My DS has had gastro for 6 days now. It is so distressing. He was in A&E on Sunday where they rehydrated him with Hydralite and he tolerated some breastmilk. Since we came home he has had diarreah at least twice a day and vomiting at least twice a day.
He is not very interested in BF and I tried feeding him some rice cereal this morning which he refused. I am forcing Hydralite down him with a syringe which he hates & I cry every time I have to force it down. I have to pin his arms down & wedge his head between my body & arm to get him to take it. It is so awful but I don't want him to become dehyrated again.
He has lost a lot of weight & I have called my local health clinic to see if I can take him for weighing to see if I should be as concerned as I am.
I am also worried about how this is affecting my milk supply as usually he feeds hungrilly six times a day. Now he is feeding slowly and not hungrilly maybe four or five times a day.
Feeling very sad and distressed - DS is eight months & this is the first time he has been sick which I guess makes me lucky but it feels awful.
Seeing that he has not improved from Sunday - I would definitely be taking him back to the hospital or at least a GP. If he is dehydrated they may need to admit him and put him on a drip. Has he had his rotovirus immunisation? If he hasn't it could be that so you should get him seen to.
If you are worried about your supply try to express some milk to keep it up and then you have a stash if you need some extra laster on. Often if they have lost weight through illness, they will eat up a storm when feeling better to help regain that weight so you may some extra to give him.
I agree with Nai - if there hasnt been an improvement cant hurt to head back to the GP.
I know how awful this can be, I remember DS1 first case of gastro (at about 9 months) and it went for a week, it was awful how he wouldnt feed etc and threw everythoing I did get into him back up. I went to the dr a few times.
I am sure you know this but look for wet/damp nappies - at rhe very minumum a damp nappy every 6 hrs. the hyrdalite will help with electrolyets as well as fluid so keep that up. there is also 'pedialyte' which is for kids and i know that was slightly easier to get into my DS1 (also with a syringe). i weas doing 5-15ml at a time, every 20 mins or so.
when he is able to eat/drink again - breastmilk will be best (you could express and try to get him to have some in the syringe also) - in any case express for your supply??? in terms of food - apples are good for the pectin (helps ease runny poos) and also bananas. plain rice... avoid dairy/meat for a while except maybe some yoghurt w probiotics. sweet potato is also a good food to sdtart off weith - mashed if he will do iut or i used ot bake in 'chip cuts' which he would eat as finger foods.
He will put the weight back on, i wouldnt worry too much - it is amazing how the appetite will return when he is well. but i know how worrying and i really thinka trip to the gp wont do any harm and will either give you peace of mind or will ensur eyou dont end up w dehydration etc.
good luck, let us know how it all goes.
Gastro for 6 days
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks