We have gastro!

[Taurean]

DD1 started vomiting at 1am Saturday and stopped around 10.30pm. It was awful and she's still not well. She was tired yesterday but seemed to be on the mend but she's just thrown up her bottle I'm hoping the milk may have been too rich on her sensitive tummy. She had some milk before bed last night and was fine but she had eaten a little too.

DH came down with it around 6 last night. He stopped vomiting at 10.30pm but is very tired and sore.

Now I have it Just the runs so far but feel very nauseous and have tummy cramps.

I'm praying like mad DD2 (3 months) doesn't get it. She's exclusively breastfed so that should help.

My question is, how do you do it? How do you look after the kids and yourself when you're all struck down by the dreaded bug?!

This is hell Any tips would be appreciated.

[ss_storm]

Oh no can you have a tv day? Or just get the very basics done and not worry about anything else!
Hope you're feeling better soon xx

[Taurean]

Yep, we are all in bed except DD2 who is in her rocker mastering grabbing! She's next to my bed so I'm dozing and DD1 is asleep with DH in the lounge. My mum just dropped off more hydralyte so hopefully that will help

[Tegam]

That is terrible. You just do get thru hun. Sorry no help really but just rest rest rest. Trust what dd wants she is a little animal so much more in tune with her needs. So if she asks for food give it. If she's not hungry don't stress. And don't stress if dd2 gets sick. Remember breast milk is easily digested so even if it looks like she vomits it all up she has at least had some. Another good tip is to weigh her new nappies one at a time and write it on the nappy with a pen. Ie 43gms. Then when you change her weigh it again. It's a great way of seeing how much she is weeing as sometimes you think it's dry but it's not. That way you can make better decisions about getting her help

Hugs hun!

[Jennifer13]

Oh no! I hope you all feel better soon. Make sure you keep your fluids up and lots of hand washing. That should help with DD2 not getting it.

[Miss E]

Oh no! How awful for you all. If you ask me, gastro is the worst part of parenting and the one thing that nobody warns you about...

I don't really have any great advice for you other than only do what you need to, you will get through it. The one thing I've found that helps both DS (who's about your DD1's age) and me to settle our stomachs so that we can at least keep water down is flat coke. If you put a teaspoon of sugar in a glass it go dead flat straight away. Then have a small sip or a teaspoon, every two minutes for 15 mins. Take a 15 min break and repeat. After that your tummy should be calm enough to manage basic water and then move on to dry bikkies etc.

[Liviam]

I'm typing this between toilet visits myself as DH & I have been struck down with gastro. Poor kiddies have both parents barely functioning.
Keep up your fluids. If you can't keep water down try some gastrolyte drink/icy poles. Don't push yourself with eating. You'll eat again when you're good and ready.

Fluid, rest and survival

Hope you feel better soon.

[LuluHB]

Sounds like you all (Taurean and Dan) need to head to bed.

Definitely all for a tv day when everyone is feeling so bad. Make beds in the lounge with towels underneath, buckets handy etc and just let the kids go into a stupor watching whatever they want while you take it as easy as you can.

Hope you're all feeling better soon.

[Tegam]

Sugar and or coke will feed the gastro and prolong your illness

[Taurean]

Well it's 2pm and I think we are on the mend, I hope!!

We've spent the entire day resting - me in our room with DD2 (who seems to be ok so far) and DH in the lounge with DD1. They slept most of the morning and have both had some crackers and something to drink since waking. They're both exhausted but seem to be doing better.

I've been able to sleep while DD2 has (so a few hours all up) and have been drinking Hydralyte since 5am and I really think that's helped a lot. I was terribly achey earlier but panadol helped with that. I'm still exhausted but the 'runs' have slowed down a lot and I don't feel nauseous any more. I think miraculously, I've been saved from the worst! One of my friends is an ED nurse so she's been giving me tips as well.

What a horrible thing to happen to a family though. It's plain cruel, isn't it! I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

Thanks for all well wishes and advice, it's been so helpful and comforting Keep your fingers crossed for me that DD2 gets through this unscathed.