My 21 month old acquired a stomach bug during her first week at daycare. It started Friday with frequent vomiting (couldn't keep anything down), then periodic vomiting and diarrhea all weekend, and now watery diarrhea 4-5/day. I still nurse but only 2-3 times a day, and I doubt it's much milk, but my pediatrician suggested I withhold breastmilk because it contributes to the diarrhea (babies develop short-term lactose intolerance during diarrhea so the lactose in breastmilk cannot be processed and passes undigested). Most things on the internet recommend breastfeeding during diarrhea, so I'm torn. I went to 2 shorter nursing sessions a day. Last night I skiped the bedtime nursing and woke up with a painful breast (although I never get engorged at this stage), so I nursed her this morning, and so far so good - no diaper explosion yet. I'm offering lots of unflavored Pedialyte (no artificial colors or sweeteners) with a little white grape juice to flavor it, water, saltines, Nilla wafers, and lots of rice or rice mixed with chicken broth. Unfortunately, my daughter refuses bananas, applesauce and bread, and frankly doesn't want to eat much in general. She has begged for yogurt and Kefir (her usuall milk - yogurt drink), but I only offered it a couple of times. I also offered scrambled eggs (a favorite food) and she ate it. Ped says she is 5% dehydrated and 10% gets you a trip to the hospital for IV fluids. She's also below the growth chart for weight (20.5 lbs), so watching what litte fat she has on her tiny body disappear is stressing me out. She is acting remarkably OK, not 100%, and very clingy to mom ONLY. I need this illness to end!!
I decided to nurse today as much as my daughter wanted - 4 times so far! After all, one side still hurts and needs relief. Well, there was no stomach gurgling, no diaper explosions, no "tummy hurt!" so I think we've turned the corner and lactose intolerance to my breastmilk does not seem to be a problem. I go to a highly regarded pediatrics practice in Falls Church and was surprised by the advice I received. It was an older doc probably reciting old ways of doing things, but it does bother me that the practice never asks whether you still breastfeed after a year. But they tell you all about weaning from formula to cow's milk. I always tell them and they look surprised. They should be more supportive, not so neutral.
Everything I have ever read says breastfeed through diarrhea. You don't want to give cow' milk it is very hard on the digestive system but breastmilk is very easy for baby to digest and it may be the only thing she wants while she is sick. I would breastfeed as much as she w the immunities will help her get better faster. You doctor seems to be equating breastmilk and cow's milk which shows a pretty high level of ignorance.
I would keep breastfeeding. My baby just had a bad reaction to a medication and when I said she was getting breastmilk, the nurse said, "Oh, good, that's well-tolerated when they're sick." It sounds like your doctor was either thinking of cow's milk or is not really up on breastmilk benefits for older children.
Glad to hear your daughter is doing better. I just wanted to add, if she is begging for yogurt go ahead and give it to her! The probiotics in it are great for getting the digestive system back on track after diarrhea. My peds office says to follow the BRATY diet (the BRAT diet, but with yogurt added. I don't know about the Kefir though- not sure if it has the same effect.
Also, good for you for nursing! I have always heard it's best to keep nursing through all these illnesses too.
Good for you to go ahead and nurse! Yes, many doctors are not yet on board with the tons of us who are continuing to nurse past one, and assume that formula or cows milk has the same effect during an illness as breastmilk. It is always best to nurse through almost anything!
I would advise looking for a new doctor. One whose a little more up with the times as far as breastfeeding research goes. I can't believe your Ped. told you not to nurse even when your child was dehydrated. You need to be nursing and nursing often. Babies this age that are still nursing are very lucky when these stomach bugs hit because mom can nurse them to keep them hydrated and get them sustaining nutrients at the same time. I think your pediatrician is assuming that the lactose in breastmilk is the same as the lactose in cows milk, which is utterly (no pun intended) ridiculous. I can't believe a doctor in the 21st century would believe that. Your child needs that breastmilk now more than ever. Everything about breastmilk is specifically tailored by nature to be the best for baby. Especially when they're sick.
Our family just got hit by this bug a week or two ago and my 17month old son wouldn't eat or drink anything except breastmilk for days. He was very sick, but the milk I was able to provide for him kept him hydrated and kept up his energy while preventing weight loss. Let your daughter nurse for as long as she likes. Especially if you're worried about weight loss. The first milk they get is watery and good for thirst and dehydration but the hind milk they get while they're nibbling at the end of a feeding is chock full of beneficial fats and will help fill up her tummy too. Also, your breastmilk is full of antibodies that your body is producing to fight off this illness and that will only help her get over it quicker. And another thing, your breastmilk is also full good bacteria that her GI tract needs in order to regain the balance of beneficial flora for proper digestion.
