I don't know what to do!

*sigh* Okay, so up until about a week ago, everything was fine. Babies had been taking 5 5oz bottles, every 3 hours (had been doing this for like a month or so!), and a week before that I had upped their 1st and last bottles to 6 oz...and they did fine.

It was about last Tuesday, and DS had a fever. Started at 99.9 (all temps are rectal), gave him tylenol, 30 mins later it was normal. Time to eat again, checked, and it was 100.4, gave tylenol, fed, 30 mins later was 100.5, but then 30 mins later it was normal again, and fine ever since. But, since then, he's not been eating the same...not wanting to finish bottles and all that...but nothing too sever (he'd leave less than an ounce).

THEN, on Christmas, DD had a fever! Hers was 101.4, gave her tylenol, and 30 mins later it was fine...time to eat again, checked and it was 101.9 or something, gave tylenol, gave last bottle, put her down to bed, and when we went up to bed a couple hours later, she was stirring, so we got her up and checked her, and it was 102.2. Gave tylenol again (it had been almost 4 hours), and she slept with us so I could keep a closer eye on her...and was fine all night and since. Now SHE hasn't been eating the same either!

Since then..both babies will not finish their bottles...2 days ago (day after Christmas?), that morning they both ate almost their 6oz morning bottle, the rest of the day they got 4 oz, and they did not always finish those, and sometimes only half or so...yesterday morning bottle they did not finish (6oz) and this morning DD only took like 4 oz of it. DS would not hardly drink any, but that was because he woke up screaming at 3 am, had stinkied his diaper (never does that in the middle of the night) and had to eat...ate a FULL 3oz bottle (had made 3 oz, and was still screaming??), and seemed happy after that. So we fed them this morning at 8am (DD4oz, DSlike maybe 2oz cause of eating in the night), then DD was fussing to eat right at 11, like normal, so fed them both, DD ate full 4oz, DS ate a FEW SIPS (and is now sucking hands and probably hungry, while DD sleeps!).

Yeseterday DD had a really nasty diaper with these white seed things in it, about the size of rice...asked a friend and she said it might be mucous (and DD had cried all day day before that, so makes sense...I think?). DD had a little stinky diaper last night, but it was practically all watery. DS stinkied at 3 am, and then again at his second bottle at 11, and then AGAIN right after I changed him, and these were chunkyness like DD's nasty one yesterday, but not as bad.

I don't know what is going on with them, they don't ever want to eat anymore, it seems, and if they do seem hungry enough to eat, they only eat a little bit, rarely finishing a bottle. It's starting to throw them off their eating schedule, and today it's totally off, with them not even eating at the same time! Should I call the doctor?? I have their 4 mo appt for Jan 5th, but I'm thinking I should maybe call to see if I can get in earlier (which I really don't think I will be able to...I dont' know, it's a military hospital, and our first base, I have NO IDEA how these things work..but told me before there is NO appts until the new year).

Please help...sorry so long.

ETA...just tried feeding DS, and he took like 10 sips, and doesn't want anymore...hasn't really eaten since 8 am!!

 

I would probably suspect an ear infection. . if they ran a fever for a day or so, and have been waking in the night. Diahrrea could be caused by an ear infection as well. This would also be a reason they seem to not want to eat, but then sucking on hands b/c they are hungry, but it hurts to suck on the bottle.

If they have a 4 mo checkup on the 5th, I would definitely try to get them in this week for a sick appt, so when they go back, (IF it is an ear infection) they will be able to recheck it. ( They may have not had any physicals/checkups available until January, but Im sure if they are open they should have sick appointments available) HTH!

 

If they are having drainage, then their bellies could be upset and therefore not wanting to eat. Believe it or not, they could be beginning to cut teeth. Have you checked their gums? Teething can also cause the fevers and nasty diapers.

 

QUOTE(2plusbgtwins @ Dec 28 2008, 03:02 PM) [snapback]1123945[/snapback]
I would probably suspect an ear infection. . if they ran a fever for a day or so, and have been waking in the night. Diahrrea could be caused by an ear infection as well. This would also be a reason they seem to not want to eat, but then sucking on hands b/c they are hungry, but it hurts to suck on the bottle.

If they have a 4 mo checkup on the 5th, I would definitely try to get them in this week for a sick appt, so when they go back, (IF it is an ear infection) they will be able to recheck it. ( They may have not had any physicals/checkups available until January, but Im sure if they are open they should have sick appointments available) HTH!


These were my exact thoughts as I read your post. Hope they're feeling better soon!

 

QUOTE(Utopia122 @ Dec 28 2008, 03:14 PM) [snapback]1123957[/snapback]
If they are having drainage, then their bellies could be upset and therefore not wanting to eat. Believe it or not, they could be beginning to cut teeth. Have you checked their gums? Teething can also cause the fevers and nasty diapers.


Actually, I have suspected them of teething for a couple weeks. There were a couple nights (before the fever) that DD would scream and cry and not be consoled until we gave her tylenol, and then was asleep within 5 mins...before giving it, I rubbed her gums, and I felt a bit of a swollen bump, but it seemed more off to the side than the front, where babies seem to first pop teeth...so I wasn't sure. And I may have seen some white spots on both of them, but could never really get a good look.

I will probably call tomorrow, and see if we can get in sooner...just in case.

 

If they are not eating, give them pedialite instead of the bottle (or a little bit after the bottle if they do not finish it). This will keep them
from dehydrating... the pedi told me to give it at the first sign of diarrhea.

 

QUOTE(Gimena @ Dec 28 2008, 11:16 PM) [snapback]1124073[/snapback]
If they are not eating, give them pedialite instead of the bottle (or a little bit after the bottle if they do not finish it). This will keep them
from dehydrating... the pedi told me to give it at the first sign of diarrhea.


Please check with your Ped before giving any kind of rehydrating drink. There are specific directions with how to use an electrolyte solution. Not all Peds recommend them.

I would call since they are not really eating and see if you can get them in sooner to see if they have an infection of some kind. :hug:

 

QUOTE(DATJMom @ Dec 28 2008, 06:31 PM) [snapback]1124135[/snapback]
Please check with your Ped before giving any kind of rehydrating drink. There are specific directions with how to use an electrolyte solution. Not all Peds recommend them.

I would call since they are not really eating and see if you can get them in sooner to see if they have an infection of some kind. :hug:


Ditto - in the past my pedi has told me to only give pedialyte if they are vomiting, not for diahrea. I would call yours to see what yours says. If you can't get them in sooner maybe you could talk to the nurse for some suggestions of what to do in the meantime.