is it ok to bf vomiting ds?

[mermaidmama]

My husband has been sick with a stomach virus and now my 18 month old son has it. He started vomiting off and on yesterday evening so I stopped all solids....just water and ice chips. He wanted very much to bf even tho' he would vomit it up a while later.

Is it ok to still bf him? He cries so hard if I tell him no right now....and I feel it keeps him hydrated. But, I dont want it to upset his stomache more. Does the LLL say anything about this sort of thing?

Thanks!

[mamadelbosque]

I'd definetly be nursing LOTS!! I know when my DS1 was sick, nursing always made him feel better, even if he did just puke it back up. But at least it has lots of good nutrients and antibodies to hopefully make him better, sooner. Cause' remember, when he nurses, he passes the germs to you, and YOU make antibodies for him, so that helps his immune system. So yes, definetly, absolutely, 100% NURSE!!

[azmomtoone]

That's one of the great things about nursing toddlers, IMO. Emotional comfort & nutritious, easy-to-digest food all at once for a sick LO. Definitely, let him nurse, as much as he will! Breastmilk is very very easily digested, so even if he throws up again a minute later, he will absorb some of the nutrients & benefit from the immune boost in that time.
I would keep on offering water and maybe a bit of apple juice in between nursing...you definitely want to make an effort to keep him hydrated. If he's willing to just sit & nurse all night though, let him!

[Beppie]

absolutely, breastmilk is the BEST thing for his tummy!
think of all the immunities/antibodies he is getting from your milk. and the comfort, too!

[mermaidmama]

re

Great! I feel much better now! Thanks for the responses

[MamaPhD]

I actually disagree. Clear liquids are the easiest on vomitting stomach, and BM is not clear. I would give some pedialyte, at least for a couple hours after vomitting, to replenish lost electrolytes and water. Juice is not great because too much sugar and not enough electrolytes. Little tiny sips at a time, like a spoonfull every 5 minutes until he has a 1/2 cup or so. You can also give him some jello. Otherwise you might get into vomit - milk - vomit - milk cycle. I know you want to comfort him but nursing him and getting him to vomit more is not helping him any, but just prolonging the pain. Please think about it.

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by MamaPhD

I actually disagree. Clear liquids are the easiest on vomitting stomach, and BM is not clear. I would give some pedialyte, at least for a couple hours after vomitting, to replenish lost electrolytes and water. Juice is not great because too much sugar and not enough electrolytes. Little tiny sips at a time, like a spoonfull every 5 minutes until he has a 1/2 cup or so. You can also give him some jello. Otherwise you might get into vomit - milk - vomit - milk cycle. I know you want to comfort him but nursing him and getting him to vomit more is not helping him any, but just prolonging the pain. Please think about it.

This is actually incorrect. I know where you are coming from, but breastmilk is not dairy. The WHO recommends breastmilk for infant and child rehydration over and above rehydration salts/pedialyte because it is absorbed MUCH faster and efficiently. Kids do better on brestmilk than any 'clear' fluid.

So OP, keep nursing! You are doing the recommended thing for dehydration.

I would avoid dairy (cow milk, yoghurt, cheese etc) for several days - 1 week after an intestinal issue because of the digestion problems, but I would never avoid breastmilk!

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I agree my kids wouldnt even touch pedialyte and it just costs to much to waste like that.

[mamazee]

Breastmilk IS medically consdiered a clear liquid, plus it's full of immunities, so there is nothing better for a sick little tummy!

[aksign]

yes, my ds just came through an awful bout with a stomach bug. He nursed and slept like a newborn for the seven days it lasted. I was unsure of how much pedialyte vs bm to give him. He would grudgingly accept a few sips of pedialyte, only to throw it up a little later (along with precious bm behind it). SO, I went with my mom instincts and stopped giving him the pedialyte, and he did much better. I did go to doc once bc he seemed to be losing weight, but doc said he was just working it through and to watch for signs of dehydration. I am SO glad to still be bf. I have heard of many relatives' kids needing to go to the hospital for rehydration when they are just relying on pedialyte. Also, for the record, the on call nurse said to avoid bm bc of the "fatty content."