Seeking Moms Who's Children Have Had the Stomach Flu for More than 3 Days......

Hi S.,
Sorry your little guy is having troubles :( My son had this too a few weeks ago, but the duration wasn't as long. Keep making sure he's taking in fluids because he's losing a lot. Buy Pedialyte and have him take small sips 30 mins. after he vomits. If it stays in, then keep giving him small sips every 30 mins. Otherwise if he doesn't keep it in, wait a while again. Don't give him any dairy or dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt, etc...Be sure to keep him hydrated. A sign that he's dehyrated: pinch his skin a little and if it doesn't pull back and stays limp, he doesn't have enough liquids.

If he starts feeling a little better and is able to begin eating again feed him food that's easy on the stomach, like: rice, toast, bananas, and applesauce. And if he doesn't get better within the new couple of days, then take him to the doctor again.

Hope he feels better real soon! Take care...

1 mom found this helpful

THE STOMACH FLU IS GOING AROUND BAD RIGHT NOW.AND WHEN IT HITS IT HITS HARD.MY 7YR OLD DAUGHTER HAD IT AT NIGHT AND BY THE MORNING MY 4 YR OLD HAD IT AND BY NOON THAT DAY MY 12 MONTH OLD HAD IT AND BY 5:00 IN THE EVENING I HAD IT.LUCKELY MY HUSBAND DIDN'T GET IT. BUT TRY TO SIT THERE WITH CRUSHED ICE AND LITTLE BY LITTLE PUT SOME IN HIS MOUTH.KEEP HIM HYDRATED.MAKE SURE HE HAS WET DAIPERS,BECAUSE THATS A BIG SIGN OF DEHYDRATION WHEN THERE NOT URINATING.I WORK IN THE ER AND I ALWAYS HERE,"GIVE THEM GATORADE IF THEY WON'T TAKE THE PEDIALYTE BECAUSE THEY NEED SOMETHING AND USUALLY THEY WILL TAKE ONE OR THE OTHER. YOU'LL GET THREW IT.DOES HE HAVE A FEVER AS WELL????? CHICKEN SOUP ALWAYS HELPS,EVEN THE BROTH.

1 mom found this helpful

It sounds like it may be something other than the flu. My kids have never had this, but if it ever happens (which I hope it never does), I would have them in the ER if it got this bad. I hope your little one gets better soon. The one thing I always do it keep my kids hydrated when they are sick - the doctor told me that was most important. Its especially hard when your partner works a lot and you are home with the sick child all day. I'm sure you are doing the best you can; keep up the good work.

This is totally normal. My 2 year old had it 2 weeks ago and it was horrible! Up down up down is what essentially happens. One day she seemed fine and I thought it was gone, the next she was throwing up all over again. Just make sure you take him to the doctor to see if he is dehydrated or not. My doctor told me to give her sips of juice, NOT WATER, because her sugar levels needed to come back up again. He probably isn't eating anything either, which is also normal. My daughter ate bits and pieces for 4 days. She got sick on Monday and Saturday morning woke up and it was gone. Good luck to you!!!

Have no worries.. My 9 year old daughter has been fighting that flu for two weeks. Two days she'll be very sick with vomiting and potty problems. And the next 2 or 3 days she'll be fine. Then it starts all over again. I have talk to the doctor and nurses and they all say to give her lots of liquids, rest and pepto- bismol. We started using the peto-bismol yesterday and for the first time in two weeks she is feeling much much better. So i know how frustrating it is.Stick with it and if you haven't tried it yet try pepto and really has worked for me. Hope this helps :)

Poor little guy, I know it's so hard for us moms to see our babies sick and miserable. I'm sorry I haven't had this actual experience though my son did run a high tempertature for several days and the docs didn't seem real concerned (I too was out of my mind with worry). Perhaps you could see another doctor? If your current docs aren't concerned about the sickness itself, I'm wondering about the effects of the excessive vomiting. I sure hope he gets well and returns to his usual sunny self.

