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Parenting

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Original poster

Been told to fast a 5 week old?!

22 replies

user1491781109 · 10/04/2017 01:03

Looking for some reassurance, my formula fed little boy is 5 weeks & 4 days and has had explosive/yellow watery foul smelling poos for 9 days, I took him to the hospital on day 7 as I couldn't get in at the doctors and they advised me to leave him for another 7 days feeding as normal and offering water between feeds. And to bring him back if his symptoms got worse. Well this morning after him bringing up half of 3 bottles he had a horrendous nappy 😷 it was so bad it pooled and was pouring out the sides! It's just like yellow water. Well I took him back to the hospital and after a 3 hour wait he was seen and they have told me to give him no milk and just water for 24 hours and 1oz per feed as opposed to the 4oz of milk he's used to. He's just woke up for a feed and wasn't very happy about having water to say the least! I feel so mean and am a little bit worried as he's only a small baby anyway. I've ended up phoning 111 as after giving him 1oz he was hysterical screaming crying coughing and going bright red as he was so hungry. Lady at 111 got a doctor to call me back who has advised I can match the amount of water with how much milk he's used to. So he's had a little bit more and sort of settled but still not happy. I feel evil not giving him his milk! Any other moms had to do this before? How did you cope? x

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DisneyMillie · 10/04/2017 07:49

Obviously doctors know best but I thought it was potentially dangerous to give small babies lots of water as it imbalances the salts or something? can you go to a walk in today for another opinion?

Bugsylugs · 10/04/2017 07:54

No never heard that advice, normally continue milk normally and add in water between if needed to stop them getting dehydrated sometimes they need ORD on top but the milk isnt stopped.
Who did you see?

Bugsylugs · 10/04/2017 07:55

Sorry that should read ORS oral rehydration solution

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user1471558436 · 10/04/2017 07:57

It's only for a short time, although it might seem like a lifetime. The main thing is to keep in contact with the hospital. Can you get out for s walk?

Starlighter · 10/04/2017 07:57

My daughter had this. I was advised to feed her as normal?!

But it ended up being the formula that didn't agree with her. We were using Aptamil but she was better on Cow & Gate. My youngest was the other way round (after stocking up on loads of C&G!) might be worth considering, all babies are different.

Original poster

user1491781109 · 10/04/2017 08:15

Trying to get in to see a gp today as I don't trust the advice if I'm honest plus the woman told me he still needed to be seen by a doctor. It's so frustrating as being told polar opposite advise in the space of 3 days doesn't fill me with faith. I saw a clinician at the urgent care centre yesterday who's advised this, she said its a virus and that giving milk will feed it and we need to flush it out?!

OP posts:

Hulaballoo · 10/04/2017 08:26

Personally I wouldn't fast a little one..
Mine had a milk allergy at that age with explosives yellow runny poos, uncomfortable tummy pains etc...you may want to ask about that being a possibility? You could ask for a trial of a hydrolysed milk powder from the docs...nutramigen for eg. It may take a week for your little one to get used to the taste but the effect on tummy and poos was very quick...

Bugsylugs · 10/04/2017 08:27

Entirely appropriate to see own GP. The question is what type of clinician did you see at Urgent care centre.

Mamabear12 · 10/04/2017 09:06

Perhaps try formula made w soy or goats milk temporarily to see if it's a dairy allergy? I don't think giving only water for a young baby is okay.

Original poster

user1491781109 · 10/04/2017 09:30

To be honest I'm not sure what type of clinician she was, they just had a number of them in yesterday. I think it's an intolerance as well, he's currently on cow and gate and has been since birth, wouldn't life be easier if I could have breastfed! Am in the waiting room at my doctors so will update - I just want to feed him :(

OP posts:

TheSecondOfHerName · 10/04/2017 09:36

I had to keep DS1 nil by mouth for 48 hours when he was three weeks old. You have my sympathies.

dementedpixie · 10/04/2017 09:41

Nhs advises to keep giving milk feeds and give rehydration sachets as well as milk. I would not fast a baby that age tbh

MamaHanji · 10/04/2017 10:24

Nappies sound like what my baby's were like before we figured out her intolerances. She is wheat, egg and dairy intolerant. So breastfeeding is bloody difficult lol.

I would feel awful fasting a baby so small. But at the same time; I'm not a medical professional. Your poor baby. And poor you!

Afreshstartplease · 10/04/2017 10:27

This sounds awful

I hope you get some good advice from gp

If the advice given at the hospital is incorrect I would complain

Esssa · 10/04/2017 10:45

I know this is different (and probably no use whatsoever) but we do the same with calves for up to 48 hours. However they are given an electrolyte and glucose mix as a replacement, not just plain water. If they are orphans that's all they get. If still with mum they can drink whatever milk they feel strong enough to get.

Back on topic, I wouldn't be happy with a baby being given only water for such a long period of time. Just think how weak and feeble you feel when you have a bug that means you can't eat. Hope you get sorted quickly op.

Original poster

user1491781109 · 10/04/2017 12:26

GP still doesn't know what it could be as no other symptoms however has given me the green light to feed him as normal thank goodness! He said he could understand why I was told to give only water however he said himself he personally wouldn't recommend it for such a young baby. Have provided a stool sample and he's asked us to pop back later this afternoon to check up on him. Feeling much more relieved and I have a happy chilled out boy. I will update if anything changes or if they decide what it could be.

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 10/04/2017 12:31

It could be a temporary lactose intolerance after the tummy bug. You could maybe ask if it's worth adding colief to the bottles to break down the lactose or see if you could try a lactose free formula (I don't mean soya milk though)

Oly5 · 10/04/2017 12:36

I wouldn't jump to conclusions that he's allergic to anything. My son had poos like that for five weeks as a tiny baby. It eventually cleared up of its own accord. Lactose free milk etc is not as nutritious as usual formula so don't swap unless it's on the advice of your GP

StiginaGrump · 10/04/2017 12:36

Seek more advice what you have been told is incorrect and potentially dangerous.

Original poster

user1491781109 · 10/04/2017 17:33

Doc is happy he seems much more content now have advised me to feed as normal just keep an eye on things see how he goes. Said he may still have an iffy tummy but the main focus is keeping him hydrated. Thanks everyone for your help and kind words. x

OP posts:

JiltedJohnsJulie · 10/04/2017 19:29

Glad you saw the Doctor. Has anyone mentioned Cow's Milk Protein Allergy? Have a read of the symptoms and see what you think

Highmaintenancefemalestuff · 10/04/2017 19:37

Both mine were like this. They were lactose intolerant.
Ahh must of been hard for you feeling like he was going hungry

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