Taking a Sick Day With the Baby

We noticed after we returned from Disney World that Chase was having bowel movements much more frequently throughout the day (after nearly every diaper change, versus 2-3 BMs per day previously).  Then, since last Friday, his stools became looser and sometimes watery.  Nothing had changed as far as his diet and, fortunately, no blood in his stool or vomiting (questions his doctor asked).  Last week when we brought Chase in for his 6-month checkup we expressed our concerns to the doctor (this is the cold doctor, if you'll recall).  He dismissed our concerns, noting that Chase is teething, which sometimes can lead to diarrhea.  However, since last week his stools went from soft to watery.  On Monday I called the doctor's office to speak with his regular pediatrician (the kind one).  He asked me about blood in his stool, throwing up, Chase's mood/disposition, whether or not he is still eating, and some other questions.  He then told me to start Chase on Pedialyte to avoid dehydration, and to continue feeding him as usual.  He said that if the diarrhea doesn't show signs of clearing up within 3 days then to bring him in. 

Unfortunately, Chase's day care had other plans.  I knew that when your child is sick, they ask you to keep him home.  This had been explained to us during orientation as well as outlined in the brochure.  However, since no one knew what was causing this recurring diarrhea we weren't sure if it was contagious, so they continued to let him come.  However, when I picked him up from school yesterday, apparently they'd had some little conference amongst themselves.  I was told that I needed to keep Chase home for (at least) 24 hours and also encouraged to take him back to the doctor.  They said that another little girl had diarrhea for a couple of days (hers has since cleared up), and apparently they are blaming Chase for that.  I should note that, yes,I'm aware my tone sounds slightly bitter… but it was hard not feeling miffed when they told me he had to stay home.  I know this is standard procedure, nothing personal, and of course if one of his classmates was ill I would definitely not want that child around my sweet baby.  So just humor me, please, as I know my little hurt feelings are irrational, yet I can't help feeling bad about them not wanting my child at school.

So I called my supervisor as I was driving home to let her know that I'd be out today.  I got up first thing this morning and called Chase's doctor's office.  We were fortunate in being able to get a last minute appointment with the (kind) doctor this morning.  We went in at 8:00 am and were the only ones in the waiting room (yipppeee!!!!)  The nurse immediately escorted us into the examination room where I undressed Chase and he was weighed.  He has gained 6 oz. since his appointment 11 days ago, which the doctor noted is GREAT (because if he was losing weight, accompanied by the diarrhea, this would be a red flag).

His pediatrician, who hadn't seen Chase since his 4-month appointment, walked into the room and greeted us warmly and enthusiastically!  My heart just swelled with happiness and relief to see him.  He is so much better for my baby than his daggone partner!  He proceeded to give Chase a really thorough examination, from the roota to the toota, and then asked me more questions about what was happening.  He said that it could be a number of things causing the diarrhea, but noted that teething is likely not the cause of this.  It's also not an ear infection, and his lungs and heart sound clear and strong.  He said that Chase may have caught a little virus somewhere, and the virus has caused his body to stop producing the enzymes that break down the natural sugars/lactose in the milk.  He says this often happens with bouts of diarrhea. So he  said to start Chase on soy/lactose-free formula for the next couple of weeks, or until the diarrhea clears up.  Once his stools have returned to normal he should resume his normal diet.  Meanwhile, we're not to give him any fruit juices.  Instead, he can eat applesauce, rice cereal, and carrots, and he should continue to drink the Pedialyte after watery stools to replenish his fluids/lost nutrients.  The doctor suggested I keep him out of school for one more day (bummer!) and to call him on Saturday to let him know how Chase is doing.  Then he said that if the diarrhea continues for another week he is going to take a stool sample and do a culture in the lab so he can find out more information.  (Derek didn't understand why he couldn't just take it then and run tests, but I figured the doctor wanted to see if changing his diet made a difference first).  So this part was very alarming.  I'd been trying so hard up to this point not to let my overactive imagination get the best of me… but this made it hard. I really, really hope and pray that it clears up by then.  The doctor seemed to think that it might, and I appreciated his confidence a great deal.

Oh, and guess what else?!! Chase got a Thomas the Train sticker from his doctor for doing a great job! *smile*  (lol, if you read the other post then you know just how special these little things are to me)

So Chase and I are home today just enjoying some Mommy-Son bonding time.  Fortunately, this little virus hasn't dampened his spirits one bit, and he's been his normal giggly, silly, energetic and playful self! We just read stories and sang songs, and then he fell asleep for his late morning nap.  When he wakes up we're going to head to the park down the street.  It would be easy for me to lounge around the house all day and be lazy and catch up on my blogging,
and just have Chase in the bed with me watching Noggin and playing with
toys… but my conscience wouldn't allow that (lol).  I feel compelled to give him a full, busy day, because I know he'd be getting that at day care, and I want him to feel stimulated and active as he usually is on the weekdays.  I don't want to cheat him out of the fun that he is used to having at school, you know? 

Please keep us in your prayers as Chase fights to get this virus out of his little system.  Also, moms and dads, if you know any other natural home remedies for infant diarrhea feel free to share!

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