Of Baby Spit Ups and Vomits

Are you the panicky parent type? Well, my husband and I may well be on the top list of panicky parents. We are the type who rush to the Emergency Room after a day of vomiting or out-of-the-ordinary bowel movement. Yes, we’re panicky that way, we would always say that it’s better to be sure.

Just a few weeks ago, we were at the Emergency Room because baby vomited five times the night until that  morning. Baby’s diagnosis was food intolerance. Thankfully, it was nothing serious. I guess, he ate too much,   like us during the Holiday season.

[caption id="attachment_1620" align="aligncenter" width="240"] Like diaper changing, dealing with baby spit up  is a part of a mommy's life.
Source of photo: cdc.gov[/caption]

Keep this in mind in case of baby vomits and spit ups:

Procedure at the emergency room. 

• Doctors will check for fever, rashes or diarrhea.  They'll ask for urine sample to track if he has urinary tract infection.  Doctors say bacterial infection in babies can manifest in urine. They'll ask to withhold other foods and any other liquid. They may instruct you to give oral rehydration salts.    

Keep baby hydrated.

• Offer small amounts of oral solutions like pedialyte. The amount you give her depends on your child's weight. My one-year old is 9.5 kilos, the dosage for him is 40mL per hour. Pedialyte is given to replace the nutrients your baby lost when he vomits or during excessive bowel movement. Note that pedialyte solution, those colored fruit-flavored ones, are meant to be consumed after 24 hours. After this period, you'll have to throw it away. I did not know this until i asked the seller in the drug store. I gave baby pedialtye that's been open for days and i found no adverse reactions.

Go on a soft diet. 

• After vomiting, observe baby then wait for about 20 minutes before offering any liquid or soft foods like cereal or lugaw. 

Watch what your toddler eats. 

• Remember that your one-year old's digestive system is still underdeveloped so you better be careful what you give him.  That time, i gave him avocado for breakfast, rice and egg for lunch, yogurt for merienda, then pizza and mojos for dinner. Plus unlimited breastfeeding!  Aside from what he eats, offer enough amounts. I guess the OC mom in me gave him too much to eat! 

Vomits and spit ups are part of a baby's life. 

• Blame it on your baby's still undeveloped system. To reduce spit ups, breastfeed in upright position.  Keep baby's head higher than his stomach to avoid milk from backing up. According to NIH, spitting up peaks in infants aged 4 to 7 months.

Before getting worried sick when your baby vomits, observe baby.  How often does he vomit? Is he fussy?  Does he have fever or rashes?  Does he have difficulty in breathing or is he still queasy? If the answer is no, then it's probably nothing, just part of growing up. Read this for more information about baby and toddler's vomiting!

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Is Your Pediatrician Breastfeeding-Friendly?

Your child’s pediatrician and your OB play a crucial role in your breastfeeding success.  They can influence your decision to breastfeed.  If they are not knowledgeable about breastfeeding and they seem like ambassadors for a certain milk brand, then they can sabotage your plan to breastfeed.

[caption id="attachment_1596" align="aligncenter" width="197"] Your doctor can make or break your nursing plans.
Source of Photo: ky.gov[/caption]

Formula feeding seems to be a norm in the Philippines. I really think this is partly caused by the attitude of health practitioners towards breastfeeding.  Here are some tell-tale signs that you ought to look out for.

The pedia suggests giving solids at four months.

WHO says complementary feeding should start by six month. Before this time, breast milk alone is the only and sufficient source of nourishment. Introducing solids earlier can decrease breast milk production, since baby might be too full to nurse! The golden rule if you want to keep your milk supply up is to nurse, nurse, nurse!!!

The pedia’s office shows promotional items from milk companies.

If you can see  pamphlets, pads,books or growth charts sponsored by a milk company. These may be direct violations of the Milk Code. Well,  they may argue that they are not advertisements per se, just some form of information campaign. But moms do connect the dots.  If the name of a milk company is written there, then that is a form of advertisement

What’s sad is that these materials misguide the moms about breastfeeding, somehow saying that there’s an easy way out of her “breastfeeding misery” and that they can’t and won’t provide enough breast milk for their child.

If the pediatrician often asks you if you have enough milk supply and seems surprised when you answer yes!

Admit it moms, being asked if you have enough milk is one of those “touchy” subjects.To me, it feels like she's doubting my capability to produce enough. I guess they mean well, just checking if the baby is getting enough. But being surprised when i say I do have enough baffles me.  If you are breastfeeding-savvy then you know that almost all moms can and will produce just enough for her baby.

Pedia does not prescribe iron supplement at six months.

An infant’s iron reserve is depleted by the six months so she needs other sources of iron. For formula fed ones, there are several milks that are iron-fortified. Iron supplementation is needed for breastfed babies at six month. This may come in the form of iron drops or iron fortified cereals.

Introduces formula milk by one year.

