Baby with hellish nappies

[WorkingMummy]

Second night in a row up with baby. Last night was vomiting. Tonight it is the most hellish, stinky, runny nappies I have ever seen. The gas he is letting off constantly: whole bedroom and bathroom smell like a sulpher mine!!

Temperature a little high but comes down with calpol/neurofen, so not worried should be in hospital or anything. He's also doing his best to be perky (including right now bless him).

Only question: do I keep b/fing him? I've stopped his solid feeds, obviously. But does breast milk prolong a bug of this kind, (by feeding it or whatever -very technical I know.) I would have thought breast milk a good thing, to keep up fluids etc, but wanted to check with anyone with more experience.

Gosh, what a stink.

[shaunag]

I would think important for baby to stay hydrated, but maybe give nhs direct a call to get a steer? Poor tot, hope it passes soon. X

[bluesuperted]

I think it's definitely the right thing to keep feeding. This article from Kellymom includes a section on diarrhoea and vomiting:

http://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/illness-surgery/baby-illness/

Hope baby is better soon...

[WorkingMummy]

Thank you!

[Fuschia]

Yes. Although in cases of d&v stopping milk is recommended, that doesn't apply to breast milk (though not all drs know that)

I believe breast milk actually supports a healthy intestinal flora which reduces the chance of a temporary lactose intolerance that often goes with a tummy bug

[Bellenden Belle]

Just back from Lister Walk In centre since Baby Belle has a vomiting bug. The doctor said exactly what Fushia said - no dairy but definitely breast milk - even if they don't keep it down. Also recommended Dioralyte to keep the baby hydrated.

Passing urine and the baby being alert are the two things to look out for.

[WorkingMummy]

Thank you, forum mummies.

Once again, forum so valuable.

[lucie1979]

My daughter has the same thing - seems to be 24 hrs of vomiting then unbelievable nappies for a few days. GP said he's seen a few with similar symptoms over the past week and it should pass in 3 - 4 days ish. We've been giving water and dioralyte (she would just throw up the milk straightaway), then back on formula (she's 10 months) once she could hold it down. As everyone has said, so important to get the little sips of fluid down as often as possible. Hope your little ones are better soon.

[WorkingMummy]

Just to prove the wisdom of what you all said, now the last of his most recent solid food is through him, he hasn't had a dirty nappy (ie not since 7am). He's keeping breast milk down/in and is passing a lot of urine.

Still farting like a demon and not himself but much better than during the night.