Worried first time Mum

[Kekke]

My DD is almost 6 months old and is on day 3 of a really bad cold - runny nose, watery eyes, cough, temperature, the lot.

She is ff and usually drinks 4 bottles. Yesterday she only drank 2 and so far today, she has drunk only half of one (it's mid afternoon here as am overseas). As a result her nappy is dry and I'm worried about her becoming deydrated. I'm not sure at what stage this becomes a problem for a baby. Should I give her until this evening or tomorrow morning and then take her to a Dr? Or am I over reacting and it's to be expected when a baby is sick?

I'm not medical, but I would say if you're worried, a trip or at least a call to the doctors isn't a bad idea. I'm sure she'll be fine, but otherwise you'll worry.

Hope you're both ok :)

Having re-read the amount she has fed over the past two days, if it were me I'd be popping to the doctors today.

I'd have her sleeping in your room and keep a close eye.

If she has no wet nappies at all, her temp rises despite paracetomol and/or she seems to be getting progressively unwell overnight, call out the emergency doc or go to A&E.

Otherwise, take her to the GP first thing.

I am a mum of two. Was ever so blase about these things until my youngest got a very bad flu last year. Always worth checking things out, especially where a high temp is involved.

Wish her well x

No you're not over reacting, it's very normal to be worried. If it's possible I would take her to be checked over which will also stop you worrying.
Am sure others will be along soon who know more about illness.
Hope she is better soon.

I second loopyloops. They would rather see a baby they didn't need to, than not see one they did.

Hope you're all ok, x.

Probably her blocked nose is making it hard for her to feed happily??

There isn't much that you can give her - make her comfortable (can you prop her up), give her some calpol (or equiv)

Just relax - give her some water and hope she gets better soon...

As a trained nurse I would suggest you contact a Dr this evening. If she has stopped weeing then she is dehydrated and should be assessed for a more serious infection. Dont leave it till the morning.

I think, with the mixed advice, it really would be sensible to go to the doctors, it's not worth the risk.

Thanks everyone for the speedy replies. Her temp. is 38.2 so I've just given her some Calpol and put her in her cot. She always sleeps well, but yesterday during the day she slept for 7 hours.

I have been spraying up her nose to keep it clear and today actually I think her nose is drying up as it's not blocked, it's more the cough. I will try her again with a bottle when she wakes up and if she doesn't drink any, we'll take her to the Dr at the hosptial later - and try and explain in Spanish what the problem is!

Thanks again

Oh, just seen your message Jaffacake2. Will take her this evening for sure then. Thanks

Kekke..

If you need any help with the Spanish I'm usually on here quite a lot and might be able to help.

Hope it all works out ok

I speak Spanish too so will keep an eye out
Esta constipada = has a cold
Tiene fiebre = has a fever / temperature
Tiene tos = has a cough
Le duele la garganta = has a sore throat
Ella no come nada = She wont feed

Thanks for the 2 offers of help with the translation. Have just written them down. It will be good practise for us both (and makes me realise I should ask my teacher to teach me some medical terms rather than just how to order things in a supermarket!).

Resfriado covers all of the cold symptom
Panales secos = dry nappies
Good luck
I only used all this stuff on holiday myself about a fortnight ago!

OP I don't know if you've been in Spain long (if it is Spain..) but don't be surprised if they decide to keep her overnight. They're very cautious here with young babies.. and more so if it's your health insurance that's covering it

I've been kept in overnight here in UK twice for exactly the same thing, purely for observation. I didn't mind too much though, better safe than sorry.

I'm in Panama. Only been here 6 weeeks hence my lack of Spanish (was a sudden move) and not yet had any experience of the hospitals. I'm going to take her now to the one in the town we live and if I'm not happy will drive to Panama City as there I know there is a US hospital.

Make sure you give her bottles of water, rather than milk, as well.

Let us know how you get on.. Good luck

Good luck :)

I just wanted to come back to this to let you know that my DD is fine. We went to the hospital yesterday afternoon and the Dr decided to put her on a drip to rehydrate her due to dry nappies. All a little emotional as the struggled to get the drip in and eventually it went in through her foot. The took blood and confirmed a viral infection, so good it's not bacterial as at least no need for antibiotics.

They call the Pediatrician and he looked at the results and let her come home. Her tonsils, chest and ears are infected, so we have drops and will continue to Calpol to keep her temp. down. He was such a kind man and has even given me his mobile number as he lives just around the corner so if we are worried at all we can just call him!

The Spanish translations were vvvvv helpful. The first Dr spoke no English and understood me what I was saying as I read them from my book :)

Thank you once again for assuring me I wasn't over reacting. Am so pleased we went. DD now sleeping and starting to feed again.

So pleased for you that she is ok and had such good treatment.Dry nappies are always a sign of dehydration and illness

Glad she is on the mend and the doctors were so nice
And you have had a little Spanish lesson too - if you ever need anything else just message me.

So glad your DD is on the mend, x.

Really pleased to hear that!