Nursing a sick baby?

[midori1999]

I have got a tummy bug, caught from my 7 yr old. Now DD, 5 1/2 months has it.

I know I should keep nursing, but I'm unsure if I should still feed on demand or restrict her to little and often? So far this morning if she's taken a big feed she seems to have brought it all back up but was still retching when there was little to bring up.

Also, she's still alert and smiling in between looking really I'll and quiet, as long as she's doing that I assume I don't need to see the doctor?

Thanks.

feed on demand but offer frequently too (especially if she has been sick) as bm is quickly absorbed and keeps blood electrolytes stable whereas plain water doesn't balance the electrolytes and isn't absorbed as quickly.

Keeping your liquids to little and often will help you feel better and less dehydrated too. If you can manage drinks like soups/broths or dioralyte type rehydration salts all the better.

I'd take baby to the hospital if she seems lethargic, is off her feeds or is having dark scant wees - she might need IV fluids if that is the case. If she is vomiting but is fairly happily and is feeding lots then there isn't much they could do bar rehydration salts (and they aren't recommended for bf babies) Obv if she has any underlying health conditions or your mummy warning alarms go off then take her in.

Hope you and baby get better soon.

Cant add anything to the above.

I hope you all feel better soon.

Thankyou.

She's been asleep for an hour or so now, DH has been looking after her while I napped. I'll give her 30 mins then wake her for a feed.

TSC, I think this has got to be one of the best reasons for BF AFAIAC, but sing able to keep BF even when a baby is ill is not something I knew about until I lurked on here. Glad your son is out of hospital.

Sorry, thanks Truthsweet too. I'm sipping water but will try some soup tonight if I still haven't been sick again. I keep fancying dirt coke, but am sure that's a bad idea!

Thanks once again. Am much better now, as is DD, although sadly now my oldest DS and DH have had it. Only DS2 to go now...

I am sure my supply has dropped a bit, is this likely? I also might be due AF (I say might as my cycles are irregular/spotting ATM) I have to admit, I cheated and got DH to give DD a few ounces of expressed milk from the freezer tonight as she had been feeding on and off all day and after 5 days of cleaning up vomit I really wanted a break from it all. I assume if I just feed on demand (and no more bottles of EBM) them my supply will just increase again?