Another tummy bug post...

[Ruth_Baldock]

Hi all.

Baby Baldock seems to have this stomach bug thats doing the rounds, as do I. We were both vomiting like crazy yesterday, and both unable to keep anything down. My GP came out to see us, and gave me an IM injection of anti-nausea stuff (which bloody hurt!). I can now keep down fluids and have been having that electroylte stuff in the sachets. We tried to give it to Baby, but he's having none of it. He won't take breastmilk either and whenever we try to give him any, he normally throws it back up! We're terribley worried, should we take him to Kings? We're both writhing around on the bed in agony, it's horrible to watch. He's not his normal happy self either, obviously.

How can I get him to take fluids? We did drop some electrolyte stuff into his mouth, probably only managed about 1/2 an oz though, which I suppose is better than nothing?

[Domitianus]

Don't mean to be nasty but is this the place for getting advice on a health issue that you think might be serious enough to warrant an A&E visit? Try NHS Direct for advice or your GP or head for Kings.

[The Nappy Lady]

Hi Ruth,

If he isn't taking any fluids I would be inclined to seek medical advice as I think little ones can dehydrate quite quickly.

I have always been told to keep giving them breast milk or sips of water if older, even if it all seems to come back up very quickly as a little bit will always remain in their system.....but if he isn't taking anything at all then it is worth getting him checked, especially if it has gone on for several hours.

Really hope you are both better soon, there is SO much of this around at the moment and it is a really nasty bug (s?)...can't decide if it is the same on, or several different strains.

Molly

[The Nappy Lady]

Not that we should rely on this, but it may be useful to know;

To check for dehydration at hospital it seems they press finger and toe nails and watch to see if they go pink again straightaway to initially check for dehydration. The longer they stay white the worse they are apparently.

Molly

[Ruth_Baldock]

Hi Molly,

Thanks for your replies. We've managed to get him to have breastmilk 3 times since I made the post and also around 1.5oz of the electrolyte stuff. He has done one wee, which is a vast improvement over the weeing strike he was on previously. Our GP advised us if he refused fluids/couldn't keep them down, to head to Kings but we are holding off for the minute. Just tried the toenail thing, he pinked up nicely. He was smiling and lying on my chest lifting his head up for a bit before so *fingers crossed* he's on the mend, poor bubs. REALLY want to avoid A+E, as don't think hanging around Kings for eons will help him at all. Will keep offering him the breast and keep my fingers and toes crossed.

[The Nappy Lady]

Sounds positive Ruth, if he is drinking and passing urine then you know stuff is going through.

Great news.

Hope you are feeling better in a more general sense too.

Molly

x

[Yorkie]

Hi, Kings actually has a sep A&E for children* turn right not left when you go in. I had to take my baby there when she was only a few weeks old and it was such a relief to not be stuck in the adults bit. Hopefully you'll never need to go there but nice to know just in case.

*in Sep 09 it did, am assuming it's still like that.

[clux]

hello

my daughter ended up in A&? with this yesterday and we were seen within about 5 minutes. we went to a&e when she couldn't even keep sips of water down anymore

hope he's better soon

[apenn]

Just a sympathy post as just about every member of my family has had this. It's horrible and I think it takes longer to recover from these things when you're breastfeeding. Make sure someone is taking care of you!

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

-A