unconsolable sick baby?

Question

My son is really sick. He has a diaper rash, thrush, an ear infection, a bruised thumb(which he is obsessing about) and a UTI. He wont stop crying unless I hold him. Im pregnant and I have 4 other children that need tending. What can I do to soothe my poor baby. Hes going to be 2 next month. Hes been to a doctor, and a hopital, and hes on antibiotics, but he isnt seeming to calm down
HELP!!!

he seriously hates bandaids. ive tried everything from glow in the dark to bob the builder. he hates the stickyness. hes a little obsessive compulsive sometimes.

should i just hold him and have my fiancee handle the other kids? Just for a little while since logan seems to need the attention?

Answer 1

2 years old.. hmmmmm
poor baby sounds miserable, but for your sanity, I recommend you enjoy a warm bubble bath in the evening (when they are all in bed) and relax... he'll feel better soon. Sometimes there's nothing we can but let it run its course.

Answer 2

you can try laying him down in your bed to watch TV. only him so he feels special and none of the other kids bother him while he is sick.
the best thing i have ever used for a diaper rash is some anti fungal foot relief stuff. you can buy it at the drug store or walmart, no more then 3 times day. the rash should clear up in about 3 days. for the ear infection you can use a hot water bottle (warm) and let him lay his ear/head down on it. it helps to relieve the pain. for the finger you can try this...take one of your winter gloves (mommy's not his) and put it on his hand. it is a cool super glove that will help heal it and others can't see his hand (did this with my son and loved it).
i would spend a little more time with him but not too much more cause if he gets used to it he will expect the same every time he gets sick or a little boo boo. and with being pregnant when the baby comes he may get really mad cause if he is sick the baby is getting more attention then him.
hope this helps and he will be better soon. good luck.

Answer 3

Hi - I really sympathise with you - my bub has just arrived on the sane side of colic to start teething - joy - anyway

DIAPER RASH: The cause of nappy rash is the skin being kept wet along with the chemical irritation of ammonia, produced by stale urine. This has the effect of breaking down the protective barrier normally formed by the skin, causing redness and rawness (inflammation) and allowing germs of various types to attack.

The most common infection to complicate the ammonia-like irritation is thrush (candida). It follows that the longer wet or soiled nappies are left in contact with the baby's skin, the more likely nappy rash is to develop. Some babies' skin is, however, much more sensitive than others. The problem is probably worse with old fashioned terry towelling nappies, especially if worn with waterproof pants. TRY placing the nappy liners for terry towels in a disposable nappy - it'll help keep the urine away from the sore bottom a little longer.
Disposable nappies, which are better at keeping the fluid away from the skin, are better in some respects.
Other Factors :: If using terry nappies, the detergent or softener might remain in the towelling, even after a full wash cycle. (Try smelling and wringing them while still damp. Often bubbles still appear.) Babies with sensitive skin may react to even minute amounts of these chemicals, especially if they contain a "biological" additive. (enzymes)

Babies may react to the elastic at the waist and legs of disposable nappies, and also to other components, but this is only rarely a problem.

Use a barrier cream like sorbalene or Bepanthen (antiseptic) ... a zinc based cream like Caneston can create a barrier and also treat the fungus.

EAR INFECTION: Ask your Dr but studies have shown kids with ear infections take approx. the same time to heal if using antibiotics as those who don't. treat the symptoms ie pain with childrens nurofen or panadol. Keep the ears dry and keep up the nutritional diet as ear infections can lead to other Ear, Nose and Throat infections. Antibiotics can strip the bowel of good bacteria aggravating the thrush.

UTI: Is he taking anything for this? If he's taking treatments for all ailments are they contra-indicative? Are they working against eachother? Have him drink heaps more water to neutralise the ammonia levels in his urine to ease discomfort. Change his nappy more often or let him run starkers if it's practical but only if he can stop from touching himself or the whole family could end up with thrush. (Use caneston rinse for the washing machine to stop it spreading through the family via the washing machine)

CRYING: Distraction is the greatest tool for a crying bub - plus the poor tiger is probably experiencing separation anxiety (it is the age) and you are probably exhausted from pregnancy and other kids so he'll be feeling all these tensions etc. Pick a time of day when you have half an hour and sit down with him to explain how you feel - let him know that from now on every day at this time it'll be you and him time only (get other kids and hubby to let you guys have this time) teach him how to recognise the time on a digital clock or something and set this time aside every day. He may just chill out a bit for the rest of the day if he has some mummy and me time.

THE BRUISED THUMB: it's something tangible he can see - he feels like crap his wee hurts and his ear hurts but he can see the bruised thumb - so it's all about the thumb. Make a magic wand out of a feather or something similar and tell him to say a magic word whenever it hurts and to gently touch his thumb with it. He'll probably get distracted playing with it. get him to fix your sore back or legs or tummy because you're pregnant with his magic wand. Kids love the drama - especially if he's been sick he'll love being a dr.

cheers
Good luck - I hope he gets better soon - I hope your pregnancy and birth go well
;)

Answer 4

Give him some ibuprofen. You can get numbing drops from the doctor for the ear pain.