Follow-on milk or formula milk for toddlers is non-existent or not popular in other countries. Most babies just “graduate” to whole fresh milk after reaching one-year old. The Philippines is among those countries where formula milk  is popular – we have formula milk for 1 to 3 years, for pregnant women and even for breast feeding mothers!A good breastfeeding-friendly pedia will encourage mommies to continue nursing, even beyond one year.

So, do you have pediatrician  like this? Well… I do! Sadly, she’s not breastfeeding –friendly and breastfeeding-savvy at all.  Come to think of it, which doctor would say she’s not breastfeeding-friendly? Of course, they would say they support breastfeeding. But being a true breastfeeding advocate needs more than just lip service.

Yes, we have a pedia like this. But what can we do? I’ve looked for the doctors as recommended by Latch, but their schedule just don’t fit ours.  Besides, she’s also accredited by our company’s HMO. So we opted to keep her.

What to do when you’re pedia is not breastfeeding-friendly? BE INFORMED! The best way is to look for peers who breastfeed. They will provide utmost guidance and support.  The internet provides a universe of helpful information to breastfeeding moms. Kelly Mom and Jenny Ong’s blog are by far the best sources of information. They provide well researched materials for nursing moms.

If you find yourself conflicted and doubting your doctor, just be consoled by the fact that final decision on rearing your child lies SOLELY ON YOU.  It’s YOU who know’s what’s best for your child.

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Nice-to-Have Items for Baby's Medicine Kit

Every home should have a kit for baby's medical maladies. The medical kit will be your first line of defense in treating baby, or at the very least, in keeping baby comfortable.

Baby had pneumonia recently so we got to test drive some stuff that can comfort baby through his bout with common symptoms like colds and fever.

Below are some of the stuff  we found handy if,  God forbid, that poor baby gets sick again :

What to expect : the First Year (or any book about dealing with sick babies) 

Of course, i won't discount the fact that your pedia's opinion and diagnosis is the foolproof way of treating your baby's condition.  But having such a book on hand will definitely keep a mommy calm. What to Expect books are such mom friendly resources.  It has sections on disease symptoms and possible treatment for common infant diseases.  Any first time mom will find the information useful, hence keeping her sane on crisis events like these. Plus, there may be some questions that bother a mom which seem to foolish to ask the pedia. WTE books might answer some of these questions!

[caption id="attachment_1400" align="aligncenter" width="300"] It pays to be informed. Books like these provide some guidance during days when baby's sick.[/caption]

Ear thermometer

It's much more convenient to use, especially when your baby is  fussy or agitated. A sick child is uncomfortable and unruly so getting his body temperature through the armpit can be such hassle. It's even harder if you'll be getting the temp rectally, which is said the be the most accurate! Read BabyCenter's notes on how to take baby's temperature here.

We got this Safety 1st thermometer from SM Baby Company. It was on sale for Php 1,800.

[caption id="attachment_1401" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Get an ear temperature when your baby has started getting more mobile - when he's learned to roll over or sit on his own. You'll be able to get his temp in just one snap.[/caption]

With an ear thermometer, you can take his temp in seconds! Some models will also indicate if your baby has fever.  It was very handy, even  throughout the period of baby's confinement in the hospital. Nurses were able to record P's temp faster.

Ask your pedia about baby's baseline temperature and the temperature she considers low grade or high grade fever.

Snot remover 

A snot remover will help clear baby's stuffy nose. Babies usually have stuffy and runny nose when they have flu or colds. Unlike adults they don't know how to clear their noses from mucus and snots. The snot remover can pickup dry or wet blockage in your little one's nose.

[caption id="attachment_1402" align="aligncenter" width="300"] This is an ear pick for adults but we use this to remove P's snot. We can only remove his snot when he's sleeping. BTW, this has built in lights![/caption]

You may also use ear buds wet with salinase to clear baby's nose and keep baby his nose hydrated. What to Expect.com suggests dabbing a thin layer of petroleum jelly under baby's nose to avoid reddening or chapping of that area. Chapping usually happens when the nasal mucus dries up.

Cool Fever

I think the cool fever strip helps a lot to relieve baby's discomfort when he has fever, especially when he's sleeping. The cool strip helps absorb heat when placed on baby's forehead.

[caption id="attachment_1403" align="aligncenter" width="225"] The strip stays in place so it's safe to stick it for use overnight[/caption]

Nebulizer

Nebulizers are usually used to treat lung diseases like asthma.  The nebulizer is used to convert  the liquid medicines into mist which is then inhaled by the patient.  When your child has colds, nebulizing with saline solution can help loosen his airway. It will be a lot easier to remove sticky mucus and snot in his nose after nebulizing.

We purchased an Omron Nebulizer for Php 3.580. It's a bit loud when you use it, so be ready to distract your child.  He may freak out during neb time especially on his first few sessions.

