Please help! My toddler is vomiting and wont keep anything down! Any advice appreciated! Desperate!

[VTnurse]

Hi all~

My 19 month old son started vomiting this morning after breastfeeding. He has now vomited several times and wont keep any fluids down. He had rotovirus when he was 9 months and ended up hospitalized with dehydration, so needless to say I am nervous.

To make matters worse, I am 36 weeks pregnant. I'm having such a hard time keeping up with this.

I don't want to rush him to the Dr b/c I know they wont be able to do anything with this virus, with the exception of hydration, which he is not (yet) ready for.

Any suggestions? Do I keep breastfeeding?

Help!

[earthmama369]

If it's the stomach bug that's going around, you'll probably have about 12 hours of him having an upset stomach and maybe another 12 of his just being tired. I would definitely stay off solids for the duration, and an hour or two after he's done puking, if possible. Give his system a chance to rest empty before making it start to do work again. But I think breastmilk would be a great liquid to start him on when he feels ready and asks for something to drink.

[Baby_Cakes]

When DD was doing this, I think the advice I read was to wait at least 20 min after vomiting before offering bm again. And only bf for a few min, not let them empty the breast. See if they can keep it down.
Try not to worry too much. Maybe it was something he ate, or maybe it's a virus.
I know it's so scary though. Hugs, mama!

[MadiMamacita]

we had the same issue last week. I'll try to find my post about it- there was some good advice in there!
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ighlight=vomit

[Violet2]

Keep breastfeeding and offering any fluids he's interested enough to try. In small sips.

Even if he throws up, he'll still retain something (this was the advice I got when we went through this). And BM will help the infection pass faster as he gets immunity from you.

What's really going to suck is when you get this bug.

V

[Red Pajama]

When I'm in that spot, I keep nursing. Occasionally I've offered pedialite if breastmilk wouldn't stay down. Watch for fever, dry eyes, dry lips, and diaper output.

There are anti-nausea drugs OTC. I've recently discovered emetrol, but I don't know if it can be given to under 2. If you have an doctor on call or a nurse line, consider calling if you are getting worried.

Dehydration happens faster if you've got vomiting plus diarrhea or fever.

Good luck. Hope he's feeling better soon.

[VTnurse]

Thanks Mama's!! I am so appreciative of all your advice and support!

[marispel]

Here is what I posted the other day....I think the #1 mistake is feeding too much too early!


.....My DS went throught this a few weeks ago - although we do not breastfeed and here is what worked for us (actually we had a Nurse who recommended this process)

We syringed a 1 tsp of Water or Pedialyte every 10 minutes for the first 2-3 hrs. Then occassionally do 1 tsp of Heavy Peach Syrup (it coats their tummy). I actually had to write down the time and what I gave him so that I didn't give too much or go too long.

After 2-3 hours with no vomitting, increase the liquid by another tsp. every 10 minutes. So wait 10 minutes, 2 tsp, wait 10 minutes 3 tsp. When they go 6-8 hrs without vomitting, then you can breastfeed a limited amount - every 30 minutes for 2-3 hrs.

If no vomiting after 12 hrs then try solids. Toast, rice cereal, mum-mums - rice chex, crackers.

If they vomit again - start over.

[marispel]

I also wanted to add....

My DS really wanted more water in the beginning and it was hard not to give it to him, but doing so would have been a mistake. Just a little bit in the beginning is all their sick tummies can handle.

[olien]

DS just had this last week. I think he threw up 6 or 7 times. The last few were the yellow green bile which were frightening & we were out of state on vaca.

I tried some coke syrup (my moms advice), but he threw that up 15min later. DH suggested saltines since I eat them with morning sickness. They worked!!!

After that stayed down for 30min I gave him a little cottege cheese. He was fine for the rest of the night.
Good luck!!

[starling&diesel]

We were at the ER last week and there were many babes dealing with this ...t the nurse gave each mama a cup of pedialite and a syringe and instructed them to give 5 mls every 5 minutes so long as they could keep it down. That's about a teaspoon. No more. If they vomited, they were to wait 10-15 minutes and start the process again. It is imperative to keep those little bodies hydrated ... and no Gatorade! To hard on their little systems.
Hope your little one is feeling better soon!

[jessaroo]

I would NOT stop nursing. Your child will need the comfort of nursing.