Baby with the flu?

Question

My 7.5 month old has the stomach flu. She gets nothing but breastmilk to eat. Do I continue to feed her or don't I? I am worried that all she will do is throw it all up again. What do I do to keep her hydrated? This is the first time she's had the flu. Thanks for all your help. Also, how do I tell if she is dehydrated? I am really worried and need all the advice I can get.

She hasn't developed diarrhea yet. She only started throwing up a couple of hours ago. Thanks for your help so far. What foods do I avoid eating?

Answer 1

I am sorry for your poor precious. That's so horrible for such a small little baby to go through isn't it?? These other two answers are either nurses or moms too. Their answers were right on the money. The best ways to tell if she is dehydrated is first, if she stops producing urine. Go to the ER if she does because she'll need fluids intravenously. Also, the soft spot is a sign like the other answerer said, and her tongue/mouth. If her tongue appears to be dry or she's not slobbering like she normally does that's a good indication. By all means though, if she stops producing urine you need to get fluids into her ASAP. If she is still not tolerating breastmilk or is still vomiting I would stop the milk and give a little bit of nursery water a tsp or two at a time separated by an hour or two. Increase as she tolerates and then after a few hours reintroduce the breastmilk in very small amounts at a time. It's not the calories or nutrition that are so important at this time.... it's the fluid. She can go a day or two without the nutrition that breastmilk provides. However, she CANNOT go without fluids for long at all. The goal at this time is to stop the vomiting so if the milk is making her vomit then cease giving it to her. How long has she been sick?

Answer 2

Don't worry yourself too much. To tell if she's dehydrated, feel inside her mouth...does it feel moist, like normal? Also, when she cries, does she cry tears? Is she still pink and healthy looking from the appearance of her skin? That is what the doctors look for. If she is throwing up a lot and you're concerned about her getting enough, take her off of breastmilk and give her straight pedialyte. Don't water it down or anything. Only do this for 24 hours though and then give her the bottle of breastmilk again. Another thing you didn't mention is whether or not she has diarrhea? That can also lead to dehydration. Last time this happened with my daughter, I put her on straight pedialyte for 36 hours, then formula again and I found that she seemed more like herself. If you are concerned and maybe want to check out what i'm saying, ask your doctor,,he will likely tell you the same thing. Pedialyte has all the nutrients and electrolyes, as well as the iron that your daughter needs. Good Luck, please let me know if you try this and let me know when she gets better, Good Luck to you, I hope she (and you) feels better really soon.

Answer 3

i would take her to the doctor asap and get their opinion on it. continue to feed her, although it may seem that she throws it all up her body does absorb at least some nutrients from the milk. just make sure that you are watching what you eat because it does pass into breastmilk as you probably already know. maybe give her a little bit of pedialyte. some signs that she is dehydrated are: no tears come out when she is crying, sunken in eyes, dry mouth and lips, but the biggest sign is how many wet diapers she is having, if she is having at least 6 wet diapers in a day she is not dehydrated. again, i would strongly recommend taking her to a doctor.

Answer 4

Keep trying to breast feed. If she is dehydrated she won't have any saliva and you won't see her diaper wet. Also if the soft spot on her head is sunken in or her eyes look like they are sunken in.
When my daughter had the flu for the first time she threw up anything i put in her mouth so I took her to the doc and they gave her sips of water. They put it in a dropper and gave it to her and then if that stayed down they gave her 2 droppers full 15 min later. They just repeated that for about an hour. Then they told me to give her pedialyte and try to give her some food. Nothing with dairy in it because that will upset her tummy.
After that she was fine the next day.
Good luck. Hope she gets better. :o)

Answer 5

For sure keep breastfeeding, don't stop, very important. Even is the baby is not keeping it down very well, don't stop. Baby will still get something. Feel the top of the baby's head for the soft spot and check to see that it has not sunk in, that is a sign of dehydration, also make sure she has tears if she cries. But as long as she is feeding, even if she is not keeping much down she is getting something. Good Luck, and check with your doctor!

Answer 6

Try pedialite to keep her hydrated, you'll know she's dehydrated by the way her diapers are filled (not to be gross or anything-but thats always the best way to go.)

To make sure she's getting enough to eat, try to add rice cereal to your breast milk, if your able to pump, or try pediasure. If she throws it up, try flat sprite or coke, if not, try giving her water first to see if she can keep it down before trying to feed her again.

I hope everything turns out okay!!!!!

Answer 7

Having it in her even for short amounts of time is giving nutrients. Speak to her pediatrition about other fluids that you can give.

A few signs of dehydration are :
consistently thirsty
less and or darker urine
dry or sticky mouth

Answer 8

i can't help with what to give her except pedialyte in a bottle. but as for what to watch for, lack of tear production, less than 1 wet diaper in an 8 hour period and a dry mouth. those are the signs my doctor has said to watch for when my little one is sick. good luck. hope baby is feeling better soon.