Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Children's health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

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:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
endcityspawner · 27/12/2024 02:49

I don’t know how anyone can even look at her and determine she’s well. She is just constantly in and out of it and this is how she’s been constantly!

Still waiting 😴

Baby on her third day of sleep?
OP posts:
Lavenderfarmcottage · 27/12/2024 02:51

Oh poor baby.

Youre a very good Mum & Dad.

The UK hospitals sound terrible.

I hope and pray your baby is seen to soon.

SindySnowflake · 27/12/2024 02:55

Aww she’s a lovely little thing. And you've totally got her. She’s lucky to have you as her mum.

Loreli1983 · 27/12/2024 03:01

So glad you went back. It was so worrying reading your post. Hope she gets seen soon.

Bumblebee413 · 27/12/2024 03:11

Well done. You are doing such a good job for your baby x

LadyTiredWinterBottom2 · 27/12/2024 03:15

Poor little sausage. Hope she's better soon.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 27/12/2024 03:27

I hope you get some answers soon.

marmia1234 · 27/12/2024 03:34

My first thought was diabetes T1 but you said they checked her sugars?

Putdownthatglassgotoyoga · 27/12/2024 03:40

You poor things. You must be exhausted. You're doing a fantastic job and you're absolutely in the best safest place for a second opinion and maybe more tests so try not to worry too much and hope you'll get seen soon x

Bluebellyhedge · 27/12/2024 03:55

Wishing you all the best OP. You are right to follow your instincts and the advice here. Do whatever you need to do to get her seen and well.

friskybivalves · 27/12/2024 03:57

I'm awake - insomnia... and have just found your thread.

My DD had sepsis aged 6 months. She was also sleeping all the time, and when she brought up her third feed in two days I took her to hospital. We were abroad and as a matter of course they took her bloods, even as they also gave me dioralyte to try to get fluids etc into her. I was also a FTM plus language barrier - didn't freaky know what was going on TBH!

The bloods showed that her infection markers were sky high.

You have been so brilliant to take her back. The blood test to check for infection markers is crucial. As other posters have said, please do say you want these done and analysed asap.

very much hoping you have now been seen again. They should eg ask questions about wet nappies (which i found baffling at the time) but one side effect of sepsis is that you pee less than normal. I had to weigh her nappies once we had been admitted. Is your Dd's skin clammy or mottled?

Of course it is much more likely that your gorgeous girl has a crummy christmas virus and she will perk up tmrw. But best to be sure! Try to stand your ground over the bloods, say you are specifically worried about sepsis, and write down the names and titles of medical staff who refuse to carry out further testing. Do a voice note that you send to yourself in front of them, which says, 'I have requested testing on x date at y time and z medic has said no on the grounds of...' just explain you want to keep your own records and timeline.

DaringlyPurple · 27/12/2024 03:58

I think it's really important with doctors not to be emotional and give them the facts in a clear crisp way. I think it's very easy for them to ignore somebody who seems overemotional and discount what they are saying. I mean it shouldn't happen but it does. And I say that as a much older person. I think it's important not to let them slide with some non-committal answer - like "we'll just see how it goes".

itsmylife7 · 27/12/2024 04:11

Demand a blood test for sepsis .

She needs a blood test to show what's happening in her body

Don't be intimidated by the Doctors this is your child and you know she's not right.

endcityspawner · 27/12/2024 04:13

We saw a new doctor that actually put her on the bed to do a head to toe examination which the other before didn’t do.

Much our surprise she was a lot more reactive, she was very upset by it all and reacted!

They weren’t willing to do bloods again. We were in there ages going back and forth, he said bloods would be an option if she doesn’t improve but he was happy with how she examined. He picked up one of her ears inside is red which the doctor earlier didn’t notice at all as he didn’t perform top to toe. He said it’s possible she could have an upper tract infection I think it was but she isn’t displaying symptoms. He does believe she is fighting something as he felt her glands under her neck and they were raised but he said he thinks she’s not showing symptoms of whatever it’s just presenting as fatigue. I mentioned anaemia which somebody mentioned and he said the onset wouldn’t be as sudden as it was. I also mentioned a urine sample and he’s given me a pot to attempt to get one from her as he also thinks a UTI could be plausible.

He gave us a choice and told us there was no right or wrong decision, he said she could go to the ward and continue with the fluid challenge and be sent home in the morning or we can continue at home to monitor and if she doesn’t improve within 24 hours to return. We’ve chosen to take her home which I know I will probably get judgement for but he said they will do nothing different on the ward to what we can do at home at this stage. If they were offering to run her tests I would of course had her admitted but we honestly did have a lengthy discussion after ruling out things and he assured me the ward would only be for peace of mind and what we can do at home to help her.

