So DD has been sick with a Strep throat infection for 3 days now... And we are both a mess!!! Neither of us has had much sleep for the whole 3 days & I just dont know what to do.... She is constantly screaming, Which makes her cough, Which makes her scream... She doesnt want to be picked up, She screams worse when she is put down... She isnt taking her bottle & BF is a nightmare because she latches on, Sucks for maybe a min then pulls off & we have to repeat this for upto 2 hrs at a time so that she is getting fluids... My heart is breaking for my poor little bean & its not her fault... Unfortunately though I am sick with the flu so I am feeling like crap too.. DH is our only income so he is at work all day & when he gets home he does try to take her but gives her back as soon as she gets upset (usually 10mins)... Then at night he cant help or get up with her because he needs his sleep so he is good to work (bit annoyed about that atm, But thats just cause im exhausted!!) & she is waking every 30mins... DH & I decided that CC is not an option for us before she was born but I am starting to wonder if I should just let her cry for a couple of mins... Does anyone have any advice on anything I can do to help her????? Sorry for the whinge again but I just dont know what to do!!!

Has she been to the doctor? Has she been put on antibiotics? If she hasnt been to the doctor i would definately be taking her and if she has, you should see an improvement after 24 hours of taking them so she might need to go back.

Is she on antibiotics?
I'd give her regular panadol every 4-6 hours, give her small amounts of fluids frequently, put vicks on her chest and back, put a vaporizer on whilst she's sleeping and carry her around in a sling whilst she's awake. I found wrapping my son in a flat-sheet also helped him sleep.

Firstly I would most definitely NOT do CC with such a young baby that is sick smile

I assume she is on anti biotics? Poor little darling. Unfortunately until the medicine stars working there's not a lot you can do aside from comfort her the best you can. Try some distraction techniques, singing, dancing, being silly etc... With the feeding I would use a syringe to get some milk into her mouth, that would save the attachment issues... Will she sleep while you are holding her? Maybe you can lay back on the lounge and have a light sleep while she has one? If I was you I'd be getting my partner up at night to assist, it's not forever surely a couple of nights won't kill him to help out smile

I know what's its like to have sleepless nights with a sick baby, but keep reminding yourself your bubba is feeling a million times worse than you!

would she sleep if you both lay down in your bed? during the day I mean, then you could also just lie there with her and rest.
I probably wouldn't do CC at the moment just because she's sick. We did CC with DS but I think it should only be done when they are fine and healthy.
was the Dr able to give her anything? have you tried giving her the bm from a cup? just a little bit at a time, it could be the sucking motion giving her more pain.
sorry probably not much help.
hope you both start to feel better soon! GBH

Oh chick, sounds like you're having a really tough time! You're doing a great job! Hows her temp going?

Are you using paracetamol or ibuprofen? Have you tried using them both at the same time for more pain relief?

Does she like baths? Maybe a quick bath might help freshen her up & sleep abit better.

Vicks vapour rub? It works wonders... sometimes!

Have the antibiotics worked at all do you think? I wouldve thought she'd be showing signs of improvement by now. She may need to go back to the GP & get a different type of antibiotic.

Yup she is on Antibiotics, & will try the vapourizer.... Have tried everything to get her too sleep, She is so bad atm she wont even sleep on my chest (which is her fav position) sad Last night I tried her in her cot, In our bed, Tried even putting her on the couch with me sitting up next to her, Tried wrapping, tried her rocker, tried doing laps of the house in her pram (its raining again so we cant go outside), I just feel so sorry for my poor bubba. Just tried feeding her with a syringe & got 30mls into her, didnt think of doing that!! I think we will take her back to the Doctor this arvo... Neither of us can keep going like this!!! I didnt think CC would be an option, I just need a break, Even if its 30 seconds!!

Oh chick, sounds like you're having a really tough time! You're doing a great job! Hows her temp going?

Are you using paracetamol or ibuprofen? Have you tried using them both at the same time for more pain relief?

Does she like baths? Maybe a quick bath might help freshen her up & sleep abit better.

Vicks vapour rub? It works wonders... sometimes!

Have the antibiotics worked at all do you think? I wouldve thought she'd be showing signs of improvement by now. She may need to go back to the GP & get a different type of antibiotic.

her temp is still just over 38 degrees, Yup tried all of the above, Even had a bath with her this morning but she just cried...

I just need a break, Even if its 30 seconds!!

maybe when your hubby gets home say to him "look I know you've had a long busy day but would you mind taking DD so I can have a shower or bath, or walk around the block". and just say to him "she's still unsettled and there's nothing that's working so there's not much point him giving her back to you when she's crying as you've tried everything. and then once you're back from doing whatever you'll have a clearer head to deal with things.

maybe when your hubby gets home say to him "look I know you've had a long busy day but would you mind taking DD so I can have a shower or bath, or walk around the block". and just say to him "she's still unsettled and there's nothing that's working so there's not much point him giving her back to you when she's crying as you've tried everything. and then once you're back from doing whatever you'll have a clearer head to deal with things.

