To think it's inevitable we'll all get sick?

[sillygoof]

My 3 year old had a virus a week ago. She started with vomiting and diarrhoea which quickly passed, but then she was really lethargic and wouldn't eat for a couple of days as well. We did everything we could to keep it contained - hand washing, keeping her away from our 4 month old.

It's been 5 days since the last day she seemed properly poorly. We thought we'd got away with it... but now my husband has what I can only imagine is the same virus, the symptoms are the same.

Is it inevitable that my baby will get it too? It's a horrible bug, I'm terrified of her not being able to drink her milk for two days. I'm also scared of getting it myself and not being able to look after her .

I think I'm looking for some reassurance. Her being my second baby hasn't made me worry any less!

Not necessarily. My four year old and I had D&V and my 20 month old didn't get it and she even sleeps with me. She is breastfeeding still and I don't know if that gave her antibodies or something but my partner didn't catch it either so I think if you're just hot on hand washing and everything it might be okay! Try not to worry x

Not inevitable, but if it happens it happens - hope you don't, or that baby copes ok. Forewarned is forearmed, you can get everything in you might need etc.

It's complicated by the fact we're in a caravan in Devon! So I can't keep the baby away from him. I've banned him from touching her and we're both furiously hand washing as often as we can.

What sorts of things might I need if she's poorly? We've got calpol.

My Ds had a nasty sickness bug at about 6 months - never knew where he caught it from as we didn't have it.
This was years ago, so had already started weaning. GP said to stop solids and just keep bf'ing as much as possible. It didn't matter if he was sick, as he would be getting some fluids. He was poorly for a couple of days, but was soon on the mend.
If you do catch it, you should still be able to look after your DD - you may feel rotten, but at 4 months all she really needs is food, clean nappies and somewhere to sleep. You should be able to do the feeds, and hopefully DH should be well enough to do the rest. If not a couple of days of not doing very much won't harm her. Fingers crossed for you all!

DH is loads better already, it does seem to pass really quickly - I think my two major worries are the baby getting it, because I'd imagine that it could be quite serious for her, and me getting it and having to travel home while feeling ill. I'm so stressed about it I'm making myself feel sick, I'm such a dickhead.

And thanks for your replies - they've all been reassuring.

Sometimes my partner and I have sick bugs, kids don't catch them at all.

Other times, the kids have bugs, pass to me and then do doesn't catch them.

I am the lucky one who gets them all... but there aeems to be no pattern.

Good luck!

Not necessarily OP. My DD1 caught a vomiting bug the day that we brought newborn DD2 home from hospital. I was absolutely terrified that DD2 would get it but she didn't thankfully.

DD2 was also given the vaccine for Rotovirus which wasn't offered when DD1 was having her vaccinations. This has helped a lot as DD2 has never had a vomiting bug (she is 3 now) and DD1 has had 4 in her 5 years.

Definitely not inevitable.

We've had various bugs that have only affected one member of the family...or everyone except one person. There's little rhyme nor reason.

Agree that with such a little baby the main thing is to maintain hydration levels (so lots of BF) and just wait it out. Lot of towels help!

Also you'll need some kind of nappy rash cream because they get sore quickly.

We have hardly ever all come down with the same bug in our house. Eldest is now in his 20s and my memory of childhood sickness might be failing now otherwise I'd say never. Certainly it's not inevitable. Good luck with it anyway. These viruses are bloody awful.

D&v bugs get airborne when someone is sick. So hand washing isnt everything.
Baby dc2 did escaped d&v last year at about 7m so it is possible.