He was concerned about fluids but he doesn’t think she’s overly dehydrated due to having wet nappies still. He told me his preference is something sugary + rehydration sachets for the added salts so I will water down some juice for the time being to try get her energy up. He isn’t concerned about food and said his preference isn’t milk because it’s really heavy on their tummy or something so just something sugary. Luckily she only has one tooth and is good with brushing because I’ve always been panicky about sugar but I know her body needs it!

He also said babies are the same as us and when ill just want to sleep it off. He checked her throat, ears, nose, tummy, chest. He said her chest is clear, blood glucose is within normal range as is temperature + heart rate so nothing abnormal so to speak. We will try and get a urine sample though as I know from experience UTI’s are more common in girls.

Thank you all for the support and advice, it means so much to me. I know now we’ve left I’m probably going to read I should’ve asked something else or that I’ve made the wrong call but I can assure you all I will be monitoring her very closely and returning tomorrow if no signs of improvement.

It’s currently 4.12am and we went to A&E initially 6pm. Exhausted is an understatement so we’re going to get some sleep finally and keep an eye on baby girl.

Thank you again 💐

OP posts:
Havingaswimmoose · 27/12/2024 04:15

Hello OP
I've just read your thread.
Sending support for your long wait in accident and emergency.
I will be thinking of you and partner and your lovely child.
i hope you receive some information very soon.

Edited;
I've just read your update. How relieved you must be to get some practical advice.
I hope she improves and you get your beautiful baby back to full bouncy strength.

endcityspawner · 27/12/2024 04:16

friskybivalves · 27/12/2024 03:57

I'm awake - insomnia... and have just found your thread.

My DD had sepsis aged 6 months. She was also sleeping all the time, and when she brought up her third feed in two days I took her to hospital. We were abroad and as a matter of course they took her bloods, even as they also gave me dioralyte to try to get fluids etc into her. I was also a FTM plus language barrier - didn't freaky know what was going on TBH!

The bloods showed that her infection markers were sky high.

You have been so brilliant to take her back. The blood test to check for infection markers is crucial. As other posters have said, please do say you want these done and analysed asap.

very much hoping you have now been seen again. They should eg ask questions about wet nappies (which i found baffling at the time) but one side effect of sepsis is that you pee less than normal. I had to weigh her nappies once we had been admitted. Is your Dd's skin clammy or mottled?

Of course it is much more likely that your gorgeous girl has a crummy christmas virus and she will perk up tmrw. But best to be sure! Try to stand your ground over the bloods, say you are specifically worried about sepsis, and write down the names and titles of medical staff who refuse to carry out further testing. Do a voice note that you send to yourself in front of them, which says, 'I have requested testing on x date at y time and z medic has said no on the grounds of...' just explain you want to keep your own records and timeline.

Aw I’m so sorry your DD experienced that at 6mo!

My dd skin is normal, she’s not clammy usual temp and had enough relatively heavy wet nappy whilst there thankfully

OP posts:
Liftballons99 · 27/12/2024 04:23

Nothing to add but just wanted to say that you and your partner sound like amazing parents. I hope your little one is on the mend soon.

friskybivalves · 27/12/2024 04:30

@endcityspawner A big wet nappy is a good sign indeed! And a relief that your DD was responsive to what sounds like a proper examination too. I am still cross on your behalf about the bloods - they give the doctors so much info whereas the NHS approach kind of puts the onus back on parents to keep worrying about/ looking out for eg signs of a UTI.

My dd was in intensive care for a fortnight being pumped with super strong antibiotics. She's now a feisty teenager! So it's a long time ago now.

Here's to a better Friday and weekend for you all!

QOD · 27/12/2024 04:33

My Dd did this her second Xmas at 13 months. She had pneumonia picked up on an X-ray
well done for pushing for more checks, I’d consider children hospital a and e if she doesn’t improve
my Dd had a litre of saline and 1 night in hospital on antibiotics and was rampaging round the ward the next morning

LisaJohnsonsFacebookMole · 27/12/2024 04:36

@endcityspawner you've done really well going back and advocating for your DD. Now it is tims for you to rest. Pop away from the thread for a bit because there will always be someone who judges or has a horror story which will influence what they say. You've a plan that you're going to follow including when to seek further help if necessary. So now go to sleep and update us in a couple of days. I hope your DD feels better soon.

