So worried about my sick little boy

PsyDr04

DS has been sick since earlier this week. We took him to the pedi on Thursday and he has another ear infection (second one in 3 weeks even after a round of antibiotics the first time). It's hard to know if he got over the first one completely or not since he got a cold so soon after we finished the first round of meds. Anyway, the last two days have been hell. He cannot breathe and is barely eating because he can't breathe through his nose to drink his bottle. He has taken a little bit of solids and will eat a few sips of formula or water at at time. He normally eats about 6.5 oz every three hours, but we're lucky if we've gotten 3-4 oz total in the last few days. He's small to begin with and I know he's going to lose weight because of this. He's on a second round of antibiotics now, plus Tylenol and some infant decongestant, as well as ear drops to help with pain when needed. To add to the fun, he's also cutting his first teeth. Yesterday he screamed/cried and the only time he stopped is when I picked him up and walked around with him. He literally would not even let me sit down with him without crying and screaming.

We have been using the saline drops and nasal aspirator (both the regular kind and Nose Frida) plus a humidifier in his room but it doesn't seem to be helping. I imagine his little nasal passages are probably very swollen. I am going to try the vicks baby on his feet and chest and vapo bath tonight. I don't know why I haven't done this already except for the fact that my mind is gone because I've also been fighting off a cold and haven't slept much since this all started.

Has anyone been through a similar situation where baby wouldn't eat for a few days? He's not dehydrated according to the pedi and he is pooping and having some wet diapers during the day. He is also drooling a lot and makes tears, so that's another sign that he has enough fluids for now. I'm just so worried about him and I know this sounds totally irrational, but I worry that he's forgotten how to breathe through his nose when he does take a little bit from a bottle because he has had to mouth breathe for several days now. Like I said, I know that sounds stupid because nose breathing is instinctual, but I'm just a wreck right now and so worried about my little man. I totally lost it last night after we finally got him to sleep and just sobbed for 15 minutes or so.

namara5532

I'm sorry you're going through so much.  Have you brought up his lack of eating with your pediatrician?  I'd also be wary of giving LO so many meds at once.  You'd want to make sure the tylenol or decongestant doesn't interfere with the antibiotics.  I'm not a doctor though; that's just my gut feeling about it.

In the meantime, is there someone you can call to help so you can get some sleep?  Babies can pick up on stress, so taking care of yourself may help him not feel quite as miserable.

PsyDr04

Thanks ladies. Namara, my DH is a pharmacist, so if he says something is ok medication-wise, I pretty well trust his instincts. But I did ask the pedi when we took him and she said it was fine to give Tylenol or Ibuprofen with the antibiotic. I think his last ear infection probably cleared up on the amoxicillin because he was acting a lot better soon after we started it but since he got sick again so soon with such a bad cold, I guess we just get lucky with another one. Both ears were actually infected last time and the pedi said his right one was infected again and the left had fluid in it, but was not infected so at least that one cleared up infection wise, though of course fluid isn't great either.

Hilarity, your post put me at ease. I'm sorry to hear your DS was so sick but I'm glad to know that this apparently isn't totally abnormal as far as the eating like crap goes. And yes, I definitely am at the stage where I feel like he's going to be sick for the rest of my life. LOL.

We do have a swing and he has taken a few naps in that lately, as well sleeping with me rocking him in his chair holding him slightly upright. Surprisingly enough, he's been sleeping pretty well in his crib at night given what's going on. He was the crankiest I have ever seen him yesterday (intensity and duration-wise) but this morning, even though he is still not eating well at all, he is playing and has been smiling at me. He is tugging on his ear, though, so I think I need to put some drops in. I've also put baby vapo rub on his feet and chest this morning. He is having at least 3 wet diapers a day and is pooping, too.

michelle_1221

It sounds like you are doing all the right things.  DD had a cold for about 6 weeks after she began daycare at 6 weeks.  She continued to nurse and take her bottle, but we struggled with solids.  We probably went to the doctor more than necessary, but she eventually got over it.  I agree with the PP about elevating her sleep area (we actually slightly elevated her mattress - although the swing might had been better).  Hang in there!

KitKat83

We just went through that too.. I spent two nights awake holding him upright and snuggling so he could breathe, it wa so scary. Do you have a warm mist vaporizer? We used a Vicks one an put eucalyptus oil in the little tray thingy and that helped, as well as baby Vicks on his feet and socks. To keep his head elevated I put him in his pack and play and elevated the mat thing with a pillow underneath. As well, I rolled up two blankets to put along his sides an covered with another blanket that I tucked in under the mat then put him on top so he wouldnt squirm around, it kinda worked. Good luck and sorry you're going through this!!

summer1117

Sounds like you are doing the right things.  Sleeping at an angle could help as others suggested.  You could even elevate one side of the crib with a blanket or wedge.  Also, if you have a cold mist humidifier, I think it's helpful to have it fairly close to the baby or to keep the door shut to the room.

Also, when my little one had a cold my dr suggested giving pedialyte if I thought they were getting dehydrated.  Maybe it would be good for some extra calories/electrolytes just in case??  The dr also said to watch for a fever too.

bigbear

Oh I"m so sorry It is very rough when they are sick like that and so frightening when they won't eat.

DD went through a similar situation not that long ago. It was due to teething. She was in so much pain that she completely refused the bottle for over 24 hrs straright, then would only take 2-3 Oz I think it went like that for a week. It seemed like she was not eating anything at all! I was totally freaked out. The pedi just said that she was still having good wet diapers and therefore it wasn't a big concern. He said something about instinct and that they won't let it get that far and will eat even through pain and congestion when it comes down to it. Not sure if that happened at the end, but after about a week, she was back to eating OK. She didn't really even lose weight, she just didn't gain any.

Hopefully it will get better for your little boy soon. You are obviously dealing with more than what my DD had, but it's definitely a good sign that he's not dehydrated.

Just watch him and should you not feel OK with something, just take him in. Even if it's every day! I'm sure he'll be fine real soon!

Hang in there!