Viral gastroenteritis

[BabelFish]

DD has had a rotten run the last two weeks. First, she had her 12-month needles, which went fine, but then four days later she got her remaining three molars through in two days (awful) and had some rotten diarrhoea (which I thought was a result of her teething). The diarrhoea caused really terrible nappy rash, which had her screaming and not wanting to sit or lie down at all.

Her nappy rash started to improve slightly, but then she developed some darker red blotches on her bottom that started bleeding. This was after about four days. At that point I took her to the doctor who said that she has actually had viral gastroenteritis and that it's a shame that it happened at the same time as her teething because that's why we'd missed it.

Anyway, bottom is slowly improving with some steroid cream, but her diarrhoea is not improving at all. She is having six to seven poos a day, all runny and absolutely vile.

The doctor told us she would be temporarily lactose intolerant due to her gastro, and we have put her on S26 lactose-free formula. She's been on it for two days now, it's not making any difference to her diarrhoea.

Otherwise she is very happy, bright-eyed, cheerful, eating well and drinking well. But this diarrhoea isn't stopping and her nappy rash is worsening.

Does anyone have any other tips? Change formula again? Or dilute it? Also, what foods are good for this?

[BeatoNo3]

All i can suggest that it might not happen over night.... And if u can not only take bub of lactose free milk but also try to avoid most dairy foods but should clear up soon and if the milk isnt helping mayb ask the chemist bout some gastrolyte as a subtitute a few time s a day helps keep hydrated and all the electrolyte that kiddies need. But shouldnt b used to replace all fluids... Like maybe have a formula LF of a morn n night and water and gastrolyte during the day or something... Best of luck

[cindye]

Hi Chesby :wave:

Your poor DD!

My DD had gastro at 5 months - she was breastfed, and had started some solids, and I was told that the "lactose intolerence" they get after a case of gastro can last for 3 weeks, until their little intestines have healed completely. I'm sorry to tell you that this was true for my DD - the diarrhoea went on for 3 weeks. Their poor little bottoms suffer.

I would suggest (as revolting as the prospect may be...) trying to give her some nappy free time if possible. Then apply the steroid cream, leave a few minutes to soak in and apply a thick layer of zinc cream as a barrier. I use Desitin cream for my DD as it has the highest zinc concentration. I actually use it every night on my DD as a preventative for nappy rash, and it works. Magic stuff.

As for what to give her to eat / drink - I would say you need to rehydrate her - some gastrolyte or the like would probably be in order. But to firm up the poo, maybe those constipation culprits - bananas, potatoes, foods high in iron, etc. Maybe add some rice cereal to her food? I'd stay away from most fruit though.

Actually just found this on the web...
The BRAT diet is used for the treatment of diarrhea in infants - BRAT stands for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast. An easy and natural way to remember how to alleviate baby's constipation is to cut out the foods that contribute to it - rice cereals, bananas, and applesauce. If you ever forget which foods to cut out, remember BRAT.

HTH and she feels better soon.

[BabelFish]

Oh that's awesome - thanks so much cindye.

She is drinking heaps - her usual amount of formula but heaps of water as well. She's very thirsty so we're giving her as much as she wants and she sucking it all down, so I'm really happy about that.

She's had mashed potatoes a fair bit, too, and she has a banana every day for breakfast. GREAT idea about the rice cereal - I think I'll get her some tomorrow. She loves rice so I'll try to give her some of that each day, and she had half an apple after dinner tonight, too. So I'm glad she likes all of those things and I'll give her more of them.

Three weeks eh - ohhhhh poor little baby. We haven't been able to give her a bath for a week because she FREAKS out when the water touches her bottom. Tonight we hopped in with her and distracted her and were able to give her a really good clean. She's SO good - she tries so hard not to cry but I can tell she's really in pain.

She's getting lots of nappy-free time, too, which she LOVES. And I have to say that this has got her up and walking a lot quicker than I think she normally would have walked :D

Thanks for your advice - keep it coming!!

[mim1]

I'd say back to the GP about the diarrhoea. If the lactose free formula isn't helping then it could be a nasty bug that needs to be tested for - probably can't do much about it, but just incase you need to give treatment you should go back.

As for the nappy rash I recommend calmoseptine zinc cream from the chemist (on the shelf, not on script). I thought all zinc creams were the same, they're not! This is slightly pink and it's REALLY sticky and forms a great barrier over the bottom. My ds gets horrid nappy rash and this stuff is amazing - his bottom looks normal in time for the next nappy change! It doesn't have steroid creams or anti-fungals, it's just a good zinc cream. A million times better than sudocream and other similar creams.

[BabelFish]

Thanks mim - if things haven't improved by Tuesday I'll be taking her back to the GP. In the meantime I'll go and get some of that cream.

Tonight she had a more solid poo than she's had in days - still not solid, but noticeably different. So we'll keep an eye on things.

Poor bubba , too, usually sleeps until 8.30 every day, but the last week she's been waking every morning at 5.30 / 6.00 with an awful poo - and she's SO tired as a result! She's really such a good girl, though. If this were me I'd be complaining a LOT more than she is! :D

[Opinionated]

Inner health plus. You can get a kids formula at the chemist. It is not cheap, but we just had gastro and it really helps. You need the good bugs to get back in there and sort out the bad ones.

First sign of diarrhea or upset tummies, my kids get inner health plus. Also, if the nappy rash gets a fungal infection, this helps to fight it from the inside out.

[TripleTime]

It will take about a week for the LF formula is make its way right through her system. Its just something you have to give time.

I second foods to bind her up. Try giving her a shower instead of a bath.