Dehydration signs?

[lemontree]

Hi. Pls forgive any typos. I am writing this on my phone as I stand in the dark rocking a sleeping feverish 8 mth old in the ergo.

He has his first fever. He's miserable. The highest it's gotten is 102.5. It's been up and down since yesterday afternoon. Tonight he vomitted for the first time in his life. He can't keep my milk (that's all he has had) down. I know if I gave him motrin he would just vomit it out.

What do I do? After he was sick, and changed and had been awake for a bit We layed down to nurse (we cosleep) and he nursed and then puked all over both of us. It was clear he wouldn't sleep right there laying down so I cleaned us up and put him in the ergo thinking it would be good for him to be upright. I know my body might make him warmer but somehow thought the priority was sleep? As soon as I put him in he fell asleep.

How long before he gets dehydrated? He usually nurses all the time- he's slowed down today and tonight with the vomit I'm getting nervous. I think he had a pee diaper when I got him ready for bed (5 hours ago) but in all the changes of clothes since then I have no idea if he's peed. Im looking online and just scaring myself. Cuz he has so many "signs" of dehydration- I mean he's sad and lethargic and feverish. I'm trying to feel his soft spot but I don't know.... How will I know he's dehydrated? How long do I wait?

I'm kind of planning on standing here all night so I can watch him. Should I lay with him? What if I fall asleep and he gets worse? And shouldn't he nurse upright?

New mom. First time. My dad died suddenly when I was 7 mth pregnant and I can't believe how scared I am.....

[Lauren31]

I am so sorry, mama!!!! But honestly, if you are very scared I might take him to the ER. He is a tiny baby and if it has been a couple days with no fluids then he could be dehydrated! At the very least they can put an IV with liquids so that he is not dehydrated. He probably just has a virus or something that will pass but at this point it is more the dehydration possibly that is the problem.

[lemontree]

I'm sorryfor being unclear. The fever has been a couple days. The vomit just started tonight. He has been nursing (maybe a little less but maybe not? Hard to say)
but since he is vomitting he's not getting fluid right? And his fever makes him need fluids.... So how do I know he's dehydrated? How long does it take? He has thrown up three times in the past 3 hours. And nursed once (he puked right after) he's sleeping so I can't check his dipe. And he usually nurses all night as we sleep. I can feel my breasts getting full.... If he's sleeping that is good right?

[lemontree]

Ok. He's nursing now. Only wanted it laying down like we always do. What do I do if he throws it up? He's really going for it. I read that I'm supposed to give him a little but his feverish little body is pressed against me as he guzzles. Normally I'd be psyched. But I'm paranoid it will upset his stomach and he will omit - and dehydrate....

[lookatreestar]

to be honest with you even when my LO's were throwing up as long as they were nursing they stayed hydrated. it seems like breastmilk is so easily absorbed/quickly digested that even if it lookslike they threw up a ton, they are still getting a little bit each time.

just keep nursing on demand and comforting/snugging baby and keeping on eye on how he is acting. hope your LO feels better soon!!

oh and the update is good, as long as baby is nursing and having pee diapers you should be okay. and yes letting him rest in bed or rocking him is great. my LO's always want to just be held when they are feverish.

we looove nursing in bed too!

[lemontree]

Ok. He's nursing now. Only wanted it laying down like we always do. What do I do if he throws it up? He's really going for it. I read that I'm supposed to give him a little but his feverish little body is pressed against me as he guzzles. Normally I'd be psyched. But I'm paranoid it will upset his stomach and he will omit - and dehydrate....

He just puked
and didn't wake up.

[lookatreestar]

Originally Posted by lemontree

Ok. He's nursing now. Only wanted it laying down like we always do. What do I do if he throws it up? He's really going for it. I read that I'm supposed to give him a little but his feverish little body is pressed against me as he guzzles. Normally I'd be psyched. But I'm paranoid it will upset his stomach and he will omit - and dehydrate....

He just puked
and didn't wake up.

what if you hold him upright while he snoozes for a bit maybe? the only thing is you co sleep right? just stay close by if he needs to throw up so you can help him up if needed. my dd was sick when she was about that age, maybe a bit older and i woke up in the night to her throwing up and she couldnt sit up (and was laying on her back) if i hadnt been right there to help her sit up and get it out (it was thick tmi i know) i dont even want to think of what could of happened....

anyway i know its hard to see them sick but just keep letting him nurse, it keeps them hydrated and comforted (way better than icky pedialyte or whatever its called). he must be pooped if he didnt even wake up.