I really wouldn't go to A & E. He's more likely to pick something up there, than need it by the sound.
If he's still refusing the GP tomorrow will be fine.

See if he'll take water via a syringe, 5ml every 5 minutes (that's all you end up doing in A & E anyway) or an ice lolly if you have one.

[mousymouse]

as long as he is alert and has wet nappies I wouldn't worry.
diarrhoea in young ones can take a while to clear up.
just offer plenty on drinks and any food he will take but try to avoid dairy apart from formula or breat milk.

[Becaroooo]

If he is drinking that is the main thing...dont worry too much about solids atm.

Is he alert? Not floppy? No pale skin or and dry eyes?

If he is weeing and pooing and drinking something and keeping it down then I think GP tomorrow would be ok.

[ginortea]

Wow! What an amazing response! Thank you all so much. Will definitely give the water in syringe a shot.

And yeah, belgo eating and drinking that much each day but in v small amounts across a day and after a constant battle.

Will call GP tomorrow. Thanks again.