My baby has had severe diarrhea since Thursday should I be concerned?

Question

My baby has had diarrhea since Thursday. We had to change him last nite alone atleast 5 to 6 times. He really isn't eating and he is drinking about 3 bottles a day. He has a wet cough with some wheezing. We called our emergency on all dr. and she told us that it's nothing to worry about. We feel she isn't concerned enough. Considering the fact that he is only 8 months old. Today alone we changed atleast diapers already. We feel that maybe we should take him to the ER but she disagrees. She told us that it may last anywhere from 10 to 14 days which we don't think its ok to let an 8 month old go that long with it. Any opinions on this would be appreciated or if anybody is going through the same with any of there kids what r you doing for it? Thanks in advance!!

I don't appreciate the lady who said common sense is what I need. I am trying everything to get this problem settled! If I had no common sense I wouldn't be calling after hour drs.and etc. Just seeing what other people think and if they have any other ideas of what I can do since my dr. I feel isn't taking it serious enough!! So please I wasn't asking for rude comments just advice. I am a very good mother other wise I would have just listened to what the dr. said and let it all be!!

Answer 1

I had the same exact thing happen when my baby was 12 months old. The Dr. wouldn't take me seriously and kept saying that when he listened to his tummy that, that was a sign of him getting better (the stomach gurgling sounds).The next morning he was semiconscious and had to be hospitalized for severe dehydration and put on an IV. Listen to your instincts, insist he be seen today, infants can dehydrate quickly.Take your baby to the er now!! When the crisis is over find another Dr. this one sounds like a real nut job! PS give your baby pedialyte if he will take a bottle, it helps replace needed electrolytes that are lost during bouts of diarrhea. Let me know how he is doing my email is [e-mail]

Answer 2

Your baby isnt eating enough and is having major diarrhea? Well mabye the baby has a virus or something but dehydration is not something that is nothing. So if your baby is eating less and his mouth is dry and his fontanel is sinking in and he looks pale and when you pinch his skin gently it stays up longer then a few seconds then he is probably dehydrated and you need to seek medical advice. He may need a certain drink they give you for 24 hours to clean out his system then put on something else..that is the advise i was given for my babys diarrhea. If the diarrhea has any kind of blood or mucus in it then you need to take the baby to the er asap because it could be dangerous. Your doctor seems a bit neglectful if they realize the baby isnt eating properly and has severe diarrhea because deyhdration in an infant is not something to mess around with it can even cause brain damage. Get a second oppinion or take him to the er if he seems dehydrated. He has caught something.

Answer 3

I work in a pediatric intensive care unit and I think you got very bad advice. Take your child in please. If he is wheezing, coughing, not taking enough bottles, and having diarrhea you could be on your way to a very sick baby. Infants do not tolerate dehydration well. There is also a virus that causes wheezing/coughing/running nose called RSV that a doctor needs to look out for this time of year. This virus can cause a child to end up in the hospital. Please have him seen by a doctor ASAP if you haven't already. He needs an assessment done in person, not over the phone. I don't mean to frighten you. I hope he feels better soon.

Answer 4

How rude for that lady to say that, a mom will do anything for their baby!!! My son has the same illness right now he's had it since Monday afternoon, I took him to the ER and they also told my it was a virus and to wait it out. Try giving your baby pedialyte instead of his formula its easier to digest and that way he is not getting dehydrated. It should fill him up enough threw the day, and then give him a bottle of formula an hour before bed so he wont wake up hungry. Make sure you put ointment on him lots his skin well get very irritated! Poor boy, Best of luck!

Answer 5

My son is 12 mnths old and gets diarrhea when he has new teeth popping through and at times has lasted longer than I've liked. Our peditrician suggested pedialyte for a 24 hr period at a time and to give him Mcdonalds french fries or bananas to "bind" the stool. As far as him having a cough and wheezing, I would go ahead and take him to see his doctor. If you feel they aren't giving you the advice you need, switch doctors.

Answer 6

Take him to ER. If he has diarrhoea for 10 days he would be severely dehydrated. That is RIDICULOUS! He needs medical attention. If they agree with the Dr (which I very much doubt!) all you've wasted is a little time, and you will be given the appropriate treatment for him. All the best. Grandma.

Answer 7

Infants dehydrate very fast, to wait 14 day's is absurd, you need to make sure he is getting tons of fluids, Pedialite is very good. and rice cereal with water instead of milk. Call your family physician and leave a message. Use your own judgement, in this case if you feel you need a second opinion take him to a walk in clinic or the emergency room. Doe's he have a fever?

Answer 8

If you are concerned, use your instincts and take him to a Dr. ASAP.

My daughter became dehydrated after a bad bought of diarrhea and ended up having a seizure. Take him in, dont worry about looking silly. Better safe than sorry when it comes to your kids!

Answer 9

I would definately get a second oppinion. I would start worring about the baby getting dehydrated. My mother was a pediatrics nurse for many years. Go get some Pediasure (don't know if I spelled it right) Take your baby straight to the E.R. and ignore your other doctors advice on this one

Answer 10

I learned one thing from babies and that is take them to the hospital if your motherly instincts tell youto. It's the only place they will look after your baby and not send you arond the world. Im sorry if my advice blocks up your hospitals but innocent babies deserve it. However as he does not appear dehydrated and you are replenishing his sodium and fluid through pedialyte, I would follow the nurses suggestion. However she should have told you to let the sprite go flat as he is only 7 months. You can make your own lemonade. Buy schweppes instead of sprite as it does not contain preservative. He sounds like he is and will be fine. However, if your instincts have you worried, go to the hospital.