Do you take a vomiting toddler to the dr?

[Indadhanu]

I know, I know, its such a dumb question.... and the answer is probably yes...

Ok, so I'lls tart by saying I'm not really worried. I think she's got a tummy thing, her poo's have been so gross, and I've been putting it down to teething, but this morning I got her out of bed and breastfed her, and she spewed it all back up. About 90 minutes later she came and cuddled into me, and wanted a feed... I ummed and ahhhed and then fed her. Nup, spewed that back up too...

Then about 2 hours after that I gave her vegemite toast, it seemed to perk her up a bit, then she had a little sleep but I heard a tiny gag on the monitor about 15 minutes ago, so I went in a got her up. She was still asleep but I didn't want her to vomit in her sleep. 5 minutes later, up comes the toast

I tried to give her some water, she kept it down so far but gagged on it so I didn't push it.

Oh and she's going really pasty and cold just before she vomits.

She ate her dinner last night, and had a feed at 1am this morning with no problems?

She's never had the vomits (in fact, she's only done one or two this year!) so I don't really know what to do. Do I take her to the dr? Or do I just give her cuddles and sips of water every now and then? Is there anything a dr can even do? Apart from saying "she's sick with a tummy bug".

We also have apple juice, but I've heard that isn't really that great for vomiting/dehydration, but I can't remember why...?

[~Trish~]

Oh no, poor Jazz . I had gastro on Thursday night, not nice.

My DS1 has had gastro a few times and TBH I have never taken him to the Dr, but let him ride it out. If you are getting really concerned, then definitely take her in, but atm you'll probably get told "Yep, it's a tummy bug". Keep her fluids up, but very slowly. Drinking too much quickly will only make her throw it all up again. Drinking slowly will help her body absorb it. Plain water is good, but you could also buy some Hydralyte to get her to sip.

For great advice without leaving your home, ring Nurse on Call or the MCHN line.

I hope the poor little girl feels better soon .

[kawazuki]

id recomend small amounts of diluted apple juice, say 10-20 ml every 30 min.
small sips are better than big gulps.
also let her suck on ice cubes or blocks if you have any.
if you notice high temp or signs of dehydration like no wet nappy in 12 hours, take her to the docs.

my DD gets this regularly well every 2-3 months she just has a sensitive tummy and picks up all the bugs that is what we get told to do every time

and its what i tell m y patients to do.

if you can get hold of some hydrolyte it is great..

[Catastrophic]

agree ith above posts...

hugs for Jazz

[Indadhanu]

Thanks everyone

Hey Jennifer - by lethargic... you mean more than just being a bit tired and drowsy? Jazz is fairly un-energetic, and wanting to just lay on the ground... I thought that was just part of it?

Oh. no go on the apple juice, I just got covered in the rest of the toast after some apple juice

[Indadhanu]

I just kept up with the BF whenever he wanted, even though he usually brought it back up on me.

Thats my plan of attack for now. Should I pull her off so she doesnt drink too much or just let her go???

[~Trish~]

Drowsiness is pretty standard with a tummy bug, my DS1 would fall asleep on the couch. I was very tired when I had it the other day too. I would definitely keep an eye out for dehydration though, that is very important.

[Doing my best]

Thanks everyone

Hey Jennifer - by lethargic... you mean more than just being a bit tired and drowsy? Jazz is fairly un-energetic, and wanting to just lay on the ground... I thought that was just part of it?

Oh. no go on the apple juice, I just got covered in the rest of the toast after some apple juice

I class my DD as being lethargic if she can't or won't do anything for herself, like roll over, get up or grizzle..

[nic]

We had gastro here a few months ago too (think it was before DS was 12months old)...was absolutely horrible. I just kept up with the BF whenever he wanted, even though he usually brought it back up on me. I called the 13 health number and then the hospital, who told me that even though DS was vomiting, he would still be getting some of the nutrients from his B/Feeds. Also gave him some water i think, and some icy poles for him to suck on too. We got the hydralyte stuff and froze it into ice cubes and let him suck on them too.

Also the usual stuff, make sure she has plenty of wet nappies, she isnt lethargic etc... We had the vomiting for 12 hours before DS finally stopped, only for him to have another vomit about 12 later later.Took him to the Dr then, who said it wasn't out of the ordinary for the vomiting to stop for 12 hours and for them to have another one or two chucks after...
Hope Jazz is feeling better soon

[~clover~]

When DD2 had rota virus it was the 3rd day I took her to the gp. Sent me home again & said to keep an eye on her...5th day she was admitted with NGT for fluids, but they said she was well hydrated considering how sick she'd been.
I think they recommended to me 10 mls every 10 minutes. Bottle, cup, medicine syringe, ice. Anyway you can get it in

We had to go lactose free for a while after that, but rota virus is a pretty strong bug & it strips away the lining of the gut from what I remember.

[Jennifer13]

I've actually never taken my vomitting toddler to the dr. Vomitting is the body's way of getting rid of a nasty bug. I think I'm best off just supporting her, making sure she is rehydrated (extra bfs are the gentlest and best thing) and keeping an eye on her for about a day. If it's not gone after 24 hours or she becomes lethargic, dehydrated or otherwise worsens I'd take her down to the hospital, rather than the dr. Otherwise, you're fine to treat at home.

[kelebek]

hope they can give you some answers leash

[Indadhanu]

Hmmmm, well decided against the drs. We've pretty much concluded its a gastro virus, SiL and one of her daughters started getting sick last night. We saw them on Monday. Jazz is doing better. Has kept her porridge down since breakfast, lots of BM, and is now sleeping peacefully.

A little concerned about her poo's but from what I can gather its fairly normal with gastro, I'll just keep getting BM and also some water into her and she'll mend.

I have some Inner Health for Kids, would that be ok for her during gastro?

[Inanna]

You're doing great Leasha - I wouldn't be doing anything differently. It's great she is keeping the boobies down. Poor bottom - zinc on it maybe?

Paedalite/gastrolyte etc are electrolyte drinks. I personally (that's my personal opinion!) think that they are unnecessary if a baby is breastfeeding. Breastmilk is the best fluid for a sick bubba. If the child is vomiting and pooing enough that they are not keeping breastmilk down for an extended time 6 hours or so then they probably need to be on an IV and wouldn't keep the paedalyte down anyway... That's my experience. Also it doesn't taste like anything that Jazz would have probably tasted so she wouldn't want to drink it!
They are helpful though for older kids/adults who can tolerate sips. Having said all of that water is wonderful!

I hope she continues to improve over the day. Keep an eye on that temp (she will get lethargic with a high temp) & personally I would give her some panadol for comfort & to keep the temp down... The high temp can make their muscles sore and head ache - pretty awful...

[Footsteps]

i hope shes ok leash, hugs xxx

[Jennifer13]

Hope she's feeling better soon, hun. What a wonderful Mummy to take care of her poor sick bubba so well! I used pawpaw ointment on DD's bottom when it got really nasty, I even used it when trying to wipe as it tends to lubricate the area so it doesn't hurt. It sounds like the bug is making its exit out the other end now. Keep up with what you're doing and keep a close eye on her. I hope she's better soon.