EBF 5mo very poorly and not feeding much - any advice welcome!

[MrsHollyandtheIvy]

DD has a nasty cold and upset tummy (poss due to my antibiotics, a course of which finish today) and has hardly fed over the last two/three days. She's really rather poorly - cough, snot, extra runny poo, lots of crying etc. She's slept a lot more than usual, too. I'm offering her BF whenever I can, but she really doesn't want it most of the time. I've expressed a few times to relieve the pressure and keep my supply going for when she's better but I don't know what else to do!

Any advice to help her or me?!

It's the worst thing for worrying when your child is poorly. I would just keep doing what you are doing, keep on offering and expressing. Lots of cuddles and rest.

To help her breathe at night you can put some olbas oil onto a damp muslin cloth and drape it on the radiator and the smell will linger in the room. Don't do what I once did and put too much on and have everyone's eyes stinging.

Thanks. We've got Karvol, so I've used that. She's not settling at all tonight - she's obviously really uncomfortable and unhappy. Think it will be a long night!

we are in for a long night here too, my 3 yr old has had a cough for over a week and now a temp, not eating etc... He's looking uncomfy too.

Well, the best of British luck to you!

mrsholly if she is having lots of runny nappies and really not drinking much it might be worth getting her checked over.

Try to give her some cooled boiled water to keep her dehydrated, I hope she gets better soon.

Thanks. I did take her to the Drs this morning - she now has some antibiotics of her own for a chest infection. I am trying the cooled boiled water but she now hasn't had anything since 4am. I am worried about getting dehydrated and, obviously to a lesser extent, worried my supply will really suffer.

Hmmmm my 5 month old had this and it was Bronchiolitis, he wouldn't feed and we ended up in hospital (at Christmas!) for a week. If she doesn't perk up soon I'd call the doctor again.

Yes if she woun't take fluids call the doc again or take her to the out of hours. They are always more then happy to check over little one's when they are ill.

How are things MrsHolly?

Much improved, than you! She is perking up more all the time and drinking more, too. Still a bit croaky, but I'm quite sure she's on the mend. I think my supply has suffered a bit, so I imagine as she gets hungrier this week, it'll be almost constant feeding to get it back up to scratch!!

Unfortunately, it looks like my 3yo DS is coming down with the same nasty cold/cough. Still, hopefully he's a bit stronger and won't succumb to a chest infection.