[twilightangel]

Three weeks ago today my baby boy was admitted to our local hospital with a cough the Dr suspected was whooping cough. The test come back positive and since then I have been through the scariest three weeks of my life.

On day 3 (Friday) my baby had a bad coughing fit where his oxygen dropped and he went blue. This was witnessed by myself, my husband and my other four kids. The local hospital decided then it was time to transfer him to RCH Brisbane. An IV line and nasal gastric tube was put in and the paediatric retrieval team organised to come collect him.

We reached RCH around two in the morning where he went straight into the high dependency unit. Later that morning he had another bad episode where he required bagging and he was then transferred to paediatric ICU.

After a few day's there we made it back to HDU and then onto the standard ward. I thought we were on the homeward stretch as there was talk about transferring him back to our local hospital but he had another bad episode that night that required the MET team being called and him being bagged again. It is so very scary seeing all those people come running into a room with all their equipment knowing it is for your baby.

This got us transferred back to HDU and then from there we were transferred back to PICU as he repeated his episode again the next night with full MET team responding again. He's had one more episode after that that also required CPR as well as bagging :-( the rest have been smaller and just requiring flow by oxygen support.

We are now day 6 of our second stay in PICU. I've seen my baby boy blue more times then I can remember. I spend my days sitting by his bed so worried about him and feeling useless.

I'm not sure what I'm after by putting this out there. Maybe just a chance to get my feelings off my chest.

I hope my little boy starts recovering soon. It's so hard seeing him struggle to breathe after or during a coughing fit.

And yes my baby boy has had his first needles. And everyone in the family has had their boosters.

Any advice on keeping my supply up during this stressful time? I'm still feeding him but in trying to express at times too for when the time comes and I might have to go home for a night or two.

This post has been edited by twilightangel: 31/10/2012, 02:53 PM

[Natttmumm]

My thoughts are with you, I feel for you and your little boy. My girls had this but were older and were fully vaccinated. It was scary but they were ok as they were ages 1 and 3.
I wish him a speedy recovery. I'm not sure about the supply issue but I couldn't not respond.
Sounds like you are in good hands and I think the first 3 weeks are the worst so hopefully it's going to turn around soon

[Natttmumm]

My thoughts are with you, I feel for you and your little boy. My girls had this but were older and were fully vaccinated. It was scary but they were ok as they were ages 1 and 3.
I wish him a speedy recovery. I'm not sure about the supply issue but I couldn't not respond.
Sounds like you are in good hands and I think the first 3 weeks are the worst so hopefully it's going to turn around soon

[missjoads1234]

OMG that must be so incredibly scary and stressful for you. I can only try and imagine. Sending you strength and a speedy recovery for your baby boy. As for the supply im sorry i dont have alot of info. Perhaps get on the phone to the breastfeeding hotline and ask some questions? Or the eqvuil. in your state?

[glasnost]

Twilightangel- I don't have any advice for you but I just wanted to say that I am thinking of you and wishing your precious baby a speedy recovery.


My two eldest had WC a few weeks ago despite being up to date with their vax. I don't know what you experience has been but it seems to me that there is alot of ignorance out there in the wider community and even with health professionals regarding the efficiency of the vaccination and also the symptoms. My kids just seemed like they had a bad cold and cough and I wonder how many other people there are out there wandering around coughing everywhere and spreading WC completely unaware that they have it? It makes me quite angry actually when it is innocent babies like your who suffer the most!

[MrsLexiK]

I am so sorry you are going through I cannot believe to imagine how scared your little boy must feel every time he coughs. I am a grown women and got it and I was terriefied when I was having the attacks as I couldn't breath I said to anyone that would listen "imagine being a young child or baby who doesn't understand that the more you panick the worse it gets and not understanding the words your loved ones are telling you"

I really hope he gets out of the worst of it quickly.

Supply issue - are you using a double pump? (I don't know much about expressing as I am not there yet but I know double pumps get more out of them then doing single pumps one after another) Does the hospital have a maternity ward? perhaps they could lend you the services of the medela symphony?

[twilightangel]

Natttmumm - My 4 year old and 6 year old have also tested positive but they are handling it better. They only cough 2 or 3 times a day. I really hope it does turn around soon. Thanks for your kind words.

Missjoads - Thank you. I didn't even think of calling the ABA for advice and support. Thanks for the well wishes.

Mamasaurus - Yes I agree with you completely. I think there is a lot of ignorance out there in regards to whooping cough. I am just so thankful my GP suspected whooping cough straight away and didn't dismiss it as a viral cough etc. I hope your two kids are feeling a lot better now. Luckily my other two are coping a lot better.

MissLexiK - Yeah he does panic a lot and then holds his breath or makes it harder to get the oxygen mask on him cause he's throwing his arms around. It's so scary too watch but I try to stick around and talk to him in the hopes my voice is reassuring. The PICU do have a medela symphony pump for me to use which I have been. Double pumping is a little tricky though as I'm still new at breastfeeding as my previous 4 weren't breastfed. I'm trying to make sure I drink a minimum of 2 litres of water and eat well but I'm just worried that I can't express much after a feed. Guess he's taking it all.

Thanks for the well wishes and support. It's nice to talk about how I feel.

This post has been edited by twilightangel: 31/10/2012, 03:54 PM

[MrsLexiK]

MissLexiK - Yeah he does panic a lot and then holds his breath or makes it harder to get the oxygen mask on him cause he's throwing his arms around. It's so scary too watch but I try to stick around and talk to him in the hopes my voice is reassuring. The PICU do have a medela symphony pump for me to use which I have been. Double pumping is a little tricky. I'm trying to make sure I drink a minimum of 2 litres of water and eat well but I'm just worried that I can't express much after a feed. Guess he's taking it all.
[/quote]

I do think hearing your voice will be very very reasuring to him even though he may not understand what it is you are saying. Just a thought, is he feeding like he used and from both breasts? I know a friend whose baby does the midnight dream feed but only needs a little bit, she expresses at the sametime as feeding the baby.(the baby wasn't 100% sure on the sound the first couple of times but got used to it) I have read from other mothers on here that expressing in the morning will usually give you a lot more then expressing in the afternoon?

[Cranky Kitten]

I cannot even begin to imagine how frightening that must be - my thoughts are with you and your family, hoping your darling boy pulls through and is well soon!

[Puffin]

Hi, sorry to hear your little one is unwell.
Regarding the supply issue, just express as frequently as you can. Yes, your milk supply will drop off a bit, but don't worry. As your baby gets better and can feed directly from you, he will bump up your supply to meet his needs. You might also find as he recovers you'll have a day or two of endless feeds, this is the best way to boost your supply, so don't think it's not working. Breast milk production works on supply and demand. The more baby demands a feed, the greater the supply will be.
The hospital will store/freeze/use whatever milk you give them, if you're not sure, ask them how it all works.
Again , sorry to hear how sick your baby has been and I hope this helps somewhat.