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.

Hugs how scary for you. Our ambulance service has a policy that all calls to under 2s have to go to hospital even though they clearly often don't need to so don't worry if they recommend going to A&E.

111 do not generally know hospital or A&E wait times and there is no difference in wait times if you go in an ambulance or by car. I am telling you this as a member of ambulance crew - we often have to wait hours at hospital to hand over to staff there.

If you can get there yourself go in by car.

Damn I pushed send too soon. I hope your baby is ok. Great thing about kids is how quickly they perk up often just after you finish telling a doctor how ill they are.

@whiskersonkittenss

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

Please don't cuddle him if he has a temperature. I know it sounds cruel but you need to strip him off and open windows to cool him down.

Maybe give him a wet toothbrush to chew on if he wants it, maybe he will take fluids that way.

Windows open and he's in nappy with the fan pointing at him. it's hard not to touch him as he moves towards us if we are there

Good idea for toothbrush when he wakes I will try it

Hopefully the fact that they have said the ambulance will be an hour is a good thing. I'm thinking if they were really really worried it would be a fast track straight to you.

Hope your all ok!

Please don't cuddle him if he has a temperature. I know it sounds cruel but you need to strip him off and open windows to cool him down.

This is incorrect, the more you try to cool down a body fast like that the more it tries to warm itself up so you get an even higher temp. Just keep normal room temp and make sure clothing is dry and not sweat-soaked through. Babies need cuddles when poorly and do get very hot when ill, it is how they fight infection and not necessarily a bad thing (although it is very frightening for parents especially if they have a seizure).

Holding and sending love. It sounds like you are doing exactly the right things. Stay strong

Fingers crossed all ok OP. It's a good sign the ambulance is willing to wait an hour - they make judgement calls based on symptoms. Never be afraid to ring back 999 if he looks like he's getting worse,it may be they get an ambulance there sooner.

Sorry OP I hope you get medical assistance soon. Just to say that cold baths, sponging them down or stripping too many clothes is not actually recommended, as you don't want the temperature to plummet rapidly. And for God's sake, if he's crying and needing comfort, of course it's ok to cuddle him, just make up for the added temperature but opening a window.

I mean "by" opening a window, not but

Sending a HH

Would he take tiny ice chips?

Our ambulance service has a policy that all calls to under 2s have to go to hospital even though they clearly often don't need to so don't worry if they recommend going to A&E.

This is the same where I live, the threshold is understandably low where little ones are concerned and they are generally cautious. Poor old DD has had to go by ambulance to a&e 3 times, we knew the 2 times it was mega serious (struggling to breathe) as the ambulance arrived incredibly fast.

Have you taken his actual temperature?

We too live in a trust that takes under 2's if an ambulance is called. It's worth being prepared. Hope all is OK of course.

Also, cuddles are an absolute yes... Anything involving sponging with tepid water is a no. Strip him to his vest. If he needs a cover keep it to a sheet. I wouldn't advise putting a fan directly on him. Open window fine, but don't stick him directly by it.

Definitely ok to cuddle him ❤️. Sorry you are going through this OP- it’s so stressful. But I echo what a pp said that a screaming baby is actually a v healthy sign. They do tend to spike their temps so high when they are little ❤️ And 111 are rightly cautious so don’t read in to the fact that they have suggested A&E and an ambulance. I’ve been there a few times with my little one and all turned out to be ordinary/ mild viruses. I hope the ambulance will be there soon and the medics can put your mind at rest and give him the meds he needs to bring the temp down / make him more comfortable xxxx

Yep just to confirm that sponging down / cold or even tepid baths aren't recommended any more (this is from NHS website)

He's our first child so we didnt know not to sponge him down and not have a fan on. He's still asleep with a thin blanket on and no ambulance yet. The person who took the call said it would be quicker to wait for the ambulance

It's so scary when they're ill. Nothing wrong with giving him a cuddle. My nephew had something similar at about the same age - it was an ear infection and cleared very quickly.

Call ambulance if you notice any floppiness, drowsiness, high pitched screaming, bruising

Pack

Phone charger
Water bottle
Some substantial snack
A warm jacket even if you dont wear it
Coins for vending machine if you have any

Have you checked his body for rashes?

Handhold op .

Hope you’re little one is well soon. I’ve been through several episodes like this with my dd. I know one or two posters have recommended a cool/tepid bath but I wouldn’t do this. My dd had a febrile seizure once caused by a bath to cool down, it can bring the temperature down too quickly.

Just keep doing what you are. I hope the ambulance is with you soon.

If you get calpol into him, write down the time. It's easy to forget in the stress and the docs need to know.