My 7 month old has the stomach flu. He vomited once in the morning and once during nap. It's been 8 hours since he last threw up and he's been able to hold down 2 feedings (breastmilk). My concern is that he could vomit in his sleep and choke on it. He rolls a lot so I can't control whether he's on his side, back, or tummy. Should I sleep next to his crib? I'm exhausted from having the flu myself and am also battling mastitis so I would love to sleep in my own bed, but I'm worried about my boy. Thoughts?
I know this post is a few days old but, I just wanted to say don't elevate his head in his sleep. When a baby chokes you have to lower their head a bit so the object has the help of gravity in coming out. Babies tend to sleep with their heads to the side and the vomit will come out of his mouth.
K. ~ first of all, I hope that you feel better soon. My experience with my kids has been that when they vomit it does not choke them. Doesn't matter if they are on their back, side or tummy, it kinda just shoots out their mouth all over the place. Do you have a portacrib that you can put in your room just for tonight or something so that you can sleep better and be next to him? I think that he would be just fine in his own room without you, but I know from my own experience, that I didn't sleep very well in these situations because I was always worried, and going in to check on my kids anyways. They were always fine, but I guess that is just what Mommas do! Good Luck!
Do you have a baby monitor? Just turn it all the way up and you should be able to hear if he throws up. That way you stay in your bed and you can get some rest. I hope you're both feeling better soon!
K.,
My baby threw up in his sleep and didn't choke. I am not sure if he woke up, threw up and went back to sleep because I didn't hear anything (I was sleeping too). Found in the morning that he threw up, poor baby! But he was fine.
I think as long as your baby can roll over he would be able to position his head to clear his airway.
Don't worry too much, try to rest!
S.
What about putting him in an infant wedgie- those ones that go in the crib to keep babies more on their side?
The few times my baby was vomiting sick, I pulled an extra comforter down on the floor with a few towels and slept next to her, that way, I was right there (im a light sleeper as it is) if she did get sick, and it was on an extra blanket rather than having to strip a bed and remake it over and over
Hope you both feel better soon!
L.
Well I hope you both are feeling a whole lot better. I know it is not fun having a sick baby, let alone not feeling well yourself. A baby can aspirate if he throws up while sleeping, however b/c your baby is a little older and moving around, he is more likely to cough it out. For peace of mind, I would recommend the Angelcare baby monitor. It has a motion pad that detects movement, so God forbid, if your baby stops breathing the monitor will alarm. Get well soon!
K.,
I hope that you both feel better really soon! Since it has been a while since he threw up, its unlikely that he will throw up in his sleep- but it can happen. I would sleep next to him for your peace of mind and of course for safety reasons. You will rest much better knowing that you are right there if he needs you and so will he. Take good care---
Molly
Get a wedge and put it under the baby mattress which would elevates his head slightly while he is sleeping. Baby r Us sells them. We have one and loves it.
you probably won't get very much sleep if you're worried about him. My daughter slept in her crib from the day we brought her home from the hospital, except when she was sick. We would clear the bedding from the center, only allow our blankets waste high, put on long sleeve shirts and sleep with her in our bed/arms. I slept better knowing she was right there, and she slept better with her head resting on my arm for elevation (she always had head colds, chest stuff, not vomiting).
Best of luck and I hope your home gets well soon!
I have a 9 month old little girl and it is so hard when she is sick. Although it is not likely that your son will choke on his vomit, I would play it safe and stay close by him. I usually put my daughter in bed with me when... I get more sleep and I feel more at peace. But, on the flip side, many of my friends don't sleep near their infants when they are ill and they seem to do just fine.
When our daughter is sick, I make a pallet for her in our bed. I put down a thick towel that is wrapped in a flat sheet right next to me.
She has always slept with us, from day one. She was under the covers wrapped in someones arms. She felt safe and cozy.
(Now, she is finally moving to her own room. Seems we make the switch and she gets sick, which means we start the transition over again.AAAHH!)
Stephanie
