Help! Baby with diarrhoea - screaming for milk but should I give him baby rice? Something else??

[oysterpots]

My 5mo DS has had diarrhoea since Monday evening, and last night we had to change him 6 times because he was pooing so much leaking through nappy and clothes.

This morning we called NHS direct who suggested we take him into the GP. I called to make an appointment but could only get a telephone appointment. GP called at 10 and said we should stop giving milk feeds (DS is formula fed) and give half apple juice/half water instead. DS is absolutely bellowing for milk feeds though, despite us giving water and water/juice.

DH has just managed to get him off to sleep with a lot of jiggling and strategic use of a dummy, but I know that when he wakes up DS will scream for food again. He's never gone longer than about 5 hours between feeds, even through the night so he isn't going to be happy.

When can milk feeds be re-introduced? Can we give something else to stave off his hunger - baby rice mixed with cooled boiled water? We haven't begun weaning him at all yet so he'd probably freak out.

Would very diluted milk feeds be ok? Please help!

i have never heard of apple juice/water? Maybe for the sugar??? Anyway would get some diorylite (Sp) sachets from the chemist and give this

don't offer baby rice

if things calm down, then offer v v v diluted milk tomorrow - 1 scoop to every 4 oz of water IIRC

do you breastfeed? if so , breastfeed, if not, then very , very diluted milk or just water

i think diaoralyte would be better than apple juice and water

is your baby dehydrated?

no to baby rice, his tummy just doesn;t need anything like that especially if you have not started weaning yet

if you are worried about getting water into him, then a medicine syringe filled with cooled boiled water can be given and even a facecloth soaked in water to suck on

if the skin on his tummy pings back when you gently pinch it , unlikely to be dehydrated and if his fontanelle is not sunken, then again, probably not dehydrated

No don't offer him solids especially if he isn't used to it as it may simply compound the problem. I though the non milk advice had become outmoded tbh. Dioralyte is good, or a weak herbal tea (fennel) . Has the diorrhea stopped if so try a small feed perhaps. Can you get an appointment later , babies can't really be assessed over the phone as they can deteriorate quickly.

The most important thing is to keep your baby hydrated. Feed him his normal feeds and, if he'll take it, water or dioralyte (rehydration drinks) in between. You can buy these over the counter.
P.S. This the advice from the NHS direct site.

yes, apple juice, and stewed apple, is apparently good when you have diarrohea and funny enough so is plain boiled rice, though I am not recommending you give the rice as it is new to him and I don't think now is the time to weaning. Diorylite as mentioned will keep him hydrated

Ok, thanks for advice so far.

Alas, no milk left in these dried up boobs, so no hope of breastfeeding him. I definitely won't give him any solids, but I think I will offer him a milk feed as per the NHS Direct advice (even if GP, also employee of NHS, said otherwise - why the contradictory advice? How confusing). He also said DS too young for Dioralyte but sounds as though this is not the case.

I've got this as well and I know that I felt worse after eating a big meal so I'll give him a little bit of milk but definitely won't push it.

Diarrhoea has more or less stopped (last milk feed over 6 hours ago now) but lots of big farts and strange little, almost mint green poos. Think I will try to get us an appointment later as I'm not happy about the Dr's advice over the phone. Thanks everyone.

sorry i haven't read all the thread only the op.

after sick bug the best thing is plain mash pots (no dairy) or other pureed veg (no dairy!)

let us know what the doc says...

Doc also said to give DS Calpol. Any ideas why on earth this might help?

I have been told at least three times by NHS direct and also separately by a pediatrician that the latest advice is to feed as normal (including milk). I think your GP is giving out old advice. Calpol is for tummy pains / fever (but you don't always get these with a bug) I would only offer if your ds seems in pain or feverish

Update: I spoke to NHS Direct again who said that GP had given old advice. Normal feeds should be offered, as should water, but not juice and definitely not adult juice (as opposed to baby juice!).

Went to see a different GP in the same practice who confirmed the NHS Direct advice, so I'm pretty cross about the advice from the first GP. Bit duff, isn't it? Second GP also said the Dioralyte would be good if DS would take it - I didn't try.

Anyway, DS is improving and is getting back to his normal cheerful self, thank goodness.

Thanks again for all the advice. Hoping no-one gets this horrid bug... Sounds like it's everywhere

Glad he's better.