Gastro (toddler)

**Chickadee** · 02-09-2005 23:32

I can't believe we managed to go nearly 2 years with only a few projectile vomits as a bub. My luck has run out!

Picked DD up from daycare after lunch today to find out she'd thrown her lunch up, unfortunately in her carer's car (and I have to admit, one of my thoughts was "thank goodness it wasn't in my car"). Since then she's only had water and saltines, by her own choice, but nothing has stayed down. On the plus side, she's learnt relatively quickly to aim at the pail, or my reaction time is getting better

I dug out my only "parenting" book, Toddler Taming, and am somewhat reassured - she has no fever, no diarrhea or other gastro complaint. Just the vomiting. And she's not lethargic, actually quite happy once she's thrown up whatever is in her stomach.

I'm waiting to see how she goes in the night, but how over-reacting would I be if I take her to the dr if she can't keep her breakfast down? Or should I wait longer?

If she's still throwing up tomorrow morning that will be over 18 hours since it's started, with her taking no fluids in the meantime. As far as I could tell she didn't pee (or not much) all afternoon or evening so I'd be worried about dehydration mainly, as well as why she's continuing to throw up.

Any comments or advice? Please?!

**draught** · 03-09-2005 06:43

Hi Martha
Hope that you and Chloe have had a good night and that she is feeling better this morning. First things first - you are never overreacting if you take your toddler to a doctor, even if it is just for reassurance that they have a virus that will pass of it's own accord.

Second - I have checked my toddler book - "The Mighty Toddler" and Robin Barker says to seek help if the vomit is green or green/yellow stained, if her tummy is blaoted or tender, and then all the other things you have already checked for. She says the best way to manage vomiting is to give small amounts of clear fluids frequently for 24 hours and that most vomiting will cease within this time.

So I guess my amateur advice would be that if she is still going by lunchtime and still not keeping any water down, you should be getting her in to see a doctor, but if you want to take her earlier, that is certainly not going to hurt!!

By the way - love the photo!

**Chickadee** · 03-09-2005 09:50

Thanks Theresa,
I think it's time to call my mum too, if only cause she'll want to know that her favorite granddaughter isn't well.

Chloe slept well, not a peep all night. But I heard her retching as she woke up, followed by thick yellow bile. Not surprising since her stomach was empty. A bit of water and diluted orange juice didn't stay down long. She's just had about a cm of water in her cup, and so far no rumblings in the tummy (Winnie the pooh songs are now running through my mind...) so small and frequent seems to be the key, which I should have known

It's a bit scary, they learn so quick. When I offered her the water last time, awhile after the juice came back, she looked wary. Like she knew it might make her vomit.

I'm in for a morning full of cuddles, lucky me

**Elfin** · 03-09-2005 11:05

Martha

I am so sorry your little one is so sick. I agree with Draught's advice you don't want her to become dehydrated. You could try some icy poles. You know the kool pop ones from the supermarket and I think gastrolyte make frozen icy poles too.

I find when my children are really sick and I am worried about fluid and icy pole is something they will try.

Hope she gets better soon.

**razzle** · 03-09-2005 12:13

Poor Chloe - hope she's feeling better Martha...

**Chickadee** · 03-09-2005 12:27

Thanks girls. She is feeling a bit better. Some water and saltines have stayed down and she's gone down for a sleep. I really had to re-evaluate my idea of "little" drinks.

I had thought of icy poles, she loves having them with her daddy, but she was so clingy this morning I didn't want to put her in the stroller to go to the store. We'll go get some this afternoon probably. And take the poor neglected dogs for their walk (3 sad little girls in the house this morning).

Thanks again. I'm such a worry wart!

**Baby Girl** · 03-09-2005 17:12

My DD1 had something similar for almost a week and in the end the only thing she would/could keep down was ice blocks with electrolytes in them. I got them from the chemist, they are basically those powdered electrolyte drinks that they give you to give them to stop them dehydrating (re-hydrates them quicker than water alone) but frozen. I think there are 12 or 20 in a pack and I now have some always frozen in my freezer because I am sure she will get gastro again at some stage or maybe DD1 will.....either way.

**Chickadee** · 03-09-2005 17:52

Thanks Schmell. A week! I'm hoping she clears up much faster than that.

We went to get some this electrolyte drink this afternoon since she still wasn't keeping much down. My DH is a triathlete so I have been inundated with sports drink and rehydration theory in the last few years

Anyways, the chemist gave us the gastrolyte icy poles, unfrozen unfortunately. But I emptied one into a cup and diluted it and she sipped away and ended up drinking most of it, as well as having more saltines. She's back asleep. She's sleeping so much, I haven't gotten this much cleaning done in a day for a long time! I know it's what she needs though.

As a note, I asked the chemist about getting regular frozen icy poles and he thought they would be too sweet. That the sugar can actually can hinder rehydration rather than help. So much for always having flat gingerale when I was sick as a kid!

**draught** · 03-09-2005 18:39

Martha
I hope that she feels better soon - and that you get to talk to your mum for a bit of support as well! Mine is also overseas and receives calls from her daughters about all range of things because even if she doesn't know the answer, it is good to hear her voice!

**Chickadee** · 04-09-2005 12:32

Thanks Theresa. I did phone my mom. Chloe was even chipper enough at the time to say hello to them, tho mostly she just wants to press the buttons ("Four! Four! Mummy, four!")

She started a fever in the evening last night, peaked up to 39.4 at which point I dosed with baby panadol. There was a thread not long ago on things you never expected as a parent - well I never thought I'd be setting my alarm clock for 2am to get up and check on bub's fever. Still a bit warm this morning but fluid and crackers are staying down better. Gastrolite icy poles are being refused

I'll dilute one into her cup later on. I keep reminding myself fever is a good thing in moderation.

Is there such a thing as too much sleep? Its all she wants to do and even when awake she's barely interested in quiet play (puzzles & books). Honestly, her lethargy today is just as worrying to me, if not more worrying, than her vomitting.