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Original poster

Help please! Baby sick

32 replies

worriedfirsttimerpfb · 09/08/2019 09:57

Hi all, I'm kind of posting here for quick traffic!

My little boy is 6 weeks old. He has had a rash on his back and face since yesterday but it does go away when pressed with a glass. It seems to have cleared up slightly on his back today but is now on his chest a little bit. He gets very hot easily so I've put it down to heat. However a few things have me worried.
He is very unsettled this morning, grunting and straining constantly. Can't sleep and is unsettled for feeds (bf) so I haven't managed to give him a full feed yet. Every time I feed him he fusses and then seconds later he throws up clumpy milk sick (sorry tmi but it's not just the normal milk spit up).

Do you think it's worth a trip to the doctors? I rang earlier and they said only medical emergencies but she didn't take any details about DS. Obviously I don't want to waste their time on what is probably nothing but at the same time I don't want to miss anything!

OP posts:
Original poster
worriedfirsttimerpfb · 09/08/2019 09:58

I think the grunting and straining is wind tbh, it's just all the things combined that has me worried. He has had wet and soiled nappies as usual during the early morning etc

OP posts:
HappydaysArehere · 09/08/2019 10:03

Baby six weeks old. New mum. Say you are really worried and get the doctor to look at him.

SlackerMum1 · 09/08/2019 10:03

Has he got a temperature at all? Does sound like a little infection which may well just be the start of a cold or something like that. I’d check his temp and if that’s normal and he’s taking in some milk to stay hydrated then it’s probably fine and just something to keep an eye on. If his temp is v high or up but won’t come down with a little calpol then phone again.

Rachie1973 · 09/08/2019 10:04

Sounds ok honestly.

Watch his soft spot for dehydration and keep an eye on his temp. If you’re still worried 111. They’ll get you into a GP if they deem it necessary xx

Original poster
worriedfirsttimerpfb · 09/08/2019 10:05

He does often feel hot during the night but we have a fan in our room and I've had him in the bath this morning to try and settle him (usually he loves a bath and goes to sleep).

I should also mention we are going away on Sunday so I'm worried if he is ill we won't be able to find a walk in or something 😩

OP posts:
Original poster
worriedfirsttimerpfb · 09/08/2019 10:06

Oh also! Can't believe I forgot this ! He is also very congested. So maybe cold? He sounds snotty when he is breathing.

OP posts:
Chimchar · 09/08/2019 10:06

Can you give your health visitor a call?
How is he in himself? More sleepy than usual? Struggling to stay alert when he's awake?

Trust your gut feeling...(I would see how he goes, but it's been a long while since my kids were teeny.) A doctor will never mind seeing such a young baby because they can deteriorate so rapidly.

Hope he's feeling better soon.

user1480880826 · 09/08/2019 10:07

Grunting and straining is totally normal. No one prepares you for how noisy and pig-like newborn babies are.

Random rashes (that disappear when pressed with a glass) are also normal. It could be heat rash. It could be nothing at all.

Throwing up feeds is also normal but what you’ve described sounds a bit more than the usual spit up. I would call your doctor.

elizabethdraper · 09/08/2019 10:07

Doctor

Cornettoninja · 09/08/2019 10:07

Did the receptionist know how old your ds is? Ime they will always see a baby, partly to put your mind at rest but mostly because they can get really ill really quickly. Dehydration would probably be my concern and a run through of what to look out for before seeking further attention would be helpful.

I would think the GP would rather see him before the weekend than let it become an emergency. Ring them back.

NoSauce · 09/08/2019 10:08

From what you’ve said it doesn’t sound urgent OP but you shouldn’t rely on strangers on the internet who can’t see your baby. It could be a heat rash. Keep an eye on him and if you’re worried phone your GP again.

catchyjem · 09/08/2019 10:09

Call the gp back, tell them he is 6 weeks old and they will see you!

Elllicam · 09/08/2019 10:09

Yes definitely at 6 weeks I would get him seen. Especially if he is struggling to feed and also vomiting.

