nearly 3 yo, vomiting - dehydration?

[vezzie]

I am a bit confused by what I have read on the NHS site. My nearly 3 year old has thrown up 5 times today, copiously, I am pretty sure I have seen everything that has gone into her today come out. The longest gap was between the 4th and 5th episode; then she seemed stable so I gave her a cup of diluted juice and told her to sip slowly. 10 minutes later it all came out as if from a high pressure hose.

I haven't given her anything else since and really don't think I should, but is this wrong? If giving her stuff makes her vomit, how can this be good for her? (and I have no idea what she will sleep in if she enpukulates a 6th lot of bed linen, she has no idea how to throw up into a bucket or when to call me in time)

Btw she has no diarrhoea.

What are the signs of dehydration I should look for?

thanks

Try giving fluid on a teaspoon, one 5ml spoonful every 20 mins until it's tolerated then shorten the time span between spoonfuls. Sips are too big.

If you have dioralyte use that! We went to hospital with dd for the same thing two years ago and were given the advice to give 5ml of dioralyte every 10 mins and it has worked every time since.

You've still got to keep giving fluids, even if they are coming back up.

DS1 used to go into hospital a lot through dehydration from vomiting as a younger child. We were told to give him full sugar squash as the sugar starts to break down the bacteria or something.

Giving fluids from a tea spoon or medicine syringe is a good idea, or ice lollies as they go in slowly.

Really? Should I wake her up to do this? I haven't got any squash or dioralyte, should I put apple juice on a teaspoon?

how will I know if she is dehydrated?

...bump...?

When did she last pee?

Keep eye on whether her mouth is dry / she has tears / her skin pings back straight away when pinched.

You must always always keep giving fluids. Tiny amounts at a time - 5ml out a syringe every 10 minutes is a good guide.

Kepp an eye on her wee. Is she potty trained yet or still in nappies? If she is PT'd, see what colour it is, and if she isn't, how often is she having a wet nappy?

You need to give her 5mls every 5/10 minutes. Apple juice is fine to do this with, although I suggest you start with water for the first half hour. If she is asleep, don't wake her up, but when she does wake up, start doing it, and try to keep it going for at least an hour. If you don't have a syringe, a teaspoon is sufficeint.

Has this just started today, or has it been going on for a couple of days?

Get her to stick her tongue out. Is it wet looking like normal, or dry?

Thanks everyone. She's in nappies when in bed so not sure if she has weed or not. This started after lunch today. And weirdly, despite vomiting violently, she has been her normal self so I don't think she can be too badly effected. I think I should leave her in bed and see how she is tomorrow unless I hear from her...

I'd sleep in beside her if I were you. Have a drink, bowl, towels, clothes, thermometer, meds and bedsheets ready and waiting. Tomorrow give her wee tiny amounts even if she seems fine just until you see how she is.

hahaleftmymistletoe, you are prescient. just after I posted last night she vomited again. I changed all her clothes and linen again and spent the night in there with a bucket, helping her to vom every 20 minutes or so, spoonfeeding water, changing nappies and bed linen etc. Today she is utterly washed out but hasn't vomitted since 5 ish and has had a fair amount to drink since then.
thank you everyone, she is my pfb and this was out first d&v episode. I feel as if we have both had to grow up a bit! (so has the washing machine)

Scariest night of my life when dd had first d&v episode, hope you are coming down to earth now.

Hi Strawberry, thanks! yes, it was pretty intense but we're through the worst. poor little dd1 is not herself yet though. We've had some great drying weather through all this.... I am off out in a minute to buy more washing powder.

Thanks to everyone who advised about the fluids and the teaspoon, I would not have known this.