Why are poorly children not supposed to have milk again?

[CheerfulYank]

My friend's 16 month old DD is ill. Just a bit of the cold/flu thing, she threw up once last night.

My friend says she will not take anything but milk, but everyone is telling her to do water or Pedialyte instead.

Is there some reason milk is not okay? I always just go too the toast/ginger ale thing immediately when DS is ill, I never think about why.

Is there some reason we don't do milk?

Go to rather

Milk can upset a bad stomach. Not good for a poorly little one

Yes milk can be hard to digest - but if it's all the dd will have then it's probably best just to stick with it.

That's what I thought, thanks :)

because milky curdled sick is the worst to clear up... and what Bigsighfeelingupset said

I think that current thinking is that witholding milk has little effect and it is better to keep the child hydrated. but i am not a paediatrician

fluid is fluid so if she wants milk it is fine to give it.

I thought dairy makes diarrhea worse if you have an upset stomach? could be wrong though probably am

from NICE info online:

In children with gastroenteritis but without clinical dehydration:

• continue breastfeeding and other milk feeds
• encourage fluid intake
• discourage the drinking of fruit juices and carbonated drinks, especially in those at increased risk of dehydration (see 1.2.1.2)
• offer oral rehydration salt (ORS) solution as supplemental fluid to those at increased risk of dehydration (see 1.2.1.2).

from nhs

If your child does not appear dehydrated and has no increased risk of dehydration, continue to feed them as usual, whether with breast milk, other milk feeds or solids.

If your child is eating solids, encourage them to eat as soon as their vomiting is under control. There is no evidence to suggest that not allowing your child to eat will shorten their episodes of diarrhoea. Simple foods that are high in carbohydrates, such as bread, rice or pasta, are recommended.

It is not recommended that your child drinks fruit juices or carbonated drinks (?fizzy drinks?). These can worsen their symptoms of diarrhoea.

DS2 has dreadful diarrhoea over the weekend.

When I spoke to NHS direct they said to avoid dairy products (well the computer screen in from of her told her to tell me that!), but on seeing the GP later that day (on the advice of NHS direct!) she said that he shold have whatever he fancied to eat or drink and that avoiding dairy would make no difference.

Wilkos reason is good enough to avoid milk if the poorly child will take enough of other things imo!

is this because water is better for re-hydration (due to not containing so many trace salts)...?

though if your kid drinks milk, not water...better give them something they'll drink rather than something they won't?

i have had sick moments where i held down milk, not water, but then mine were booze-induced....