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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

GP says not to BF my sicky 13mo

24 replies

MegBusset · 15/04/2008 12:47

DS has been poorly since yesterday -- vomited a few times and generally been off colour. This morning he vomited after I tried giving him some yoghurt, I BFed him at around 11 and he kept it down.

Just spoken to the GP who has said not to give him any milk, but to give Ribena with a pinch of salt added. I understand that's to make sure he doesn't get dehydrated, but can't I give BM as well as or instead of this?

OP posts:

fluffyanimal · 15/04/2008 12:49

BM is the best thing for a baby with an upset stomach. Keep feeding him.

numptysmummy · 15/04/2008 12:50

Keep feeding bm,got everything he needs.

lulumama · 15/04/2008 12:50

ribena with a pinch of salt??? WTF? like that is better for your baby than breastmilk....

throckenholt · 15/04/2008 12:50

I think it is cows milk that you should avoid. I think breast milk has to be ok since it is really what human babies are designed to digest most easily.

Psychomum5 · 15/04/2008 12:55

I think your doc probably meant cows milk products and formula etc, as that can make sickness worse and so dehydration is more probable.

BM however is magical as it seem to automatically respond to the feeing baby and know what to do IYGWIM. this is why BF babies should never need extra fluids in the summer, just BM, as the BM goes watery and more thirstquenching when needed too.......

it therefore changes properties to feed a sick baby too.......it really is magical IMO

carry on.....if your DS refuses tho, then follow his lead and wait until he wants to nurse from you.

Wags · 15/04/2008 12:56

Keep BF, thats the joy of it when they are sick. Avoid yoghurts, cows milk though.

belgo · 15/04/2008 12:57

Stick to breastfeeding. Most easily digested and containing all the elements and nutrition he needs.

Stay away from youghurt for a while!

cmotdibbler · 15/04/2008 13:00

Just feed on demand - bm is the best thing in these circumstances, and Ribena with salt is crp advice - if he needed rehydration salts, then he needs the properly formulated ones.

Cows milk on the other hand can make sickness worse.

JulesJules · 15/04/2008 13:12

Ribena with salt!?? WTF?? Just keep on bf - it's just the stuff he needs and so comforting for him too.

Original poster

MegBusset · 15/04/2008 13:15

Thanks everyone

DS certainly seems to think BM is the right thing for him, he has just had a 15-minute feed and gone down for a nap, hopefully he will feel better after a sleep.

OP posts:

islandofsodor · 15/04/2008 13:19

Keep breastfeeding. DS Catching a sicky bug at 12 months was the reason I carried on b/f after intending to give up as it was the only think he could keep down.

Notquitegrownup · 15/04/2008 13:21

I always breastfed mine through sickness bugs. There was only one time, when the bug was soooo violent that every sip (slurp?) was coming back up, that I left the room and left his tum to settle for a while, before letting him dyson me again. Otherwise in 7 years of feeding, we always fed through whatever they had.

mawbroon · 17/04/2008 21:35

MegBusset - how is your ds now?

I was given the "stop breastfeeding and give ribena" line by a nurse practitioner. I was really so shocked by such awful advice that I complained. They tried to fob me off so I took it further.

Once your ds is better, I think you should complain too. Not every mother has the backing of MN and the next mother that this GP speaks to just might follow the advice.

SlightlyMadSweet · 17/04/2008 21:39

Ribena with a pinch of salt will be an attempt at maintaining electrolyte balance.

It is important to replace the salts as well as the fluid or the body gets even more screwed. BUT Diorylyte is much better as sodium chloride (table salt) is not the only "salt" used. Potassium is also v important. Also a "pinch of salt in Ribena" is hardly going to give the appropriate balance.

Good intentions but quite away from teh mark as far as the correct advice is concerned.

FairyMum · 17/04/2008 21:42

mawbroon, what happened when you complained? I have been given the same crap advice from GP and wanted to complain, but thought what's the point.Well done and are they paid by Ribena or something?

mawbroon · 17/04/2008 21:47

I had a thread on here about it Fairymum. Will see if I can find it! Back in a mo

Divastrop · 17/04/2008 21:47

blimey,i wouldnt give my 13 month old ribena under any circumstances.i think the doctors get confused sometimes as the advice for ff babies is to lay off milk feeds and just give cooled boiled water.maybe these gp's need some up to date information about bf?!

Original poster

MegBusset · 17/04/2008 21:48

He is much better now, hasn't puked since Tuesday, has been eating a bit of solid food today so I've just given him one extra BF in the afternoon to top him up.

OP posts:

SlightlyMadSweet · 17/04/2008 21:49

Is this the sort of thing that could be pointed out tote hhealth secretary in the live chat???

Probably won't acheive anything but you won't know ifyou don't try...

Original poster

MegBusset · 17/04/2008 21:49

Re: complaining. I actually really like my GP but he is very 'old school' and I imagine hasn't had any training since he qualified 30 years ago.

OP posts:

fishie · 17/04/2008 21:51

doesn't mean he should be allowed to give wrong advice unchallenged.

mawbroon · 17/04/2008 21:54

Here is the whole story. Follow the links on my OPs to get back to the beginning of the story!!

For starters, Ribena actually says on the packet/bottle not suitable for children under 36 months. That's before I even got going on the confusion between breastmilk and cow's milk.

It doesn't matter how nice your GP is Meg, he is still giving out really bad advice.

MrsWaggsnapps · 17/04/2008 21:59

Esp. as the latest line is not to withhold any food or drink from babies and small children (according to three different docs at my local practice and the nurse at NHS Direct).

MrsWaggsnapps · 17/04/2008 22:00

Sorry should add a qualifier that bland food is recommended if the child feels like eating

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