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Original poster

Worried about lack of wet nappies with cold - 7 month old DD

61 replies

elm26 · 18/12/2023 23:08

Hi everyone

DD has another cold, full of snot, coughing alot, leaky eyes etc.

She's more or less completely refused any liquid today, she's had 5oz total of milk (she usually has 4 8oz bottles) she's had a few sips of water here and there out of her straw cup.

Her nappies are bone dry, she's had one today which seemed to have a few wee's in it this morning but maybe only 1 or 2 tiny wees since? I've tried syringing water, she coughs and splutters it out and gags.

She has no temperature, she has only had a slice of melon and a couple of spoons of porridge all day. I can't get her to eat or drink.

How quick should I get her seen regarding dehydration? Shall I try and give a dream feed when she's asleep and if she refuses call 111?

I hate feeling over the top about things but I know how fast babies can go downhill and I'm worried.

OP posts:
Original poster
elm26 · 18/12/2023 23:26

DragonMama3 · 18/12/2023 23:25

have you an ice lolly?

Nope but I've got some ice cubes? I guess I could put a couple in her chewy thing (never know what to call them but they've got holes in a teat like thing to let fruit etc through).

OP posts:
KnitFastDieWarm · 18/12/2023 23:27

Poor little mite, mine was terrible for colds at that age - they get so uncomfortable! I’d call 111 and see if you can see an out of hours doc. Did that a few times with DC as a baby and all was fine, but when they’re little it’s best to get them checked. Hope she’s feeling better soon!

Original poster
elm26 · 18/12/2023 23:28

Thanks @OdeToBarney I do have some fruit puree actually, it's just the Ella's kitchen pouches though? Do you think that will help with hydration? I've been given her puréed prunes for her constipation but even that's not helping.

OP posts:
Original poster
elm26 · 18/12/2023 23:28

KnitFastDieWarm · 18/12/2023 23:27

Poor little mite, mine was terrible for colds at that age - they get so uncomfortable! I’d call 111 and see if you can see an out of hours doc. Did that a few times with DC as a baby and all was fine, but when they’re little it’s best to get them checked. Hope she’s feeling better soon!

Thank you, going to call 111 now x

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KnitFastDieWarm · 18/12/2023 23:29

Also - i once resorted to plonking poorly baby DC in the bath (no soap or bubbles) and playing a ‘game’ of drinking the bath water out of plastic cups - managed to get a bit of liquid in that way.

PosyPrettyToes · 18/12/2023 23:29

Have you tried snot suction for her nose? It may feel easier for her to swallow if her nose isn’t blocked.

OdeToBarney · 18/12/2023 23:29

elm26 · 18/12/2023 23:28

Thanks @OdeToBarney I do have some fruit puree actually, it's just the Ella's kitchen pouches though? Do you think that will help with hydration? I've been given her puréed prunes for her constipation but even that's not helping.

Definitely, fruit has a high water content. Although not ideal if they contain banana, as that's constipating. But hydration is more important right now, you can deal with the constipation after.

Original poster
elm26 · 18/12/2023 23:30

PosyPrettyToes · 18/12/2023 23:29

Have you tried snot suction for her nose? It may feel easier for her to swallow if her nose isn’t blocked.

Yep been at her every few hours with the frida snot sucker (brilliant thing) and getting lots out!

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Original poster
elm26 · 18/12/2023 23:31

@OdeToBarney I've got some that are red fruits and the other ones are purple fruits. It's only her yoghurt that's banana. I'll see if she'll have some spoons of the red one it's got watermelon and strawberries I think.

OP posts:
Original poster
elm26 · 18/12/2023 23:32

KnitFastDieWarm · 18/12/2023 23:29

Also - i once resorted to plonking poorly baby DC in the bath (no soap or bubbles) and playing a ‘game’ of drinking the bath water out of plastic cups - managed to get a bit of liquid in that way.

That's such a good idea but I don't know whether she'll kick off if I put her in the bath now, she's so tired from the cough keeping her awake x

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Tacotortoise · 18/12/2023 23:33

I'd just keep pushing fluids in any form she will take them. If you are sent to the doctor get them to check her throat, she may have tonsillitis.

KnitFastDieWarm · 18/12/2023 23:34

elm26 · 18/12/2023 23:32

That's such a good idea but I don't know whether she'll kick off if I put her in the bath now, she's so tired from the cough keeping her awake x

Show quote history

yes maybe one to try tomorrow when she’s a bit more awake! Have you been able to get any calpol into her? even if she’s not got a fever, she might have a sore throat with a cold that’s making swallowing painful and putting her off taking feeds.

OdeToBarney · 18/12/2023 23:35

OP, I know you're worried, but as she's recently passed urine, you don't need to be going to A&E (which is where 111 will likely want to send you) right now.

I know how it is when they are barely weeing, I was so worried when DD had noro. But if she's alert, has passed urine (the Dr told me any amount was ok) and no other worrying signs, then I think you can monitor closely overnight and see the GP tomorrow.

