Would you be worried if this were your 9mo with these d and v symptoms

[whymumwhymum]

I would rreally like some opinions on whether I'm being too laid back or if I'm over anxious!!

DS, 9Mo has gaastroenteritis (we've all had it but his is still ongoing)

He started with diarrhoea on friday evening, had a few episodes of diarrhoea on saturday and also hada few small vomits after feeds (difficult to say if this was the gastro as he has been gagging and vomitting a lot, has had some very heavy colds, very mucousy).

Then yesterday we all cam down with it badly, he is 'off' feeds but since midnight last night he's taken, 5 oz,(midnight) 5 oz (5 am) then refused until 3pm when he had 3 oz. Took another 3 to 4 at 6pm but then had a coughing fit and vomitted the whole lot up.

Has been irritable and sleepy most of the day but did perk up when having his bath this p.m, still able to take an interest and smile etc when he wants to.

Very difficult to tell how much wee he's passed as he's had at least three or four iepisodes of diarrhoea todayinto his nappy.

Considered buying some ddiarolyte but to be honest he has to date completely refused to take either water or 'baby' juice which I have tried him on afew times just to see if he will take anything other thsn milk.

Sorry for long post but I am worried and would really appreciate some advice.

[nethunsreject]

I wouldn't be overly worried, but would seek advice anyway.

Try the dioralyte. Keep offering the milk. Dehydration is the concern, but you clearly know this!

Give NHS DIrect a try?

[YummyHoney]

poor little thing. Has he been seen by a doctor?

[nethunsreject]

oh, and wrt dehydration, it doesn't sound like he is very dehydrated or anything, just that wee ones are more prone to it, obviously.

[ShowOfHands]

DD had her first episode of gastroenteritis as 10 months. The key thing is hydration. I know it's hard to tell if he's weeing if he has diarrhoea, but is his mouth still wet, crying proper tears, fontanelle okay, responsive etc.

DD was still able to smile at times and was playing and while she was withdrawn, cross and obviously struggling with a sore tummy, I knew she was hydrated and her body just had to deal with it.

As long as he's hydrated, I'd accept that it does take a few days for it to clear. If you are at all concerned that he's not hydrated enough see your gp. Avoid dairy as much as possible too as it can exacerbate the problem. I appreciate this is hard if you're using formula. No harm in trying dioralyte, though it tastes like the devil's arse.

It's so horrid when they're ill.

[YummyHoney]

Yes, agree that the worry is he'll get dehydrated - I don't think you're being over-anxious. I would get him seen by a doctor.

[whymumwhymum]

No yummy, thts whay I'm asking for opinions, to see if people think I need to take him!

I tend to lose perspective when the DC are ill, fearing the worst etc etc. Am more than happy to take him to gp (although they really dont like it if you take them with self limiting illnesses, especially the d and v ones!)

If only I could get him to take the diarolyte, woulldn't be half as worried then!

[ShowOfHands]

Have you tried syringing small amounts of fluid into his mouth (or using a teaspoon?). Little and often. They sometimes keep it down better when it's in smaller amounts.

Also ice lollies are a handy way of getting fluids in, as are some fruits though I appreciate he probably won't want food atm.

The gp will refer you to hospital if he's seriously hydrated but otherwise it's self limiting.

I think we all struggle with what to do for the best when they're ill. That small voice 'what if I miss a warning sign'? We all have it. You have to try- hard as it is- to step back and analyse what's really happening, not how anxious illness makes you. Is his mouth wet? Is he alert? Is he taking fluids? Is he weeing?

[YummyHoney]

I always took mine to the GP when they were little. I know what you mean about them not liking it, but I always take the view that your DC are the most precious things in the world and it's better to be safe than sorry. GPs get paid very well for what they do, so if I were you I'd take him.

Nothing lost if he's ok, and you'll sleep a lot better too, if you're reassured.

[Imnotaslimjim]

SOH is right. If the GP sends him to hossie with dehydration they will syringe feed him 5 ml every 5 mins, for an hour. Its such a small amount that its absorbed before it hits the stomach, so works well to rehydrate them. As long as you are getting a wet nappy every 4 hours and the urine isn't potent, he'll be fine. BUT, as his mum if you are at all worried, take him the dr. Mum's instinct is better than any one elses

[glammapuss]

We've just had dd2 in (12mo) with dehydration due to D&V and put on a drip. First thing they try is a fluid challenge, 5ml of dioralyte syringed in every 10 mins. If he can't keep this down take him to gps as they can dehydrate quickly.

FWIW he doesn't sound dehydrated but take him to gp if your anxious, I always take mine in if worried, that's what their paid for. GL

[whymumwhymum]

Hi Glamma,
at what point did you know your DD needed the hospital? was it obvious?

have just woken DS from sleep, managed to get 3 to 4 oz in, if he keeps that in will feel he is alright til the morning.

[glammapuss]

She threw up continuously for 10 hours and didn't keep a thing down plus she was very lethargic and there was no interaction. She's got a history of bowel problems so we are overly cautious, she tends to get really poorly very quickly and vomit blood and/or have green vomit. If your ds has any of those symptoms I'm sure you'd be taking him straight in.

Also, check for the presence of tears and saliva, check his fontenelle is not sunken and whether his hands and feet are cold. I think he'll be fine with 3-4 ozs overnight, the hospital were happy to let dd sleep overnight when she came off her drip after just 300ml of juice.

Number one rule though is trust your instinct, if your not happy or sure get him checked.

[whymumwhymum]

thanks everyone, Glamma hope your DD if totally fine now.x