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..

[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.

[Catastrophic]

agree ith above posts...

hugs for Jazz

[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.

[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.

[kirsty_lee]

If you think she is getting dehydrated you can go to the chemist and get this stuff called Pedialyte. Its just a little sachet, you mix it with water, and i just give it to ava in a syringe bit by bit. It replaces all their electrolytes. Hope she feels better soon hun

[nic]

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

I left DS alone. If I tried to get him off, he would become really upset. Not sure if it was the right thing to do though?
By lethargic I think they mean if you can't rouse them if they start becoming drowsy/sleepy. That's how the nurse at 13 health explained it to me anyway.

[Jennifer13]

Lethargy is not just general drowsiness (DD just wants to sleep when she's sick, that's not lethargy, that's recovery!). It's like nic explained. I would offer her the bb every time she wants it. Don't hold back or take her off. Breast milk is very gentle on her tummy and the best way to hydrate her. If she starts refusing the breast you can try the other suggestions, but I'd stick to just bm atm. You might be wearing it for the rest of the afternoon, but it will also be soothing her tummy and rehydrating her in the best possible way. Not to mention she's probably enjoying the comfort of being close and snuggling with you while she's sick.

Hope she's better soon, hun!

[Indadhanu]

Ok cool I did end up just leaving her on, she was on for about 10 minutes! Half an hour and the milk has stayed in, which I guess means that even when it comes back up again she's at least got something from it hey?


Oh, by the way, I'm not feeling any better by the report in my local newspaper. Unrolled it and on the front page is a massive headline LOCAL BOY KILLED BY MENINGICOCCAL with a bunch of warning signs, so now I'm on Meningicoccal lookout? lol, no it's ok, she's not too bad now, laying on the ground watching Go Diego Go and ripping up some junk mail that came in the paper.

[Inanna]

Sorry for you and Jazz Leasha...

Breastmilk is the BEST thing. Better than water - I definitely wouldn't be giving her juice - it's too acidic. Just BF her as much as she wants. Try to do little feeds...

Keep her temperature down by giving some panadol NOT ibuprofen as this can sometimes irritate their bellies...

Pale & cold is not an abnormal response prior to vomiting, even though it is a bit scary it's quite normal.

Keep track of her wet nappies - obviously she will be having less of them as she is vomiting. But we want to see a wet nappy every 4-6 hours. If she is no better by early evening I would pop her up to the hospital. It is very easy for babies to become dehydrated. There is a particularly nasty bug around our parts at the moment...

I hope she improves by late in the day.

[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..

[Mother Goose]

poor Jazz!

Def go get some peadalyte. It will help rehydrate and give her the energy she needs to fight the bug. If there isn't anything open or you can't get there, flat lemonade (diluted) is ok for young children. If she won't take it or can't keep it down, squirt 10-15 mls into her cheek every 20 min or so.

If you were unable to rouse her, get her to the hossy. But if she is just wanting to sleep a little more than normal - completely expected when they're ill

Good luck hon

MG

[Indadhanu]

She's asleep now, hasn't vomited since just after 11am, has had three little breastfeeds and is now sleeping.