Gastro bug ds - hospital Paed says no bf

[boober]

He was admitted last night as temp was spiking and not responding to meds. Thankfully his temp came down in hospital however Paed says avoid bf (ds is 16 M). On call Dr said the same earlier in the day. I've compromised my own opinion and have only been feeding when he asks which has not been as often, perhaps because initially he was vomiting bm (he has not done this since early yesterday morning, but nappies still revolting).

I know that opinion here is always to continue to bf, but has anyone done this against the advice of the dr? My dh is annoyed at me for not doing what I am told, but my instinct tells me that the dr is wrong. Also it would be a lot more difficult to comfort my poor ill ds without bf.

Would love some advice/reassurance.

I should also add that he has ear infection and sore throat and has been prescribed anti-bs too.

what they saying do as an alternative?

they're wrong (speaking as a doctor) keep bf

What reason did they give?

If you want some back up references to support your decision, have a look here:
www.kellymom.com/health/illness/baby-illness.html

Thanks everyone. The first dr said best to avoid milk all together with gastro bug. The second one said as bm contained fat and protein it was difficult to digest. He said to give clear liquids.

This is very strange advice from the doctor - they need to convince you there are special circumstances that mean your son is a special case.

www.patient.co.uk/health/Diarrhoea-%28acute%29-in-Children.htm

www.patient.co.uk/health/Fever-%28High-Temperature%29-in-Children.htm

Evidence based stuff in the above. 'If breastfeeding, keep breastfeeding because breastmilk is the best fluid.'

It could be dangerous to withhold breastfeeding in a child who needs to have fluids.

I have read the nice guidelines now as linked from patient.co.uk and have to say I am quite shocked - the advice I was given was wrong even according to NHS guidelines! I will show this to my dh who is now furious with my arrogance re ignoring the "experts" advice. Thanks again to all.

boober - show the info (yes, including the NICE guidance which is written for doctors and other healthcare professionals) to the doctors. It's just possible there are very special circumstances that make it a good idea for this guidance to be ignored, for one thing, and for another thing, they need to be aware of the guidance so they don't misinform other parents.

Have to say - am mystified by your dh being furious. What's more important, your ds's health or not being 'arrogant' with a doctor???

From what you say, your ds needs breastmilk, after all. He is poorly and needs the fluids and the healing qualities of breastfeeding (and the comfort of it - very important when a toddler is feeling unwell).

DD1 got a really bad gastro bug when she was 7 months old, the electrolytes she was prescribed didn't work, and she was admitted for 6 days to recover - luckily I was allocated a bed with her. When the paed/nurses heard I was still bfing they went 'ooohhhh good' and brought round loads of bottles of water so I could keep my own liquids up. The only problem with it was that I had started weaning, and suddenly had to go back to ebf and obviously my supply had reduced in the meantime, but the doctor insisted it was best to feed as much breast milk as possible.I had the feeling it was pretty rare for them to encounter a mother still bfing at that age - maybe your paed is one of those eedjits who just feels uncomfortable with extended feeding.

Hi Tiktok

My dh believes that I am being arrogant because I refused to stick to what the dr said, and have being bf my ds. He believes that the dr must have been right, and is also annoyed with me not challenging the dr at the time. It's a difficult thing to fo though, even more so when upset and sleep deprived. I am going to contact the hospital and ask why we were advised not to bf, just in case there were special circs (though I doubt this).

I did challenge the (two) on call gps who told me the same earlier on in the afternoon, and they were clear that no milk was best with gastro!

One thing, I am in Scotland, do you know if NHS Scotland follow the same. NICE guidelines?

NICE is written for England and Wales; Scotland have SIGN guidelines.

However, NICE guidelines are used throughout the UK as evidence-based practice.

You might find something at the SIGN website www.sign.ac.uk/index.html if you look.

But no Scotland doctor is going to dismiss NICE, so you can feel confident in sharing the info with them.

There are plenty of other guidelines - WHO, for instance; the AAP (American Pediatrics Association - that stress the importance of continuing to bf at times of illness.

rehydrate.org/dehydration/treatment-plans.htm

apps.who.int/chd/publications/cdd/textrev4.htm

More guidelines, boober

My DS had a gastrobug when he was around 6 weeks and I was told to continue BF so he would avoid becoming dehydrated, cant believe you were given advice not to

Hope he is better soon

It is amazing the differing advice given on this. My GP has always advised continuing to breastfeed with stomach bugs. Even for older children and adults I thought the advice on what to eat/drink had changed recently to be much less restrictive.

I got the same duff advice when my DD was very tiny (8 weeks) and had a horrible D&V bug. The GP suggested I give her dioralyte instead of bf. I actually tried to make the stuff up and give it to her but she'd never had a bottle and the stuff tasted vile there is no way I'd have got her to have it. I was also freaked out that it said not under 3 months or maybe even 6 months on the packet.
I got a 2nd opinion from a paediatrician friend and he put me straight that bf is the very best thing. He had done a lot of work in developing countries where D&V bugs are rife and can be fatal and said he was always so relieved when mothers were bf because he didn't have to calculate the exact amounts of fluid and salts needed as it is naturally perfectly balanced and of course the antibodies are fighting the infection.
I actually complained about that GPs advice because I think if I'd gone through with it DD would have been hospitalised. I later discovered she was of the 'no nutritional benefits after 6 months' school of thought and resolved never to see her again.

I wonder if they're confusing BM and cow's milk? I do remember reading that dairy is bad if you have a D&V bug. I know its ridiculous, inaccurate and bad advice from someone who should have thought it through, but I can see how they might include BM under the banner of dairy (it's "milk", after all... ) Doesn't make it any better, though - and even if there is some unusual exception in your case they should have explained it so you understood

Fingers crossed your DS is feeling better soon, and that you can spread a little enlightenment

Thanks all

It's great to have some support here when in RL there is none. DS is a bit perkier today though still weak - he can only walk two steps before falling over. He is bf like crazy now - and keeping it down, he ate a bit of a plain biscuit last night and vomited it back up. His nappies are bright yellow now - just like they were when he was ex bf.

Thanks again all.

yeah Tik Tok and the NICE Guidelines! Don't leave home without them!

I had a similar experience with the Paediatricians when DS was quite ill in Children's Hospital. Have to say it was only with the younger (male) doctors, but eventually got to the stage where DS needed to be nil by mouth, but we discussed when I could re start, and they also got me a hospital pump.

Glad your DS is getting better....