My advice is to nurse, nurse, nurse. If you're nursing enough, you don't need to worry about things like pedialyte. Actually, if you're nursing enough, you don't even have to worry too much about solids for a few days. My sons always recovered better when I stuck to breastmilk and let them tell me when they were ready to eat something solid.
Best of luck to you, and don't long for the nanny too much, babies need mommy's TLC more than anything when they're sick :)
Pediatricians can give crazy advice sometimes. You are totally correct to keep breastfeeding her. She needs the fluids and it is nutritionally wholesome food. I am also a Mommy that breastfeeds past 1 year. My 18 month old had a mild case of the tummy bug last week and I continued to breastfeed him.
Unfortunately with or without a nanny she probably would've gotten sick, by trips to stores etc, so don't beat yourself up about that one. Good luck with this illness, it shall pass, although we all wish a little sooner than later.
hi V.,
you've got a wacky pediatrician! lactose intolerance is almost 100% of the time to COW'S milk, not your perfectly-formulated stuff! sounds to me like you are doing everything right. sometimes they just suffer through an illness no matter what we do. breastfeed her and get that fat back on her.
khairete
S.
If it were me I would definitely breastfeed as much as you possibly can to help keep her hydrated. I do not agree with what your ped says and I nursed my son for 4 1/2 years. Never did we have a problem nursing while he was sick, in fact most of the time it was the only thing he wanted. I hope she feels better soon.
I have never heard of anyone NOT nursing while their child had diarrhea. I didn't even think that breast milk had lactose in it! I actually give my kids reg milk (they are 33 mos, and 5) when they have diarrhea because it can help to "constipate" them...or in that case make them more regular. But maybe I'm completely lost! Either way, I hope your daughter feels better soon! Ok, I just read the other responses, and glad I'm not crazy about the breast milk being ok! I still had never heard anything about cow's milk though. Interesting info.
We're going through a similar bug right now. I was also down to nursing only 2-3 times a day, but I decided to nurse on demand and she's eaten as many as 6 times in a day. It's SO good for them--your doctor is confusing the lactose in cow's milk with breastmilk--I contribute my daughter's quick recovery on the fact that even if she refuses pedialyte and water, she's getting hydration!
Your doctor told you wrong. By all means nurse your baby! She needs the fluids and nurishment. My baby had the flu once and the doctor said I should continue breastfeeding as much as possible. Breastmilk is easy to digest and the best food and fluid you can give a baby. AF
Hi V.,
Your doc is wrong, breast milk is the BEST thing for her!!! It's specifically made just for her, full or protein and all the good things she needs to fight off this bug. When my babes gets sick they want to nurse even more, that is perfect- its their bodies doing what they know is best to help themselves. You can check out these websites for more info...www.llli.org, www.mothering.com, www.kellymom.com.
Hang in there, its hard on everyone when the little people don't feel good.
Take care, S.
V.,
Breastmilk is still best for your little one. I'd suggest you find a more holistic pediatrician who understands extended breastfeeding and it's benefits. I'd also suggest you speak to a local La Leche League leader who can accurately answer your questions about breastfeeding an ill child (or any child). Also, your daughters desire for yogurt and kefir is right on target... her tummy is probably craving the probiotics and good bacteria that she is missing due to her illness and needs for her stomach to get back on a good digestive track.
Hi, V..
I have always heard the opposite! Whenever my son had vomiting or diaherria(sp), I was told to nurse whenever the baby wanted it... it helped with hydration and such... I was warned that he may not be as interested in nursing, especially during illnesses with vomiting.
I hope that you are ok, yourself. Take care.
I just went throught something similar with my 1 year old. I was told by my ped that the best thing to do during this time IS to nurse. It's as good as Pedialyte if not better. All my son would do when he was that sick was nurse anyway so it ended up working out. I hope your little one gets better!
V.,
I breastfed my daughter while she had diarrhea last year. She seemed to nurse more often (maybe for liquid needs or maybe for comfort), but I don't think it prolonged the diarrhea. Our pediatrician said to continue with breastfeeding during diarrhea. My daughter didn't eat much for days after the stomach bug, so I would just keep offering things she likes. She'll eat when she's hungry.
Hope your little one gets well soon.
yes, continue to breastfeed. My ped says to, and so does Dr. Sears (www.askdrsears.com). I have always nursed my 3 through diarrhea with no problems. It's supposed to make it last less time, no problem with milk. It's cows milk that causes a problem, not human milk.
If your 21 month old is dehydrated take the sugar away. Give her more bread (toast) and let her nurse.
about being under weight she'll catch up.
I have never heard of a pediatrician recommending that you stop breastfeeding due to illness but rather the oppsosite. Now that your daughter is 21 months old and on all solids, the breastmilk probably does not offer her much needed nutrition at this stage but if it helps get her through the illness, I can't imagine why you'd not keep your routine. Good luck!
