To be really worried about DD's feeding

[xoguineas]

Posting here for traffic mainly. Looking for reassurance or clarification or anything really.

DD is 12 weeks old and has had a cold the past few days. Since Saturday her feeding has slowly dropped and today it's been a struggle to try get milk in her. Usually she'll drink between 20-23oz a day but today she's barely had 17oz and her last bottle (where she only drank 2.5) she's just vomited all over herself. I've been offering a bottle almost constantly but she's just getting upset when I try and spitting out or pushing the bottles away.

She's got a really snuffly nose which I've been trying to help with saline drops and other than that she seems pretty happy and alert, although pretty sleepy. I'm just worried as I feel she's not had much to drink today and obviously fluids are what helps you get better! She's asleep in her cot beside me just now but I can hear her tummy gurgling away and I'm worried she's hungry but I don't know why she won't feed!

She's already dropped a weight percentile last week (but still put on weight) although now she's not fed well the past few days I'm worried she's going to continue to drop on the chart or even start to lose weight

Should I phone the docs in the morning if I still can't get her to drink much? I don't want to waste their time since she's still alert and seems happy, smiling and chatting away. I'm just worried she's not getting enough to drink and I can't help her get better. Sorry for the rambly post I'm just not sure what to do and needed to vent.

I think 17oz when she normally has 20oz is not really anything to worry about. You k is best though.

Is she having plenty of wet nappies? Are her lips looking normal or very dry? Are there any other signs of dehydration? Does she have a temperature?

Don't get too caught up on weight percentiles. She is poorly at the moment so it is affecting her feeding thats all.

As long as its just a cold I doubt doctor will need to see you. Maybe try the pharmacist first?

Sorry that should read you know best

@Fruitcorner123 still wet and dirty nappies yes, although her nappy this morning wasn't as heavy as usual but she is drinking less. No signs of dehydration either and no temperature.

I feel like I am just overreacting because she's acting like she usually does, just a bit more sleepy and blocked up. I might try the pharmacy in the morning, that's a better idea as I'm fairly certain it's just a cold (think she caught it from me!)

Thanks!

They will hopefully reassure you. If anything changes with her symptoms in the night then don't hesitate obviously. Colds definitely affect feeding just because they breathe through their nose and can't while feeding. Have you heard of a snufflebabe. It's this thing you use to suck snot out and clear their nose. It sounds disgusting but works really well. You could pick one up tomorrow. Hope she feels better and you manage to get some sleep.

@Fruitcorner123 I've heard of that, will try pick one up tomorrow even if it's just to keep handy! Thanks for the reassurance again

I could have written this post xo. DD, 12 weeks, dropped a centile. Seems happy and healthy but is just not entertaining the idea of food the way she used to. Normally takes 22-26oz in 4-5 big feeds. Yesterday she took 18oz across 7-8 bottles. Hard not to stress out but unless she shows signs of dehydration I'm not sure what else to do. If it doesn't pick up in a few days I might go to GP.

@NovaArt3mis sorry to hear you're going through it too- they really know how to stress you out like mad! I'm thinking the same, but might try speaking to a pharmacist tomorrow to see if they have any advice. Good luck!

I'd phone your Health Visitor for advice if you are worried. Some children centres have a HV drop in service, so it might be worth seeing if your local one does.

It doesn't sound too worrying so far but you are very wise to keep an eye on her as babies can dehydrate v quickly. I would see how you get on overnight and tomorrow morning and try the snot sucker. If you spot any of the signs above, or if her fontanelle looks sunken, call your medical team.

Poor little baby - colds are evil bastards that make you feel rotten, even for adults.

I would also phone HV for advice. My DS loses his appetite when he's poorly and won't eat any solids, it worries me but I've been reassured he's ok providing he's taking some milk and has wet and dirty nappies. He's dropped a couple of centiles though as a result

My DD did the exact same thing when she had a cold recently. It took almost a week (and it was g even a very bad cold) but she's back to normal now. I second the Snufflebabe, it's brilliant and gives her instant relief, which seems to help her drink more.

I think she was just getting really tired halfway through a bottle and getting fed up so offered bottles a little more often and made sure her nose was clear before starting - that seemed to help. But she was still taking about half her usual amount. I'm getting her weighed tomorrow so will let you know if it's impacted her - I don't think so though.

Hope your DD is better soon. You sound like a lovely, caring mum.

I had similar with DD when she had a cold and took her to the GP. Doctor didn't even ask about nappies or weight, just checked her mouth for dehydration. If the weight loss is minimal, and she isn't dehydrated you can put it down to it being harder to feed with a blocked nose and she's feeling a bit rubbish and probably doesn't want to eat as much (same as adults go off food when unwell).

Obviously trust your instincts, but if you are having wet/dirty nappies, she is taking some milk & no signs of dehydration she sounds fine. You could offer it more often if you think she's hungry.

Hope she's feeling better soon

If you are worried, don't hesitate to call the doctor. That's their job and they will put your mind at ease.

As @Aquamarine1029 says, your child doesn't have to be dying for you to take them to the doctor. I think they'll be fine though, that isn't a very dramatic drop in milk intake. Usually less than half of their usual intake and you start to worry.

If it reassures you my 5.5 month old DS is just getting over a throaty-cold and for 3 or 4 days I struggled to get 10oz of expressed milk into him when he usually guzzles close to 30 no problem! I took him to the GP as he also developed a rash (turned out to be nothing!) but my GP was lovely and said they'd always rather you go in, and as you said if they're not showing signs of dehydration and are their usual self then chances are all is good 😊

I was told by a paediatrician once that if they are taking in at least 50% of their usual fluids it's ok, but any less than 50% is cause for concern. Have you tried saline/"snot sucker" up the nose (mine hated that but it worked). I found Baby Vicks helpful too and also a humidifier in the room - expensive to buy but we've had so many colds this end it's worked out good value for money.

Thanks for the reassurance everyone. I spoke to my HV and she said just to try smaller bottles more frequently which seems to be working a bit better!

The other thing to consider is all the snot. They can't blow their noses so a lot of the snot goes into their tummies and the easiest way for them to get rid is to throw it up (usually right after you have fed them). Both of my kids did that and still do it occasionally if they have a really bad cold.

My DD2 caught flu at 6 months and while in hospital they weren't concerned about her fluid intake unless it was less than half of her normal. Continue what you are doing with little and often while she is snuffly and once on the mend I am sure she will build back up in no time. However, if you are at all more concerned or she doesn't seem her normal alert self etc, don't hesitate to call GP or HV or whatever you feel is necessary as at 12 weeks they are still so tiny. Hope she feels better soon.

@CheeseCrackersAndWine poor soul, hope she's alright!

DD doesn't seem so sniffly today, just got a horrible cough but otherwise her smiley self. She's getting her 12 week immunisations tomorrow so might have a chat with the nurses tomorrow if her cough isn't much better. Feeling happier that she's been drinking a bit more today though- hoping we can keep that up!

xoguineas it was 2 years ago now! LOL.

Glad your DD seems a bit better today and hopefully she keeps taking her milk fine for you.