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Original poster

Baby on her third day of sleep?

234 replies

endcityspawner · 26/12/2024 17:36

First time mum so forgive me if I’m being over dramatic!

Baby is 11 months old and on 23rd Dec was sick after her tea but we assumed food went down the wrong way as that’s how it sounded. 6am on Christmas Eve she woke up on her back bringing up bile I assume. She slept the whole of Christmas Eve, we didn’t see her for more than an hour and then all night again. Christmas Day was the same, she had to be woke and as soon as you do wake her she falls back to sleep. She’s difficult to wake and her eyes just roll back to sleep.

Last night (Christmas Day) she vomited again baring it mind it had been 38 hours since the last vomit and the time before that was 13 hours so I know it’s not noro etc.

After she was sick last night she went to bed and slept for 14 hours, again we had to wake her this morning. She drank 2oz of milk and fell asleep sat up and went back down for another 2.5 hours before we woke her for Calpol. She had Calpol, vomited and went back to sleep. She’s been asleep since. We can’t wake her, she opens her eyes for a split second before rolling them back to sleep.

She hasn’t eaten since the 23rd which I’m not overly concerned about because I know she won’t starve and will eat when she’s hungry. She also hasn’t had any milk bar the 2oz today which again, not overly concerned about as fluids is most important and she’s sipping water when we wake her for it.

I guess my main concern is the sleep? I know it’s a red flag when baby is difficult to wake and it’s not even as if she’s sleeping all day then up at night. She is literally sleeping all day and all night for now the third day straight. She’s been awake for no longer than an hour today.

Is it just a case of letting her keep sleeping and sleeping or does she need to be seen?

I’m reluctant that I’m just being an overly paranoid first time mum. Like I said food and milk isn’t my concern as she’ll eat when she’s ready it’s just the sleep.

OP posts:
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Original poster
endcityspawner · 27/12/2024 01:10

MusicalDoc · 27/12/2024 01:05

Hey OP. I’m a Paeds doctor and a first time mom too. I’d be worried about this if I saw you in my A&E and would definitely look for a urine test, throat swab and possibly bloods too depending on how your child looked. It’s important to me to interact with a child awake when I examine them, even if they’re screaming their heads off the entire time. I’m much more reassuring by that than by lethargy.

I hope you go back and stand your ground. Asking for your requests to be documented may get an eye roll but generally gets people listening to you. For example ‘can you please explain the reasoning to me and then make sure the decision not to do bloods is documented in her notes’

Hope your little girl is feeling better soon !!

Thank you so much for this and the example to use as I have no where to begin on what to say 😢 We’re on the way back x

OP posts:
Original poster
endcityspawner · 27/12/2024 01:15

We nipped back home as I have chronic pain and needed my pain relief as being sat for 5 hours has flared my poor joints but we’re on the way back, I’ve read all the comments to my partner who’s driving and his words is he’s no longer tired as he’s got fire in his belly and they WILL listen!

I have no idea what to say and I’m very nervous to go and have them annoyed but you’re all right, you don’t play about with your child’s life and she’s the shell of herself. Sounds soppy but I really miss her!! She’s been to A&E in the past due to a different medical issue and all the doctors said is she usually this happy blah blah blah and she is. She’s so bubbly and outgoing but even her cry doesn’t sound typical. I’ll update hopefully with an outcome!

OP posts:
Tearsricochet · 27/12/2024 01:17

Im so glad you are going back. You are not over reacting by doing this so do not let them make you feel that way.

Other people have said they would have had her checked out on day 1 and I agree with them - not saying this to make you fee bad in any way, but you said you are a FTM so it might help to know when to get help.

I would rather have my child checked out and sent home reassured that they are ok - this isn’t wasting time, it’s being cautious and proactive.

editing to add - if they query why you are back so soon, be clear that you were advised by 111 but also that you know your baby and this is very far from normal for her. Be clear that you were not reassured by the tests they did during your first visit.

Joystir59 · 27/12/2024 01:21

I hope you get answers and that she's back to her normal self very soon

NiftyKoala · 27/12/2024 01:22

I'm so glad you went back. Hoping your baby feeling better soon.

captainPugwashh · 27/12/2024 01:33

As a dr this is making all my spidey senses tingle. Please take her back to A&E. A different A&E if needed .