At home, we nebulize a few milliliters of salinase (saline solution). Depending on how much salinase you put in, the procedure can last for 10 to 20 minutes.  While confined in the hospital, baby had to take in  Salbutamol (for his cough) through the nebulizer every six hours.  Just a note: always consult a doctor before using,  Our pedia warned to avoid using nebulizer at home too much, or baby's lungs could be filled with water.  So limit using the nebulizer. Only use it to ease baby's severe cough and colds.

[caption id="attachment_1404" align="aligncenter" width="300"] At home, we use the nebulizer for baby only when absolutely necessary.[/caption]

So there, just some items to keep a mom from freaking out on sick baby days. On sick days,  it's best to coordinate and consult with your doctor for the correct treatment.

Also worth reading:

• Lessons learned after my baby got sick


• Tips on using the nebulizer on your child

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Lessons Learned After my Baby Got Sick

Baby recently got hospitalized and confined in the hospital for a few days! I really pitied him as he cringed in pain as the needle is pierced in his small baby hands as the IV was being placed. I shed some tears knowing that he is still too young to feel such pain! And as the heartbreak song asks, "Where did i go wrong?". Surely any working mom would have some guilt not being able to be with baby 24/7 and hopefully guard his every move to reduce chances of him catching any virus or germs.

Aside from the IV, he was pierced once again to collect a small amount of blood for CBC. Hayy... awang awa talaga ako. But what can i do? His fever has been on the 38 level for more that 3 days.  The pedia also suggested that he stay in the hospital for observation.  I obliged since i know he'll be  better taken care of there.

At first baby had cough, then the next day he was sneezing more frequently. This was followed by colds and a bad case of stuffy nose. We gave him Disudrin for this.  On the 5th day, i think, he had high fever. The fever did not come down even if we gave him paracetamol (Tempra). We then gave him a paracetamol in suppository form. Husband and i agreed that if the fever, which was at 39 centrigrade at this point, does not come down, we'll take him to the ER. The fever came down a bit so the next day we opted to have him checked up the next day.

[caption id="attachment_3271" align="aligncenter" width="300"] No one ever wants for a baby to get sick. I was really crushed as my baby was pinched for the IV. On times like this all moms and dads is just to stay strong and hope everything clears up.[/caption]

The doctor immediately said he should be admitted since he seemed to be catching his breath. She said the warning sign, if you would check his breathing was when his breathing is so deep you can see the outline ribs and if he seems to be inhaling and exhaling faster than usual.

After the xray and the blood test, the diagnosis was pneumonia, viral lang so he would not be given antibiotics.  Thank god it's not dengue or any other worse disease. He had to stay in the hospital where his meds (Salbutamol) was given through the nebulizer + Disudrin drops.  His fluids was also constantly replenished through the IV. The doctor says he might have caught the virus from his caregivers. That was my suspicion, too since the house is seemed to be plagued with coughs and colds.  It's flu season and family members caught the virus.

So after 3 days he was up and about so i'm happy. He shed some pounds but at least we know he's clear of any disease. Now he's slowly gaining weight.

Here's what hubby and i learned and relearned after baby got sick:

Baby's immune system is still developing. 

Remember that even if he's still getting the vaccine almost every month, he'll still catch some type of disease. Shots can only prevent a number of diseases.

Avoid going to crowded places where he's most likely be in contact with sick people. So, noted. We'll limit his trips to the malls! Since convergence ang mall ng napakaraming tao, pati na rin mga virus.

We've been having colder nights since the end of October. For chilly nights, since Amihan kicked in, keep baby in thicker clothes so he won't get too cold.

Health starts at home. 

Sa bahay, since hindi naman maiiwasan magkasakit, i''ll have take take vitamins. Next flu season, i'll insist na talaga that they do get the shots. As my pedia said, having baby vaccinated against flu will be useless if the rest of the household won't get the shot too.

To prevent or at least limit the spread of diseases within the house, always wash hands when handling baby. Use baby's own utensils when feeding him. Avoid face to face contact if you feel you're developing a cold. Never sneeze around the baby.

Keep breastfeeding!!! 

It's the best way to comfort the baby. His appetite was down and limited. It was quite hard to breastfeed him while lying down since he had colds. Moms will need to nurse with baby in upright position to keep milk from backing up. Limit nursing in the side lying position. Baby might lose his appetite for nursing, but be sure to keep that skin to skin contact to reassure him that you're always there for him. After nursing, place a pillow under his back to elevate his lungs.

[caption id="attachment_3273" align="aligncenter" width="300"] This was our position for almost the entire time my baby was in the hospital. A mental note for moms with sick babies: Give more hugs![/caption]

Aside from nourishment, babies  get solace knowing that he'll be hugged by his mommy for the rest of the time he's sick.  The only silver lining was that during the period when he was sick, we got to cuddle and hug most of the time. He just laid on top of me... and i secretly enjoyed.

So there, take good care of the precious little prune!!!

Also worth reading:

• Nice-to-have items for the medicine kit

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