in need of mommy strength?

Question

my son is sick. he has no fever and has been throwing up all day. we have been to the doctor already. just got back. he wants food and drink but cant have anything other than a few sips of water. he hates this. he can have pedilyte and dry toast tonight once hes gone a few hours with out throwing up. the problem is i cant take his crying for food and water. how do other moms do it. he is 4 and my only baby, not that hes a baby anymore any advice on getting through this would be great

thanks for the advice ladies. i tried some food and i got showered in vomit. so i am back to the no food or drink until daddy gets home at least and that only an hour. he is peeing regularly for now but it wont last as he will dehydrate

Answer 1

I just went through something similar with my 23 mos old. We actually ended up in the ER and it was while I was traveling with him. He was diagnosed with rotavirus and that was the worst thing he has had ever. It was also the worst experience for me to see my son in such pain and not able to hold anything down.

Honestly, I don't know of any sure way to calm them when they are hungry like that. I gave him the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Apples, Toast) but he would still throw it all up. Even water would not stay down. I spent my vacation week doing constant laundry, changing the worst diapers ever, and holding my very sick and tempermental boy. I kept reassuring him that I was there as much as possible. I also bathed him in a warm bath quite a bit as that took his mind off things and made him feel better. He loves playing outside so i would take him out of the house as much as possible and kick a ball with him, or just sit in the sun.

It had to take its course and it lasted about 7 days. Each day got a little better. Mostly though, i just made sure not to let him see me cry and break down. It was SO hard for me but I bit my lip and stayed strong for him.

Also try to give him the Pedialyte Pops as they love those and it helped too. He is 100% better now and it has been a couple of weeks since this happened. I hope we never go through it again. Just try the best you can to stay strong, love him, give him the pops, play with him (even coloring works as they love to color) just to pass the time until you make your way out of this.

Good luck to you.

Answer 2

You cant always follow the pediatricians advice to the letter... they are just people too... I wouldn't withhold food that long.. I'd give a sip and a bite of something and if he holds it down for 15 minutes another sip and a bite... and so on... don't you remember being sick as a kid?... usually, if you really felt like something, even if it was pepperoni pizza, you could eat it and hold it down... whats the worst that happens?.. he gets a little sick again and you start over... YOU know your son best!! If hes sick and a little something might make him more comfy, maybe he should have it.... whats the point of starving him... unless theres some underlying health problem, not too many kids suffer major problems from a little throw up....

Answer 3

So sorry to hear he is sick. It is hard to hear our children crying..

If he is for he should be able to understand if just a bit why he can't have more to eat/drink. If explaining to him that if he does eat or drink more than water and dry toast he may vomit again doesn't stem his crying, he may be in pain. OR he may just be pulling your strings...

How is his behaviour otherwise? Is he used to getting what he wants, and if he doesnt get it does he throw tantrums? If so, then I would just walk away from him now and tell him ' The Dr said only water and toast until you can stop throwing up. Crying won't change that.' then walk away...

It will do him no harm to cry...trust me. I have 4 boys, they have all lived through being unhappy and disappointed.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Have you tried a bland chicken broth? (one of the 99% fat free ones so his stomach won't get sick from the fat in it). Maybe throw in some cooked rice. That's very bland. Have you tried the Pedialyte popsicles (they look like Flavor Ice--the ones in the tubes that you freeze). He'll think he's getting a treat and it may take his mind off of his poor little tummy. :(

How about gingerale? I don't think 4 is too young for that. My mom always gave us gingerale when we were little and were sick with the flu/stomach bug. It helps settle the stomach.

I'm sorry he's so sick--i have a 3 year old boy and a 2 year old boy, so I feel for you! I hope this is just a 24 hour bug and your little guy is feeling better soon. (HUG)

Answer 5

It is better to let the tummy rest so no food until the stomach settles but boiled and cooled water with a bit of corn syrup should be o.k. and a lolly pop, if he likes it, should be o.k. also. Later, some mashed potatoes could be introduced then a banana, and so on; however, the best medicine is SLEEP ! Maybe his favorite movie or music or a story will help him to fall asleep, and all shall be well soon. Keep well.

Answer 6

Can he have popsicles? Maybe that would help. If he is getting sick that much, he must be one tired little boy. Hopefully he will sleep soon and you can have a break. I have been through the same kind of thing, and it is exhausting. One thing I learned, though, is to not give in to them when it is for their own good or you will just be cleaning up more messes.
Maybe you could put a movie on that he likes and get his mind off it a little? Good luck. I hope you both get some rest.

Answer 7

Try him on 1 tablespoon of liquid at a time and one cracker per 1/2 hour. If he is keeping this down, he is probably over the worst of it.
His poor tummy is so empty right now, anything in it will probably help his crying for food and water.

My daughter started gulping as soon as she didn't feel nauseous anymore and she was fine. I bet they know a little bit about what they can handle. Good luck!

Answer 8

Give him a lollipop or hard candy and the water to drink. Our two (4 and 5 yrs) had a stomach virius with the same symptoms. They were so hungry. Lollipops were the only way to stop them from begging for food, that I knew eventually we'd have to clean up later.

Answer 9

If your baby wants to eat than let him eat. Nothing heavy though- some crackers or soup or something like that. My son gets sick like that at times- he is 4 as well- and when he actually gets hungry than i feed him. out of precaution doctors say don't feed them for that time period, but you have to think- if you get sick and are vomiting and then start feeling hungry, you are going to eat something. No difference with your baby- I know from experience of having a sick child. :-)

Answer 10

Been there.

Get his mind occupied with something else. Put in his favorite video, play a game or have him color a picture. It's very important that he doesn't eat or drink anything to avoid upsetting his stomach more.

It may seem like it will take forever, but this will pass.

Good luck!