Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

General health

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

Flip

Original poster

Poorly DD :( Is it ok that she hasn't eaten since Saturday?

10 replies

Mum2Ela · 15/04/2004 09:49

Hi everyone,

DD (19 months) has had a temperature since Sunday, but this has now gone down. She was pulling at her ears and so I took her to the docs on Tuesday who confirmed it was an ear infection. She is taking antibiotics noe for it, but she is still not eating and is not herself.

A couple of Q's . .

Is it ok that she is still not eating? She seems to have lost weight which I know is ok, but is there any food supplement-type drink I could perhaps give her instead of foos, which is still making her ears hurrt to chew.

She seems prone to ear infections (as I am and also my dad seems to be). Is there anything I can do to ward off future ear infections?

Thankyou wise mumsnetters!

OP posts:

Original poster

Mum2Ela · 15/04/2004 10:27

Go on . . .just a little bit of advice / reassurance?

OP posts:

CountessDracula · 15/04/2004 10:30

M2E your poor little dd You could try some formula or milkshakes? Or how about jelly and icecream, seem to remember that always used to tempt me.

I know echinacia is good for warding off nasties, don't know if it's suitable for little ones though. How about a basic vitamin supplement? I should talk to your gp about it

Hope she's better soon

tatcity · 15/04/2004 10:35

Sorry no advice - just support. I've got a poorly 17 month DD who also is not eating. I mean she's having a tiny bit but not much to speak of. YOu worry don't you if they're not eating, and she seems to have lost weight, thinner in the face.

You've got me thinking now, think I may go to docs as def not herself, although no temp!

Hope she gets better soon.

goosey · 15/04/2004 10:35

Poor little poppet. It's good that her temp. has gone down - the anti-biotics must be working, but if she is still showing signs of discomfort in a few days then I would take her back to the doctor.
My dh gets ear infections too and says that putting his head under the bath ater or swimming is guaranteed to bring one on.
How about adding more milk to her normal food and liquidising it right down for her so that it is like baby puree? Jelly and icecream sounds good though!

Original poster

Mum2Ela · 15/04/2004 10:35

Thanks CD. Thats a good idea about the formula. I might pop into Boots at lunchtime and get some. Don't know why I didn't think of that. Shes losing her baby fat around her belly quickly and I like having something to squeeze.

OP posts:

Original poster

Mum2Ela · 15/04/2004 10:37

Tatcity - thanks. Hope your little un is ok.

Goosey - its a shame about swimming - DD loves it, but if she is anything like me, if I go out in the wind on a cold day my ears start to hurt right away.

OP posts:

Lesley76 · 15/04/2004 10:42

No it doesn't matter that she's not eating, as long as she takes fluids.Is she still producing wet nappies and is the pee a normal pale yellow colour? If so, you don't have to worry. If not, phone your health visitor asap. Dont wait for an appointmnent to see GP

What about milk shakes made with full fat milk & ice cream and pureed fruit (like bananas).Apple sauce? Or yoghurt, custard, soup with no bits in it? Any type of baby food she really liked?

i know its worrying to see her so lethargic, but its normal for it to take a while for her appetite to pick up again and then her energy levels will return to normal. Also she may have sore tummy or feel a bit sick or constipated from the antibiotic, so she won't feel like eating. Hang on in there.......

jmg · 15/04/2004 10:43

I don't think milk or dairy is a good idea with an ear infection - they increase mucus production which causes more pressure to build up in the ear, thereby making it more painful and more difficult to clear up.

Not sure where that leaves you though in terms of feeding her! Perhaps some pureed or mashed potatoes and gravy - or any baby purees?

Goodluck I do hope it clears up soon - both my children suffered badly with ear infections when they were little and it is very miserable for them!

Evita · 15/04/2004 14:16

Mum2Ela, sorry to hear this. My dd always stops eating when she's ill too but as others have said so long as she's drinking she will be ok.

I just wanted to say too though that antibiotics can also make them off their food. My dd had a bad chest infection but after 5 days of antibiotics she seemed so run down and lethargic (hadn't eaten and hadn't drunk much either and had a few spots on her face, greasy hair etc.) that my GP took her off them as he said her chest sounded better and he antibiotics were probably making her feel worse rather than better. They can make you a bit nauseous I think, and drowsy too. I didn't think they gave them for ear infections - my GP tells me to use paracetamol and ibuprofen to get the inflammation down but not to use antibiotics.

Original poster

Mum2Ela · 15/04/2004 14:22

Evita, I think perhaps they gave antibiotics as she had had a temperature for 3 days by then and was clearly in pain, and Calpol hadn't done the job. She has also had ear infections before.

Am not thrilled about her having antibiotics, but would rather her not be in pain. For other ailments I usually try to let her ride it out (though she isn't a sickly baby at all).

Thats why I asked about preventing ear infections for the future.

Its becoming very stressful trying to give her the medicine. She will gulp calpol down but really doesn't like this medicine. Its just awful pinning her down literally pouring it down her throat. I hate it.

Evita - hope your CC goes better tonight. Its sooo hard, isn't it? You don't know what to do for the best, do you? x

OP posts:

Flip