Baby has D&V should I limit bfeeding?

[fadingfast]

I have seen conflicting advice so would appreciate your views.

DD is 11mo. Now only has two bfeeds a day, morning and evening. Today she vomited up her whole morning feed. In between she has had some water to drink and tiny amounts to eat. She has had several nasty nappies. At bedtime she fed very enthusiastically but then shortly afterwards brought it all up again.

Should I be trying to feed her smaller quantities at a time or just leave her to it? Should I try to increase the number of feeds but less at each one? What about rehydration fluids?

If this carries on tomorrow should I see the Dr? I know the main worry is dehydration so provided she is keeping some fluids down, is it necessary to take her?

I would feed her on demand. It is gentle for them and counts as clear fluids (does usually before operations too but I digress). If she is sick after it it doesnt matter from that perspective - although difficult for you I know as she may feed frequently.

Cows milk or formula would exacerbate things but breast milk is like water (in terms of easy on the tummy) but with loads of nutrients, antibodies etc.

I always take mine to the dr when little with d + v but dont know whether you need to or not as such. He always suggests dioralyte in a bottle...I always say she doesnt have one...he looks at me weird (again I digress)

Hope she gets better soon

As I understand it, BM is so easy to digest and nutritious that even if they bring up most of a feed, they will have had time to digest some of it (and be hydrated by it).

I would keep feeding but maybe offer a few more times during the day while she is ill, so she's having little and often?

When DS had a similar bug around the same age I called the doc who told me to stop breastfeeding and give him Ribena! Needless to say I ignored that 'advice'.

I wouldn't limit it, no, but I would try to feed little and often rather than in a huge burst a couple of times.

I would feed on demand but try and shorten the feeds. When DD1 was 10 months she went through this. I woudl feed her for a minute or so and then break the latch for a few minutes before letting ehr latch again. It felt awful as she woudl cry but she was so hungry after throwing everything up she would guzzle so much it woudl all come back up again.
I found doing it this way, sometimes with a bit of water in a bottle to stop her getting too upset meant she coudl keep it down for a bit longer.

Hope it passes soon though.

No, the advice now when babies and young children have D&V is to let them have what they want, when they want it. Breastmilk is probably one of the best things to give!

DS and I were just in hospital. Sorry you are having to go through this. It's really difficult not being able to make your baby better

I would feed on demand. If nothing else, it's a huge comfort when they are feeling ill.

Yes, you should definitely see the doctor tomorrow or at least call, especially as she is leaking from both ends...

Hope she gets better soon...

what kellymom has to say on the subject

little and often seems to be the key. and I'm pretty sure that continuing to feed a baby through an illness can actually shorten the severity of the illness or length of time they are ill.

I hope she is better tomorrow, and certainly worth taking her to the docs if you have any concerns.

Thank you. That all makes sense, although giving her a shorter feed is easier said than done!

I do so hate it when they are ill

Yep, agree - keep feeding and little and often.