I am new to this site, but I hope I can help! I'm an EMT, mother of two young girls (16 mons and 3 years). My 3 year old just got over this dreadful flu. I have also had many of my friends going through this as well.
My doctor told me not to push any food until a minimum of 8 hours after the last time they throw up. When you do, go by the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Apple sauce, & Toast). If they throw up again, start the process over again. Give them fluids (water, juice, pedialyte) but don't push it on them.
I would call your doctor, but when I went through this with my youngest, I found I wasn't giving her enough Tylenol. She was to be getting two 'shots' of the Tylenol Infant syringe and I was only giving her one.
Don't worry about a fever unless it gets to be 103 with a fever reducer in the system. Call the doctor, but also strip your baby down to the diaper, a light weight blanket is fine, and try to bring the fever down that way...sometimes a freezer pop or a lukewarm bath helps too.
Hope that helps!

Your little boy may be in danger of becoming dehydrated from vomiting so much. If your doctor is not listening to your concerns, find another doctor! You know your child better than anyone, trust your instincts! I would go to an ER and insist on IV fluids and anti-nausea meds. Then find a new pediatrician! Good luck.

I am a Ped. Nurse and my nephew just got over a week and a half long flu he is 13 months I know this is hard but hang in therethings will get bettermy kids have also had flus lasting a week or so once our whole family got it (4 of us) at the same time in winter and then the pipes froze and we had no running water that was rough!!!!! I know its frusterating having things seem like they are getting better and then it comes back full force here is some words of comfort I hope... the body grabs all the needed nutriants out of your food long before it is digested our bodys also have a natural energy and nutrient reserve that it will use if it isnt getting what it needs so atleast you know he is O.K however make sure he is staying hydrated and having wet diapers there wont be as many as usual so don't worry about that as long as he is wetting also I would not hesitate to listen to your moms intuition it is always right if you feel something is not right take him to the doctor otherwise I would keep him lightly dressed or in just his diaper to make for easier cleanup!! Good Luck also the brat diet has no bananas in it!!!!! it is BREAD Rice applesauce and toast

My 1 yr. old nephew had the stomach flu and passed it on to our 7 kids (15, 14, 10, 9, 5yr.twins and 4) including my husband and I. My nephew has had it for well over a week and a half and has FINALLY been able to hold something down. He couldn't eat, sleep or play and neither could we. Every baby is different, and they could either have for 24 hours, to 3 days to 2 weeks. What I do? This is my sister's first baby so I helped out in taking care of him, I gave him pedialite for a week and he took that really well. I gave him dry cereal with no milk for breakfast and sips of water to wash it down. I also gave him spoonfuls of broth which he also held down well. After a few days, I began feeding him Campbell noodles soup diluted with water but only a few spoons of it until his lil tummy was able to hold something down. He is doing better now and it has passed! Hopefully and prayerfully this will help.

my daughter had the stomach flu for a week last april and it was horrible I found that when I switched from pedialite to gatorade she started doing alot better keep trying to give him food if he doesn't throw up for the recomended time (4 hrs) and remember no fluids for 2 hrs I was breast feeding at the time and she really wanted to nurse alot what I started doing was expessing milk so that she wouldn't get to much.
I know that it is hard but you will get through it if you can get a hot shower that will help you feel better also if it is getting to a point that he just can barely open his eyes take him into the Dr. and they should let you stay there while they try to hydrate him and they will let you know if they want you to take him to the hospital. good luck I really feel for you

I'm so sorry your little one isn't feeling well. I know the flu is going around really bad right now... in fact I have it too! My advise is to keep him hydrated. A good way to keep fluids going in without over doing it is popsicles. Freeze some pedialyte in a small cup and put a plastic spoon in it to use as a handle. Its refereshing and keeps his electrolytes coming in. Hope he feels better soon! :)

My 16 month old son has the exact same thing, and we are on day 4. The only things he will keep down are ArrowRoot cookies (in the baby section at the grocery store) and bananas. I have been giving him a few sips of water every 15 minutes. If I give him Pedialyte, he pukes it up. His fever was 102.8, but is back down now. His tummy is still upset though. Last night he actually held down some squash, but we haven't given him much to eat since.

This flu is going around!! You definitely are not alone. Just give him a little bit at a time, and he will eventually keep it down.