I wouldn't be happy with that outcome at all

Original poster
endcityspawner · 27/12/2024 01:41

We’re back in the waiting room. We told reception we wanted a second opinion so she told us to take a seat and she’ll go speak to a paediatrician.

The same couple with a poorly toddler is still here waiting, seems they’ve been in the same boat with being fobbed off!

OP posts:
captainPugwashh · 27/12/2024 01:55

@endcityspawner well done for going back. Tell the staff you want to apply 'Martha's Rule' and you'll get their attention and will be passed onto a second dr for a second opinion

Justchatting06 · 27/12/2024 01:59

endcityspawner · 27/12/2024 01:15

We nipped back home as I have chronic pain and needed my pain relief as being sat for 5 hours has flared my poor joints but we’re on the way back, I’ve read all the comments to my partner who’s driving and his words is he’s no longer tired as he’s got fire in his belly and they WILL listen!

I have no idea what to say and I’m very nervous to go and have them annoyed but you’re all right, you don’t play about with your child’s life and she’s the shell of herself. Sounds soppy but I really miss her!! She’s been to A&E in the past due to a different medical issue and all the doctors said is she usually this happy blah blah blah and she is. She’s so bubbly and outgoing but even her cry doesn’t sound typical. I’ll update hopefully with an outcome!

Annoy them as much as you need too - better safe than sorry! Our nhs is so overloaded they can miss things - no disrespect to any nurses or doctors as my partner spent months in hospital recently and everyone worked so tirelessly and were individually amazing - but the system is letting everyone down including the staff

Original poster
endcityspawner · 27/12/2024 02:02

captainPugwashh · 27/12/2024 01:55

@endcityspawner well done for going back. Tell the staff you want to apply 'Martha's Rule' and you'll get their attention and will be passed onto a second dr for a second opinion

Just had a google whilst we’re waiting for a different doctor and I don’t believe this is in place in NHS Wales unfortunately

OP posts:
captainPugwashh · 27/12/2024 02:05

Then tell them you're worried about sepsis

SindySnowflake · 27/12/2024 02:09

Be a really squeaky wheel here. Honestly. Be pushy and don’t worry about annoying them.

Mostlyoblivious · 27/12/2024 02:13

What’s her urine output like? What is her respiratory rate per minute (how many breaths)? Is she sucking in at her trachea (dip below the Adams apple) when she breathes?
Adding to the lack of fluid and the extreme lethargy the fact that she isn’t responding to the pain of a heel prick then she needs adequate medical attention.

Have they checked her heart?

You need to insist to be seen urgently. If you aren’t being taken seriously then I think you have to strike out to a different place however I would be nervous of the drive.

I am assuming you’re thinking Alder Hey? Is there anywhere closer in England than there? Have you experienced Arrowe Park for paeds?( I haven’t acutely)

absolutely best of luck OP

Mummyoflittledragon · 27/12/2024 02:16

I hope your dd will be ok. You’re absolutely doing the right thing. The amount of sleep and lethargy is concerning and I would want a second opinion.

thaegumathteth · 27/12/2024 02:16

Well done got going back. You need to really advocate for her.

When my eldest was a toddler I was back and forth about 5 times because I knew he wasn't right. Turned out he had bilateral pneumonia. If I hadn't pushed I don't know what would have happened.

Your age is irrelevant, don't let that hold you back or be used against you. I wasn't much older than you and you do sometimes have to be really confident and self assured even when you're shaking inside

Ask for

Bloods
Urine
Throat swab

If refused ask why. (And tbh I'd go to another hospital)

This screenshot is from the nhs wales website

Baby on her third day of sleep?
Waffle19 · 27/12/2024 02:20

Hope you’re ok OP, what a nightmare for you at Christmas of all times. I had very similar with my one year old recently and the doctors at A&E couldn’t have been less bothered because all his obs were normal (temp, breathing etc). He did then develop a temp and a bad chest which took two lots of antibiotics and steroids to clear, so it’s like the sleepiness cane before the signs of the infection. I was disappointed with the reaction from the A&E doctors though as they just didn’t get my concerns, it is so worrying when your baby is literally asleep for 23 out of 24 hours. Hope you get some answers soon, hopefully it is just a virus they are wiped out by.

thaegumathteth · 27/12/2024 02:27

I'd ask them to check her blood sugar level too and infection markers

Original poster
endcityspawner · 27/12/2024 02:28

A nurse just came to do her obs and temp + heart rate (I think that’s the one they put on their little toe) were normal. She was in and out of sleep through obs again.