I tried that last night... But I suspect there are deeper issues with him & the way he is to DD, Dont get me wrong, He does adore her... BUT he has 2 older DDs from his 1st marriage & he lost them both for a little while due to his Ex being caught cheating & taking the girls away... I keep telling him that wont happen with us but some scars last a lifetime... I finally got DD to sleep... She is wrapped like a newborn in her pram with the boot cover thingy over her & the hood down... I just have to keep an eye on her to make sure she doesnt over heat!!! She is only just dozing & if I move a muscle she cries... BUT at least she is asleep!!!

sounds awful sad hope your wee thing is feeling better soon.

all the pp's have it pretty much covered but I just wanted to say you need to get your DH to help you a bit more. He is her parent too and he shouldn't be the only one getting sleep just because he has work in the morning. you have work too - looking after your sick daughter which requires a lot of energy!
Failing that do you have other family that could come and support you for a day? or even an afternoon?

I do agree that the parent who stays at home should be on night duty most of the time as we can often catch up during the day. But when your child is sick both parents need to pitch in.

I tried that last night... But I suspect there are deeper issues with him & the way he is to DD, Dont get me wrong, He does adore her... BUT he has 2 older DDs from his 1st marriage & he lost them both for a little while due to his Ex being caught cheating & taking the girls away... I keep telling him that wont happen with us but some scars last a lifetime... I finally got DD to sleep... She is wrapped like a newborn in her pram with the boot cover thingy over her & the hood down... I just have to keep an eye on her to make sure she doesnt over heat!!! She is only just dozing & if I move a muscle she cries... BUT at least she is asleep!!!

Hope your phone doesnt ring or someone knocks at the door! I hate it when you just get bub to sleep & something makes a noise & bub wakes up.

If she wakes up again maybe try going for a walk down the street with her (using a pram or carrier, whatever she likes more, but my DD2 ALWAYS fell asleep in the carrier) at least you'll both get some fresh air.

You poor things! The only thing worse than a sick baby is looking after a sick baby when you're sick too.

I think when they're sick you just need to do what you can to help them sleep as this is when the body does most of it's repairing so i definitely wouldn't CC it'll just make her more upset and that's not good if she's already got a sore throat and feeling crappy. When we have a sore throat we don't feel like drinking huge amounts at once but rather small sips more frequently, maybe try syringing the milk into her mouth instead? A warm bath always feels good. An oil burner with some eucalyptus oil. If she cries when you lay her down try propping youself upright on the lounge or in your bed and hold her against your chest; maybe you can both get a little sleep this way.

Things always feel worse when you're tired to so if you have someone close to you that can come and watch her for a few hours so you can have a nap i'd give them a call. Also if you feel bubs isn't getting any better, i'd take her back to the Drs, for peace of mind if nothing else.

Sorry by the time i finished writing with DD interupting every 5 seconds and posted, i've just read the replies in between and see you've tried everything i've suggested so i'm just going to say GBH we all know what you're going through. xx

Feeling a lot better now she is (kind of) asleep!!! Thank You everyone for your thoughts... I feel like a goose for being so upset roll eyes I think I am just completely overwhelmed with exhaustion... Going to talk to DH tonight & see if he can at least take her (& maybe feed her even) so I can get some house work done, Or even just chill out for a bit!! Unfortunately I dont have anyone I can call to come & help... But we will get through this!!

Feeling a lot better now she is (kind of) asleep!!! Thank You everyone for your thoughts... I feel like a goose for being so upset roll eyes I think I am just completely overwhelmed with exhaustion... Going to talk to DH tonight & see if he can at least take her (& maybe feed her even) so I can get some house work done, Or even just chill out for a bit!! Unfortunately I dont have anyone I can call to come & help... But we will get through this!!

Leave the housework, it'll be there when you're both feeling better. If you get time out go lay down or have a bath, take advantage of the alone time not to think. (Impossible for us women, i know).

Feeling a lot better now she is (kind of) asleep!!! Thank You everyone for your thoughts... I feel like a goose for being so upset roll eyes I think I am just completely overwhelmed with exhaustion... Going to talk to DH tonight & see if he can at least take her (& maybe feed her even) so I can get some house work done, Or even just chill out for a bit!! Unfortunately I dont have anyone I can call to come & help... But we will get through this!!

Good idea smile But if i were you i would not use my free time doing house work if your sick, go have a nice warm bath or shower get in your pj's and have a sleep if your DH will look after her for that long.
I'm a stay at home mum and my ds has only just started sleeping through so i was the one getting up to him through the night because dh worked but when he is sick we do it together.
I hope you and your dd starts getting better soon smile Got get some sleep while you can, put a note on your door saying "sick baby and mum both sleeping please call back another day" and turn your phone off lol.

How long has it been since she started the antibiotics? If it has been less than 48 hours there's absolutely no point making the effort to drag yourselves out to the dr - they will just tell you to wait til the antibiotics kick in.

If it has been more than that you might need to get her checked again, as she might need a different antibiotic.

In the meantime I'd suggest just sleeping with her next to you, keeping up the panadol and nurofen too if the panadol isn't keeping the temp down. Nurofen is an anti-inflamatory and may help her sore throat.

