As people have noticed (thanks for your emails) I have not been here for a while. My very smallest baby has been very very ill. He was a little snotty and coughie over the weekend so on Monday morning we set out to the doctors (after arguing with the receptionist for a slot). Our GP is lovely and decided because we have all been so ill over the last month or so that he should go to the hospital to be observed and find a treatment for his symptoms that was effective. It was a long day but everyone seemed to think that it is a form of bronchitis common in babies caused by a virus. So we came home with an inhaler to ease his chest and some nasal drops to help break up the mucus and help him feed more easily.
Monday night and most of Tuesday he continued to wheeze, feed irregularly and be miserable.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning he became much worse, refusing the breast (even for comfort), wheezing and labouring to breathe. By the time we got to the hospital he wasn't smiling or making eye contact anymore. By 11am he was on oxygen, had IV access into his arm and a NG tube for feeding. An x-ray revealed that part of his right lung had collapsed due to the pneumonia he had developed. Very frightening indeed.
Feeding became a huge issue as he struggled to even suckle for comfort with all the stuff shoved up his nose. He was becoming dehydrated so I expressed and we were feeding him small amounts often via his NG as anything more made him too distressed and he struggled for breath even more. What made it worse was my battle with a doctor and (some of) the nursing staff who were wanting to fill his NG with formula! How they thought this was appropriate with a child that was already struggling to breathe is beyond me but thanks to Tina, Katie and Deborah who helped me in my fight to keep him breastfed and well.
We moved him onto oral antibiotics late thursday and removed the tubes from his arm, this made him much happier as he then had access to his thumb again!! We slowly weaned him off the oxygen and removed his NG Friday morning. He is managing to keep himself content and hydrated at the breast now even though he's not feeding as usual. He has a few more days of antibiotics to take but everyday he is seeming better and better. Yesterday he smiled at us and was happy just to be at home with all his family.
It seems so much to have happened in such a short space of time and I cannot believe the baby I have at home today is the same one I feared would die on Wednesday morning.
My brave little soldier!
Daisie xxx
15 comments:
Oh poor little love :( Glad he is now at home and feeling better. Give him a snuggle from us xx
Horrendous for you all. So glad to hear he's on the mend. Sending cuddles!
Good lord, how scarey. So glad you are out the other end and a big well done for standing your ground over the feeding. A big gold star for the Mummy of the year. xxxx
Glad everything is getting better. Sounds bloody awful
So glad he is on the UP >.. yes nurses and Docs are all to hasty with the formula, have worked in that environment and been on the receiving end too with my daughter a long while ago, but i sneaked over to Maternity milk kitchen and went on their breast pump ! its who you know ! ha ha girl power ! Love Kieren x
Oh big hugs to you all. It must have been so frightening, what a brave little chap.
It drives me nuts when nursing staff boss you around when you're in such a situation, been there, stood my ground. Well done you.
twiggy x
That must have been a terrible few days for your family...
What a holiday present to be at home and on the mend. I am so happy to hear all is getting better.
sending love...
Oh my goodness! What a horrible time for you and your family. I'm glad your little man is on the mend. There's nothing worse than when your children are poorly. Breaks your heart when you can't do anything to help. Good on you for standing firm with the breastfeeding too. Sometimes health professionals are all to eager to go down the formula route. You should be very proud that you stood your ground to do what's best for your little one.
xMx
Poor little chap. Glad to see he is on th emend now. How could a dr and nursing staff possibly believe formula would be better than breast milk! Well done for standing your ground.
Oh no Alex, I'm so sorry to hear your little man has been so ill. Gigantic hugs to you all for going through a traumatic time. And a special gentle hug for your brave little man for being such a fighter. xxxx
What a scare. I'm glad its over too. Lots of love to all of you.
Bless!!
What a fright!!
I hope you're all feeling better. Big cuddles all around.
Oh my goodness! What a horrible time for you. I am pleased that all is well now.
I am becoming increasingly irritated by people thinking formula is better, I have had a smiliar thing when Bronte has been struggling to feed while she has been all stuffy. I feel I am turning into a horrible breastfeeding snob, as I turn my nose up at formula.
Oh - and I got some formula in the POST last week of all things! I was mortified. It was Cow and Gate follow on milk, I think. Or maybe it was Hipp...I'm not sure, but anyway, I took it to the BF Support Group and the HV's were stunned too, and are going to put in a complaint!
Hope you're not stressing too much about Christmas? Hugs xx
Poor little man. how scary for you all. It's when the smiles return that you know things are going to be ok. Hope you are all able to put this behind you, and enjoy some family time over this festive period.
Oh, poor baby - was it bronchiolitis/RSV they thought her had? My elder one had that - though not so badly - and it was absolutely AWFUL.
So glad he's feeling better now. And how lucky is he to have a super breastfeeding mummy? I'm quite certain that will have helped both of you so much.
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