Diarrhoea (rotavirus?) in 4 MO - when to worry?

[Sanguine]

OK, DS who is 18 weeks old, started with diarrhoea on thursday. Since then he has been having obvious crampy pains (babies are so obvious in their facial expressions aren't they? if it wasn't heartbreaking it might almost be comical) and extremely watery diarrhoea at every feed. He's feeding every 2-3 hours in the day (more than usual) and waking every 3 hours or so at night (usually he sleeps though). Today he's started being sick - properly sick rather than his usual possetting - with some degree of force. Mummy has had to change a couple of times today! This afternoon he has been quite listless and had a couple of long naps. I called NHS direct yesterday and they advised to give cooled boiled water and keep bf as normal, and that it may well be rotavirus and it could go on for about a week.

The question is, when do I start to get worried? he doesn't seem to be getting better, and if anything he's getting worse. I thought his fontanelle looked a little depressed just now before his last feed, but then he had a good bf and 120 ml bottle as well (wasn't interested in water after that), and it seems better now. It's horrible to see him looking so sorry for himself. People who have more experience than me, please tell me: does this seem like a fairly "normal" illness (IYSWIM)??

You poor things

Dehydration is the main worry with tummy bugs from my (rather limited) experience.....I would offer as much bf as DS will take. Sounds to me like you should ring NHS direct again - IME they have always given really good advice with bugs for me....they made the decision for me as to whether or not a doctor should see DD.

My DD had norovirus just before Xmas and her poor little bum was so sore........so lots of cream required.

HTH and hope DS improves soon

IME the vomitting from rotavirus goes on for about 2-3 days and the diarrhoea can go on for up to 2 weeks.theres not much you can do apart from what you're already doing,ie bf as often as he wants and offer water,and watch out for signs of dehydration(although i found it difficult to tell if mine had been weeing when they'd pooed every nappy...).

i took my ds2 to the doctors with RV when he was 16 weeks.they gave me dioralyte for him but he was ff so i dont know if that makes a difference.

trust your instinct though and take him to the doctor/hospital if you feel worried that he is too sleepy or anything.

(my 3 eldest dc have each had rotavirus 3-4 times,its horrible)

Poor you and baby- sounds miserable.

Firstly, if you are in the least bit worried, get your LO reviewed by a doctor.

Babies can dehydrate quite quickly with diarrhoea and vomiting, and rotavirus in particular can be really unpleasant.

If baby is drinking less than half usual amount per day, doing less than 3 wet nappies per day or not weeing for 6 hours or more, more sleepy than usual or difficult to rouse, looks pale, fontanelle feels sunken or eyes look sunken, mouth and lips not as moist as usual or if at any point there is blood in the poo or vomit then they should be reviewed ASAP.

It is important to keep on BFing and offer other fluids to keep up hydration. Sometimes rehydration drinks are needed if there is a concern about loss of salts (which can be a problem with several days of sickness and diarrhoea), but I would be guided by your GP on this.

If you take baby to the doctor, it might be helpful to take a poo sample with you just incase they want to test for rotavirus.

Make sure you are scrupulous with hygeine after changing nappies and clearing vomit- you don't want the whole family getting poorly.

All the best, Emma