Baby with hand, foot and mouth disease inconsolable at the breast and has refused to feed for 48 hours...

[SallyMischievo]

... Is this the end of BF?! I am distraught as the last time she fed, she bit me and I cried out and burst into tears. Not my finest hour but we have been having a tough time with her being so out of sorts. Am worried that she is traumatised by this, hence the refusal to feed. Doctor says her throat looks sore but she can't see any ulcers. I have been expressing and trying to give milk via a syringe in addition to water, (she is refusing a cup and bottle and solids) but she gets so upset each time. I feel gutted. Although I planned to start phasing out daytime feeds soon, I didn't want to finish BF like this :-( DD is nearly 10 months.

I would keep expressing to maintain your supply, and not get engorged, and continue offering her your breasts. Her illness will pass soon and she will want to breastfeed again.

How are you getting fluids into her? When we were desperate we gave DD a wet flannel as she would suck the water out of it

This doesn't mean the end of breastfeeding.

I had Hand Foot and mouth. It was agony. Is she dosed up with Nurofen 20 minutes before a feed?
Will she suck an ice pop between times?

No advice for you
Hope you are coping and baby improves soon

Oh, your poor Dd. Am sure she will be feeling better soon. Ds and I had it at the same time and it's really nasty. Hope you manage to avoid it. Am sure it's not the end of BF. Express and keep her fluids up.

My DS refused to feed much for about 48 hours during HFM at about 7 months. Keep her dosed up and hydrated, see a doctor if you are worried. We continued BF until about 18 months so not necessarily the end. I had it at the same time and felt hideous, but all returned to normal within a few days.

Thank you so much! Feel very relieved. Fluids just by syringe at present. She managed a little bit of Weetabix and some pear purée this morning but still refusing the breast and cried and cried. Will just keep trying! Thank you again.