Baby with tummy bug won’t take fluids.

[Bobfossil2]

Evening!
10 month old has had diarrhoea severely for about 8 days and vomiting for three days. No temperature.
She refuses any liquid, is formula fed but won’t have it. Has had approx 1oz today and maybe a few mouthfuls of water. She’s had an ice lolly in desperation. She refuses dioralyte! She’s had dry nappies since last night. She appears well within herself to be honest and hasn’t vomited since this morning although she has been very lethargic today.
Any ideas of how I can get liquid in her? Have tried a million different cups, syringe, spoon...

If shes not taking fluids, and has had dry nappies since last night id be taking her to a&e im afraid

Dry nappies since last night? Needs to be seen tonight.

If she has dry nappies and refusing liquids I would ring 111 or the out of hours doctor as they will check her over and see if she needs fluids due to dehydration at the hospital.

Hope she feels better

I'd be seeking medical advice with that level of dehydration, she may need IV fluids. I'd call 111 now and see what they say.

Can you syringe liquids in with a calpol syringe in the meantime? I'd just do small amounts (5ml) every 5 mins or so.

Take her to a and e, or at least ring 111, they can advise better.

Sorry I meant to see she was seen Thursday, yesterday and today and on all three occasions I’ve been told to continue doing what I’m doing and that she’s not dehydrated. She was last seen this afternoon and her symptoms are the same as they were then.

You need to take her to A&E if dry nappies since last night and almost no fluids. She might need IV fluids.

If she is taking ice lollies for you I would keep giving them to her any liquid is better than no liquid. Getting fluids is key, it really is no fun going to a&e to get fluids at that age. Keep trying the syringe small tiny bits into the side of her mouth, try the dioralyte even with some dilute in it through the syringe.

Thanks for the advice about a&e. I just changed her nappy and it was wee and not diarrhoea- could cry! Syringed some dioralyte into her and she’s fallen asleep. Will wake her again in 20 mins to do so again and in the meantime will phone 111. I appreciate the advice, have felt like I’m being an idiot whenever I’ve taken her in! Especially because she’s rallies all her energy and acts like there’s nothing wrong whenever a GP looks at her 🙈 Will keep going with lollies too.

We had similar when DD was tiny. We tried everything liquid just to rehydrate her. Apple juice kept her out of hospital, thankfully.
I would try as many different liquids as possible and hopefully she'll take to one of them.

Do you know with things like this I'm absolutely shocked at how laid back Dr's are about such young children! Diarrhea and vomiting for so long in a 10 month old baby can get very serious very quickly, op you have done exactly right to keep getting her seen, I really hope she's on the better side of it now, fingers crossed for you.

I know its a bind but I'd go to A&E too if she does not keep the dioralyte down or has another nappy with diarrhoea. DS1 ended up in hospital on a drip at slightly younger age following a bout of rotavirus. It is scary how quickly babies go downhill.

If she is keeping things down now see how she goes but do keep a careful eye. Sometimes you cannot rehydrate babies fast enough to make a difference.

Does she have sunken eyes/ fontanelle? If you pinch the skin together on the back of her hand does it spring back straightaway? Any doubts go back to A&E and make sure you are seen by someone in paediatrics.

With dry nappies the doctor has always said babies need to be seen. Don't feel bad or silly for going back or ringing 111 they will be glad you have asked for advice or taken her in.

Hope she's doing better!

Lethargy is something to watch as a sign for dehydration. It can happen very quickly in kids that young.

Keep regular syringing of dioralyte. Offer sips of squash instead of plan water. Offer jelly / ice cream which may be more palatable to get liquid in. Also a strange one but our consultant said skips crisps are a good way to help get some important salts back up at the same time - so go buys multipack and offer as snacks.

Put a little sugar in the water, or anything else that tastes nice and she might drink.
what about melted lolly watered down in bottle. Maybe make teat hole bigger. Try warm drink or cold drink.

keep gping with the lollies .
hopefully shes better today

Thank you so much for suggestions. I will try them all. Called 111 in the night and was assessed over the phone and told there were no red flags. I just hate the thought that she might deteriorate.

Hows your little ond this morning op?

I’ve been pouring dioralyte into her mouth every ten minutes or so, which she doesn’t love and she also ate some apple. She ate an ice lolly. She’s been sick once and has got up and played with her toys and read a book, but she’s also mainly been asleep.