Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

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

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

waiting on ambulance for 17 month old. Handhold please.

316 replies

whiskersonkittenss · 28/05/2021 21:29

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.

OP posts:
Original poster
whiskersonkittenss · 28/05/2021 22:03

He has no rashes or bruises under the skin that was one of the questions I was asked by 111

OP posts:
BreedingOinkers · 28/05/2021 22:05

You won’t be seen any quicker because you arrived by ambulance, as several people have told you (including a paramedic). Just drive him there. If it’s an hour wait for an ambulance, that suggests there’s a strain on an already stretched service. Leave them for heart attacks and compound fractures! Has he got a temperature?

drinkingcherrywine · 28/05/2021 22:06

@whiskersonkittenss

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
Sounds like you are doing an excellent job and remember this is how everyone learns this stuff - keep checking for any signs of a rash and keep phoning back if you have any concerns or have waited longer than they said...

Remember to pack masks etc for hospital.

Hopefully you will be all checked over and home for breakfast.

QuestionableMouse · 28/05/2021 22:07

@BreedingOinkers

You won’t be seen any quicker because you arrived by ambulance, as several people have told you (including a paramedic). Just drive him there. If it’s an hour wait for an ambulance, that suggests there’s a strain on an already stretched service. Leave them for heart attacks and compound fractures! Has he got a temperature?
It literally says in the first post that the LO has a temperature. The paramedics can do an assessment and decide if they need to go to A&E or not.
BreedingOinkers · 28/05/2021 22:08

it literally says in the first post that the LO has a temperature

I meant have they taken his temperature with a thermometer

Original poster
whiskersonkittenss · 28/05/2021 22:11

No. He's never been ill before apart from teething so it wasn't something that I thought about buying. the call handler suggested an ambulance not me.

OP posts:
RealhousewifeofStoke · 28/05/2021 22:12

Hand hold OP.
Switch the fan off or at least point it well away from him. Avoid cold or tepid sponging. All of these things will make his body think it’s too cold so his temperature control in his brain will try to increase his temperature to compensate.

Really wish people would check before giving medical advice in these circumstances.

Hope he’s feeling better soon. Babies get sick very quickly but they tend to bounce back quickly too!

RampantIvy · 28/05/2021 22:12

I hope everything is OK Flowers

Devastatedandlost · 28/05/2021 22:13

Please don’t try the sponging down methods.
Pack essentials while daddy cares for him including his fave blanket or toy.

BreedingOinkers · 28/05/2021 22:13

Hope he perks up soon

ShitOnIt00 · 28/05/2021 22:14

Hope you aren’t waiting long OP. Babies are up and down so quickly aren’t they. PP suggested an excellent list. My DD was in hospital overnight a couple of months ago and I wish I’d have thought to take a drink and snack for myself as I wasn’t allowed to leave her room until my covid swab came back (which it did after I got home). Luckily she was fine, I hope your DS perks up really quickly x

pollylocketpickedapocket · 28/05/2021 22:14

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Floralnomad · 28/05/2021 22:15

Don’t wait for an ambulance just get to the hospital under your own steam , you will be prioritised for treatment on need not on how you arrive . Hope he feels better soon .

Holly60 · 28/05/2021 22:16

@pollylocketpickedapocket

I’d be taking him to hospital myself. You have a partner so not like you’re stuck with other children.
OP said A&E wait times are longer than ambulance arrivals. Although having said that children’s A&E would triage so I doubt they’d be waiting long …
anothernewtop · 28/05/2021 22:16

I hope the paramedics are with you now OP

Original poster
whiskersonkittenss · 28/05/2021 22:20

call handler said we may aswell wait at home to be seen by paramedics and check if he actually needs taking in it he's got a bug. I've calmed down now and think he's feeling better as he's not stirring like he was and he's cooler. Hoping when he wakes he will take some water

OP posts:
BikeRunSki · 28/05/2021 22:21

Handhold here @whiskersonkittenss. I have been in a very similar situation - with a screaming feverish 17 month old, but we drive him to A&E and sent straight away. This was 10 years ago though, so long before the current situation and strain on the
NHS.

I hope your ambulance arrives soon, and your baby is seen, diagnosed and treated quickly. Stay strong x

Peachee · 28/05/2021 22:22

My son has had a string of high temperatures and sepsis as a little baby.. the ambulance always strip him off when he has a temperature.. you are doing everything right. They won’t be long. Just keep him as comfortable and as calm as possible. Big hugs xxxxxxx

Vallmo47 · 28/05/2021 22:22

Hope he feels better very soon OP and you get the right treatment. It’s so so worrying at this moment in time but it really is amazing how fast they bounce back once they’ve been checked over. Keep us posted and keep yourself occupied as best you can.

Original poster
whiskersonkittenss · 28/05/2021 22:23

I feel like once I called 111 he started perking up and I'll look like such an idiot when they get here

OP posts:
dottiedaisee · 28/05/2021 22:23

Good luck..I hope your little guy is better soon . We took our 17 month old to AE recently with 39.5 temp,chesty etc He was given paracetamol suppository and the difference within an hour was amazing 💐

Bumzoo · 28/05/2021 22:25

If they aren't there soon I would cancel and take him in myself.

PurpleDaisies · 28/05/2021 22:26

@whiskersonkittenss

call handler said we may aswell wait at home to be seen by paramedics and check if he actually needs taking in it he's got a bug. I've calmed down now and think he's feeling better as he's not stirring like he was and he's cooler. Hoping when he wakes he will take some water
I’m surprised by this-the paramedics are almost guaranteed to take him in because you’ve talked about being bothered by the light, refusing to feed, fever and being irritable. I would be mentally prepared that you’re going to be going to hospital. You’re better just getting there more quickly.
reprehensibleme · 28/05/2021 22:27

No one will think you look like an idiot,. You have done the right thing. Tiny children can get sick really quickly and recover really quickly, but you can't take chances.

MyDcAreMarvel · 28/05/2021 22:28

You don’t get seen quicker by going in an ambulance you are triaged in the same way. Just take him yourself so A) he gets seen quicker and B)an ambulance is free for an emergency.