DD is 13MO. She’s had a terrible cold for almost a week. Her appetite has dramatically decreased. She’s been to the ped twice - once last Friday and once Monday and she had lost 7 ounces between those visits. She’s breastfeeding and drinking some water and occasionally will eat a bite or two of whatever I try to offer her. Other than that, she’s just not eating! I’m starting to be concerned. Anyone have experience with this? Tips to get her to eat? Maybe I should give her sweets? Ugh. I’m willing to try almost anything at this point.
-
My DD is 5, but anytime she's sick (including when she was very young), she loses her appetite, sometimes for days at a time. I wouldn't offer sweets, but she will eat things like dry toast, plain pasta, saltines, and apple sauce.
-
At that age I think it’s pretty normal to mostly want to bf while sick. Not sure what your bottle situation is at this point, sometimes that is easier on them when breathing is hard. Or sippy probably the same, they just don’t have to work as hard to get it as bf. Or foods above sound good if she will take them. I think the only real concern is dehydration which sounds like it’s not an issue. My kids have often lost weight while sick but eventually they catch up and it evens out, I hope she feels better soon!
-
I get nervous when my kids don’t eat when sick and I give the half water juice boxes or pediasure type drinks depending on the situation and age. When both my kids were around 15 months old (not twins) they ended up with a bad bout of a gastro bug. Neither was nursing any longer so my one kid had flavoured milk because she stopped drinking or eating anything and it lasted a week and I was getting panicked about dehydration. My other kid still had an appetite, but would throw up and have diarrhea which lasted 6 days. I cycled between juice boxes, water, milk if it would be consumed, and lots of pedialite. I didn’t worry too much about food, but liquids of some type, any type really were necessary.
-
Did you confirm if it was an anal fissure or dairy? If it is an anal fissure, buy high quality vanilla ice cream. She will probably eat it and it isn't that unhealthy..
If dairy is out, I'd offer lots of small bites throughout the day. I can normally get my kiddos to eat every hour if I'm eating, so I'd offer some fruit every hour or so.
-
My son has always basically starved himself when he's sick. In fact when he was 13 months it was February and he was sick for like 2 weeks. When he got healthier and hungrier he ate a bunch and it was totally fine.
-
My 15 mo is like this. In fact, he was sick earlier this week, only wanted milk, and then when he finally got better woke up at 4 am screaming "more, more, more" and proceeded to eat a massive amount of food (ugh, I'm still feeling that wake up). So I'd say usually normal...
-
Every time my kids get sick they stop eating. I basically offer them whatever they want - popsicles usually get eaten, ice cream, applesauce. It's not sustainable long-term but for a few days, it's just about getting calories in.
-
@erinbaderin: same.
-
I agree with previous posters, just focus on keeping her hydrated and try not to stress about food. She’ll gain the weight back. I usually just offer whatever they’ll eat, even if it’s just sweets or crackers.
-
Ped always only stressed keeping them hydrated and not to worry about food consumption. She will gain it back!
-
Like others have said, all bets are off when they're sick. I clearly remember E being very sick for like 2 weeks when he was 2.5... he was hydrated but wouldn't eat anything. I was offering anything just to get some calories in him, snickers, milkshakes, cookies... eventually he got better and his appetite came back with a vengeance and we went back to his usual diet.
-
When my youngest was 10 months old he got really sick with some kind of virus. Stopped eating and drinking. The ped wasn't worried about eating, just keeping him hydrated. She said anything goes, popsicles, ice cream, juice, anything to get some kind of liquid in him. Wet diapers are more important than anything else. They will gain the weight back.
Unfortunately he refused everything and we ended up going to urgent care for IV fluids after 12 hours of no wet diapers.
I would just push as much liquid as you can.
-
@CatchAFallingStar: are they sure it is strep related? Whenever my children wont eat its usually related to a sore throat. Pedialyte pops help a lot and also my kids love coconut water which is great for staying hydrated with a low appetite. And also smoothies might be a good option
-
@CatchAFallingStar: DD1 used to get like that with a bad cold. The doctor prescribed ciproheptadine and the effect was pretty dramatic. She started eating much better within a day.
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
14 comments