8mo ds ill and won't drink AT ALL

[trixabelle]

please advise if you can on best way to get fluids into my baby! he had high fever in night last night 39.4. doctor thinks 'a virus', he's teething too. fever down a bit with painkillers but whenever i go near him with bottle, cup, syringe, straw whatever, he just screws mouth tight shut. i can't get him to take milk, juice or rehydration fluid. as he was sick last night i'm forgetting milk and just trying to stick to water and the sachet but the problem is getting him to actually drink.i suspect his throat and/or gums are really sore. any advice?? i have no ice lollies or i'd be doing that, i made up some baby rice with milk earlier and he had a few spoons but i'm getting worried now. he doesn't have dehydration signs yet but what do i do?

he'll be ok for a while and is just telling you he doesn't want anything. Not surprised he wont drink the rehydration fluid, its is truly foul. Best thing is to keep offering him water or watered milk or maybe pureed fruit (plenty of water in it). He wont starve himself and if it is a minor virus/teething, then he wont dehydrate himself either.
If he gets sicker or hasn't drunk after 24 hours then call your GP.
My dd has gone longer than that not drinking but rarely longer than 2 days and that time had a serious reason that needed an IV drip.
for the worry. Its awful when they are poorly.

Have you tried a syringe?

Sorry you have tried that

When my dgs had an awful sickness bug last December (went on 6 days!) my daughter took him twice to A&E as was worried about dehydration - they said that if you can get a teaspoon in roughly once an hour that should be enough to keep them going. Sorry, know your little one won't even take a teaspoon at the minute but thought I'd mention it. You could try sponging his lips and even see if he will chew on the sponge or flannel?

my HV recommended using lucozade sport instead of the rehydration salts - tastes much nicer.

If it's sore gums too perhaps let him chew on some cucumber or apple if he will?

could you make some juice ice cubes?

he had 3 oz milk at bedtime and some sips of juice before that . . so i'm a bit less worried just shattered! thanx for all your advice and kind words, i'd forgotten how good mumsnet is at reminding you that you're not alone with this stuff! good idea beewisemen about the juice ice cubes, i'm going to do that tonight if i can keep eyes open. . that is really reassuring too wensley about a teaspoon an hour, he has definitely had that now, so i'm going to try and get some sleep soon while the little ones sleep, hope last night isn't like last night!!

{{{hugs}}} to you trixa, it's horrible and so worrying when young children are poorly.
It sounds as if you are both doing well though. As I've just suggested to Piffle, get yourself a stiff drink!!!!

thanks mrsS. this is when i find it hardest being on my own. tiredness , but also because there is nobody else to ask 'does that look like a rash to you?', 'does he look dehydrated / ok / fed up?!' etc.

That must be tough Trixa. Even though dp is pretty unhelpful as far as making sickness decisions etc he IS a sounding board.

Have you tried jelly? Nice and cold on his gums, sweet and contains lots of 'hidden' water