Sick Baby - Douglas,GA

Updated on May 02, 2007
D.R. asks from Douglas, GA
18 answers

My 9 month old has had diarrhea for 4-5 days. He has thrown up like 2-3 times in the beginning but hasn't since. He had a small fever for the first time today (like 100.5) and has a cough/runny nose/congestion. At first i thought it may be b/c he's teething but then he started the whole coughing and runny nose,etc. We called the dr yesterday, they just said that it's probably the virus and there's not much you can do other than treat the fever with tylenol and treat the cough/runny nose/congestion with a medicine. Every thing he eats or drinks goes straight through him..I was wondering what you guys thought and see if ya'll had ever gone through this (i'm sure you have, just need some kind of response).. I'm really worried.. i'm constantly trying to get him to drink something so he won't get dehydrated..I thought about giving him 1/2 tsp kaopectate but i dont know if i should let this virus run it's course or what... help!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Hey everyone! THANKS THANKS THANKS to everyone who responded! My baby is now over the virus but still has a cough/runny nose/congestion.. i'm treating that with some medicine from the dr. We live in south ga and the fires around here are getting pretty bad and the smoke in the air is not helping the situation (breathing wise)! just keep us in your prayers! thanks again!

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Yes my husband had it first. With him he had the full cold symptoms and diarrhea. It lasted for days like 6, I think. Then my son had the diarrhea with vomiting (but he has a pretty easy gag reflex)for like 5 days. Then I had the diarrhea for two days. I took Immodium Advanced with gas. My husband and I both had very bad gas. If you son appears bloated, then beware he may be in pain. It did go away. I would beware of giving such a young baby medicine except maybe the little ones brand of gas meds or something.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.B.

answers from Macon on

Hi D.,
My 7 mo old is having the same symtoms and ailments. It all started Thursday and today is Monday with no relief. I DID take mine to the doctor Friday morning because his fever was 101 at bedtime Thursday and 101 when he woke up Friday morning. My doctor (Jason Smith/Lance Slade) told me to give Tylenol or Infants motrin for fever but he was too young for any other medication. I asked him about Saline drops for his nose and he said that was fine as long as I used the bulb to clean everything out but he would only recommend doing it if I really really needed to because it was going to make him mad.
I used it yesterday and boy was the doctor right. Henry was so mad at me he didn't even want me to hold him but when his dad took him he was a perfect angel.
Your baby probably doesn't want alot to eat, just make sure you are offering enough formula or breastmilk. I was told they need 10% more liquid than normal when sick. If the symptoms don't improve by mid week, I would call the doctor again.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.H.

answers from Augusta on

Don't worry, Ive had that virus myself and so have my kids. He just has a stomache virus on top of a head cold...it's gonna take a little while but he will get over it so just try to give him med. that helps him with his symptoms.Also try giving him some gatorade if the doctor ok's it. When me and my husband caught the virus my mother in law brought us soup and gatorade and I immediately felt better and got better a couple of days later.Also I was told by my child's doctor that teething doesn't cause any symptoms...not even fever. Just fussiness and maybe some sleeplessness.He said that fevers are caused by a virus not by pain. Just try to keep his body hydrated and his body will fight it off soon. But a few of the cold symptoms like the runny or stuffy nose may linger for awhile.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from Atlanta on

Have you tried giving him yogurt? It has cultures in it to fight diarrhea. I used the Stoneyfield Farms yogurt whenever my daughter got sick. Avoid milk cause it can make the diarrhea worse. As far as eating do the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast). I hope your little one is better soon. The doctor is right it usually just has to run its course.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.V.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi, my family is just getting over this. It seems that there is a bacterial type of diaherra around. It starts with vomiting, then diaherra, then upset and cramping stomach ache for adults. Kids will vary, you may see a cold like symptom or the same symptoms as the adult. Anyway, what I did to treat it was a clear liquid diet. Jello is OK (sugar free even better) Chicken noodle soup and crackers or broth. Since your son may also be teething, the crackers would work because they will break apart, so he won't choke. If he is still on the bottle, he may go for lukewarm chicken broth only in that. Don't give anything the stomach has to work for to digest....It worked with me and my family. It lasted a little over a week. Hope this helps. My kids hate pedialyte, so I used Gatorade or Powerade or flavored water. THe thing to keep in mind is to keep them hydrated. Sometimes it's more about what your son wants than what you think he should drink. Sprite or Gingerale is good too or popsicles (A little less good for the body, but if that is all they will eat for the moment, it will at least help them stay hydrated. The Sprite adn Gingerale help stop the crampy rumbling part of the diaherra.)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.M.

answers from Atlanta on

I would keep trying to give him Pedialyte and lots of liquids - even Gatorade in sippy or anything that will get him drinking. Hope he feels better soon!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.M.

answers from Atlanta on

This is the roto virus. Usually the Dr. doesn't just brush it off especially since he has had diarrhea for so long. When my son had it they told me to give him yogurt, rice, toast, potatos and pedialyte. However, he didn't really want the pedialyte so we ended up giving him gatorade. They told me that if the diarrhea lasted more than two days they wanted to see him. Luckily we got over it fast. However, a friends little girl ended up in the er on an IV.

