My 6 month old has Covid19

[sarahloubert]

My husband started having symptoms so he got tested and it came back positive. Hes been really unwell with it so has been quarantined away from us. I thought it best to get me, my 13 year old DS and my 6 month old DD tested too. My DS has come back negative but my DD and myself positive! I'm not feeling too bad so far but my DD is so clingy, moany (which isn't like her at all) and off her food. Shes got terrible diarrhea and her nappies aren't too wet. We called 111 and they were no help at all. Im after any ideas that could get some drink into her. I dont want to end up in hospital with her. With me and my husband being positive im not sure they would allow us to go in with her :( im distraught! Does anyone else have/had a young one diagnosed?

Oh gosh, how worrying, if it helps I’ve not read anything about babies and young people becoming very ill with covid.

I would just keep offering milk little but often when they have a dodgy tummy.

Is baby having some solids yet? If you give purées could you add some cool boiled water to it to up the liquid content?

I would also probably give calpol every 4 hours with no more doses than 4 In 24 hours, although now I’ve said that maybe check on bottle that’s ok for 6 Month old.

Hope you all feel better ASAP.

Call your dr when they open and get their advice. 111 are generally shite.

Anything liquid - ice lollies, juice, milk, watery fruit like strawberries & watermelon, cucumber etc etc will all help keep up her fluid levels. Use Deliveroo or ask a family/friend to pick things up for you. There will also be a service in your area to pick up food shopping if you need it.

Use a baby syringe to get water/milk in.

Can you phone your gp surgery and ask for a telephone appointment just to get some advice. I would feel better speaking to a gp than 111 with a baby.

OP, years ago, my dd was put in the hospital ward for a few hours to try and rehydrate her after a tummy bug. I had to give her a few drops with a calpol type syringe of water and dioralite (I think!). They let us out after a few hours. It was hard work as I had to drop it on her lips and into her mouth every few mins.

Good luck. And I hope you all recover quickly

Shes just drained an 8oz bottle but as she was drinking it, she was having another poo. Shes on a decent diet normally she has toast or porridge for breakfast and usually pasta, veg and fish for lunch and dinner (obviously meals vary day to day) but shes just not interested. She likes a yogurt but I don't know if dairy is a good idea with an upset tummy. 111 just said keep an eye on her which wasn't too helpful really. Im going to give the health visitor a ring later. Im so angry. We have been so careful, followed all the rules, kept away from people and only shopped when necessary. And we still got it :( xx

Call the GP not the health visitor.

We did the thing in hospitsl where you offer a syringe or teaspoon of water every 5 mins too. It must be frightening with a baby, even if we know children are usually fine. Id2def want to speak to a gp.

(Not at all the point but how did you test the rest of the family if you didn't have symptoms? We cant get tests here without classic 3 symptoms and I honestly think so many people are being missed. A friend was positive with "just" a headache and tirednessbut was sent for a test by her app, but those around her with same symptoms cant get tested and are still mixing.)

My young dc would get temporary lactose intolerance if unwell. It would last during and for several weeks after the illness. Sounds exactly like you say hideous diarrhoea that would seem instant after milk. I started getting lactose free formula and then lactofree milk when a bit older.

Can you think if you've ever noticed this but subtler before?

Sorry your DD is poorly

"She likes a yogurt but I don't know if dairy is a good idea with an upset tummy."

She's already having dairy if she's having formula. You might as well let her have a yoghurt.

Every person I know who has had covid and had symptoms has said the same thing, that they got little to no support from 111 or their GP.

It is just not good enough.

I had noticed that I had a slight dryness to my throat and thought well my hubby has it and we all share the same car and home (my house is tiny) I'd rather be safe than sorry. Call it a mothers intuition but I just knew I had to get us tested. Plus I'm diabetic so I'm high risk anyway. Im going to give the GP a ring when they open but I know she will just say to go to ED shes not the best tbh. Shes never been poorly really before so I dont know about the lactose thing. Shes happy playing on the floor right now with a packet of baby wipes lol. Im going to offer cooled boiled water every 10 mins or so and see if I can get some fluid into her. I just feel so guilty! Just changed her nappy her poo is still really loose but not as loose as it was yesterday. I last changed her at 4am and theres been no wee at all. 111 said to look out for sunken eyes but I may be being thick but I don't even know what that looks like in a baby? I feel sick with worry 😕

Have you tried skin to skin? This really helped when my 5 month old was unwell recently, and brought his temperature down a little. Even if she's bottle fed, it should encourage her to drink and give her some comfort.

I feel really sorry for first time moms. This must be such a scary time for them. My sons 13 but atleast ive had a bit of experience. Weve seen a health visitor once since she was 6 weeks old

I know this would be frowned upon (and for good reason) but could you consider some squash or diluted juice? Its been so long since mine were little that I can't remember what is safe at 6 months. I remember giving them squash when they had stomach bugs but can't remember what age. Its not something recommended due to potential tooth decay but this is a rare event!

Please don’t feel guilty.

Hopefully her only symptom will be loose poos.

A kid I teach was off with covid and their only symptom was a dodgy tummy.

I'll try her with water. Failing that ill stick a tiny bit if squash in. Im diabetic so we only have sugar free ones anyway. Overtherainbow I hope you're right. She looks so tired poor love x

You can get baby dioralyte OP, id get some of that in

Symptoms of dehydration in babies are lack of wet nappies, no tears when they cry, sunken fontanelle, dry eyes. Also keep an eye on her general appearance and mood

Call back if she gets dehydrated, it can come on quick with babies so she might need to be seen

Trying her with water i dont think she likes it as she's pushing the bottle away. Going to try adding a little squash to give it a little flavour. Her fontanelle seems a little sunken and shes red around the eyes ( like if you had been rubbing your eyes) gonna try the squash, failing that I'm ringing 111 again. I dont want to just turn up at ED seeing as we both have Covid19 x

5ml paediatric diarolyte every 5 mins, upping to 10ml every 5 mins if tolerated. And ice lollies to suck. Basically small and frequent fluids.

Im so angry. We have been so careful, followed all the rules, kept away from people and only shopped when necessary. And we still got it sad xx
Who are you angry with?

It is just one of those things and it sounds like you think it is your fault.

Stop beating yourself up about it and good luck calling the GP!!

When does your GP open - 08:30??

Personally I would call them soon as rather than 111

I wouldn't worry too much about what she drinks right now. If it's full sugar Rubens then so be it. She needs the sugars and liquid.

You can add a few grains of salt into squash to replenish sodium levels too, which are depleted by having the runs. My GP also recommended flat lemonade (shake it vigorously to remove bubbles) with a tiny pinch of salt in.

Get the fluid in. I used a Calpol syringe when we all got norovirus to get small quantities bin regularly. 1ml every few minutes and it makes a huge difference.

Ribena. Autocorrect 😂

I dont know i think I'm just mad with the world atm lol. Ive just managed to get half an oz of water into her and she just brought most of it back up 🤦‍♀️ this just breaks my heart. She looks so tired and poorly but still has a smile for me x

Her fontanelle seems a little sunken

This is concerning.