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Original poster

Stomach bug and no food.

26 replies

PavlovtheCat · 07/12/2008 10:32

When I was little, mum used to starve a bug for 24 hours, nothing but water. Then dry toast. But I was older than 2.4

Does this way of dealing with stomach bugs still apply? Or is it old hat now?

DD has a stomach bug, and she has been sick about 5 times since last night. She has a temp (don't know what as the thermometer packed in, typical), is relatively good natured in her mood and she is saying she is hungry.

At first last night she was given milk as she said she was hungry, but clearly that was not a good idea. She has not not drank anything but water (a little this morning).

So, as she is still young, should I starve her? As per my mothers way? Can she anything? If so, what? if not, when can she? And what should she eat then?

(She has been off her food for a few days, only milk so worried she needs calories etc)

OP posts:
Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 07/12/2008 10:33

Sorry, sorry that should read 'can she eat anything?

OP posts:
KnickKnackNaNollaig · 07/12/2008 10:41

link to another thread
sorry, far too sunday-morning-lazy too retype

KnickKnackNaNollaig · 07/12/2008 10:43

is you daughter 2.4?
I would do 24hr with nothing but water
(its heartbreaking when they are begging for food midway through...but you have to be cruel to be kind. I have always found it to work)

after the 24hr I usually offer lightly buttered toast or crackers.

Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 07/12/2008 10:52

Thanks knickKnack - I did read you posts thread! but posted again, as CharChar's DD was bf'd so I was not sure that would make a difference, as in, LO is getting some goodness through breastmilk. I hesitated to post, but then thought I would anyway!

Thank you, I had a feeling it was correct, just wanted to make sure my mother's way was not some old 20 odd year out of date barbarism!!!

OP posts:
SCL · 07/12/2008 10:54

Am in exactly the same situation. I gave DS1 half a digestive biscuit last night because he said he was hungry...a big mistake! I would definitely do 24 hrs with just water.

KnickKnackNaNollaig · 07/12/2008 10:56

out ot date 20 yr barbarism is sometimes the best type

although this advice was last given to me earlier this year by both GP and out-of-hours phone servive nurse (so presumably not concidered barbaric yet )

SCL · 07/12/2008 10:57

Also I wouldn't give any milk. Don't worry about calories at the moment. Children always seem to lose weight very quickly when ill but she will put it back on again. Just imagine it is you with the sick bug and I'm sure you wouldn't really want to eat anything until you felt better. I hope she feels better soon.

Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 07/12/2008 10:59

so, 24 hours from last sickness? ie, she was sick at 8am, so 24 hours from then?

Knickknack - not suggesting it is barbaric but you know those thing parents thought were good, but not, like DHs mother put him at the other end of the house when he was born and crying [she could rest, as per dr orders!) !

OP posts:
KnickKnackNaNollaig · 07/12/2008 11:09

lol pavlov, apparently I was left at the other end of the house too

as far as I remember, its 24hrs from last food (could be mistaken)

KnickKnackNaNollaig · 07/12/2008 11:10

when did she last have food or non-water drink?

Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 07/12/2008 11:14

last night, about 1am she had some milk. I also found her trying to peel open an orange, took that straight off her!

OP posts:
Elibean · 07/12/2008 11:15

I've adapted it to 12 hours from last food, more or less....but then try something very dry and bland, and definitely NO dairy.

Poor thing, hope she's better fast - some nasty bugs around!

Elibean · 07/12/2008 11:15

Or, I'd assess depending on the vomit pattern, IYSWIM....if she was puking every hour, then doesn't for four hours, it might be safe to try a cracker

Elibean · 07/12/2008 11:16

Then again, I've never managed 24 hours wihtout food, myself, no matter what

Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 07/12/2008 11:21

Elibean - she is asking for cheese! LOL, not now! She was last sick at 8am ish and is very hungry indeed. DH and I are both starving and pondering how we are going to eat without her seeing us!

DD is very perky for a sick little one, she is very hot indeed but happily playing with her toys, and being very cute. She told DH she loved him to the sky!

