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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Not feeding much - OOH?

16 replies

NoRoomForALittleOne · 30/05/2015 13:14

DS2 has a heavy cold. I've had it too and it is horrible but he is too young for calpol (7weeks old) so I can't dose him up like I did for me. I took him to the GP yesterday because he was struggling so much with his snottiness. GP checked his chest and said to call OOH if his resp rate went over 60. Well it hasn't quite gone over 60 yet BUT... His feeding is much worse. He's struggling to feed, isn't feeding often and is hardly taking anything (not swallowing much). How long do I let this go on for before I get him reviewed? Part of me thinks 'fair enough' as I was off my food but he is so tiny that it worries me. I did try him with expressed milk in a bottle. He struggled with that too but did manage 60 ml before posseting a fair amount back up. He is alert when awake. Obviously full of cold but OK.

OP posts:

makeminea6x · 30/05/2015 13:16

Are you getting at least half the expected (for you) amount of wet nappies?

dementedpixie · 30/05/2015 13:16

saline nasal spray is ok for babies. you could also try one of those snot sucker things

makeminea6x · 30/05/2015 13:17

Oh and I guess you've tried a saline nasal spray and or clearing his nose with snot sucker?

makeminea6x · 30/05/2015 13:17

Identipost with demented sorry !

LittlePoot · 30/05/2015 13:18

I think I'd get him checked-very little to be off food for long even though you know its just a virus. I'd at least call the ooh and chat to the Dr about how long its 'ok' not to keep milk down. Hope all is better soon, poor little bug!

RobotHamster · 30/05/2015 13:20

If he's feeding level has dropped significantly, and respiration rate is close to 60, I would definitely take him. Is there any sternal recession (drawing in under the ribs)?

Any sign of blue around the lips or any distress?

RobotHamster · 30/05/2015 13:25

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Bronchiolitis/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

Relevant even if it's not bronc. Have a look at the when to seek help bit.

RobotHamster · 30/05/2015 13:26

From the link:

When to seek medical advice:
If your child only has mild cold-like symptoms and is recovering well, there is usually no need to seek medical advice. In these cases you can normally care for your child at home. See treating bronchiolitis for more information about this.
Contact your GP if you are worried about your child, or if your child develops any of the following symptoms:
struggling to breathe
poor feeding (your child has taken less than half the amount that they usually do during the last two or three feeds)
no wet nappy for 12 hours or more
a breathing rate of 50-60 breaths a minute
a high temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or above
seeming very tired or irritable
It is particularly important to seek medical advice if your baby is under 12 weeks old or they have an underlying health problem, such as a congenital (present from birth) heart or lung condition.

DrownedGirl · 30/05/2015 13:29

If you are worried about such a young baby, that's a good enough reason to get him checked out. They can deteroriate very quickly

yellowsnownoteatwillyou · 30/05/2015 13:34

Saline spray is brilliant,I was recommended it and was kind of dismissive initially, but it was a brilliant thing to buy and helps them feed as it clears the snot so quickly.

Original poster

NoRoomForALittleOne · 30/05/2015 13:36

Typically as soon as I posted he came to rooting for a feed!

But to answer questions - yes I've cleared his snot in the normal ways. He is still weeing (in reusables so it's easy to tell). He has no chest recession nor tracheal tug and certainly didn't have a brochiolitic chest yesterday (although that was my concern having been there with DS1 and DD3). I think that he is treading a very fine line between needing review and hanging on at home for a bit longer. Assuming that he keeps this last feed down, I think we've bought ourselves a bit more time to watch and wait...

OP posts:

RobotHamster · 30/05/2015 13:38

Ah good, sounds like you know what you're looking for then and hopefully he's over the worst of it now

Original poster

NoRoomForALittleOne · 30/05/2015 13:42

I'm hoping so but I'm watching him closely because they can go downhill so quickly. The advice of intake less than 50% for the last two or three feeds is super helpful. Thanks!

OP posts:

RobotHamster · 30/05/2015 13:47

That was the thing that seemed most important when DD was in hospital. I think it's viewed as a signal they're going downhill and could be getting dehydrated.

RobotHamster · 30/05/2015 13:49

Btw - I was told if resps get to 60, or any cyanosis, then 111 at the very least (in our case they sent an ambulance when that happened)

TheLastPickleInTheJar · 30/05/2015 22:27

It's horrible when they have colds so young. Ds ended up in hospital with bronc at 5 weeks. It was the lack of feeding that concerned me enough to take him to hospital. He was distressed but wouldn't feed and his breathing was shallow and noisy.

You sound like you know what to look out for. The fact he settled for a feed is a good sign. Poor little thing

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