Is he on an anti-fungal for the thrush? If not, have him rinse his mouth with 5 drops of tea tree oil in warm water. Or dip a Qtip in Gentian Violet and let him suck on it once a day for 3 to 4 days. Gentian Violet is messy and stains clothing so I suggest doing this while he's in the bath tub. Give him yogurt also.

The diaper rash could also be fungal. Put lotrimin on it and then dust it with cornstarch powder. Let him run around the house naked right after you've changed his diaper to let him air dry.

Answer 5

When I don't feel well even I like to be babied. With my 7 year old he just wants me to lie down and sleep with him. My 7 month old wants to be held all day and all night. Just try to acomidate the baby and hold him when you cn. when you can't try to have your fiance hold him. and if all else fails, you may have to let the poor thing cry a little.

I hope that he feels better soon.

Answer 6

Hold him, poor little guy. I'm a true believer of lots of TLC when babies are sick. I believe they get better faster too. If your fiancee can take care of the other kids that certainly would help you!

Hope he feels better soon.

Answer 7

Yes, that may be the cause. Some teeth can cause more pain than others when coming in. It hurts and that wakes him up. You can rub orajel in his gums and also give him a little tylenol (make sure you know the right dose for your baby) and also a bit of cold water. That helps a lot.

Answer 8

Ok..I took an 8 hr road trip one time and didnt get my son's diaper changed in time..no place to stop. When I got to my destination, My mom broke out the Olive Oil for his diaper rash. We just let him air out for a couple hours, have to watch him or he may pee in the floor. Keep the olive oil on every 30 min or so, it will heal it. For the UTI ( i get these too and they stink) give him cranberry juice and water mixed so its not so strong. Thrush, well the antibiotics will kick in for that..the bruise on the thumb, well I make things over dramatic with my son when he obsesses about it. He falls down and gets a scrape and i kiss it to make it better that dont help, Usually we laugh and i say well we'll have to go to the hospital and see if it needs to be removed..this usually cheers him up and makes him laugh at himself for being so dramatic about it.

Hope this helps out a bit and wish you the best of luck..Set asie some time to hold him and comfort him let the fiance handle the others at that time..

Answer 9

You have my sympathies, I had four under 6 years at one point, and it can be a real challenge at times. Now for the practical advice. For the diaper rash- get the diaper off the child and let some air and sunlight to that lil' tush. Get some of the gelcap Vitamin E, the squishy ones, the cheapest variety you find will do. Stick a pin in one end and squeeze the gel out onto that sore little bottom. Squeeze and empty as many as needed to get a nice coat on the skin. Replace the gel to keep the skin slick as often as needed- usually after he messes. If his little penis is also broken out, try a little baking soda in some warm bathwater and have him whiz in the water- then drain it out. Helps with little girls too, by the way. After a washup, use your hairdryer, on low and a distance away, to dry him off. Let him run au natural as much as possible for the next day this way, and it should clear up fairly fast. Don't lather on the Diaper rash creams- I raised 6 kids and it never helped one of them. But the vitamin E, sunlight and air sure did. The mouth will get some relief if you get some oralgel, dilute it in a bit of water or coat a spoon lightly and have him suck on it. It won't cure it, but it will numb it a bit for a short time. To help the UTI along, flush the kid out with loads of water and juice to drink- if he'll drink the cranberry juice blends with peach or apple, that will help a lot more. To help combat the sore thumb, and also help with the mouth pain, give him a freezer pop to hold and suck on. Cold will help the thumb and the mouth feel better.
For his ear, if you have a microwave- heat up a damp washrag to warm it up. Wrap it in a towel, and have him lay the bad ear on it. The heat sometimes helps with the pain, and having the ear blocked off from the open air does too. Even the heat from laying against your body is enough most times. Just don't get the washrag too hot. The idea is warm as the body- like a bottle temperature.
He's going to be clingy while he's sick, but hopefully you can get him to hang on to a hem when you can hold him. But try to hold him as much as you can- even a cuddle in bed with you will help. You don't have to stress because you aren't working a miracle to make him all better- it's enough for him to know you are trying and keeping close by. All things pass in time, even this list of illnesses. Keep him close, try not to let yourself get overstressed, and he will calm down. Try to ease off at least one thing at a time, and as he sees things starting to work he'll likely calm down. If you need to, try to get somebody to help with the other kids, and you concentrate on your sick baby and yourself.

Answer 10

I am so sorry for you. when children are sick they only want mommy. have your mother or mother in law or your husband help you or even a good friend. you need some rest or you will go crazy. six children that is alot to handle. you husband needs to help you, he made them so he should help, yes I know he works but you can not do it all by yourself