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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

My daughter isn’t eating!

62 replies

SimpleSong · 30/11/2025 15:40

Sorry, this isn’t an AIBU, but I’m desperate. My DD has had a cough for the last few days, along with a fever, and has been really under the weather. She is 12, and has eaten very little for 5 days now. She says she feels sick and can’t eat. Which I do understand.

The issue is, she has been underweight and is working towards getting up to a goal weight set by her doctor. I am worried that 5 days of very minimal food is going to be really consequential for her. For instance, today she has had a brioche roll and a half a bowl of super noodles. I know neither of these are healthy, but I took her to the shop and let her choose anything she thought she might eat.

I just don’t know what to do. Does anyone have any words of wisdom? Please help.

OP posts:
Original poster
SimpleSong · 30/11/2025 15:50

I didn’t know we could get anti nausea tablets. That’s good to know. We have ice cream, protein yoghurts etc but she won’t touch them unfortunately.

OP posts:
rebeccachoc · 30/11/2025 15:49

My mum has had nausea and vomiting for years and swears by plain rich tea biscuits. Can you not ask your GP tomorrow for anti nausea meds? There are ones you stick between your lip and gums and it melts, so no swallowing of nasty tablets needed.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 30/11/2025 15:49

Can you get some easy to eat higher calorie options like ice cream, protein yogurts and small things she can snack on rather than eating a meal.

Sensitive Question : Is she avoiding eating and using nausea as an excuse or is she genuinely unable to face food.

I would go to the GP tomorrow and ask for anti nausea medication?

Original poster
SimpleSong · 30/11/2025 15:48

I’ve already put pressure on her. Now feel like I’ve messed everything up.

OP posts:
Balloonhearts · 30/11/2025 15:48

She isn't going to die from a week not eating, even if she had nothing at all. She's drinking which is good and no one wants to eat when ill, it'll just make her feel worse. Let her recover, give her small dry salty snacks and see if she'll have an ice lolly for sugar.

TheWonderhorse · 30/11/2025 15:45

SimpleSong · 30/11/2025 15:43

I think I’m afraid.

I can see why you're worried, really. But the most important thing you can do right now is stay calm and encourage without pushing. Her diet at the moment is normal for her condition.

Original poster
SimpleSong · 30/11/2025 15:43

I think I’m afraid.

OP posts:
TheWonderhorse · 30/11/2025 15:43

OP I can absolutely understand the worry, but she's not well. Nobody wants to eat when they're ill. If you push too hard now you're going to do her more harm than good. Offer little and often, encourage snacks, you can do no more than that at the moment.

Original poster
SimpleSong · 30/11/2025 15:43

I’m chasing this up with her medical team at the moment.

OP posts:
Original poster
SimpleSong · 30/11/2025 15:42

She has some of these prescribed but has run out and the pharmacy has said they can’t order her usual ones. She is very fussy about which ones she will drink.

OP posts:
Zippidydoodah · 30/11/2025 15:41

Does she/can she drink build-up drinks?

Original poster
SimpleSong · 30/11/2025 15:41

Her being underweight had another medical cause. However, that cause did result in nausea which made eating difficult.

OP posts: