Sick baby.

[rivka]

Poor Alex has diarrhea and is feeling miserable. All day she's been switching back and forth between subdued and fussy - except when we change her diaper or her clothes, when she upgrades the fussiness to howling.

I finally called the on-call pediatrician after she'd been sick for ten hours. He told me to take her off formula and put her on an electrolyte solution, and to bring her to see her own doctor tomorrow morning if she's not better. I ran out and bought two different kinds of Pedialyte, eager to begin rehydration. (My home health care manual suggested 4-8oz of electrolyte solution per episode of diarrhea, which put us... way behind.) Alex, unfortunately, was not so much into the rehydration plan.

She took 2oz for Michael and then perked up and was ready to play. I managed to squeeze another 2oz into her later, and she promptly spit it all back up. Finally she took 2oz more and kept it down. At bedtime, three more episodes of diarrhea later, she took another four ounces of the other flavor of Pedialyte. Maybe she just didn't appreciate the artificial cherry flavor.

I'm dreading the night. I'm afraid she's going to wake up miserably unhappy every two hours... or less. I'm afraid she's going to have diarrhea all night, and I'm going to have to torment her poor raw little bottom trying to keep her clean. I'm afraid it's going to be a struggle to keep her hydrated. I'm afraid because my baby is sick.

In the morning I'm taking off work to take her to the pediatrician. Then I'll go in to the office and Michael will come home and take care of her. Hopefully she'll be better by our trip to Memphis on Thursday morning, because otherwise, the trip will be truly scary.

Comments

[minnaleigh.livejournal.com]

Oh poor baby and poor mama and poor papa! I do hope she's feeling better by Thursday! Or, you know, by tomorrow morning so everyone has time to get rested up for the trip and you don't have to keep worrying about her. *hugs* for all.

[janetmiles.livejournal.com]

Poor kidling, and poor parents, too.

[eeyorerin]

Poor lil everyone!

I hope she feels better soon. Wouldn't do to have her first Thanksgiving (and your first Thanksgiving with her) be a miserable one!

[tammylc.livejournal.com]

Ugh. I hope she's better soon. How miserable for all of you!

[bibliotrope.livejournal.com]

Hugs, and lots of get-well wishes for Alex.

[geekymary.livejournal.com]

Ohh, poor little Alex. I hope she feels better soon, for the whole family's sake!

[kcobweb.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm so sorry! Having just been there, I know just what it's like. I hope she starts keeping something down. Or *in*.

[johnpalmer.livejournal.com]

You have my prayers and hopes for a healthier, happier, Alex soon.

[rivka.livejournal.com]

Having just been there,

I am trying to explain to her that she doesn't have to be just like the EB in everything.

Fortunately, the apple flavor of Pedialyte is going in without too much complaining. I was really panicked yesterday when she kept refusing the bottle or spitting up. We're going to the doctor today regardless, though, because the dire rear continues.

[wcg.livejournal.com]

Yow. What a situation.

Good luck with the doctor. I hope something can be done to fix things up quickly.

[zencuppa.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, we've been there.

Babies (and toddlers and preschoolers), are stubborn and resilent (sp). You're doing great and she's a very lucky little girl :-)

Two years ago, Tom, Nick and I (while preggy with Matt) *all* had stomach flu during Thanksgiving. We were pathetic, sick, and quite tired of all the bodily stuff.

Maybe you could add some water to the electrolyte solution, so the flavor isn't too strong? Just an idea.

Sending you and your family get well and sleep vibes.

[ailbhe]

Oh gawd, I'm so sorry, how awful. I have no useful advice unlss you have any leftover nipple salve; lanolin makes a great barrier cream for dire rears - Linnea used to sigh with relief when we applied it.

Of course, you can also use vaseline, KY, or anything else mild and unscented and good for very tender skin. Whatever you have.

I hope Alex is better by morning and you and Michael recover quickly from the upset.

[beckyzoole.livejournal.com]

I hope she's better by now!

My great-uncle was a dermatologist, and he swore by vaseline and water to both prevent and treat most diaper rash. When I finally followed his advice, I found it worked better than anything else I'd tried.

Instead of Desitin or any other, more expensive diaper creme, I used plain generic vaseline on their bottoms. Pat on thickly.

The "water" part is easy before there is any rash -- rinse the baby's bottom in plenty of plain water. I set up the changing table in the bathroom, so I was able to hold her over the sink and rinse her in running water, or at least splash her with running water, whenever changing her at home. Away from home, I used a wet washcloth. Baby wipes can dry out and irritate sensitive skin.

Once there is a diarrhea rash, keep the baby's bottom in water as much as possible. I gave her extended baths. After half an hour in warm water, and a generous slather of vaseline, even the worst rash faded away.