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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Tummy bug and breastfeeding

24 replies

harverina · 22/12/2010 22:51

Hi all,

My DD, almost 9 months old, has a tummy bug. Started off as a cold but this morning she was sick after having two spoons of porridge and since then she has been sick all day and has been unable to keep anything down - not even a tablespoon of colled boiled water.

Concerned that she is dehydrated. Nappies have been dry all day. Went to GP late morning, but as she was quite alert he was not too concerned. GP came out at 6pm but again, he was not too concerned as she was quite alert.

She has a slightly raised temp - 38 degrees when we last checked at roughly 8pm. She cannot keep calpol down.

GP advised not to breastfeed if DD cannot keep down water but DD was so upset today that I gave in a breastfed her. She slept for an hour afterwards but then was sick again. Have breastfed her twice since then as she was rooting and screaming to be fed. Both times she has been sick afterwards.

So...after this long winded explanation, what I am asking is, do you think I should continue to breatstfeed on demand? Feel that she gets comfort from it, and surely if she is feeding on me for 40 minutes she will be getting some benefit despite being sick afterwards?

Any advice appreciated.

OP posts:

LeninInExcelsis · 22/12/2010 22:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

winnybella · 22/12/2010 22:55

I think you should continue bf- definitely. Not only bf milk will have lots of good stuff that is actually helpful in fighting the infection, it also seems like the only source of hydration at the moment-even if she's sick later. It's easily digestible, so will not worsen your DD's condition.

bumpybecky · 22/12/2010 22:56

I've always breastfed mine when they've been poorly. I bet she's not throwing back up all of what she has, so will be getting some nutrition as well as huge comfort from you. Also she may well be getting antibodies to whatever bug she's got.

organiccarrotcake · 22/12/2010 23:00

Crikey.

I am shocked that your GP has said this as I know of no situation when BF should be stopped due to a gastro infection. In fact, as I understand it, BM is The Best Thing for her. It will coat her gut which will help her to recover from her illness and at the same time will give her all the fluids and food she needs while her body recovers.

I would personally feed as much as she'll take. Even if she sicks it up she'll be absorbing some of the liquid which is essential.

Has she weed at all today??

Original poster

harverina · 22/12/2010 23:05

Her nappy was wet when I changed her first thing this morning. She had fed during the night and had not been sick. But since then I have only noticed one tiny wee on her nappy. I couldn't even feel it, but could see it. That was early this evening. She is sleeping now.

She has drank quite alot today - 3 feeds from me plus cool boiled water. But she has been sick after every feed or drink.

I thought that the GP was wrong, thats why I fed but just wanted reassurance that I was doing the right thing. I think that you are all correct - she has probably retained some of the milk. The last time she fed for over 40 minutes and although she was sick, I'm confident that she didn't sick it all back up.

A bit worried about the lack of wee?

OP posts:

bumpybecky · 22/12/2010 23:07

The Kellymom advice page on breastfeeding when your baby is poorly on this page says to carry on feeding.

I think your GP has the wrong information too. If you were formula feeding I think the advice used to be to stop as the dairy might be causing an issue, so clear fluids only. But that's not the case with breastmilk, it really is the best thing for your baby :)

hope she's feeling better very soon :)

EsmeWeatherwax · 22/12/2010 23:14

My whole house had Norovirus a couple of months ago, when I phoned doctor about dd2, was told that breastfeeding was the best thing for her, and to do it as much as possible.

Original poster

harverina · 22/12/2010 23:47

My dd is back up and lying next to me in bed feeding. She was desperate for a feed when she woke. There was a tiny bit of wee on her nappy. Had to really look for it.
I'm glad that I followed my instincts today. Thanks for your replies. Its really reassuring to be able to come here for advice.

OP posts:

organiccarrotcake · 22/12/2010 23:50

Re the lack of wee, if you use a disposable nappy can you pop in a piece of kitchen liner so you can really easily see if she's passed anything?

I would give NHS Direct a quick ring just to check out what symptoms you should be keeping an eye out for WRT dehydration and in the meantime feed, feed, feed whenever you can.

snowyweather · 23/12/2010 00:04

OP - we were in a similar situation when my baby was 11 months and my GP told me to bf, bf and bf (especially as our baby had gone off solids).

I was told to just worry about keeping baby hydrated and not worry about the solids, and to monitor the temparature. He said not to worry about the sickness, just about fluids. Ofcourse my situation may have been different.

I really hope your baby gets well soon.

Original poster

harverina · 23/12/2010 00:15

She is back in bed. Fed for about ten minutes. Was sick again but not alot so hoping she will keep the rest down. Her temp is normal again, so suspect that she kept some of the calpol down earlier. Don't think I will sleep much tonight. Have the monitor cranked up loud...what a worry! Will feed her every time she wakens. Thanks again.

OP posts:

Original poster

harverina · 23/12/2010 00:20

Organic good idea about checking for wee. Hadn't thought of that.

OP posts:

LeninInExcelsis · 23/12/2010 12:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

harverina · 23/12/2010 19:46

Well we are on our way to the out of hours gp. Felt that she was better this morning. She kept down her 3am feed till 8am then brought up bile. However she was alert and seemed over the worst of it. But she has contined to be sick throughout the day. She has had normal poos today but nappies still very dry...some urine but very little and, again, we had to search for it. She slept for 4 hours today, got up was sick, had a feed, then was really sleepy again. Thats why I phoned nhs24. They asked us to go up to the out of hours gp and would not give us a house call. Nurse on phone said that my dd would have been dehydrated yesterday and should be seen. Can't believe they don't offer babies house calls because they are portable!

OP posts:

LeninInExcelsis · 23/12/2010 19:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RubyBuckleberry · 23/12/2010 19:54

you could let her have a minute or two every half and hour or so. she might keep it down if you don't let her have a bellyfull

snowyweather · 23/12/2010 23:43

Haverina - wishing your baby a very speedy recovery.

bumpybecky · 24/12/2010 00:27

oh no :( hope your visit to A&E isn't too stressful for you both and I really hope your dd is feeling much better soon

RobynLou · 24/12/2010 00:37

bm counts as a 'clear' liquid so def let her have it - little and often is less likely to cause her to throw it straight back up than fewer bigger feeds.

hope you don't have to wait too long at the docs.

Original poster

harverina · 24/12/2010 10:16

Thanks for your messages. Dd was checked by gp last night. Despite dry nappies her mouth was still moist and she was quite alert when seen by the doc. We were given sachets to rehydrate her. Have not had to give her one as since she went to bed last night she has not been sick . She slept all night and has fed on and off all morning so far. She seems to be much better this morning which is a huge relief.
The two patients in front of us last night were children with sickness bug!

OP posts:

LeninInExcelsis · 24/12/2010 10:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

snowyweather · 24/12/2010 10:38

So glad to hear it Haverina. Have a very merry Christmas.

Original poster

harverina · 24/12/2010 21:22

Thanks alot! Pleased to report we had a wet nappy this evening! Merry christmas and thanks so much for all your advice.

OP posts:

organiccarrotcake · 24/12/2010 21:34

Great news :)

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