Handhold please.. 3 week old admitted to hospital

[miniworry]

My 3 week old baby has just been admitted into hospital due to spiking a temperature- the doctors have taken bloods and are growing blood cultures to rule out sepsis but have inserted a cannula and have started antibiotics in the meantime whilst we wait for the results.

I'm sat here absolutely petrified just watching him to check he is breathing, feeling so alone so anyone awake that would like to keep me distracted from sobbing all night would mean the world. My husband is at home with our little girl who is sound asleep and I just want to scoop them both up and never let go right now 🥺

@miniworry I have been through this twice. First was with my toddler who, at 7 days old, was admitted to nicu for an infection (spinal tap, iv's, heart monitor, the lot). Tests were inconclusive and diagnosis was "probable staph" infection. Discharged after three days.
Second time was this past January and my newborn caught RSV from my toddler and I. My toddler was in emergency after developing croup and needing a steroid to open airway. A few days later baby was sick and it was three stints in emergency with the third resulting in being admitted. Baby was on oxygen and given precautionary antibiotics. Discharged after four days. Both times I held them as much as possible, just keeping them on my chest and I stayed propped up in bed. The nurses were great.
I understand your fear and worry. You're in the best place with your little one.
Sending you love and strength.
Update if you can and know you've got lots of support here. 💕

Do speak to the nurses about helping him settle in the cot. They can make a nest for him, and help swaddle. All the cuddles are great but you need some rest too and they are very well practiced at helping very small unwell people to go to sleep in the hospital beds.

Ah OP. It’s horrible, truly horrible. My eldest was in for about a week when he was little and I still get a physical reaction when I pass that hospital. Worst time of my life. Not that that’s maybe helpful to you OP, but lots of people here will know how it feels, you’re not alone in this.

I remember missing my other children terribly, coming home with my poorly one who was recovering, and just getting into bed with them for what felt like a whole day. I do remember finding myself going a bit mad in the hospital and needing things to focus on, so I was doing things like reading crap magazines to my son so he could hear my voice and I could kill time. I tidied up the kids play area and cleaned it all with the anti bac wipes. I had to keep moving as I felt so claustrophobic.

The first night I slept in a chair with my son my chest as I didn’t think the cot would hold me, but a nurse told me to hop right in and sleep there as it’d hold my weight. It even took my husband!

Glad his temp is coming down, hope it continues to stay that way and you are all home soon.

So sorry OP. Hope things are better today. DD was regularly rehospitalised the first year. It's hideous. DP couldn't be with us because of Covid- it's dreadful being alone. Hope he can help out when you're home do you can get some rest x

We had the same when my DD was 10 days old and I had a toddler at home with DH. Immediate antibiotics and lots of tests to rule out sepsis and meningitis. She remained stable and with me in a private room - discharged after about 3 days and it was put down to a random virus in the end.

Feeding is a good sign and try and get as much rest as you can - just doze when you can. Make sure you have a comfy feeding pillow etc. It’s horrid and worrying but you are in exactly the right place x

Sorry I never updated- we got discharged on Saturday when the initial bloods showed that his infection markers weren't extremely high and as his temperature had gone down, they were happy for us to go home and wait for the cultures to come back on Monday, with open access back on the ward if the temp came back.

Anyway, we are back- temp of 38.8 again tonight so even higher than before 🥺 they have given some calpol this time to try and get the temp down and restarting the antibiotics again, the blood cultures still aren't back yet.

It's got to be something though for it to be high twice in two days surely?!

Huge hand hold 💐

Thinking of you in a positive bubble!

OP, it was similar with my NB with up/down fever. It's good you went back in. Best to have dc monitored.

@ExitThroughTheGiftShop thank you! They have given him some calpol and it went down to 37.2 but it's now back up to 38.1 within the hour. It worries me they haven't restarted the antibiotics and seems they're waiting for the blood results tomorrow.

No wise words here sorry OP but just checking in for solidarity!

Hope you get some answers soon, and that you get some rest too.

Oh gosh, poor you (and your little one). Hope all is ok xx

They might be waiting to see if it's a viral infection, which won't respond to antibiotics - they'll give antivirals if needed.

Not quite so young but ds1 had viral meningitis at 7 weeks old. It was horrible waiting and not knowing, and they had to do lumbar punctures on him too to get to the bottom of it.

You're in the right place to get baby sorted so fingers crossed you have an answer and baby gets treatment soon.

Update : So my DS had a lumbar puncture and the initial findings are showing increased white blood cells in the fluid around the brain so they believe it is meningitis 🥺 we need to wait for the cultures to be grown over 48 hours to fully diagnose but they have began antibiotic treatment for it already. I'm utterly petrified. I never suspected meningitis as other than the fever he has no other symptoms of it at all!

@minisoksmakehardwork when your child had viral meningitis were they ok? We don't know what type of meningitis it is yet but I've heard this is milder/less life threatening?

I don't have any advice op but just wanted to say I'm thinking of you all

@merryandbrightdelight thank you so much, I'm petrified 🥺

A couple of comforting thoughts: my dad was a doctor. He told me that babies and toddlers can get very ill very quickly but that when they turn the corner they recover much faster than any other patient group. He said they "take off like a rocket".

One of my sons spent a lot of time (about 6 times a year x 10 years) in the children's ward so I saw a lot of babies and toddlers being cared for. All hospital doctors work hard but they really knock themselves out for children. You can have confidence.

Thinking of you and your little one. ❤️

Your babe is in the right place.. please be assured the staff will be doing their very best. Stay strong, hope he is home soon x

Sending healing wishes and thinking of you both OP. x

💐

Thinking of you and your little one op. I had two micro preemies and spent what felt like forever in NICU, children get sick fast but they bounce back fast too.
Fingers crossed your baby is soon on the mend.

Hey op. 4 years ago to the day you posted I was in the exact same situation as you with our 3 week old Dd. Never been more terrified. We spent 4 days in hdu and then we were discharged on the day boris locked us down. Had ivabx at home for a few days. My Dd is now a very lovely 4 year old. Just a positive story for you and sending you love and hugs. These babies are so precious. I feel for
you. Take care op xx