Urgent advice needed re breastfed toddler with sicky bug, please

[PrettyCandles]

He can't keep anything down, not even breastmilk. I've been giving him a tablespoonful of boiled water every 15mins or so, and that stayed down, but he's desperate for a feed. After he hadn't vomited for a couple of hours I let him have a smallish feed, he dozed off on the breast, slept, then woke asking for water. Within minutes of having his tablespoonful - up it all came again, twice in the last hour.

How do I keep him hydrated?

How long do I let this go on before calling the doctor (it started at 5am, he doesn't feel as if he has a temperature, but won't co-operate with me checking)

And how the heck do I comfort him when every cuddle has him desperately trying to get at the 'boos'?

If he can't even keep breast milk down, I would be worried.

I think the advice is to just keep feeding. Tiny amounts may be staying down.

My bf dd has had gastroenteritis twice. On both occasions she could not manage breastmilk. I found that it was the quantity that she couldn't handle I think. She wanted comfort and once latched on would take too much- though less than usual- and it was too much for a poorly stomach.

Two things worked.

1. Refusing bf and offering small sips of water frequently. This kept her nappy wet and no signs of dehydration. Once she'd managed a day of this I reintroduced bm.

1. Expressed milk so that she could have small sips of it, so the volume issue was taken care of and it stayed down.

It's so hard because they feel rubbish and want the comfort and closeness of feeding but it upsets their stomach again.

Is he showing any signs of dehydration?

Agree, was also told they keep down some of it even if they throw up every time.

I wouldn't call hte docotr, personally. It only started at 5am this morning. If he gets very lethargic and doesn't have any wet nappies, then he might get dehydrated.

Breastmilk is as good as those rehydration sachets (disclaimer: not a medical professinal person or owt)

be not get

Dioralyte sachets are good but taste foul. DD hated them.

It's not a long time for a gastro bug thus far and I wouldn't be worried if he's otherwise well and hydrated. The bm, whatever he keeps down is the best thing for him if he does manage some.

The GP would only do something if he really seemed dehydrated. I took dd the first time she had it and they said just to watch for dehydration. The second time I knew to watch out for signs but didn't seek medical advice.

DS had this same thing two weeks ago (14mo) - he couldn't eat or drink anything. It lasted for 24 hrs. After then he went back to exclusive BF for three days. He did lose weight but was back to his normal eating habits within a week.

If it persists over 24 hrs I would go to the doctor.

HTH and that your DS gets better soon. It's so tough seeing them like this. Good luck.

caveat - am not a medic!

Thanks. I wondered whether it might be better to let him feed and just cope with the vomiting. (Three machine loads so far this morning!)

Oh I remember it well. The sofa, duvets, blankets, clothes, shoes, the lot. The washing machine was on permanently.

Don't be surprised if he is very tired after the bug is subsiding. It's exhausting for little ones to be sick frequently and if he wants only milk for a few days afterwards then it's fine. DD wouldn't countenance solids afterwards for about a week.

It's horrible when they're like this. Let us know how he is. And you of course.

Ds at 10mo did not have to get admitted only because of hte advice given to me by the Doctor who came to see us. He said 1fl oz every 10mins (of dioralyte) - if it bounces, try again in 10mins. We were having problems because ds was thirsty as he was dehydrated so drinking too much and then bringing it all up again. Small quantities (ideally that you can measure) very regularly is the best.

Hope that he improves soon

The other wonderful website.

How is he today?

Vastly better, thanks. He was vomiting all yesterday and had a virtually sleepless night - but did not vomit. It was quite scarey to see him this morning, pale face and sunken eyes with dark shadows beneath. I've never seen any of my dcs look like that!

I knew he was on the way up today when he threw the biggest tantrum he has ever had because I wouldn't give him more to eat and drink, while at the same time keeping an eye on Thomas on TV. He knew perfectly well that I was using the episodes to space out his food, and would give him some more as soon as the credits rolled.

They're sent to try us