waiting on ambulance for 17 month old. Handhold please.

[whiskersonkittenss]

baby woke screaming and red hot, wouldn't settle or take a drink. Doesn't like the light being on. Called 111 and they went through the symptoms and have requested an ambulance attend but it could take another hour from now
Currently keeping him cool with the electric fan. I'm shitting myself so scared.

Holding. Yiu have done the right thing. Hopefully it won't be anything like an hour.

If it’s an hour for the ambulance, might it be quicker to go to a and e yourself?

Can you get to hospital any other way than an ambulance? Because if you can drive, get a taxi, get a neighbour/family/friend to take you I would go to A&E right now and not wait for an ambulance which could be hours.

Cool flannels op?
Here with my hand out to you.
They will be here soon x

I've no words of advice but didn't want to read and run. Hope everything turns out okay. Can only imagine how worried you are xx

Bless you. Try a cool (not cold) bath, can you do something like play calming music or blow bubbles to try and distract/calm them.

If you tickle tummy can baby put chin to chest? Any rash or difference in breathing? If anything changes call 999. Hopefully the ambulance will be with you soon. Well done for calling for help.

Hope everything turns out okay ❤️. Second getting to the hospital via driving/taxi/friends if you can.

Oh gosh you poor thing. I’m sure he’ll be okay but what a panic. Can you get to A&E yourself or do you need to wait? 111 are notoriously risk adverse but if nothing else with no medical training I would say grumpy baby is a good sign, if he’s screaming he’s unhappy but I’d rather a screaming baby than a floppy or weak one. So sorry you have this, thinking of you xxx

111 tend to know the wait times at A&E and the ambulance times so they would tell you if it'd be quicker to go to A&E directly from my experience. It'll also be harder to keep them cool and calm in hospital so, personally, I'd wait for the ambulance but get a bag packed while you're waiting if you can.

Would your baby take a dose of Calpol or did the 111 person say not to?

Are you able to grab a few things in a bag just incase

Can you get him to A&E?

Can't you bung them in a pushchair and take them outside?

Hopefully op is already on her way. I suspect you'll be exhausted tonight op but please tell us how he is tomorrow.

hi all thank you
111 said wait times were longer than ambulance arrivals when I called so I said I'd wait. At least we are in our own space He's not getting any worse and is cooling slightly thankfully

What's his temperature? Give him a luke warm bath. That should bring his temp down

We only have a shower so have been using wet flannel and baby wipes. If he has to go in he only wants his dad so I will be staying here

How frightening for you.
I’d pack some essentials while you wait. Phone charger, bottle of water, snacks, pillow, baby clothes and nappies and favourite toy.

I hope they arrive soon

Handholding. Do you have any cold fruit you could chop up. When my ds was a similar age this happened and I gave him some cold sliced grapes and he cooled down.

bag packed ready to go. Feel like I'm going to pass out from worrying. He's currently asleep in our bed being cuddled by my partner

He won't take anything by mouth. We have tried cold water, room temp water, his favourite juice. He won't let anything in

Oh that sounds horribly worrying- little ones get sick fast, but bounce back at similar rate.
Fingers crossed everything is ok, look after yourself too.

www.meningitis.org/meningitis/check-symptoms

Know the signs and look out for rash or stiff neck, teeth grinding can also indicate headache. Act fast if you spot any of these.

I second getting a bag packed and if you still are waiting then call a taxi and let 111 know you are doing so (assuming you are not far from your nearest children's a&e). Don't drive yourself in unless you have another adult with you in case baby deteriorates en route.

It’s so scary. My son was blue lighted to hospital aged about 16 months, with pneumonia. He was so poorly but as soon as he started antibiotics he was a different baby and bounced back within hours.

Everything crossed for a speedy recovery x