I'm trying to figure out if we should be concerned about this little girl I watch. "T" is 15 1/2 months old. Normal healthy child, weighs about 20lbs (petite, but normal height). She's never had any major illnesses and has always been "normal". She got a stomach bug last week and threw up most of Thursday and Friday. Mom took her to the doc Friday, they gave her a suppository and it stopped the vomiting. They did say if she didn't stop vomiting and start keeping liquids down they may have to admit her to rehydrate her. The suppository worked and she hasn't vomited since Friday. No fever since Friday either. Today is her first day back with me. Mom said she slept most of the day yesterday (at uncle's house) and hasn't been eating much. This morning she had a cracker on her way here and she ate a handful of Goldfish for breakfast (something she'd eat--not her normal breakfast) along with about an ounce (if) of milk (skim--doc doesn't want her drinking whole milk right now until she's completely over this). Mom said she drank a bottle of pedialyte (sp) over the weekend, but won't drink any more and she only drank on bottle (8oz) of watered down whole milk at uncle's yesterday. Right now she's laying on the couch watching tv because she doesn't want to do anything. We have errends to run this morning and she'll probably sleep in the car. Mom said all she wanted all weekend was to be held (not "normal" for this little girl--usually very active). So what do you think? Do you think her little body's just worn out from this bug and she'll be fine after a few days rest or do you think there may be something else going on? Mom's a teacher and is going to make some sub plans for this week in case she doesn't get any better and has to go back to the doc. Of course if T starts running a fever or vomiting or having diaharea I will call Dad to pick her up. I'm just not used to seeing T like this. She's usually running around, playing hard and picking on the bigger kids! lol I'm hoping she just needs a few days rest. I've watched her since she was 2 months (her brother, too--he's 2 1/2 now) and love her like one of my own. Opinions??? Thanx for reading this--I know it's long.

By Cat on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 10:02 am:

Now she's asleep. Poor little thing.

By Debbie on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 10:13 am:

Cat, I got either the flu or stomach bug(not sure which) on New Years day. We all passed it around, but I got it the worst. I was completely miserable for almost 2 days. I couldn't keep anything down. I felt almost human on Tuesday, but I was still pretty out of it. I was tired all week and could only eat plain toast, crackers, soup, plain baked potato, and sprite. I didn't eat a real meal until this past Sat. I don't know what it was, but I haven't been sick like that in a very long time. I would just keep an eye on her and try to get her to eat if she can. I really feel for her. Hopefully, she will be back to her old self soon.

By Amecmom on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 10:28 am:

It sounds normal to me. She may be tired and run down from the illness or still fighting some of it. Lots of little bites of food and little sips of water ...
We're going through the same thing here. Randy was vomiting all night, has a low grade fever, and stomach pain. I really feel for these little ones when they are sick.

I hope she feels better soon!

Ame

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 11:50 am:

I'm wondering if she is dehydrated. It sounds like she isn't drinking very much. I guess I would be inclined to take her back to the doctor.

By Tink on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 11:59 am:

The last stomach bug I had (about 6 weeks ago) took me several weeks to get over. I would guess that I was tired and run-down for 10-14 days after it was out of my system. Of course, I was doing all my usual things and not resting or taking care of myself so I'm sure that contributed to it. I'd push fluids (that doesn't seem like enough to me, either) and see if she'd like a popsicle, jello, soup, diluted juice, etc. Poor thing!

By Enchens on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 12:08 pm:

I agree with Dawn and Tink, she sounds like she could be a dehydrated. I wouldn't push solid foods as much as I would fluids.

By Emily7 on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 12:19 pm:

I also agree with the dehydration. A friends niece ended up in the hospital on IV's for it just before Thanksgiving.

By Cat on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 01:08 pm:

Thanx for the suggestions. She's still VERY mellow and I'm trying to get some pedialyte into her. Mom said she wouldn't take anymore at home and she was trying fruit flavored. I got some grape flavored (WHY do they put food coloring in that stuff???). She hasn't wanted anything else to eat this morning, but we'll try lunch in a little bit. She did sleep some more in the car, and is now back on the couch watching tv (won't get up). She did say, "Dog!" when Lucky barked to go out. I'm keeping track of how much she's drinking today and will let Mom know when she picks her up. She's only had one wet diaper since getting here (four hours so far) and it smelled really strong. I'll let you know how she's doing later.