Good luck!
Kim

Hi my name is R. and I am 25 with a 19 month old and a three year old. My husband works about 55hrs a week and has two hrs of driving every day also so I barely see him.

My kids have been sick since October with everything. They have had the flu, sinus infections, colds, you name it. We have been to the Drs. every week since Nov. to try and fight whatever it is. Rigth now my daughter has the flu, I have bronchitis, and my son has both and is teething his last two canines and his temperature wont get below 103. I know the feeling of losing your mind adn they tell me the same thing a lot to just wait it out. It has been a horrible winter for a lot of people I talk to so it's not just yours. I am a stay at home mom so they dont even go to daycare and they have been this sick. Just stick it out and give him as much love as you can and have him drink has many fluids as possible so he doesnt get dehydrated. My daughter had that happen when she was two and they had to mummify her at the hospital to get an IV in her and it was so awful. Just keep giving him as much juice and water as possible and you will both get though this.

Hi, sorry to hear your son is soo sick. It sounds like the rotovirus to me. My son had it when he was 6 or 7 months old. It was terrible, and so hard to get him to keep anything down. But don't worry too much he will get over it in a few more days, just keep trying to give him lots of water and popsicles to keep him from getting dehydrated. Good luck

Hi S.

My family had the stomach flu last week. I have 5 kids in the house and 4 of them had it at the same time plus my husband and I had it too. First we tryed pepto bismal that worked for some but not all of us. Then I called the Doctor and they said give the kids Gatorade and water. seeing as your child is only 11 months old I would check with a doctor first to see if you can actually give an 11month old Gatorade and water together they might give you something else for a child that young. The main thing is to get your childs Electrlites up so lots of water is a good thing the doctor told me it could last for about a week to 2 weeks so if you haven't gone to see the doctor I would go now.

I have kids that are 16,15,15,7,4. There is a bit of a difference in age so I would really recommend going to the doctors first before you give your child Gatorade I don't know whether Gatorade is good for an 11month old. Hope this helps, good luck.

Last year my 5 year old daughter got the flu. I am not the type to take my kids to the doctor for minor illnesses but after 4 days she was still sick and seemed to be getting worse. We took her back every two days for the next week and a half because she was still not well. They kept telling me that it was just the flu. They did give me some meds to help her out - but they didn't work because every time I gave her any she vomited them up. They told us to let her eat/drink anything she wanted because she needed food in her but every time she wanted to eat/drink and did it would just come up. Over a week passed with her not keeping ANY food down we started getting very worried. She was too weak to talk and couldn't even keep down fluids. At the two week point she had lost 7 lbs. and she is small to begin with. We had been given over 10 different RX's by the doctors and nothing was working. Finally I demanded they hospitalize her. They gave her an IV with fluids and something for the nausea and in a matter of 4 or 5 hours she looked like a whole new kid. They did every test in the book and everything was "normal" the specialist came in and said he had several patients who had similar problems. He said that it was a result of the damage done by the original stomach bug. The lining of her stomach was so damaged that any time she ate anything she would "rebound" and get sick again. He gave her Carafate (it helps repair the lining of the digestive tract) and Hyociamine (they give it to people with IBS but it basically helps with the cramping so they don't have stomach pain). She finally got well but that ordeal lasted over three weeks and 8 months later she still has a very weak digestive system and we still need her meds on occasion. Her pediatrician has said that we should keep them on hand and use them as needed to keep things from getting out of hand in the future. It was rough and I had to fight for her! I felt like they would have let her die because there was nothing "wrong" with her but a 15% weight loss in a five year old who is not overweight is not normal by any standard! I'm glad I kept up the fight because the specialist said she would not have gotten well on her own because of the damage - she would have just kept rebounding. You probably don't have that severe a problem on your hands but if you do - fight for your child, the doctors don't always find the problem right away and you are your child's only advocate! Good luck, I hope your baby feels better soon!

S.,

I know exactly how you feel. New Years eve, my 11 month old started vomiting profusely & it went on every hour for 5 hours, then would turn into diarreah during the day and back to vomit at night. This went on for 6+ days & I kept calling the dr's office and they said there was nothing anyone could do but keep liquids down him.