Happiestwhen · 27/12/2024 05:39

Gosh op your poor little one, thinking of you all and I hope she gets well soon. It's awful seeing a baby who is normally so full of life being zapped like that. I'm glad you've had a second opinion
When my ds was just home from hospital the hv came next day and asked how he was. He hadn't had any wet nappies, was sleeping constantly and was drinking dribbles of milk (I was bf but tried formula to see if he would take some as he was too sleepy to bf)
She sent us straight back to hospital, and I was amazed at the difference in opinion from the doctors. We were just about to be sent home by a doctor who told me that baby was just tired (your tired , he's tired too he said) He was about to go off shift and a female doctor came in and said she wasn't happy with how much ds was drinking. We ended up being kept in for days and he was connected to a drip with an antibiotic. No infection was found but it was a risk she didn't want to take.

Username19832756 · 27/12/2024 06:32

endcityspawner · 27/12/2024 04:13

We saw a new doctor that actually put her on the bed to do a head to toe examination which the other before didn’t do.

Much our surprise she was a lot more reactive, she was very upset by it all and reacted!

They weren’t willing to do bloods again. We were in there ages going back and forth, he said bloods would be an option if she doesn’t improve but he was happy with how she examined. He picked up one of her ears inside is red which the doctor earlier didn’t notice at all as he didn’t perform top to toe. He said it’s possible she could have an upper tract infection I think it was but she isn’t displaying symptoms. He does believe she is fighting something as he felt her glands under her neck and they were raised but he said he thinks she’s not showing symptoms of whatever it’s just presenting as fatigue. I mentioned anaemia which somebody mentioned and he said the onset wouldn’t be as sudden as it was. I also mentioned a urine sample and he’s given me a pot to attempt to get one from her as he also thinks a UTI could be plausible.

He gave us a choice and told us there was no right or wrong decision, he said she could go to the ward and continue with the fluid challenge and be sent home in the morning or we can continue at home to monitor and if she doesn’t improve within 24 hours to return. We’ve chosen to take her home which I know I will probably get judgement for but he said they will do nothing different on the ward to what we can do at home at this stage. If they were offering to run her tests I would of course had her admitted but we honestly did have a lengthy discussion after ruling out things and he assured me the ward would only be for peace of mind and what we can do at home to help her.

He was concerned about fluids but he doesn’t think she’s overly dehydrated due to having wet nappies still. He told me his preference is something sugary + rehydration sachets for the added salts so I will water down some juice for the time being to try get her energy up. He isn’t concerned about food and said his preference isn’t milk because it’s really heavy on their tummy or something so just something sugary. Luckily she only has one tooth and is good with brushing because I’ve always been panicky about sugar but I know her body needs it!

He also said babies are the same as us and when ill just want to sleep it off. He checked her throat, ears, nose, tummy, chest. He said her chest is clear, blood glucose is within normal range as is temperature + heart rate so nothing abnormal so to speak. We will try and get a urine sample though as I know from experience UTI’s are more common in girls.

Thank you all for the support and advice, it means so much to me. I know now we’ve left I’m probably going to read I should’ve asked something else or that I’ve made the wrong call but I can assure you all I will be monitoring her very closely and returning tomorrow if no signs of improvement.

It’s currently 4.12am and we went to A&E initially 6pm. Exhausted is an understatement so we’re going to get some sleep finally and keep an eye on baby girl.

Thank you again 💐

Just want to say well done for taking her back and standing your ground you’ve done brilliantly. I hope she feels better soon xxx

Christmas655566626363636 · 27/12/2024 06:47

Well done getting her back. Hoping everything is picking up.

Is the Dr fully aware of what you described as the start of it - food going down the wrong way and then vomiting? Is there any possibility she had choked or inhaled food?

PenguinLover24 · 27/12/2024 06:57

Poor baby girl! Well done op you and dad sound like good parents, never question your own gut! Advocating for your baby is always the right thing to do so never feel guilty doing this. X

YellowDiamondsInTheSky · 27/12/2024 07:04

Hey OP, it’s terrifying when babies are this unwell so sending love. You did the right thing in going back and getting a second opinion.

DS was this unwell a few weeks ago with RSV and was admitted as he was struggling to breathe. But I remember how upsetting it was to see them insert cannulas, do heel pricks and put a tube into his stomach and he didn’t even flinch. I had the same thought process that there’s something seriously wrong with my child and the doctors are missing it. But they couldn’t find anything else wrong and he just needed time to recover. Sometimes that’s all they need, time.

Keep a close eye on her and if anything changes, then go back to the hospital. And if after say 24 hours there’s no improvement then go back. It is terrifying, but hopefully she just needs time to fight off whatever virus she has.