Good Luck

Hope it doesn't last too much longer!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from Atlanta on

I have gone through it a couple of times. At one point I had it, my 14 month olds had it and my ten year old had it. You have to let it pass. It is horrible to watch them suffer but you have to let it past. Do not give him fruit juice. He is probably still on formula so you can not go without the milk. If he is not then do not give him milk either. Our pediatrician told us no milk, fruit juice, and give him plenty of elctrolyte based products and starches. When I cut out on juice and milk it passed rather quick. I suggest lysol everywhere. It passes easy. Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.M.

answers from Atlanta on

Pedialyte!! Your docotor should of told you this. As a previous nanny this is what we always did. Plus, it will help fight everything becuase the baby will remain hydrated.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.H.

answers from Atlanta on

We had the same thing--I think it's rotavirus. It's going around. The diarrhea should stop over the next day or so but watch out for some evil diaper rash! Our doc said to give him tons of clear fluids (pedialyte or water), give him half strength formula/breastmilk if he'll take it, and offer him food but don't make him eat if he doesn't want it. No Kaopectate or other adult meds. Not fun, but it's one of those things that has to run its course.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.T.

answers from Atlanta on

Here is a little tip I learned from my son's pediatrician when he was a baby and has always worked and he is now 7. Benadryl, it works for vomiting and diarrhea. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.Z.

answers from Savannah on

Hey D., It is scary when your little one is that sick. But DON'T GIVE HIM ANYTHING TO STOP THE DIARRHEA BECAUSE the doctor told me the reason children get diarrhea and throw up is their bodies way of fighting the virus. Definitely keep trying to get him to drink that is fine and if he is hungry he will eat but most of the time when they are sick like this they won't eat. That is okay just make sure he is drinking and if he will not drink you may want to get back with the doctor and make sure he isn't getting dehydrated. This type of sick is hard on moms to handle, allot harder on you then the kid. My son was sick allot when he was little and this is why I know that you should not try stopping the uckies....but with the cough, it is due to drainage of the sinuses most likely. If he is teething this is common. When they are teething and drooling they tend to develop a drainage in their sinuses and this causes a little cough and can cause their tummies to get up set and throw up due to them not spitting it out and swallowing it, it will get down in their tummy and cause adverse reaction. You are doing a great job by what you explained and just be patient it will pass. Good luck! A. www.busymomsworkathome.com

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.W.

answers from Atlanta on

In order to keep your baby hydrated, if he refuses to drink you can "force" fluids using a medicine syringe by squirting it into the back of this cheek so he'll have to swallow every 15 minutes.... As for the diarhea, I always found that plain white rice helps to slow it down... Cook some white rice and if he won't eat that, some plain rice cereal...

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.D.

answers from Atlanta on

My baby was sick like this shortly before he turned 2 months old. It was rotovirus, and it made him so sick. The main thing the doctor did was have me push pedialyte. I found that this was making him sicker, though, and he was in and out of the doctor for weigh-ins all week because of his age. The doctor suggested Isomil DF. It's a formula made for babies dealing with diarrhea. It really helped a lot. He was able to keep it in him for longer periods, which helped keep him from being dehydrated.

Don't give him any meds to stop the diarrhea. It can prolong the virus, which can be especially bad with babies.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.P.

answers from Baton Rouge on

can't give kaopectate to a 9 mth old. Just keep him on gatoraid or the other child equivalent....they even have pedialite popsicles....He may like that. Let the diahrea run its course.....it is getting whatever is bad out of his system. Other than that...give him crackers, toast, apple sauce, bananas......to help stop the diahrea naturally. Viruses can be bears but happily they only last about 7 days. Blessings to you both!!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.M.

answers from Savannah on

My baby did the same thing. No matter what I gave him, he would throw it up or poop it out. His temp went up and I got scared. I took him to the doctor and they said that it was just a little virus and there's nothing to worry about. So I took him back home. The next day, his temp went up to about 101.5 I went nuts! I took him to another hospital and they saw him right away...turns out my son had Rotavirus. It's a nasty little virus that kids get in nursery/daycare settings. He stayed in the hospital for two weeks. Trust your instincts when it comes to your children....no matter what the doctors say. If your child continues to feel sick and you feel that he is getting worse, take him to another doctor. Do what you have to do cause your child depends on you!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.B.

answers from Atlanta on

I hate to offer little to no advice, but this sounds like the viral that has been running rampid where I live! My poor mother even had it! It last approx 7-10 days. When my kids got it granted they r older 9 and 12, but the doc said as long as they were drinking and not dehydrated to let it run it's course...I would probably ease off the kao...you don't wwant to prevent the body from "getting rid" of what it is deeming poison...that is what my doc always says...just keep the gatorade and/or pedialyte in him...it has the glucose they need to keep from getting dehydrated...and not so much worry about foods for a few days then clear liquids like soup broth or whatever your feeding him that would be clear, I think they started mine back on applesauce and stuff like that ...good luck!
J.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.K.

answers from Atlanta on

You are not alone. I too have a 9month old and he had the same identical sickness. However he is doing better now. The diarrhea has stopped and he is acting better. My little boy is a trooper so he really never acts different when he is sick but it must have been a virus going around. I thought he was teething but nothing has shown up. He only has two teeth and has had them for several months now. It took him about a good week to pass whatever he had virus, cold or teething. I just say wait it out and he will be fine in no time if it last longer than a week call the doctor. Kids are always getting viruses or colds.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches