When Baby Gets the Flu: The Story of Tired Parents and a Sick Baby

I had no idea that a child with such a small stomach could throw up that much liquefied substance in the matter of one second flat. Of course, this should go on America's top 10 list of "why children should not sleep in bed with their parents" because I was in dire need of an immediate shower after the first occurrence. Little did I know that he would be compelled to puke all night.

Although, I'm jesting about the incident now...the truth of the matter was that I truly believed that there was some slim chance that my baby would die during the night. Why is it so hard to comfort ones self with simple statements such as "kids get sick all the time" or "its just a little flu bug". Trust me; after the first couple whimpers of pain escaped his lips and I saw stared into those teary distraught eyes, I forgot every word of wisdom I could have possibly told myself.

I know that kids get sick, but somehow from 2:00a.m. to 7:00a.m. there seemed to be no hope in our household. My husband took his turn at rocking, singing, and soothing our sickly son to sleep. I went to shower off the gunk that had spewed forth in an instant where moments before we had blissfully been slumbering as a family. Is it morning yet? Between cat napping and semi-sleeping we conquered the night madness, but we were met by the fatigued blurry-eyed morning and more gurgles of discontent in my baby's belly.

"OK, I'm calling the doctor's office" I said to my husband in my most determined tone. He shook his head and stated "you know they're not open on the weekends, they won't be able to help us". "We'll see" I said while I utilized my last visage of strength to see the numbers that I was dialing and to keep from breaking down. "Ahh haa" I said "there's a nurse there and she's going to talk with me....after I hold anyway". I held the line for what seemed like an eternity. "Oh, how did you get on hold" a voice asked. "I'll be right with you". Back on hold I went for more waiting.