Stomach bug and feeding

5 replies

DrMcDreamysWife · 18/02/2013 01:38

I think I have a kind of norovirus. Stomach pains on Friday and threw up violently early hours Saturday morning. Followed by diarrhoea. Could then manage small amounts of food Saturday but had awful Diarrhoea all of Sunday and continuing, really sore stomach cramps. Not sure I've kept anything in all day and I feel dehydrated and too weak to carry baby.

Dd is 5mo, two weeks away from 6mobths and she is exclusively breastfed and we haven't started weaning. My boobs are soft and let down is very slow and I'm not hearing as many gulps. There is milk but it doesn't feel like much? And she has woken more often for feeds tonight so I'm guessing what she is getting is crap/ not enough?

What should I do? Top up? Wean? Obviously I will keep feeding in hope to protect her from this lurgy which so far she is avoiding. She is a bottle refuser but I haven't tried in months so maybe she will now....

OP posts:

Original poster

DrMcDreamysWife · 18/02/2013 01:53

Actually I'm really worried about making it through the night, I can't get her off my boob and she seems like she's falling asleep but if I take her off she complains. Am I out of milk?

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TanteRose · 18/02/2013 02:01

no, you are not out of milk - it certainly won't be any less nutritious. Your body will make great milk at the expense of your health...which is good for your baby, but obviously not so good for you...

Your supply might be a bit compromised due to dehydration

can you keep sips of water down?
or suck on ice cubes/ice lollies?

TanteRose · 18/02/2013 02:02

and of course, if you're are worried, try a bottle or sippy cup

your supply will come right back up once you are on the mend

Original poster

DrMcDreamysWife · 18/02/2013 03:04

Thankyou that's reassuring that my milk should be ok

I'm trying to sip water it's just so rubbish being ill!! And then looking after bub too. Parenting is just sooo exhausting!

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mamandeouisti · 18/02/2013 03:15

Remember that feeling...even 10 years later... You have my sympathy! DD will be fine. You'll feel crap but am pleased an MNer was able to reassure you. Hope you can get some good rest soon. The French use coke for stomach upsets (only time I've heard them choose it!) and I swear by it. Tiny sips, helps rehydration, clears out the bug (have you seen what it does to a coin if you drop it in a glass of the stuff...guess stomach lining goes the same way?!) and generally the sugar makes you feel a whole lot better. This is not medically proven advice...just what I have found works. The coke is for you...not DD

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