My 8 month old has completely stopped eating. SHe has a small head cold, she doesn't have an ear infection, no fever. I have already had to take her to the hospital for dehydration and afterwards she was eating for a little while and now she has stopped again. She has not eaten her regular ammount for going on 4 days now and has completly stopped all feedings for the past two days. I have tried giving her pediatite with Juice and I can get her to drink a couple of onces but then nothing. SHe still is on weakened formula (per dr.s orders). I just don't want her to get dehydrated again and have to put her through having the nurses strugle to get an IV in her because her veins would collapse. I have run out of ideas and the only thing the Dr. tells me is she has a virus and to give her pedialite. How can I give it to her if she won't take it? I tried giving it to her with a medacine dropped but she just spits it out or spits it up. I know that sometimes I tend to overreact but my gut tells me there is something more than just a virus that is keeping her from eating anything. SHe won't even eat her solids so I can't say that it is the sucking on a bottle that bothers her plus she still sucks on her paci. all the time. I hate putting her through unneed tests but just like when she was a newborn I had a gut feeling that something was wrong and finally I got a Dr. to listen to me and was diagnosed with severe acid reflux. I have that same feeling now but I don't know how to express it without sounding crazy. WHat would you do in this situation? What could be causing her not to eat ANYTHING? I know that when they are teething they don't eat as much but not to eat for basically four days just doesn't seem like a teething thing. Especailly since I have been giving her pain meds before a meal and it doesn't make a differance. Please someone help before I have to take my daughter back to the ER.
One possibility is hand, foot, and mouth disease. Causes acutely painful mouth sores that are exacerbated by eating or drinking. It's more common in the summer, but it strikes at just about her age.
At any rate, you're right. 4 days w/o food is too long at her age. Take her in so they can get to the bottom of this.
I think you should listen to your gut. Whenever I did not do this, I ALWAYS regretted it. To me, this does not sound like normal behavior for a baby with no fever. Four days with no foods at this age is not a biggie for an infant when they don't feel well, hell my 3 yr old barely ate anything for a week when he had pneumonia except applesauce and cereal here and there. But I agree with the other mamas that dehydration is the concern. You may also have to try harder to do the dropper. From what I've heard, it takes some practice but if done close enough to the back of the throat, they can't spit it out. And you are supposed to aim for the inside of the cheek, so it kind of backsplashes into the throat. I would also try water first - my son would never take pedialyte. Ever tried it? It is disgusting!!! Maybe that is why she is spitting it up. You may also try 100% pure coconut water which is a more natural source of replenishment, but she may not like it either. Don't be shy about getting second opinions, in fact I encourage it. Some doctors are the biggest asses. Good luck and I hope she gets better soon!
Oh man, I am so sorry. This doesn't sound good though. 4 days is a long time. I would be at the doctor. It's one thing if they don't eat, but they need fluids. Take her in...please!
Sometimes it happens because her tummy doesn't feel good. Back in my country, we have the so called baby masseuse. Check her ear and body, does it feel cold? Body should be warm when it is touched. If it cold, there's something. Why don't you give it a try? I always massage my baby tummy. This is what I do. Buy Vicks balm, rub it on the parts of body where it feels cold. For the tummy, add few drops of oil to make it easy to massage. You rub your palm from the sides of the tummy to the center of tummy( not navel, above that). Do it as if you are making snowman, you know it means like you want to gather something to the center of it, not just patting. Do it like 5 times from each side. Imagine her tummy as a clock, you massage from number 12, 1.30, 3, 4.30, 6, 7.30 and so on to the center of the clock. For her back, you can coin her. It is called gua sha or coining. You can google what it is and watch the video on youtube how. The coining will left purple marks. But if she is not sick,the coins will left no mark. Usually after I do it, my son eats a lot and sleep soundly. Good luck.
I would take her to see a pediatrician, since it is the weekend, probably urgent care. It may be that the cold has developed into an ear infection.
So sorry you are going through this, but it sounds like you may have to bite the bullet and take her to the hospital for IV fluids. Four days is a long time. I hope she isn't dehydrated again. Blessings to you!
A.
Call your doctor and ask. Dehydration is a concern. You don't need to take her to the ER. Get treatment before she's dehydrated. The doctor will have some ideas.
Follow your gut feeling. Better to be safe then sorry,
If she won't take popsicles that you make of the Pedialyte or water I would say you need to get her in to an ER or urgent care right away.
And ALWAYS go with your gut!
God bless.
