Help: sickness bug & newborn

[twotiredwithtwo]

As the title says really, my 3 year old has spent the evening projectile vomiting all over the house. This is the first bug she has brought home though inevitable now she's started half days at school. I contacted the school to advise and it turns out there's a sickness bug going around the class, it makes perfect sense that they were all cooking biscuits together today considering this 🙈

My main concern is not only is my poor DD ill and naturally very upset and scared, but I have a 4 week old baby and I'm so scared of her catching it too. My eldest was handling her dummy earlier- trying to give it to DD2 so it seems inevitable. I'm too scared to sleep tonight in case she goes sick and chokes on it in her sleep! I've sent DH to sleep with DD1 for the same reason.

What I'm really after are any tips/tricks/funny anecdotes to get me through however long this takes to pass, how to juggle both when DH goes to work tomorrow (will he be allowed even?!) and just some help to feel less alone in this! I fear I'm being a tad dramatic but have been up every hour with DD2 the last week so I'll blame it on exhaustion. If you got this far, you're a saint!

You will cope.

Each sleeping with one child is a good idea.

It will pass in a few days.

If your husband can stay at home that would be better for you all. If not, you still will cope! Buckets and blankets in the lounge, lots of tv and short walks outside for fresh air

Well I would ask your DH to stay home tomorrow to be honest.

@bumpytrumpy thank you for responding! Yes I think we just need to hole up and cuddle our way through it. Hoping DD1 will keep down sips of water as she will definitely be dehydrated after all that vomiting. Can't help but worry a ridiculous amount about them both. DH has every intention of going to work tomorrow and I won't let my DM come up lest she catch it too, she'll be working until late afternoon regardless. I best pull up my big girl knickers and remind myself that I am the adult here and can't go and cry in the corner 🙈

You poor thing. I don’t think it’s inevitable your newborn will get it. Is she breastfed at all? She may escape. My babies have never caught proper vomiting bugs until they were weaned, even when they were given germy kisses by their big sisters.

My tips are to have plastic bags and lots of towels as well as sick bowls everywhere, it can be hard for little ones to vomit into a bowl but a towel can be easily hot washed. Anything sicky, tie it into a plastic bag straight away until it can be washed, ideally while wearing gloves. Wash hands by the minutes and wipe down door handles and light switches with diluted bleach if you can be bothered so that you and your DH are less likely to catch it (although you may not have time). Ice lollies for your DD1 if you have them and just be resigned to watching kids tv all day.

Good luck! My twins came down with a vomiting bug when they were 18 months old and we were on a plane journey once. The only upside is that I am now very sanguine about any vomiting at home. You will get through it!

Thank you @Gunpowder for your kind response ☺️ yes my newborn is EBF. You've given me a spark of hope, my main concern is her catching it as she's so tiny but with any luck, she'll avoid it.

Thank you so much for all the tips, DD1's room is prepped with towels and a bucket and I'll be sure to prep downstairs in the morning. I have been attacking the whole place with dettol so far. I only wish I could be facing this less sleep deprived!

It sounds like you have everything covered. I think the sleep deprivation and the laundry are the hardest parts. I hope you and your baby both escape the lurgy!