Is this just 'normal' baby illness?

[Judyandherdreamofhorses]

Silly title. I'm quite anxious over DS's (9 months) health. He was 'failure to thrive' before Christmas and in hospital for a week with an NG tube following a d&v bug.

He had the cold/ cough generally nasty bug that the whole family had a few weeks ago. After about 10 days of that was given antibiotics for suspected throat infection as he wasn't really getting better. A week after stopping those, he was poorly again. Lethargic, high temp, vomiting. GP diagnosed a chest infection on Thursday and he's on antibiotics again.

Not lethargic anymore, but refusing most breastfeeds, all water, and most solids. He is vomiting after almost every feed and has revolting nappies (leaking, runny, frequent, pale and stinky).

He has dry lips, looking a little blistered. GP again tomorrow, or is this just how a poorly baby is?

[Judyandherdreamofhorses]

Thanks for all the advice. I will follow up on it once this particular episode has passed. I do wonder about CMPI and reflux. He's a terrible, terrible sleeper at the best of times. I have not had any period of more than 3 hours unbroken sleep since he was born. A normal night is two hourly wakings.

[Judyandherdreamofhorses]

He's been given antibiotics for the ear infection that was seen on Monday and assumed to be viral. Now assumed not to be. I suppose because it hasn't improved.

He's been a bit more cheerful this evening and enjoyed his bath. Hoping for a better night.

[narmada]

Never mind if he thinks you're neurotic. Him not wanting to be cuddled or held is not normal. Sick children usually want physical comfort - I don't think you're being neurotic, and I bet no-one else who is a mum (or dad) would think you were, either.

if there is any reflux- or allergy-related inflammation of his oesophagus, then a severe throat bug could be really painful for him. I know DS was really affected by these before he got onto the PPI drugs ....

It mightn't be that at all but it does sound like the little chap needs a thorough looking at.

[Judyandherdreamofhorses]

Back to GP this afternoon. He's no better than when we went on Monday. Crying inconsolably most of the time. Hasn't smiled for days. Arches back when I try to cuddle him and pushes away, but wants to be picked up.

It's the same GP though. He'll think I'm neurotic. Oh well.

[breatheslowly]

Does your DH have any contacts who are paediatricians? The medics I know seem to use this informal network to be able to call on for specialist advice, even friend of a friend type contacts. If there is someone you could give a ring and chat it over with then give it a go.

[OpheliasWeepingWillow]

And as for immediate issues I would go to A&E.

Good luck.

[OpheliasWeepingWillow]

(both fixable BTW so don't worry but trust your instincts. I had a year of doctors telling me my dd was 'fine' until she was hospitalized five times in five months and fell of the chart)

[OpheliasWeepingWillow]

Please please check:

Has your LO milk intolerance? This sounds like my dd. Failure to thrive. Constant illness. Horrible.

Also - has your LO had IGA tested? This an indicate immune issues.

[beautifulgirls]

Please trust your instinct. Don't be afraid to go back - even though your DH is a doctor and the GP has told you things are ok. DD was seen twice in 36hrs by doctors who said it was just a viral infection but I still wasn't comfortable with her - then she developed a non fading rash. Our lives were turned upside down as she fought for her life in PICU, went through dialysis and lost part of her right foot as a direct result. We are lucky she is here and still with us. Her symptoms - lethargy and vomiting in the previous 48hrs with a fever.

[Judyandherdreamofhorses]

I've been quite worried today. It's the lethargy that bothers me, but I guess I'd be like that if I was feeling ill. I do feel better knowing he's had a few breastfeeds I suppose.

[narmada]

I guess as long as it's not ongoing weight issues - eg he has now picked up - they are probably reassured. Sounds like that issue's resolved now. Hope the wee chap picks up soon. They are lovely but such a worry when they are ill, aren't they?

[Judyandherdreamofhorses]

Thanks for your reply. I will take him back or to A&E tomorrow if I don't feel he's improving at all.

No, nothing was really investigated with his growth. We had a referral to paediatrics, but before we got an appointment, he ended up being admitted to hospital following a d&v bug and subsequent general poorliness. Fed with NG tube for a week and started on solids (just under 5 months). They let us out as he'd started to gain weight, and that was it really! Continued to improve weight gain ever since.

I didn't have him on a schedule or restrict his feeds, no. Always demand fed and offered more.

[narmada]

ps 'crap breastfeeding' will not be the reason growth is faltering unless you fed him to regimented schedule and limited length of feeds.

Did they rule out rusual suspects such as reflux, CMPI, oral abnormalities, absorption issues etc?

Sounds like it's possibly his genetic makeup tho if DS was same.

[narmada]

If you are not happy dont hesitate to take him to be seen again. Trust your instincts.

paracetamol suppositories can be a godsend in situations like this. I think boots can get them in for you.

[Judyandherdreamofhorses]

Just a throat and ear virus now. Chest is clear.

I've been really worried about him all day. He seems so poorly. But I guess a virus would make him feel bad. He doesn't want to eat or drink because his throat hurts. Keeps throwing up paracetamol/ ibuprofen. But is having small breastfeeds and keeping it down for a while.

I'm still not happy. But maybe it's more about my over-anxiety than about him.

[Judyandherdreamofhorses]

Went to OOH docs last night. Dr was very dismissive and said he'd 'just got a cold'.

Had two short breastfeeds in the night and wasn't sick. However, he had a sip of water at breakfast and was sick straightaway. Also diarrhoea again this morning. Very sleepy and is asleep now.

The first GP appointment I could get at our own surgery is late afternoon. I'll try diarolyte when he wakes up.

[Maternityleaveisawesome]

I would agree that doctors tend to ignore illness on their own kids, I am a dr and have been guilty of this . However, dehydration is an important and common one and I doubt any dr parent would miss this in their own child. Ask dh to check again if you are worried.

[BeaWheesht]

I wouldn't care less what my dh said doctor or not I'd be getting him seen now.

[ClaireDeTamble]

Just to add the advice I was given - the fontenelle test and pinch test and to either get down the doctors straight away if dehydration set in or if the surgery was closed a&e and not to bother with nhs direct or out of hours came from two different doctors 4 years apart relating to two differdnt children with d&v!

[ClaireDeTamble]

Well it's up to you, but the fact that you posted here suggests you don't agree.

Given he has two signs of severe dehydration, that babies and children are more susceptible than adults and it can lead to organ failur, I personally wouldn't risk it (and I am not an anxious parent, subscribing as I do to the benign neglect school of parenting .

Honestly, it's better to get him checked and be told he's fine than to risk the alternative. Dehydration in children can get really nasty really quickly.

[Judyandherdreamofhorses]

No, he's not a paediatrician.

He thinks he's okay for now.

[breatheslowly]

Doctor's children are the last to get see as their parents are less cautious about them than other parents (obviously not always). Your DH will also have seen your DS every day so he will "look a bit worse than yesterday" rather than seeing him objectively with fresh eyes.

Is your DH a pediatrician?

[narmada]

agree with Larry. What was the reason behind faltering growth?

[DeWe]

Have you got rehydration fluids? Or can you get hold of them.

Try feeding him 5ml (through syringe is easiest) at a time every 5 minutes. If he's still vomitting regularly with that, then ignore your oh and take him to A&E.

Ime doctors in the family either are over cautious with family, or a little bit blasé. I'm in a family of lots of doctors

[hazeyjane]

Well if your dh is dr, then I guess he should know. When dd2 recently got to the stage of blistery dry lips, she had severe dehydration.