How can I get him feeding properly again

So Daniel had an ear infection developing on Friday last week. Was put on antibiotics. And this was the first day of his feeding strike.

Sunday night he started with vomiting and diaoherra. Monday, took him to the docs, he said to stop the antibiotics because his ear was fine now and the antibiotics were most likely contributing to his current probs.

Tuesday, no better, rang doc and he gave us a script for some electrolytes so try and get his fluid intake up. He hated that, so doc said to mix it with e2 cause that has the same stuff but a nicer taste. He took some of this.

Wednesday. Much the same though the diaoherra and vomiting stopped in the afternoon. Still didn't wanna feed properly.

Today, no vomiting or diaoherra at all so far. But still doesn't want to feed.

I've been dream feeding him when he doesn't want to take bottle or boobie so that he gets some fluid into him. But not nearly enough for what he needs. He's waking up hungry all day and all night long but he won't take anything into his mouth.

So far today he took 100mls when I got him up this morning. He refused to take anything 3hrs later (doc wants him to have something 2-3hrly), so when he was asleep I dream fed him and he had another 50ml, just before he wouldn't take the bottle again, but as soon as he was in bed he was crying because he was hungry, he took 40ml and that was all.

It doesn't seem to matter what bottle, teat, formula, boobie or person is feeding him he just doesn't want to.

It's driving me absolutely nuts and I'm getting buggered from being up all night long. And he is actually constantly hungry. I can't keep going on dream feeding him all day and all night.

Does anyone have any ideas at all? I'm willing to try anything!

ETA: The doc has told me he needs to start drinking more. He wants him to have at least 750ml during the day.

Edited by kebakat

Have you checked inside his mouth? Han went off feeding in a big way when she was sick, and when I finally checked out her mouth and saw that it was covered in ulcers and with really raw and red gums, I wasn't at all surprised she wasn't feeding.

The freaking pharamacist took the briefest of looks and told me it was just because she was teething. Teeth my ass!!! I was so angry. A doc ended up saying that perhaps she had a couple of viruses... and then a kinesiologist (hippe doctor who we happened to meet at the Abel Tasman) said something about viruses and intolerances. All in all, not a happy little chicken on the feeding front.

Worth a look..?

I hope he gets better soon Stace. It must be really stressful for you.

Edited by nikkiwhyte

I would maybe take him to the hospital for a check up cos when Bay was 4 months old he had the same thing - flu type symptoms then he went off his food (i had taken him to the docs and they said it was just an infection) then 24 hours later he had a really high fever so i took him to A&E (was 8pm at night!) and by the time we got there (15 min drive) he was unconcious and running a dangerous fever and after hours of testing at 3am they told us he had RSV virus and we were pushing it with time!! (any longer and the outcome wont have been the same) so he spent 2 weeks in isolation on steroids and walla!!

Im not saying thats what Daniel has though just saying that its always better to air on the side of caution. I didnt believe my doc and luckily was keeping close eye on him.

I'd take him back to the doc tomorrow - esp before the weekend. Usually bubbas go off food when they aren't, or just haven't been, feeling too great. I suspect that's what it is. But if the doc wants him to drink 750ml per day and he's not - then you need to get back to him.

I'll give it a try, bring him round here and i'll try and get the bottle in his mouth.

But was wondering have you tried different teats??

How desparate are you feeling about getting some more fluids into him?  Because there is nothing that can't be syringed into a baby!  Seriously, Ella had 100ml lots of water and meds syringed into her twice a day for quite some time - takes patience but it's do-able and it does get the fluids into them.  I'd suggest the biggest syringe that the pharmacy sells - the ones that come with a flexible tube that you can attatch to the end... some babies like to chew on the end of the tube (while you ever so gradually syringe those fluids in - mwah ha ha haaaa!).  It's great that he's not losing fluids through diahorrea or vomiting, but does he have as many wet nappies each day? 

Also about the electrolytes - those solutions are available in a few different flavours, if that's worth a try.  Ella's cool with the orange one.  Then again, she currently thinks her Ranitidine is tasty!  Go figure.  I hope he's all better soon, Stacey - sounds very tiring for you.