By Cat on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 01:58 pm:

The dad just called to see how T's doing. I told him she's not eating or wanting to get off the couch, but has had two (now) wet diapers and drank about 4oz of skimmed milk and that she doesn't have any of the classic symptoms that would make me say "Come get her" BUT if she didn't start drinking more soon I personally would take her back to the doc. We talked for a few minutes and then hung up and I put her down for a nap, which she didn't fight at all (another thing that's not normal for her). He called back a few minutes later and said he's going to pick her up around 2 and take her back to the doctor. Poor T has the biggest bags under her eyes. I even thought about giving her a popsicle (not something I normall give these kids! lol). She doesn't want anything to do with the pedialyte and didn't want lunch. She did eat another handful of goldfish. I'm not so worried about the eating, though. Poor baby. I hope Mom calls me tonight to let me know how she's doing.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 03:41 pm:

Yeah, she sounds like she needs to see the doctor. I'm glad they are taking her in! I'm sure I would, if she was mine.

Sarah had rotavirus, when she was about 7 months old. She was miserable with cramps. Doc told me to take her off formula and give her pedialyte. She inhaled 10 oz of it! I think that is the only thing that kept her from going back to the doctor. She'd already been once. After being off of formula for a day, she felt much better and I went back to food a little faster than the doctor had instructed, because when she got better, her appetite improved in a big hurry!

By Cat on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 04:09 pm:

Dad just picked her up. She drank about 7oz total of skimmed milk at my house today (got here at 6:50 and Dad said she didn't drink more than an ounce or two before coming here). She did have a third wet diaper after her nap, although I could have sworn she'd had a bm!!! That child's got some STINKY air coming out of her! lol At least it wasn't explosive diahreah. I'll try to give them a call tonight to see how she's doing.

By Tink on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 05:27 pm:

Poor little one! The bags under her eyes can be caused by dehydration, too. I'm glad her dad came to get her. She's not getting much to drink, although three wet diapers doesn't sound too bad. Let us know how she's doing.

By Ginny~moderator on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 06:32 pm:

I agree, dehydration is a very likely issue. Since I had my oldest hospitalized with dehydration when he was about 3, I take that very seriously.

By Cat on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 07:24 pm:

I just talked to T's dad and she's not dehydrated. He said the doc said she's just got a really nasty virus, it probably hurts to eat so she's not, and she's getting a minimal amount of fluids. They put her on some medication for a few days and are trying to give her bland foods (BRAT diet). They also did a blood test to rule other things out. We'll see how she is tomorrow.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 08:53 pm:

I'm glad she isn't dehydrated, just good and sick. poor thing!

By Cat on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 10:36 am:

She's up and playing this morning. The doc did tell Dad to monitor fluids and if she's not taking more than about 8oz a day she needs to go back in tomorrow. She's doing really well right now otherwise, though. They also put her back on whole milk because she dropped to about 19lbs (lost a little more than a lb in 5 days). She's still not 100%, but she's a lot better.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 12:06 pm:

That's good, Cat!

By Cat on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 05:45 pm:

Well, Little T will be going back to the doc tomorrow. I just got done cleaning her up after an explosive diaper. She's been doing a lot better today, but I still only got about 1-2 hours of activity out of her (usually 8 of the 10 are active!), she only took about 8oz total of milk/liquid, and she's only eaten a handful of crackers and about 1/2 cup of applesauce. I called her mom so she'd have a chance to call the doc before they close and she's going to pick her up ASAP. It was kind of funny, though--watching the other kids run from her because she was so stinky! lol She is in good spirits. I couldn't ask for more.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 08:10 pm:

I hated those kinds of diapers! Hope she is feeling better soon.

By Karen~moderator on Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 09:38 am:

Poor baby! Unfortunately, some virus's last a long time, and it's so hard on the little ones (and YOU, when you have to clean up the mess!).

By Vicki on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 06:49 am:

Just wondering if they let you know what the dr said yesterday? I hope she is feeling better!!

By Cat on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 10:24 am:

Vicki, believe it or not, the dad decided that since the diahreah was the "normal progression" of the illness he decided she didn't need to go to the doctor and brought her back to me yesterday! I told him the first loose stool and I'd be calling him. Thankfully she was fine. The mom was not happy with the dad, but he refused to take off work to make sure she was okay. Dh thinks I need to tell them to find other care. I love these kids, but if the parents can't deal with my rules (my handbook says 24hrs symptom free before returning to care) they will have to find someone else. The other thing I don't like is Mom pawning the kids off on Dad for drop-off and pick-up because she's mad at him. He brought them in screaming and kicking yesterday because he was upset with the mom and they SO picked up on his mood. Not how I want to start my day! Drop-off was much better this morning with Mom (she handles it SO much better!). Sorry this turned into a vent. Like I said, I love these kids, but these parents really push my limits. T is fine this morning. She's back to her old self.

By Tink on Friday, January 13, 2006 - 06:39 pm:

I'm glad to hear that T is up to her usual antics (safe to assume?) and sorry that you have to deal with the aftermath of Mom and Dad's emotions. What a hassle. Good daycare is so hard to find around here that I'm surprised they'd jeopardize T's position with you.