Reassure me mamas! DS is sick

[Carhootel]

I'm at my IL's so I only have a few minutes but I could really use some advice please. Something is up with ds (12 months) and I'm really worried. Night before last he was up every hour or two just grunting and moaning and wanting to switch sides and nurse... fine. Then yesterday we were in the car all afternoon and he was whiney (which he's never been before) and was just sort of out of it. Then last night was pretty rough and today he's been lethargic all day. He hasn't played on the floor at all or left our arms or a carrier all day. I noticed last night he felt a little warm and this morning he felt the same. I took his temp this afternoon and it was 101.9, he hasn't been interested in nursing much, or eating much solids. Finally got him to nurse a little this afternoon while we laid in bed with him half awake and whimpering/whining. Then later this evening he was just laying in my lap, gagged and threw up all the milk... got over it, had a little water, applesauce, nursed some more and then just threw everything up an hour later. Now we're in bed, skin to skin, him snoring away and just burning up

Of course google is a dangerous thing because I don't know what this could be and google says it could meningitis!

He's so clingy and whiney and out of it (his eyes half lidded all the time, it's just so sad). I hate this!

He doesn't seem to have a cough or a runny nose, not more than the little bit he's had through the winter and since his last little cold a couple months ago.

Wise mamas, what do I do? Do I go to the ER? give him tylenol? try to take a chill pill?

[phrogger]

I would take him in, just to ease your worry. It is probably just a virus, but I would want to just check for dehydration.

[2boyzmama]

Poor guy! It's no fun when they're sick

He sounds okay to me, sick yes, but not horribly so. Fevers can get as high as 105 (and even higher!) before they're dangerous. He is eating and drinking small amounts, keep encouraging small frequent nursings. Don't let his tummy get full since he might just throw it back up.

One of my sons is a "fever puker" which means that he pukes with any fever, no matter what the cause. It's just his body's response to a fever. I know that if he hits 101, I need to have towels handy, because he will inevitably puke.
my other son only pukes with a stomach bug.

As long as he wets his diaper every 6 hours or so, and as long as his fever stays under 105, you're probably safe to stay home. Remember that the fever alone will make him lethargic, which is his body's way of conserving energy so it can fight off the bug.

[Alisse]

Are you giving him anything for the pain and fever like tylenol?

[Bea]

It's awful when they're sick

It's such a waiting game... trying to decide what to do for the best.

Here's my worthless opinion.

It's a little soon to be worrying about dehydration having only thrown up twice and I balance that with what will happen in the ER... Poking, prodding, needle sticks, heaven forbid a spinal tap with the reality of the illness.

Go with your gut but not your google

I have to completely agree with you though, EVERY. SINGLE. TIME my son has had a fever (three times in 2.75 years) and/or thrown up (two times), meningitis is foremost in my mind.

I know many people on MDC are anti reducing fever and, my own son had a febrile seizure with his last high temperature...possibly related to tylenol reducing it then WHAM... back it came and his temp soared as the tylenol wore off (??? maybe??? or it was just a nasty bug? and his sister had one as an toddler too...hereditary?) but don't discount a fever reducer if he's very miserable, I'd personally go with Ibuprofen but first and most importantl 'basic nursing care'... Minimal clothing (diaper only maybe a t shirt), a light sheet if any covering at all, tepid sponging to wipe his face, arms and legs... use body temperature water, neither cold or hot, stick your hand in it and if you can't feel it temperature wise, it's good.

Encourage him to nurse as he feels like it. Fill a glass (8oz type size) with water, add a two finger and thumb pinch of sugar, a tiny one finger and thumb pinch of salt mix it up and offer small sips. Don't let him gulp it. A few sips every 15 minutes when he's awake and see how he is.

Listen to your instincts and try to shelve the panic (easier said then done).

All the best to all of you.

[Carhootel]

Thank you so much mamas! I put in a call to our Ped's nursing line and they said it sounded like a stomach bug and to trust my mommy gut - a hard thing to do when you're so darn worried about your lo.

I gave ds some tylenol since that's what I had with me and he's snuggled up with me fast asleep. I think we'll have a rough night tonight but I'm gonna see how things are in the morning....

It's times like now that I am so grateful for MDC

[Carhootel]

Originally Posted by Bea

Go with your gut but not your google

Oh and that is totally gonna be my new personal mantra

[kdtmom2be]

We just went through this twice. No reason that we could figure out either time but it passed in about 48-72hrs and he was fine. I hate it when my LO has a fever! I give Tylenol if it's over 100°F in his armpit because he seems to be uncomfortable, but other than that and keeping him hydrated, there isn't much to do. Even though he's throwing it up, keep nursing, he'll get some nutrients and fluids that way and it's better for him than anything else. Good luck!

[Mama Khi]

Just wanted to offer some support. Last week we went through this with DD. Her fever actually got up to 104 and it was really scary. It was the first time she had been sick. Poor baby was so miserable looking that I did give her some medicine to bring the fever down so she would feel better. It took a couple of days, but now she is back to her normal smiling self. It is so hard when they are sick. (And I read all the google meningitis links, too! Google can be very unreassuring sometimes.) I hope your little one feels better soon!