I am not one of these that needs their child to have their leg hanging off before taking them to hospital BTW, but I have been there and hospital is not a good place to be right now. Full of noro, covid etc. And from my experience, you'll have a long wait to be told to monitor, just as you already are 💗

Original poster
elm26 · 18/12/2023 23:40

@KnitFastDieWarm I've been alternating calpol and nurofen as she's also cut two teeth, one is more through than the other and she's angrily biting anything she can get her hands on still so think it's still painful for her so will carry on. She can have another dose of nurofen at 2am so we will see if she's awake and needs it.

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Original poster
elm26 · 18/12/2023 23:41

OdeToBarney · 18/12/2023 23:35

OP, I know you're worried, but as she's recently passed urine, you don't need to be going to A&E (which is where 111 will likely want to send you) right now.

I know how it is when they are barely weeing, I was so worried when DD had noro. But if she's alert, has passed urine (the Dr told me any amount was ok) and no other worrying signs, then I think you can monitor closely overnight and see the GP tomorrow.

I am not one of these that needs their child to have their leg hanging off before taking them to hospital BTW, but I have been there and hospital is not a good place to be right now. Full of noro, covid etc. And from my experience, you'll have a long wait to be told to monitor, just as you already are 💗

DH thinks the same and to not call 111 and reassess through the night and in the morning. Thank you for your advice.

OP posts:
Original poster
elm26 · 18/12/2023 23:42

Tacotortoise · 18/12/2023 23:33

I'd just keep pushing fluids in any form she will take them. If you are sent to the doctor get them to check her throat, she may have tonsillitis.

She has a throat infection a month ago that she needed antibiotics for so really hope it's not that again 😢 poor baby x

OP posts:
KnitFastDieWarm · 18/12/2023 23:49

bless her, she’s really not having a good time is she? you must be exhausted too. Try 111 and see what they say - if they say leave it till tomorrow, no harm done, but at least you won’t worry.

OdeToBarney · 19/12/2023 00:01

@elm26 no problem and I hope your dd gets well soon x

PippaPug · 19/12/2023 00:17

In the morning can you give her a clean flannel or muslin and see if she will suck some of that? I used to put clean flannels in the fridge and give it to my twins when they were teething as they could really chomp down on it and help sore gums - but this may help her having some fluids too?

Hiddenvoice · 19/12/2023 07:57

OdeToBarney · 18/12/2023 23:22

Really, how old were they? Because when dd has noro in January, I was told one wet nappy in 12 hours. She was 9 months old.

OP, I would keep working on liquids. Yoghurt, diluted apple juice, chocolate milk (small amount of nesquik powder?) basically anything. If she's not eating and drinking you also need to be wary of low blood sugar, which could make her sleepy and even less reluctant to eat or drink. But for now, I'd try 5ml of any kind of liquid every few minutes. Basically the same as a fluid challenge they would do in hospital if LO had vomiting/diarrhoea. Drinking from a bottle, etc, is hard work when they can't breathe through their noses.

Show quote history

My dd was 8 months when I was told this last December. The gp phoned the pediatrics to ask their advice and they said they wouldn’t see her until she has less than 5 in 24 hrs and to keep going with all the things you’d suggested too.

OdeToBarney · 19/12/2023 08:03

@Hiddenvoice how strange that the advice can be so different 😮

Hiddenvoice · 19/12/2023 08:29

OdeToBarney · 19/12/2023 08:03

@Hiddenvoice how strange that the advice can be so different 😮

I know, Just what I was thinking!

Original poster
elm26 · 19/12/2023 09:23

Thanks again everyone.

DH gave her a dream feed at 1am and she took about 4oz, she was still asleep at 7 so I took dummy quick and put bottle in and she had about 3oz.

Her nappy from overnight had quite a few wees in it and she's had some fresh melon and half a pouch of the Ella's kitchen watermelon pouch plus a few big slurps of water. She's just fallen asleep so will try some more milk when she's awake and see how today goes.

No temperature but I've given her another dose of calpol this morning.

OP posts:
OdeToBarney · 19/12/2023 09:23

elm26 · 19/12/2023 09:23

Thanks again everyone.

DH gave her a dream feed at 1am and she took about 4oz, she was still asleep at 7 so I took dummy quick and put bottle in and she had about 3oz.

Her nappy from overnight had quite a few wees in it and she's had some fresh melon and half a pouch of the Ella's kitchen watermelon pouch plus a few big slurps of water. She's just fallen asleep so will try some more milk when she's awake and see how today goes.

No temperature but I've given her another dose of calpol this morning.

That's great news! Hopefully she's on the mend 💗

Original poster
elm26 · 19/12/2023 09:47

Hope so @OdeToBarney it's heartbreaking seeing her coughing every 2 mins and being so tired she falls asleep mid cough again. I have no idea how these parents who have children with serious illnesses cope, I look at her little snotty nose and want to cry I'm ridiculous 🤦🏻‍♀️ x

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