11 Month Old Not Drinking at All. ANY Advice Welcome!!

I'm sure it's painful for him to nurse with double ear infections. Have you tried giving him tylenol or ibuprophen about 30 minutes before eating (of course you can't do that everytime, but it should last about 4-6 hrs depending on the medication - and make sue to check with the pharmacist to make sure it's okay to take with his antibiotic).

As for the diarrhea, I saw someone suggested pedialyte which is a good option. You can even give it to him by soon - about a tsp every 5 minutes or so. And I would stay away from any acidic foods (like oranges) because that would just make him even more uncomfortable. And try to be as gentle as possible with wiping. Don't use store-bought wipes, just water and a soft washcloth, or even put him in a sitz bath to clean away most of it before finishing up with a soft wet cloth. And slather on the cream!

I hope he feels better soon.

Your son sounds very similar to ours. At 11 months he was finally diagnosed with reflux. The doctors gave him xantac to help reduce acid and prevacid to help with the constipation. It was an instant cure. We also had to see a feeding specialist since a specific barium swallow showed he choked on thin liquids. He wasn't nursing, just pacifying since he couldn't swallow without choking. Also explained why he didn't drink other liquids. I'd love to chat more if you have questions. Unfortunately, you're too far away to recommend our doctors, but I'd help in any other way we can.

When ours is feeling gross enough to not drink, he won't drink pedialyte unless we get the unflavored and put it in his favorite "treat" drink. The first time he was dehydrated, I didn't try this, and he ended up in the hospital on a continuous IV... It was absolutely horrible. The nurses poke at the poor guys all day and night for the sake of monitoring. Since then, I've done this, and it's worked great every time. If we catch it soon enough, we give him popsicles/ pop ice too. But it sounds like you are far enough into it, that pedialyte would give a better chance of pulling him out of it before an IV is needed. And I'd try the "home" IV before the hospital, if it's already to that point... get him to the doctor. They can take a simple test to see if he's already dehydrated to the point of needing an IV. If you wait too long, it can damage his kidneys. Don't freak out more... just get him in to the doctor to check his hydration level, (whatever it's called!lol) if you are worried. Hopefully the test results will say he's still fine! I also wanted to add (sorry I didn't earlier) that if you end up needing an IV (he's probably fine!) and the doctor doesn't offer, ask for an out patient IV from the IV center across from the hospital. That's all they do all day long, so they really know how to get IV's in little kids without hurting them or it being too tramatic. :) They are so sweet there.

I had the same problem when my daughter was around that age. She ended up @ PCMC with an IV. They finally got her to drink Sprite. I do not advise soda pop for children but......if that's all they will drink it's better than nothing when they have chronic ear infections. For the constipation check with your pediatrician about Myralax.

Ear infections are very painful for kiddos: You can try garlic ear drops (get them at Whole Foods, Wildoats, etc.) Warm then up a bit and they can help with the pain. Also try putting a bit of oil or lotion on your fingertips and massaging behind his ears down towards his neck. He may not like it, but it will help that fluid drain.

Next, go see a chiropractor for the ear infections. Worked wonders for my kiddos.

Also, try pedialyte popsicles, that may work.

Good Luck!

Have you tried pedealite? My 11 month old just got done with being sick and she wasn't drinking but she really liked the pedilite. They have different flavors and if you could get him to drink that he wouldn't get dehydrated. Just a thought!

Dear L.,

If you can't get him to drink anything, then "wet" foods are your best options orally- just as you are doing. Double ear infections are really difficult. The Garlic ear drops great, when combined with mullein it helps with the pain as will Prescribed ear drops.

A lot of advice already given has mentioned drinking pedialyte- but since you can't him to drink that won't work yet. Also IVs have been mentioned. Consider giving him a pedialyte enema. His bowels will uptake the fluid and electrolytes and you may avoid an episode of IV therapy. Oil his rectum and insert a bulb syringe with room temperature pedialyte, gently put pressure on the bulb syringe and give him a small amount- 1/4 c to start with. Reintroduce more in about 30min-1 hour. See how that works. Yes, he may have diarrhea, but he should absorb what he needs. WATCH HIM CAREFULLY- sunken eyes, general weakness- his skin "Tents"- when you pinch it gently it doesn't go back down immediately. Those are signs of dehydration and of course, if you see those or are just concerned take him into the hospital right away. It is difficult to get an IV into anyone that is dehydrated- so don't wait until you see those signs.

As far as the ear infections: take him off any milk products beside breast milk, i.e. no milk or cheeses- however, he will need really good yogurt or acidophilus supplements to reestablish his intestinal flora due to the antibiotics as soon as he begins to eat again. (When he gets better, lessen his sugar intake, only naturally sweet foods.)
Massage under the ears and down with oil as was mentioned- I also use a small, warm rice pack held on the side of the neck under the ear and down the side of the neck where his eustacian tubes are. (Always check on your own neck for the correct temperature- your hands can tolerate more heat than other parts of your body!) In addition, Chiropractic care is wonderful for children with ear issues.

I use echinacea for short periods of time to boost immunities. You will be able to find a combination that is designed for children with ear problems in a glycerin base that will help at the Health food Store. (Glycerin tastes sweet)
I really understand about babies with ear problems! I have had three boys with very serious ear problems. After you get through this watch for "triggers", I mentioned milk products, sugar intake. Also watch how you bath him and see if you can completely avoid getting water in his ears. I found that teething sometimes would bring on more nasal discharge and ear problems- a good time to do the ear massage before it becomes an infeciton.
Be sure that you don't lay him down while nursing. Try to keep his head up at an angle (holding him in your arms) so that the milk drains down his throat and it doesn't remain in his mouth. He will like to nurse, it is probably very soothing!

I wish you the best!
H. B. MOM (mother of many-9)