Bedtime routine change. Cutting bottle because of Diarrhea, how?

[koe2moe]

Not sure if this is the place to post this, please feel free to move it to the appropriate place.

Since DS started with daycare, he's constantly ill.  He had projectile vomitting and diarrhea.  So I followed BRAT diet and no milk and we had a battle with putting him down for his night because his usual bedtime routine is disturbed.  His usual bedtime routine is: bath, books, bottle, then put down in cot.  Without the bottle, which seemed to be the most important cue for DS, is not there anymore. 

How do you handle this?  What would be the best way to do this so DS can still sleep in his cot?  Thanks

[deb]

If he needs the bottle, maybe a little water instead of milk?

But if you can tough it out and wean the bottle, replace it with some extra cuddling, perhaps, or a lovey, that might be the way to go. If you don't want to re-introduce the bedtime bottle once he's better, you can give him some milk in a cup or bottle before the bedtime routine starts so it's not part of the association any more.

[koe2moe]

Deb, thanks for your reply.  I reintroduced it because I was so desperate for a little break and he went down without a peep.  But a really good idea about switching the order around. 

I believe it's normal when LOs get better and will have a hunger attack?  DS is much better today but was crying for 1.5 hrs this morning, i ended up giving him a big bottle of formula at 6am and he went back to sleep right away.  He's just really hungry.  It's probably a very difficult thing to wean off for this little boy. 

[tracy28011984]

I'm going through the same thing with my little boy, its been going on for 3 weeks now except hes just got diarrhoea, but up to ten times a day. The doctor yesterday said try him with no milk, which I replied no way, because he loves it, so he suggested soya milk. Don't know what to do either, any suggestions greatly recieved.

[koe2moe]

hugzzzz Tracy!!   it must be awful!!  What other symptoms does your DS have?  We were lucky this time because DS only had V/D for one day.  Does your DS eat anything else other than milk?   We had a period of 4 weeks' diarrhea but only 3 times a day and it was too runny.  Is your DS generally unwell? 

[Peek-a-boo]

I'm seeing from your ticker that your LO is over one, so I'm going to pop this over to the toddler sleep board.  If I'm mixed up and that's wrong, let me know!

[deb]

Kids who can't tolerate milk might well be reacting to the protein in the milk with diarrhea at the symptom. My kids LOVE to drink cows' milk, but they are now so intolerant of it that they get horrible tummy-aches and diarrhea when they do have it.

Also, do be aware that kids who have a hard time with dairy don't necessarily do better on soy; soy is actually a common protein to be allergic to/intolerant of. My younger daughter loves rice milk (you can get it unsweetened and fortified with calcium and vitamin D like regular milk), while my older won't touch rice or soy milk but will take a calcium supplement instead.

But DEFINITELY do consider taking away the cows' milk for a few days in order to rule out intolerance; with a true intolerance to dairy, the protein can actually damage the gut lining, but if you can rule that out you can breathe a sigh of relief. With diarrhea up to 10 times a day, I would definitely be looking into a food intolerance, especially after 3 weeks of it.