They told me the original doc I saw finished at 2am and a new one would be starting so I’d see one then. Fingers crossed it’s not much longer because we originally got here at 6pm - bloody shattered!

OP posts:
Original poster
endcityspawner · 27/12/2024 02:30

Mostlyoblivious · 27/12/2024 02:13

What’s her urine output like? What is her respiratory rate per minute (how many breaths)? Is she sucking in at her trachea (dip below the Adams apple) when she breathes?
Adding to the lack of fluid and the extreme lethargy the fact that she isn’t responding to the pain of a heel prick then she needs adequate medical attention.

Have they checked her heart?

You need to insist to be seen urgently. If you aren’t being taken seriously then I think you have to strike out to a different place however I would be nervous of the drive.

I am assuming you’re thinking Alder Hey? Is there anywhere closer in England than there? Have you experienced Arrowe Park for paeds?( I haven’t acutely)

absolutely best of luck OP

Yes correct Alder Hey. I’ve never experienced Arrowe Park so not too sure what that’s like!

They haven’t checked her heart and when I rang 111 they said they aim for 3 wet nappies and DS was sitting at 2.

Thank you.

OP posts:
Saraahh · 27/12/2024 02:31

endcityspawner · 27/12/2024 02:28

A nurse just came to do her obs and temp + heart rate (I think that’s the one they put on their little toe) were normal. She was in and out of sleep through obs again.

They told me the original doc I saw finished at 2am and a new one would be starting so I’d see one then. Fingers crossed it’s not much longer because we originally got here at 6pm - bloody shattered!

Exaggerate her symptoms if you need to!! Do whatever you need to get them to TAKE YOU SERIOUS, especially at this time of night as they tend to fob a lot of people off! It's also subjective to who actually sees you. I don't want to be pushy but make sure you don't leave without further investigation.

I really hope she's okay! Please keep us updated <3

YouLookLikeStevieNicks · 27/12/2024 02:32

Really glad you've gone back OP and I hope your little girl is OK.

I'm assuming with the distances to Liverpool you've mentioned that you're at Glan Clwyd? If you're still not happy I'd consider the Countess of Chester, they have a separate A&E bit for children and on the two occasions I've been with my little one they've been great and we haven't had to wait long.

Ughn0tryte · 27/12/2024 02:34

I think it's her glucose I would be concerned about. Babies are meant to be wakeful because they think they're wild animals and need to be close to adults to keep them safe from predators.

I appreciate she's got a urine output and they have checked her levels but this is what I would be pushing them to revisit.

RosesAndHellebores · 27/12/2024 02:42

This is not usual for our baby

I am her mother and my sense is that something is very wrong

She has slept almost continuously for two days and has had to be woken and has struggled to stay awake.

I would like bloods and urine tested please

I wish to speak to a consultant paediatrician or A&E doctor with significant experience

If you are sending us home again because you say nothing seems to be wrong, please make a formal record in her notes that her parents requested further tests and expressed significant concern buy the request and concerns were disregarded.

Good luck @endcityspawner . I hope she turns the corner soon

Original poster
endcityspawner · 27/12/2024 02:44

YouLookLikeStevieNicks · 27/12/2024 02:32

Really glad you've gone back OP and I hope your little girl is OK.

I'm assuming with the distances to Liverpool you've mentioned that you're at Glan Clwyd? If you're still not happy I'd consider the Countess of Chester, they have a separate A&E bit for children and on the two occasions I've been with my little one they've been great and we haven't had to wait long.

Yes we’re at GC! Before we decided to come back we considered the countess, if nothing comes of a second opinion we will take her there thank you :)

OP posts:
EdithBond · 27/12/2024 02:45

Sounds like a lot of stress. You poor thing!

Trust your own judgement.

If she’s your first child, and 111 have advised hospital, then they’ll understand you want to be safe rather than sorry. Kids do sleep a lot when they’re poorly, but being unable to wake her up does sound unusual and I’ve raised several DC. Also, the lack of fluids is concerning if she’s throwing most of it up.