8 month old with gastroenteritis, wakes covered in diarrhoea daily any experiences to share ?

[ZaZazebra]

Hi just that really the poor thing is now 5 days in, she seems ok ish in herself but is getting more irritable and fed up as the days go by. It's awful to wake each morning and find her covered from head to toe in diarrhoea. I've never seen anything like it. She stopped vomiting on about day 3 but can't seem to shake the diarrhoea. I've been back and forth to the doctors and they have been helpful and said she doesn't appear dehydrated (I've been giving her bottles of dioralyte) and told me it might take 10 days to pass. Argh. Any experiences to share/ pearls of wisdom? I've now stopped milk per the doctor's advice and am just giving BRAT and other fluids. :-(

No one?

I've had a couple of threads recently about DTs who have had rotavirus. They're older (2.4) but same symptoms. They are turning the corner now, 8 days in but still not really eating and a couple of diarreah nappies a day. Docs have just said as long as not dehydrated not to worry and can take up to two weeks to get over it. Sorry, no pearls of wisdom, but sympathies. Hope she gets better soon. I've been letting them eat whatever they want just to get some calories in, mainly jelly and biscuits!

I'm in exactly the same position with my 10 m/o. She's getting so grumpy and her bum's really sore. Metanium seems to be helping a little bit with that but I'm also just giving BRAT. Didn't know that about milk so will stop that for a couple of days and see if it helps.

its not normally advised to stop milk feeds especially in a baby. You could try a lactose free formula as gastro bugs can lead to a temporary lactose intolerance. There is also no need to stick to the BRAT diet - starchy foods are good e.g. pasta, rice, potato, toast, etc. Soup also supposed to be good.

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Rotavirus-gastroenteritis/Pages/Treatment.aspx - says:

If your child does not appear to be dehydrated and has no increased risk of dehydration, you should 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 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.

Hi there thanks for the replies misery loves company! I can't even see the light at the end of the tunnel! Especially since my other DD (3.5) is incredibly whiny ( maybe coming down with it too who knows) and I am a single parent. Argh! I have spoken to the doctor again today and she's said I should give milk after all and that these things just can take time to run their course. Good luck to all the others suffering too.

Thanks zazazebra. My washing pile is huge - least it's giving me something to do! DD just had potato cakes, toast and banana. I'm waiting for the explosion.

Niklepic agree my washer and tumble dryer have been in constantly since the weekend! Finally this evening (day six) she had a firmer poo. I don't think I've ever been so happy to see a pooey nappy. Hopefully tomorrow she will be much better. My mum and exP are now both sick too here's to hoping DD1 and I dodge it. I'll be surprised.