baby won't eat

[Honey693]

DD2 was sick this weekend, but was eating just fine.  She seemed like she was on the mend yesterday, but now she won't.  She's been averaging once every 9 hours.  We tried a bottle, sleep feeding, and nothing.  She cries and cries, but when you offer the boob she freaks out even more.  She'll happily suck on a finger, but will not eat.  She has reflux and has been on Zantac and it seemed to be working.  I just don't know what to do.  I'm freaking out that she's going to get dehydrated.

[Buzzer Beater]

Hi Honey, how old is your babe?

[Kristin0105]

Can you finger feed her it's laborious but will get some breast milk into her, or even try spoon feeding a sip at a time?

[KempsMama]

I don't know how old your babe is, so take this for what it's worth.

My youngest, 6 months, was in the hospital all last week with RSV.  He stopped nursing on the third day, a nursed maybe twice in 24 hours.  They didn't start to worry until he stopped peeing, and even then didn't put an i.v. in because he was still making tears/saliva.  He started nursing again right when they were just starting to get really concerned.  His doctor said it's normal for some infants to reduce/stop feeding when really ill, and that they will resume on their own. 

You could try a cup or syringe, we did, it didn't go over well at all, and he started nursing again right after.

[Honey693]

5 months.

[Buzzer Beater]

I would try the syringe or the spoon and see how that goes.

[PatioGardener]

mine did this when he had a really sore throat. i pumped and gave him 1/2 oz every 1/2 hour from a tiny medicine cup. it is so scary! i also gave him ibuprofen and acetaminophen (alternating) for the pain and that helped him to swallow.

hang in there - it's really hard but just be persistent and offer small quantities often.