A Poo question - is this normal??

[toomanytoys]

Hi,

DD is nearly 11 months, and last Wednesday had a tummy bug - she threw up, couldn't even keep water down and had vile smelling, slimy diarrhoea. This lasted a day, by the end of the day she kept some milk down.

I avoided solid food for a couple of days, just gave her lots of bottles and extra water.

By Saturday she was clearly "asking" for food, so I gave her bread and yoghurt, her favourites, figuring they would be gentle on her stomach.

Nearly a week on, she definitely has her appetite back, but her tummy is clearly not happy. She doesn't have diarrhoea as such, but is "going" every time she eats something, or drinks any milk, and more times in between. She looks a bit unhappy about this, and seems to be straining a bit, but doesn't look like she is in any pain.

She seems well hydrated, has wet nappies, and isn't too unhappy, though not her usual chirpy self.

Is this normal? For her still to have a dodgy tummy? Should I be giving her her normal food, or holding back on certain things? TIA

Well when DD had many tummy bugs throughout her first year, it seemed like the upset was going on an on! So I think what you're describing is normal, it takes them a little while longer to get back completely normal. This certainly happened with us. I've heard to lay off milk stuff when they've had a tummy bug, difficult when they want it and need it, because you can "feed" the bad bugs with the milk. Otherwise, time will sort it out. Hope she's back to normal soon.

It's probably the milk causing it. You must not have milk, or any milk products, when you have D&V until the D is completely gone. (Breastmilk is fine, though.) Cut out all milk for a week or so, and see if it helps. She won't come to any harm for not having it for a couple of weeks, and you can always give her something like Oatly or Rice Dream instead. Soya is the last choice, really, because it can be a bit difficult to digest.

Thanks
Sadly, she's not breastfed, but is on formula - I take it that counts as "milk"? Surely she needs that to get the nutrients she needs?

hi.

the other posters are right, when you've had a tummy bug, you stomach is stripped of all the "good" bacteria that we need to process milk and needs a day or two without any irritation to get it back.

She needs a couple of days without milk or yoghurt and she'll be absolutely fine.

Make sure you give her loads of other fluids - water, juice, whatever and let her nibble on any other food that she wants.

We're only talking a day or two and missing out milk for such a short time won't do her any harm at all.

Blimey, cannot get my head around the idea of giving her no formula and no yoghurt, cheese etc!!!! But thanks for your replies, I will cut it all out.

And when she's better, I'll give her probiotic yoghurt, see if that helps

I know!

It's always the worst thing for my kids when they're ill, they love milk and hate not being allowed it

But it is only for a day or two...

I've just found out that SMA do a soy-based milk, so shall get some of that. Don't think she'll last the night just on water!! And not much of an eater at teatime.

Thanks everyone