Sick baby - advice much appreciated please

[Taler]

My 11 month old DD was sick once yesterday and twice the night before. The doctor said it's probably a virus.

The woman on 111 I spoke with said to feed her only fluids little and often but neither her not the GP would tell me how little and how often!!!

So as she takes between 500-600ml of milk a day we figured we would offer her 100ml every few hours today.

My DH has been with her today and tells me she's doing ok. She had a long sleep (2 and half hours), which is good as sleep in itself helps to heal.

She has had 4 feeds today so far, all around the 100ml mark.

DH was going to offer her some dry toast - I'm not sure how that went. Really hope ok!

On the assumption there are no more vomitting incidents meaning she will have been clear of that for a day and a half, I'm wondering whether we bring back her solids tomorrow or do we do it gradually?

I've never been in this situation before! She can't tell me what she wants.

Wish there were hard and fast rules for this as'd make it so much easier!

You should keep offering fluids and (gentle) solids but don't pressure her to have any of it. Babies are good at listening to their own needs, if she wants milk then let her drink it, but if she's not bothered then leave it for a while.

It probably better to give her plain stuff, such as rice and plain chicken, and go slowly. She might not eat much for the first few days. keep the milk little and often for another day or two.

I think the little and often advice is designed to try and prevent her taking a lot in one go and immediately vomiting it back up, but I would bear in mind that they don't mean you to restrict her fluid intake overall, just have her take it gradually across the day rather in, say, 3 or 4 large feeds.

The biggest risk to little ones with a sickness bug is dehydration, so if anything it would be ideal for her to be taking in more fluid than usual over a 24hr period, not less. Does that help? I'd let her have access to it as frequently as she wants but if she downs 100ml, then maybe wait 15 min before letting her have another go?

On the food front, I'd also be guided by her - offer things that are easy on the tummy to start with like toast and if she eats then great. If she's still feeling poorly she likely won't want much anyway. If she was only sick once yesterday and not since then she might be feeling much better already.

I would offer extra water between the feeds too. the more fluids the better.

Agree with the other posts, do keep gently offering fluids. If she takes a little food that's great but dont worry. She will probably make up for it when she's better. Good luck and hope she's better soon

Same as adults when they're sick. Plenty of liquid, offer food and fruits and when they feel better they'll eat.