OP posts:
Elibean · 07/12/2008 11:28

cute, but no to the cheese as you say! I'd give it another hour or two with sips of water, or diarolyte (dd likes the flavour, thinks its juice!) and see. Then try a dry cracker or water biscuit if she's not been sick and is still starving.

KnickKnackNaNollaig · 07/12/2008 11:32

agree with Elibean, definately NO dairy.

I'd try not to feed her until at least later tonight.
dont forget to give her plenty of water all day.
I usually hide and dont let them see me eating (when engrossed in a fave cartoon)
or eat something I know they dont like, or that doesnt smell delicious (ie please dont eat toast today )

When mine have a high time, they seem to enjoy a warmish/cooler than normal bath. although they want out after 10 or 15min, but it cools them down nicely.

Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 07/12/2008 15:14

I got the thermometer working, her temp has been 101.2 all day, she is happy in herself, hungry but hot. She does not want to get in the bath, too busy running around1!

She has had half a cracker about 2 hours ago and that has stayed down fine.

She now has a fine rash all over her back and front and some on her legs and arms, I noticed them earlier, but they were sort of clear under the skin and now they are raised and red. Does not look like chicken pox.

Could this be a heat rash? I have not given her calpol as I was worried about her sicking it back up, but is it ok to give her some do you think?

Funny isnt it? She has been sick before, but it seemed easier then, she went off food and was unwell, so I knew what to do. But now, not sure. Its been a while!!!

OP posts:
KnickKnackNaNollaig · 07/12/2008 17:56

I would probably give her some calpol to bring her temp down before bedtime. Dont wait until bedtime to give it...that way vomit doesnt end up in bed!

rash sounds like either heat rash, or viral rash.

just a thought, perhaps she does not have a tummy bug. perhaps she is vomiting to bring her temp down? When DS had viral rash last year his temp was up for several days as far as I remember.

Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 07/12/2008 19:48

Thanks knickknack - rash has gone down so I am thinking it is heat rash. It is still there but no so prominent.

She is still up though, she has had some pasta and olive oil, which she ate a good amount of and it has stayed down so far. However, DH is insisting on getting her to eat more, as she is saying she is hungry . So he is getting her some spaghetti hoops as she is asking for it. Oh Dear. I have spare sheets and pjs at the ready.

We have put the christmas tree up and she has had a great time putting decorations on the tree and turning the lights on. She seems fine so just a bug of some kind I am guessing.

What do you think about nursery tomorrow? Clearly if she has a temp/been sick again then no, but she has not been sick since 8am this morning. If no temp tomorrow would she be ok for a short day?

OP posts:
Seona1973 · 07/12/2008 19:55

according to nhs direct you can feed your child if they are hungry so no need to starve for 24 hours - I would still avoid dairy though:

From nhs direct:

You should try to get your child eating regularly as soon as their vomiting is under control. There is no evidence to suggest that not permitting your child to eat will shorten their episodes of diarrhoea. Simple foods that are high in carbohydrates, such as bread, rice, or pasta, are recommended. Fruit juices and soups may also help replace lost fluids.

Seona1973 · 07/12/2008 19:57

nursery normally says 48 hours since last bout of vomiting/diarrhoea so I wouldnt send her tomorrow

Original poster
PavlovtheCat · 07/12/2008 19:58

seona - oh good, I did right giving her pasta... Thanks for that link, useful, you know I did not even think to look there !

OP posts:
KnickKnackNaNollaig · 08/12/2008 09:03

How is she this morning Pavlov?

PavlovtheRedNosedReindeer · 08/12/2008 17:43

Hey KnickKnack. Sorry I did not reply this morning, went to work.

Well, she slept most of the night solidly, woke once for milk. She has not been sick since yesterday morning, and has eaten some pasta, little toast and small amount scrambled egg.

She was fine this morning, rash gone and temp down so she went to nursery, they called DH at work at 1pm, she had temp 102 and rash.

She has had calpol, looks awful, circles under eyes, rash is still there but not so prominent, however she is her normal self mostly, just a little more cuddly. Drinking fluids so not too worried, but not going to work in the morning. She is staying home, we were too adventurous today I think.

Thank you for asking