Sunday, September 20, 2009

Nursing Strike - very concerned

Finn appears to be on a nursing strike. He nursed once today, at about 6:00 this morning, and that's it. Every other time I offered him the breast, he would bite me (he's back to that) and then arch his back and turn away and cry. I know he doesn't feel good - on top of being sick, he's also teething (again? still?). I wouldn't be overly concerned except that nursing is his sole source of fluid intake, aside from whatever fluid content is in the baby food he eats (which isn't much right now since he's not feeling well). We've been working to get him to take a sippy, straw, even an open cup, and so far he just hasn't mastered any of them, and in fact is getting pissed off now when I offer him any kind of cup. Gah! I'm afraid he's going to become dehydrated. Anyone dealt with this? Any suggestions??

11 comments:

Mel said...

Iceblocks, jello (lots of water and some sugar for energy), yoghurt, frozen yoghurt etc. Anything that's got a high fluid content and some sugar or fructose is good. Even some diluted fruit juice is good. I'd try a bottle- worth a go. We use the wide neck nuk ones- had trouble getting there with the suck with lots of others. How much milk have you got- maybe you're running low if he's been feeding a lot in the night? I'd also try getting in the bath with him, the warmth and contact with you may be enough to get him relaxed enough to try feeding. Also have you had his ears etc checked in case he has an ear infection too? That could put him off feeding, especially if you notice it's one side more than the other, like his ear is sore. Good luck, it's a worry when our wee boys are sick :(

Sasha@ Blyssfulhealth said...

How about trying to numb his gums with a cold cloth or a cloth in the freezer. Or using some gel for his gums if they hurt. What about little spoon fulls of liquid, maybe something like pedialyte. Best of luck to you, I am sure you are worried. Oh yes, you could also use a syringe and squirt water/milk in his mouth. Just squirt it to the side so he doesn't choke. My son takes water this way.

Unknown said...

Try popsicles.

Miriam's mommy said...

He might not be nursing because with his stuffy nose, it's hard to breathe and nurse at the same time. Try going into the bathroom with the shower running hot and full blast, and nurse in the steamy room, where he should be able to breathe better.

Leigh Anne said...

i'm sorry he's not feeling well...poor guy. when sydney was stuffy & had a hard time drinking from her bottle, i used a syringe. she did get some w/ that. also, do you have one of those mesh feeder things? i put ice chips in it, and she loved the coldness on her gums...and she gets the fluid from it.

get well soon little man.

Jen said...

Poor Finn. Poor Mama!

Maybe try some water or breast milk on a spoon instead of a cup? Hope he feels better soon.

Brandie said...

We used frozen breastmilk when Goldie was sick once. I had bags in the freezer. Break a piece off and put it in a mesh feeder. I've also used a medicine syringe to force fluids into her. Maybe he has a sore throat with his cold? Ibuprofen?

Lisa said...

I'm guessing teeth & ears both.

Fever and a stuffy nose don't help the situation!

I've used a syringe (or tiny spoon) for fluids when the kids have been sick before, too. Anything he will take (breastmilk, diluted juice, water). A puree of berries, squash, avocado, or other things with high liquid/antioxidant content would be great in little amounts, too (tiny pieces of ripe kiwi, applesauce, etc.). Try having one of the kids offer it to him. He might go along with it better for them than for you.

Popsicles or Edy's fruit bars (shave off little bits with a fork--like an Italian ice) are worth a try.

I hope he feels better soon!

The Beers Family said...

Sore throat? Alex stopped drinking when he had a sore throat and was drooling everywhere because of not wanting to swallow spit. We took the popsicle/syringe route - just so I knew he got something

heidi marie said...

ugh..i have no advice. but hang in there. i agree with everyone else...him just being sick and the teething probably has a lot to do with it. we've done ice chips before.

poor baby, i hope he gets better soon.

Anonymous said...

Oh I hope Finn feels better soon.. I am in the ears and stuffy nose camp, steam, steam and more steam. Perhaps a bulb syringe? I also used to raise the head of the bed. Hang in there and get sleep for yourself so that you don't get sick too!