Demimac1919 · 09/08/2019 10:10

My daughter is 7 weeks now and I had similar from 2-4 weeks. We moved kntkbsptamil anti reflux milk (cow & gate do one too) and she has been so much better. I think she just wasnt digesting her milk properly and was very uncomfortable.
Now we have a very settled baby who sleeps and feeds...

A lot!

messolini9 · 09/08/2019 10:10

Do you think it's worth a trip to the doctors?

Your baby is 6 weeks old & unable to keep any nourishment down. He can't sleep, is clearly uncomfortable, & has a rash. Why are you posting about this instead of calling the GP's for an appointment?

I rang earlier and they said only medical emergencies but she didn't take any details about DS
The receptionist is not a medical professional & not qualified to tell you whether your baby gets to see a GP or not. Ring again, tell her your baby has not improved, that you are worried, & you need an appointment. Today.

Don't be phased by the recptionist. It's not her job to tell you your baby cannot see a doctor. And I can assure you that the doctor would prefer to see a baby, even for a "non-emergency", than have his mother at home worrying about whether she is doing the right thing.

This probably ISN'T an emergency, but neither you nor the receptionist know that. The only person who can assess your baby is the doctor, so you insist on an appointment now. You will feel much less stressed when that is under way.

pancaketits · 09/08/2019 10:11

Call the GP, they will see him. Unsettled, rash and a difference in spit up are things I would want checking out.

hormonesorDHbeingadick · 09/08/2019 10:11

My doctors always fit in under 2s on the same day. With a tiny baby I’m surprised they did not find you appointment. A lovely very old out of hours doctors told me that babies are quick and easy to check over and they should always be seen as little ones can seem fine when they are not and they deteriorate very quickly.

reefedsail · 09/08/2019 10:13

IME they will always see a tiny baby, even if they have to fit you in after hours. Maybe I've always lived in less densely populated places though.

PleaseGoogleIt · 09/08/2019 10:13

My doctors will always see a baby, regardless of how full they are. I'd just take baby in and ask them to be seen, you may have to wait a little while but it will be worth it just for peace of mind.

DD is one and had very similar stuff a couple of weeks ago - it was a viral infection that nothing could be done for but was good to know.

NoWittyNamesAvailable · 09/08/2019 10:16

My son used to vomit clumpy milk when he was that age, the doctor told me it is patially digested milk. He would vomit when it was really hot.

That said, nobody can diagnose a baby on the internet. I always go by 'if you are concerned enough to ask strangers online, then phone for advice from the gp'. Thats not meant in a snarky way, but honestly babies are generally seen straight away at a gp so no harm in taking him to get checked over.

Original poster
worriedfirsttimerpfb · 09/08/2019 10:17

Thank you all I will give them a ring now :-)

OP posts:
Angeldust747 · 09/08/2019 10:18

Ring the doctors and ask specifically for an emergency appointment for your 6 week old, they should fit you in. Even if it's only to put your mind at rest. Nothing worse than not going and spending the weekend wishing you had and having to wait until Monday (I've done that more than once!)

NoWittyNamesAvailable · 09/08/2019 10:18

Did you stress to them he is 6 weeks old? If you just say 'my son...' they wont necessarily find an appointment slot. I live in a very busy area but they always find my under 5s an appointment because children can change so quickly

moodybum · 09/08/2019 10:19

I would ring your local chemist, even one at nearest supermarket and ask to talk to pharmacist, my son was checked out when he had a rash (turned out to be a virus) at Asda. They have a little consulting room and can act as triage for advice whether you need to pursue doctor appt etc.

Other than asking his symptoms this is basically the checklist they will ask you and unless one of these things is an issue they will tell you to monitor him:

Over the course of 24hrs has he taken less than 50% of his usual intake of milk?

Is he sleeping excessively? (age appropriate)

Is he responsive (to an age appropriate level)

Is his breathing even? Does it look like he is working hard? Does it suck in noticeably at his throat or below ribcage when trying to breathe

Is he blue around the mouth/lips/extremities?

If you can answer any of these yes, push for a doc appt today, or find alternative ie. 111 and explain which one is concerning you

Candymay · 09/08/2019 10:46

Get him seen because he’s so little. I’m sure a doctor wouldn’t mind checking him. Even a and e is worth it for a baby.