Here's what I did & it seemed to work: I went to Fred Meyers(which I don't think you have in CA, but you can go to anywhere that sells organic stuff) and bought "Just for Kids Organic Tummy Comfort: Tummy ache tea" by Traditional Medicinals and picked up what's called Recharge from there also. Recharge is basically an organic gatoraid; it doesn't have the sugars, sodium and junk that gatoraid has. I put about 3 ounces of each into two seperate 9 oz bottles & filled the rest of the bottles with 6 oz warm water. I left both bottles with him so that whenever he was willing to drink, they were easily accessible. I guess it depends on the child, but everyone I know with kids has never been able to get their kids to drink pedialite, so I didn't even bother with that.

Also, keep trying to feed him vegetables. My son would only eat a few bites of it before he wouldn't take anymore, but it was better than nothing. Also, giving him crackers helped too. He lost a quite a bit of weight during the ordeal, but came out unscathed.

I was spacifically told to avoid meats, heavy foods - like rice cereal, and friuts as they will all make his tummy worse.

I hope this helps & feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions.

Just remember that once you have followed everyone's advice on how to treat the flu and care for your sick child, to listen to your "mother's intuition". If your son continues to be sick and you feel there is something else going on then go back to the doctor, or see a different one, until you get the answers you need. I have seen it too many times these days where people are pushed off by busy doctors who are quick to diagnose and move on. Not only that, but these flus that go around are strong and some are life threatening. It is no longer something to take lightly. You are your child's only advocate so be vigilant.

HIs he lactose intolerant?? My youngest was doing the same thing and it turned out to be that she was lactose intolerant..Has the baby eaten anything new?..I think you should call the dr. and bring him in and get checked out..Thats kinda long to be sick with the flu..

Sounds like you've gotten some great advice. I would also suggest that when he starts to hold down the liquid and you start to re introduce food that you give him no milk and no protein that would make him start all over again. Once he has not thrown up for over 24 hours and has kept down some gental food down you can start to re introduce him to a regular diet. Good luck!

Is it possible that he is showing signs of lactose intolerance? When my son was a baby, he began seriously vomiting ... I'm talkin' projectile vomiting. It came and went for a few months. We finally figured out he was allergic to milk, took him off it completely, and he never had any other episodes (unless he ate dairy). He's 8 now and has primarily been a soy kid (soy milk and soy yogurt), though he started being able to ingest small amounts of dairy when he was 6 or so ... ice cream, cheese, etc.

Go to the hospital. If he is vommiting that much he is probably dehydrated. See a new doctor. If YOU feel it's something other than the flu then go to a new doc. You know your kid you know the flu, but I would go to the hospital.

S.,

I'm not sure who you've taken your son to see(Family Dr, pediatrician, etc.) but if you are not satisfied with the care your getting, you can always take your son to Children's ER. Children's sees EVERY child regardless of your ability to pay. (Of course if your insurance covers it, the hospital won't foot the bill). They are kid specialist in every aspect--from the flu to tonsillectomies, cancer to asthma--and everything in between.

If your son is doing ok and able to keep enough fluids down to stay hydrated and is still peeing a few times per day, then he's probably ok. The problem is that kids' bodies will compensate and fool you that they are ok, until they are REALLY sick and then they can go downhill fast. So, if your worried, just take him to Children's ER. They know everything about kids, so why would you take him to any other hospital? They will be able to tell you what's wrong, what to do for him, or find the treatment that will get him better(like IV fluids, antibiotics, etc.) I think its always better to be safe than sorry with your kids. You can never be too careful. What's the worst that could happen? You'd sit in the ER for awhile and be sent home OR you could stay at home and wonder if he's ok. I hate to be so blunt, but when your child is sick--and especially so young, you just cant risk waiting very long. I worked at Children's for 2 1/2 years(and I miss it dearly, but my son had to come before my work). It is also possible that he may have some intestinal blockage that is causing him to throw up. Are his symptoms typical like the flu?

If he's getting better and has stopped throwing up, then you really are in the clear. The most important thing is to keep him hydrated, make sure he pees 4-6 wet diapers in 24 hours(that's how you know he's hydrated), and that his temp stays below 104. I hope he is feeling better soon. Email me if you have any questions, ok?