She WILL get better.... it's hard to get through but you'll get there! smile

oh and btw... I would simply be handing her to dh when he'd gotten home and TELLING him I'm going for a walk or going out to the shops for an hour or so. Sometimes you have to do these things for your own sanity!

How long has it been since she started the antibiotics? If it has been less than 48 hours there's absolutely no point making the effort to drag yourselves out to the dr - they will just tell you to wait til the antibiotics kick in.

If it has been more than that you might need to get her checked again, as she might need a different antibiotic.

In the meantime I'd suggest just sleeping with her next to you, keeping up the panadol and nurofen too if the panadol isn't keeping the temp down. Nurofen is an anti-inflamatory and may help her sore throat.

She WILL get better.... it's hard to get through but you'll get there! smile

oh and btw... I would simply be handing her to dh when he'd gotten home and TELLING him I'm going for a walk or going out to the shops for an hour or so. Sometimes you have to do these things for your own sanity!

DD has been on Amoxil for 3 days but it doesnt seem to being doing much... We are a bit better now.. DD had a 20min nap earlier which gave me a bit of time out... She is still screaming on & off but not as much as before!! She is starting to wear down a bit again so hopefully we will get some sleep shortly... Im feeling a lot better too... Not huddled in a heap sobbing anymore & am actually smiling again lol

I hope your lil girl is starting to feel better. It is exhausting when they are sick.

But I do have to point out that you do need to get your DH on board with you when she is sick. I am lucky where my DF does get up even on the nights he works by choice, but when DS is sick we do shifts. I sleep from 7pm til 11pm (or rest anyway), DF sleeps from 11pm til 4/5am, and then I sleep til he goes to work at 7am (usually 6am but thats to do paperwork).

Also, I no it is easy to keep trying all different ways to settle bubs (your bed, chest, cot, pram, etc), but I found with DS this made him more unsettled. Just keep with 1 or 2 options - we use his cot and onour chests.

Hopefully the antibiotics have kicked in and you are both on the way to recovery!

oh you poor thing sad i think everyone else covered what i wouldve suggested

only things id add to the above advise is that you can use both paracetamol (panadol) and ibuprofen (nurofen) together so give a dose of panadol every 4-6 hours and a dose of nurofen inbetween so alternate between to two.

put on headphones while your walking or rocking her around just to drown out the crying a little bit, makes it less overwhelming for you and a bit easier to deal with.

get out of the house, when DH gets home tell him to take her for 30mins while you go for a drive or a walk (if its not raining) he cant hand her back then and you need to get freah air a new perspective.

GBH xxx

So DD has been sick with a Strep throat infection for 3 days now... And we are both a mess!!! Neither of us has had much sleep for the whole 3 days & I just dont know what to do.... She is constantly screaming, Which makes her cough, Which makes her scream... She doesnt want to be picked up, She screams worse when she is put down... She isnt taking her bottle & BF is a nightmare because she latches on, Sucks for maybe a min then pulls off & we have to repeat this for upto 2 hrs at a time so that she is getting fluids... My heart is breaking for my poor little bean & its not her fault... Unfortunately though I am sick with the flu so I am feeling like crap too.. DH is our only income so he is at work all day & when he gets home he does try to take her but gives her back as soon as she gets upset (usually 10mins)... Then at night he cant help or get up with her because he needs his sleep so he is good to work (bit annoyed about that atm, But thats just cause im exhausted!!) & she is waking every 30mins... DH & I decided that CC is not an option for us before she was born but I am starting to wonder if I should just let her cry for a couple of mins... Does anyone have any advice on anything I can do to help her????? Sorry for the whinge again but I just dont know what to do!!!

If she's no better by tomorrow I'd take her back to the Dr, throat infections can be really really painful and she may require different antibiotics along with regular doses of panadol & nurofen. You can alternate the two.

Also get her ears checked as it may have progressed to an ear infection (also very painful).

I had a throat infection a few weeks ago, it was unbelievably painful and took 12 days to get better from.

Just a quick update... DD & I both just had a whole 2 & 1/2 hours sleep!!! Feel much better grin She is still crying but at least I can function on a human level again laugh GBHs to everyone who took the time to reply to this thread today... It means so much to me!!!! Have decided that DH is just going to have to step up when he gets home... & as selfish as it sounds I am going to have a little bit of me time!!! I think I am going to have a cup of coffee & read a trashy gossip mag.. I havent done that since DD was born laugh laugh laugh

Just a quick update... DD & I both just had a whole 2 & 1/2 hours sleep!!! Feel much better grin She is still crying but at least I can function on a human level again laugh GBHs to everyone who took the time to reply to this thread today... It means so much to me!!!! Have decided that DH is just going to have to step up when he gets home... & as selfish as it sounds I am going to have a little bit of me time!!! I think I am going to have a cup of coffee & read a trashy gossip mag.. I havent done that since DD was born laugh laugh laugh

Yay for you!! The sleep will help your DD get better too.

That doesnt sound selfish at all! You deserve it!!!