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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Breastmilk vs dioralyte with stomach bug

18 replies

stollen123 · 02/07/2023 11:46

6 month old DS is sick with a suspected stomach bug. We spent a hellish day yesterday at hospital as they were worried it was a bowel obstruction but thankfully that's been ruled out. We had to give him dioralyte before we left the hospital and he kept it down so we were OK'd to continue breastfeeding but today he's been sick again. The out of hours GP has advised no breastmilk and to only give him dioralyte and solids (toast or mashed potato) for 24 hours. He's literally only just started weaning though so not really eating anything of substance yet which I explained to her but she said to try anyway. Posting as this advice seems to be totally contradictory to NHS/WHO advice, which is to continue breastfeeding. The pharmacist also won't give us the dioralyte without a prescription so whilst we wait for that I've just breastfed him and he's sleeping now, poor little guy.

Anyone had any experience of this? Feel a bit conflicted about what to do... Don't want to make him worse but he gets such a lot of comfort from feeding and I'm worried about my breasts if I have to spend another day only pumping.

OP posts:
fairislecable · 02/07/2023 11:52

At 5 months my twins had gastroenteritis, they were ill for roughly a week and only had dioralyte but afterwards they could not tolerate any dairy. They were on formula so they were given soya milk on prescription.

Maybe try going dairy free for a little while until his tummy has settled down.

dementedpixie · 02/07/2023 11:55

I'd keep breastfeeding and give dioralyte in addition if required. Even if formula feeding you are supposed to continue with milk feeds

dementedpixie · 02/07/2023 11:57

Can you not buy dioralyte in the supermarket rather than just from a chemist?

Didisquat · 02/07/2023 12:04

When my baby had this my GP said to keep breast feeding even though she was being sick after each feed, he said she would still get some goodness from it. All she wanted to do was feed even though she was being sick as I guess it was a comfort thing too. I just pretty much fed and cleaned up sick for a couple of days and then she was fine

Singleandproud · 02/07/2023 12:11

My DD had an awful stomach bug for a week when she was 2, I took her to the GP and he told me to continue to breastfeed and that ordinarily he would have had her admitted to hospital due to the duration of the bug but said that because she was taking in the bm (could tell from her nappies) that we did not have to be admitted. He said that bm would give her the necessary nutrients that she needed and as it was so easy for children to absord no other medication was needed - but to go back if her nappies changed or she wasn't taking bm.

mikado1 · 02/07/2023 12:22

Shocked you were told not to bf! I bf through it, while covered with a towel 😫 as pp says they get the goodness on the way down regardless. Obviously watch for lethargy, dehydration etc but you should ride it out in a day or two. It's hard going.

Carryonkeepinggoing · 02/07/2023 12:26

Oh gosh, I’d definitely keep breastfeeding. Whatever’s made him sick you’ve almost undoubtedly been exposed to as well so it’s likely you’re making antibodies to it and he’s able to piggy back some benefit from your immune system via your milk.

Janek · 02/07/2023 12:38

I agree with continuing to breast feed. It's comforting, it's the perfect food and I always followed the mantra of giving them whatever they fancied when they were ill ie something was better than nothing. So if he wants milk he gets it.

Original poster
stollen123 · 02/07/2023 13:11

Thanks all. The more I think about it, the more I think the doctor might have been pretty ill informed as she said I shouldn't breastfed him as dairy is bad for stomach bugs. But breastmilk isn't dairy?!..

OP posts:
mikado1 · 02/07/2023 15:47

Oh my god wrt dairy 😆

I'm afraid many GPs are shockingly ill informed regarding bf.

Porridgeislife · 02/07/2023 15:50

Poor little lad. Definitely keep breastfeeding. His saliva will tell your boobs and immune system to manage the water composition in the breastmilk to rehydrate him & give him antibodies to get over his illness.

It’s terrible how uninformed some GPS are regarding breastfeeding.

HappiDaze · 02/07/2023 15:51

Call the maternity ward or NICU to ask them for advice

MissChanandlerB0NG · 02/07/2023 15:54

I would keep breastfeeding and ask for a second opinion

CoachBeardsJane · 02/07/2023 17:16

HappiDaze · 02/07/2023 15:51

Call the maternity ward or NICU to ask them for advice

For Advice about a 6 month old you'd call nicu?

Groutyonehereagain · 02/07/2023 17:20

100% keep breastfeeding. It will keep your baby hydrated and keep your supply going.

JaninaDuszejko · 02/07/2023 17:21

That is shocking from the doctor. Give a 6 month old toast instead of BM? FFS. Keep on BFing and speak to a health visitor.

Emmamoo89 · 02/07/2023 17:53

Keep breastfeeding. Best thing for baba x

Original poster
stollen123 · 02/07/2023 18:56

Thanks everyone, went with my gut (and what seems to be the general consensus) and just stuck to breastfeeding. Was planning to use the dioralyte if he was vomiting loads but he's not been sick since, just some diarrhea and still having wet nappies. Will speak to the health visitor/ my own GP tomorrow if it starts up again. He has not had any toast ha

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