9 month old breastfeeding infant has the flu and won't nurse

[freiguys]

Hello,

I'm a mother of five little blessings, and I got the flu this week.  My nine-month-old just woke up from a nap today with a 104 degree fever and is now refusing to nurse at all.  He doesn't drink from a cup yet, so breastmilk is the only liquid he has had.  I'm not really sure what to do next, but it has been about 7-8 hours since he has had anything to eat.  Has this ever happened to any of you, or do you have any advise?  He is not really stuffy and is not coughing, he has no other symptoms other than the fever and is very lethargic (I am too when I have a fever!) and I really haven't experienced this before.  Any advise would be much appreciated!

[mbravebird]

I would be concerned about dehydration with a fever that high and no nursing. Can you get a medicine syringe, fill it with breastmilk, and squeeze it in his mouth that way? Or do the same with water?

[sbgrace]

Read up on signs of dehydration in an infant. If you can't get liquid into him he may need medical attention.

[freiguys]

Well,

I had talked with the baby's doctor that just recommended that I bring down his fever a couple degrees to see if he improved.  I normally don't treat a fever, but if baby can't EAT, something has to give.  So I gave him "Fever and Chills" from Wishgarden herbs.  This brought his fever down some, but he still wouldn't eat.  THEN, I remembered (!) that my third child used to refuse to eat when he got sick and ear drops always cured him, so I tried this, and low and behold he started eating.  By evening he was smiling and acting like himself...sooooo, if anyone else comes across this with a similar problem, try the ear drops.  Next time I will try this first!