Dehydrated mom

[earthgirl]

My 12 mos old DD got really sick on Wednesday, lots of vomiting and a trip to the ER. She is doing a little better, but as of yesterday would refuse everything but the breast. I was fine w/ that, but of course, still worried. Well, last night DH & I ended up w/ the same thing. I was not able to keep down any fluids last night, but am having a little luck this morning. But, DD won't nurse this morning. Now I'm really unsure what to do. I want to keep offering her the breast, but I'm worried of dehydrating myself again. But at the same time, she is refusing everything else. I have a call in to a LC, but I thought some of you may have been through something like this before.

[J2]

I am sorry you are not feeling well! Continue to drink lots of fluids and eat what you can in order to get yourself well. However, nursing your daughter will not contribute to your dehydration. It does not take fluid and water intake to make milk. A hormone in our body makes milk regardless of what is in our diet. So there i sno worry of nursing making you dehydrated. But you should certainly stay hydrated for your own health.

As to why your daughter will not nurse, I am not sure. She may be able to tell that things aren't normal and that is affecting what she normally does. Therefore she may be having a nursing strike. You can look up more info on kellymom.com. Try offering the breast often. Make it readily available. Try taking a warm bath with her as this is comforting and makes your breast very available. If she continues not to want to nurse for a while then keep doing everything I have suggested and be sure to hand express or pump in order to keep your milk supply up and so that you don't get engorged or anything.

Best of luck. Take care of yourself!