Help...diarrhea/formula issues...signs of dehydration(sorry, long)

I posted earlier about getting conflicting advice from 2 drs. about formula being okay to cont. w/diarrhea. After suggestions here, I got soy formula today...she won't drink that either. The only thing she wants is her reg. milk based formula. So far we have tried - the soy formula, orange and apple flav. pedialyte, pedialyte popsicles, and plain water. She won't have any of it. She just gets mad, fussing turns to crying, and when I know she must be starving, I cave and give her her reg. formula. She is eating at little rice cereal(mixed w/water or soy), banana and apple stage 2. But, she is only eating 5-10 baby spoon fulls at each meal.

My questions now are

1. Can I flavor the soy formula w/something she may like? If so, any ideas?

2. Can I mix her reg. formula w/pedialyte instead of water. (got some plain pedialyte, but haven't tried it alone yet)

3. Are the signs of dehydration obvious? My DH is at work all day today, and I really don't want to take both babies into the ER, but I don't want it to get to the point of dehydration either. Thank you so much. Stephanie

 

I posted earlier about getting conflicting advice from 2 drs. about formula being okay to cont. w/diarrhea. After suggestions here, I got soy formula today...she won't drink that either. The only thing she wants is her reg. milk based formula. So far we have tried - the soy formula, orange and apple flav. pedialyte, pedialyte popsicles, and plain water. She won't have any of it. She just gets mad, fussing turns to crying, and when I know she must be starving, I cave and give her her reg. formula. She is eating at little rice cereal(mixed w/water or soy), banana and apple stage 2. But, she is only eating 5-10 baby spoon fulls at each meal.

My questions now are

1. Can I flavor the soy formula w/something she may like? If so, any ideas?

2. Can I mix her reg. formula w/pedialyte instead of water. (got some plain pedialyte, but haven't tried it alone yet)

3. Are the signs of dehydration obvious? My DH is at work all day today, and I really don't want to take both babies into the ER, but I don't want it to get to the point of dehydration either. Thank you so much. Stephanie

 

I would try to mix the soy formula half and half with the unflavored pedialyte. If she still won't take that, I would try the same with her regular formula.

No wet diapers, no tears, gummy feeling/tacky on inside of mouth, dry lips, acting different than normal are all signs of dehydration. Check out askdrsears.com for the rundown on diarrhea.

Hope she gets to feeling better soon.

 

As far as your second question goes, our boys just had their 6 month app yesterday and the dr. told us what to do if they got sick as far as pedialyte:

Dont replace water with pedialyte. Make formula as you normally would, pour out half of the bottle and THEN add the pedialyte to it. You may have already know that but I just wanted to share. Also, check to make sure I am correct before trying it.

 

quote:
No wet diapers, no tears, gummy feeling/tacky on inside of mouth, dry lips, acting different than normal are all signs of dehydration.

Also a very sunken soft spot. My guys like Chamomile tea on occasion. They won't drink pedialyte so I make them lukewarm tea. Probably not as good as pedialyte, but better than the ER.

 

Thank you all so much! She doesn't seem to have the signs of dehydration and the Dr. Sears info made me feel better about giving her the regular formula for now. If the diarrhea doesn't seem any better in the morning, I am going to try the 1/2 formula/ 1/2 pedialyte. Thanks again, you all helped me relax a little about this! Stephanie

 

Regular formula will increase the time the diarrhea sticks around!! You really need a lactose free variety. I know the soy is different and they will drink it when they get hungry enough!! Believe me! I had to as well!!

You could try the pedialyte with the soy!

If her fontanel gets really sunken (if there's enough left to feel) you have a hydration issue. You can try pedialyte popsicles. I haven't used them.

Another option if they don't like pedialyte is watered down juice. I use white grape for diarrhea, but vomitting is different....not sure there, but apple will exacerbate the diarrhea.

Feed lots of bananas, cheese and rice. They are binding!! This will help!! Applesauce will help (just not juice)!

Good luck!!