conflicting advice on gastroenteritis

[Leicfox1]

My 8 month old son has had diarrhoea since Friday morning. On Saturday I rang nhs direct just to be safe, and was advised to keep giving solids and milk, but was also given an appointment at the urgent care centre to get him checked over and make it wasn't anything more serious. The doctor at the centre said no solids, no milk, only diaralyte.

I half dismissed this and decided on main milk feeds plus diaralyte in between *though he hates it and i end up giving water instead. But he's not been any better today. I'm reluctant to not give milk because he must be starving.

Do I persevere with milk and diaralyte? It seems such a common illness, I was just wondering what others did/do. Thanks in advance

When I had it I definitely only had water and salts/ lemon sugar and salt.
I think milk = terrible idea but you can call that number 111? And ask

Sorry I was an adult when I had it I didnt see 8 months old bit

I would continue with breastmilk (as it's considered a "clear" liquid) and Dioralyte, but I think I wouldn't give formula until he was better.

Thanks evergreen. I've had it before, and have it now too (so does husband, so a very unhappy house atm). I've always tried to eat a little dry toast or something a couple of times a day, even if it comes straight out, to deal with the hunger pangs. If ds isnr drinking much diarylte or water (which he isnt) I'm worried that he's going to be so hungry if I don't give him milk. Forgot to say that it's formula. But if that's what works, then I will give it a go tomorrow with no milk either

Thanks speaknowords, think I will try no formula tomorrow

Is he vomiting?

No, he hasn't been vomiting at all. Me and dh have!

You are still supposed to give milk feeds whether breast or formula milk. Guve dioralyte too if required. Solids are also ok but make them carb rich and bland

From NHS site:

Encourage them to drink plenty of fluids. They need to replace the fluids lost from vomiting and diarrhoea. Water is generally best. Avoid giving them fizzy drinks or fruit juice, as they can make their diarrhoea worse.

Babies should continue to feed as usual, either with breast milk or other milk feeds

Make sure they get plenty of rest.

Let your child eat if they're eating solids and feel hungry. Try small amounts of plain foods, such as soup, rice, pasta and bread

Give them paracetamol if they have an uncomfortable fever or aches and pains. Young children may find liquid paracetamol easier to swallow than tablets.

Use special rehydration drinks made from sachets bought from pharmacies if they're dehydrated. Your GP or pharmacist can advise on how much to give your child. Don't give them antidiarrhoeal and anti-vomiting medication, unless advised to by your GP or pharmacist.

Thank you dementedpixie. I swear I read that yesterday but the doctor was so insistent on no food or milk that it really confused me! Also the fact that ds hasn't made any progress since Friday morning made me question if I was doing the right thing

If he's not vomiting, let him eat and drink what he likes. Does the milk seem to make him worse? Is he wanting to eat and drink?

Generally I've been told keep up
Milk and give solids if they seem to want them. The one exception was when my son was vvv dehydrated and they just gave him an anti emetic and dioralyte

I would certainly keep up milk and solids as much as he wants. Maybe avoid fruits or anything obvious which causes looser stools but I certainly wouldn't be restricting much at all really

He's drinking about half of his usual milk bottle, and wasn't really interested in the solids that I was giving him on Friday. The milk just comes out the other end within a few minutes, so do water and diaralyte but there is less volume of output with those so he seems to be retaining some of those fluids compared to milk

I know it's difficult to tell about wet nappies when theres diorhhea but are the other signs of dehydration? Does skin spring back when pinched, can he cry tears, does he seems listless?

Part of the reason they sent us to urgent care was to check for dehydration, and there were no signs. Definitely not listless, very alert as usual but slightly sleepier and had a 1.5 h nap yesterday which is unheard of, he's been a catnapper since three months. We've had tears and skin seems healthy. Like you say, it's very difficult to check from wet nappies. He's just had milk now, and it didn't come straight out, so fingers crossed that he might be on the mend

Just to let you know babies take longer to recover from tummy bugs than us. We all had it here two weeks ago and ds had bad nappies for 8 days which I was told was normal. He carried on having his milk and food. On day one of the bug he didn't want his milk and not really any solids but drank water then he went back to normal for food and milk the next day but carried on having bAd nappies. His nappies are now fine as long as there is no sign on dehydration just take his lead x

Glad to hear no signs of dehydration. Hope he's starting to improve. As CL said I think anything up to about 14 days can be normal for bad nappies

He seems to be doing better, thanks. Nappies are slightly less watery, his appetite is returning and he's drinking more water. We're giving solids and milk but in smaller, more frequent portions rather than big meals. Given up on the dioralyte because he just refuses it after a sip now! Thanks to all who responded

Thanks for letting us know. Hope he's fully back to normal soon. Just as a heads up appetite might take a little while to be exactly the same

I wish drs wouldn't say this. I was advised to stop bfing and solids with a 9 month old and only give diaoralyte once when she had diarrhoea. Terrible advice as she hated it and would definitely have got dehydrated.