It's been about a year since my son had the same thing your son does but it did go away. My son had the stomach flu for about 6-7 days. I just had to keep him on a bland diet...no dairy products, lots of Pedialyte and crackers. And my son did the same thing, where he was fine, then all of a sudden, sickness everywhere. Don't worry....it'll come to an end in just a few days. Good luck...stay strong!

Aww...that is so sad when they get that sick. If your son is drinking ok, I would just wait it out and hug him lots!! If he's not, you might need to take him in to get hydrated and monitored.

Good luck! You are an awesome working Mom and it sounds like you guys are doing the best you can. :)

My daughter went through something similar and the pediatrician gave us a "yucky tummy" diet. It has worked like a charm ever since whenever she gets an upset tummy.

Day 1: Clear liquids (no fruit juices) every 15 minutes. Rotate water, chicken broth, gatorade and ginger ale.

Days 2 and 3: Stick with the clear liquids and add "White" foods only: rice, bread, crackers, potatoes. NO DAIRY, NO FRUITS.

Days 4 and 5: Gradually reintroduce other foods still avoiding fruits and dairy.

That should clear everything up.

My one-year-old has been likewise sricken; we're going on 7 days now.

We did go through a similar episode in Sept. last year, our pediatrician bluntly assured us that these bugs stay longer in babies because of their more immature immune systems. He said to expect it to last a MINIMUM of 10 days, and to not let your spirits get down over your solemn baby; They're healing, they just can't do it as quick as we can, or even a child a few years older! We were sort of put-off by this at that time, but surely enough five days later my son was non-stop baby business, happy as ever.

My son has been pretty bump-on-the-log lately. He doesn't want to play, yet fights his sleepiness, he has to be touching me or daddy at all his waking moments. It's tough, my heart hurts for him but I feel assured inside that my spunky, adventurous little boy is still there.

How does your soon interact with you? Does he want affection? Does it matter to him where you place him? I guess I would suggest giving it several more days to pass, just make your little one as comfortable as can be for now. They are very strong, at their pace (God help us, parents!) :)

Is he having regular bowel movements (loose or not?) If you see any blood in his BM you need to take him to the hospital. Not to scare you, I am sure he is fine since it has already been 3days+ but if you ever see any blood in his BM that could be a serious problem. But I did hear the stomach flu is going around big time. Just make sure he is drinking enough. Get him an electrolyte fluid like pedialight and he should be fine. Good luck I know how hard it is to have a very very sick child.

Hey. Sorry that you are having to go through this. In June last year, my daughter was 10 months old. She had that same problem. She was sick for 6 days. She threw up allllllll... day and could not keep anything down. She was never happy at any time of the day either. At night all she wanted to do was be rocked to sleep. I finally took her to the doctor and he gave her some medicine to help with neausea. That helped quite a bit. He did tell me to keep feeding her milk not only pedialite.. Let me know if you have any questions!

I would guess maybe it is either he is eatting solids to soon after he was sick or maybe foud allergies. I would try keeping a journal of what he eats and see if you can find a clue there. Also keep him on a cracker and juice or water diet for awhile even after you think he is feeling better. If it countinues I would ask to see another doctor in his doctors office.

Didn't read any other mom's responses but when ever my son gets any type of stomach bug it hangs on forever. Only thing I have learned to do that works like a charm is the BRAT diet. Bananas, Rice, Apples & Toast. Absolutely NO dairy what so ever. The "good" bacteria the Dr. has told me gets out of balance & his body keeps rejecting what ever I put in him. Start slowly with 1 - 2 Tbl spoons of water ever 10 minutes. Ice chips crushed really fine work too. If he does good with that increase the amount by 1 TBl spoon. He should start keeping it down. Dehydration can cause him to get worse especially since he's had it for so long. Hang in there. I'd say no food until at least tonight, if he is doing better, then try something easy on the tummy like a saltine cracker or 1/4 piece of toast. This is what my Ped. told me to do.
My son went for almost 5 days until any improvement but remained hydrated. another tip freeze some pedialyte in ice cube trays. Crush 1 up & give him spoonfulls of it. Mine loved it & he needed the extra electrolytes. Hope this helps.