Dehydration

K.,

Call your doctor back. They have people on call to help you if the office is not open. Don't feel bad about calling your doctor any time, even if you just saw them. I'm sorry that you are going through this. I hope your son is fine.

I just went through a similar situation with my daughter, who just turned 15 months old. She wouldn't eat or drink, very sleepy, etc. My pediatrician was concerned that she was dehydrated, and when they checked her blood levels she in fact was beginning to dehydrate. We checked in to the hospital for an IV rehydration, hoping that getting the fluids she needed would help her out. Sure enough, the next morning after a full night on the IV, she started being her old self again. It was so hard though, watching my little girl with an IV, just miserable. But very thankful that it ended up being a minor thing. When they're so young, they don't understand that if they don't eat or drink, we need to make the eat or drink, even if it's from an IV.

Hope that helps, hope he gets better soon!

: ) Becky

Wow, did you try pedialyte?? Im sure you tried everything. I know the Dr, has told me if I dont have 8 wet diapers a day, they can get dehydraded. Good luck, bless his heart, hope everything is ok

how about giving him a bottle with pedialyte in it? the bottle makes it easy for him to drink and pedialyte will restore his electrolytes.....

Rub his feet and hands, legs with olive oil this helps. There are some wonderful Homeopathic remedies for dehyration too such as: Calc Carb, China, Veratrum, depending on his symptoms. Check out some alternative medicine sites online. Good luck

I'M GLAD TO READ THAT YOU HAD A GOOD TURN OUT,HOWEVER IF THE PROBLEM RETURNS IN THE LEAST BIT SERIOUS, DO NOT HESITATE TO GIVE HIM A BOTTLE,HE WILL DRINK FROM A BOTTLE TRUST ME, KIDS NEVER HAVE PROBLEMS GOING BACK, WE DON'T WONT THEM TO GO BACK, BUT IF IT MEANS SAVING THEIR LIVES FOR THEM TO GO BACK, THAN SO BE IT. SOMETHING VERY SIMILAR HAPPEN TO MY CHILD WHEN HE WAS JUST ABOUT TO TURN TWO YEARS OLD. THE ONE AND ONLY FRIEND, CONFIDANT AND PHYSICAIN I COULD TURN TO WAS THE BOTTLE, AND HE HELP TO REMEDY THE GREATER PART OF THE PROBLEM. NEVERTHELESS, ONCE AGAIN I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT THE BABY IS ON HIS WAY TO RECOVERY.

P.

K.,

WOW what a scary thing to go through. All I can say is to keep offfering him anything liquid. You can always try the pedialyte stuff there are a few brands. But my son never likes it. Flat gingerale was a favorite of my son also. Hope that helps. Good Luck. Happy Holidays! ~A. and Jayden 8/4/04

Do not give him any fruit juice right now. Go to the store and get lots of Pedialyte which will re-hydrate him and replace all the electolytes he's lost. Even if he just takes sips of it every 5-10 mins that's fine till he starts feeling better. If you simply cannot get him to drink the Pedialyte and re-hydrate, you'll need to take him to the hosp. to get an IV-drip to re-hydrate. I hope your son feels better soon. Next time he gets diarrhea, please start the Pedialyte right after and stick the the B.R.A.T. diet till he's better. (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, dry Toast). I hope this helps!

Hi K.,
My son just had the same kind of virus. You said he won't take anything. I would just try to give him little sips of water,pedilite. You could also try applesauce. Do the BRAT diet as you are giving trying to give him everything else. Banana, Rice, applesauce ,toast. This will help his loose stool problem. Even if he pushes it away , take a moment and try again. Try to let him know you are trying to help him. He might just be scared from the hospital.
Oh, why don't you try to make it a game. that might work too.
Good luck
M.

Can your son drink thru a straw? When I can't get my kids to drink, I always give them a fun cup with a straw b/c they think it's fun. It's something different that they don't get all the time. Maybe that will help? That's all I can think of, other than making it a game. Good Luck to you!!

Did they give him an IV at the hospital? That should have helped alot. If you can't get him to drink, bring him back in and have them give him an IV. At least that will get him back to totally hydrated. then you can start by giving him dropper fulls of pedialyte or water or juice at home if he still isn't wanting to drink. SOmetimes you have to hold him down to do it, but they can't help but swallow those-like when you are giving him medicine. Keep in close contact with your doctor or nurse. Good luck!

Kim,

Why don't you try Gatorade instead of Pedialyte in a dropper. My Pediatrician suggests it because it's not so salty tasting. Most kids prefer it. One dropper full every 15-30 minutes. As long as he's getting some fluids in his system gradually he'll be okay. Do the same with the applesauce. As long as you can get it in his mouth, he will spit it out but some will remain, your doing good.

Also, try gently massaging his body in circular motions (back, arms, legs, tummy). This will relax him and he may start to gradually drink a little bit.

I know this is stressfull but remain calm... we're here for you!