No breastmilk with a stomach bug?

**helle** · January 29th, 2011, 10:49 AM

Hey ladies,
I think Ds has a stomach bug. He spewed three times last night, and cannot keep anything down. He also hasn't peed in 12 hours.
We called health direct and the lady on the other end said only water every ten mins for the next eight hours. No milk. Not even BM. Does this sound right? I thought any fluids would be a good thing...

After a 15 minute screaming fit because he was denied booby I have caved...

**Traveller** · January 29th, 2011, 10:53 AM

I would be giving him BM if he wants it, and offering water too. BM is so much more than nutrition, and he will be getting a lot out of the comfort factor if he is feeling unwell.

**helle** · January 29th, 2011, 10:55 AM

I would be giving him BM if he wants it, and offering water too. BM is so much more than nutrition, and he will be getting a lot out of the comfort factor if he is feeling unwell.

Thanks traveller, that's what I thought about the nutrition... He was just slapping the water away anyway, so better milk fluid than none.

He has already snuggled in and dozed off. Poor love.

**onthefly** · January 29th, 2011, 11:05 AM

I would definitely still offer breastmilk. I was told the same thing when DS was younger - she actually told me that those hydralyte thingos would be better than BM. don't get it

BM is full of nutrition, gives comfort and is easily digested...

**Indadhanu** · January 29th, 2011, 11:10 AM

No that is totally wrong. BM is the best thing when they are sick with a gastro-type bug. It keeps them hydrated, is easily digested, and comforting. Even if he vomits it up later, he'll still be getting something from it, as it's so easily digested. Water is just water, but BM is wonderful! And it'll help him fight the bug too, especially if you have been exposed and your body is making antibodies to fight it (does that make sense?).

Jazz had terrible gastro, and the dr said the only thing that kept her hydrated and out of hospital was the fact that I was breastfeeding her on damand, and to keep doing it for as long as she needed. And she was 14 months old!

**LoveLea** · January 29th, 2011, 12:01 PM

Water is just liquid, where as BM is full of heaps of wonderful things to help get rid of the bugs in his tummy. A lot of medical professionals aren't very well informed on BM

**Gigi** · January 29th, 2011, 12:30 PM

if you are at all unsure, i would check with the ABA free helpline 1800 686 2 686 (in case you need an "authority" to say it catergorically, to make relatives/bystanders leave you alone (with your choice).

i think you gut instinct is leading you in a good direction.
i was astonished, the amount of medical professionals i encountered who had ZERO understanding of breastfeeding, ZERO understanding of what breastmilk is and what it does for babies/toddlers. It can be very offputting, all that misinformation. (told as absolute fact).

i hope your DS is on the mend soon.

**MantaRay** · January 29th, 2011, 12:42 PM

It's such a shame that doctors are not given more education about bfing. Those with an interest in it do further study, but most GPs have done only 4 hours of bfing education (this was discovered during a survey of doctors).

Most mums have done more than that!! So unless your GP or health professional that you speak to has an interest, it is hit and miss as to whether you will get good information

Research has shown that bm is absolutely the best thing for a sick baby, and is often the only thing that is tolerated by a baby with gastro - more so than water!! Absolutely continuing to feed is the right thing - even your DS knew that, clever thing, which is why he wanted it so much!

**STARRYSKY** · January 29th, 2011, 02:26 PM

What Leaha Said! Jboy had a horrid bout of gastro and lost so much weight over a week, the only thing keeping him going was the frequent feeds I was giving him (and small amounts of water) even though he would throw up what seemed like most of it (especially when he was feverish) he was still getting something and the hospital commended me on doing such a good job keeping him hydrated.

**helle** · January 29th, 2011, 02:49 PM

Thanks girls.
I'm not really sure what this is. He has no temp and was seemingly fine ever straight after spewing. He is becoming lethargic now tho.
I hate it when he is sick

***LittleMissSummer*** · January 29th, 2011, 02:52 PM

When DD had gastro at 4 weeks i went to the doctor and he even though she will most likely just throw up still offer the milk as bub will dehydrate very quickly and she still needs the nutrients from it.

Hope your bub feels better soon