14 mth old injured mouth now won't really eat

[Spanglyprincess1]

My 14 mth old has learned to run, thumb in mouth as well and tripped into a table causing a lot of blood and a tear in his mouth. A&E trip on the weekend and it didn't need stitches, although this was debated. Scariest thing in the world for me but he seems okay.
He's back to his happy self. Except he's refusing to eat virtually anything. He's breastfed still and is having more milk from me or comforting but is fussing a lot.
He usually eats loads and loads, so I'm concerned. His teeth aren't loose or anything. I've tried him on very soft foods and yoghurt etc but he is refusing more than a spoonful.
Do I need to worry? He's my first baby so I panic a bit.

If he's still breastfeeding and seems well in himself I would say he's ok. Probably his mouth is still sore. My DD hurt her mouth when she was a toddler but she wouldn't eat or drink anything, and I mean literally nothing, and she was quite obviously unwell from it fairly quickly. So if he's lively and peeing he'll most likely eat when he's ready.

How scary for you. I hope. Your toddlers okay now. Yes he seems to be going to the toilet etc. He won't drink from cups with a sippy spout as they seem to hurt him so it's me or I've been spooning him water or trying to get him to drink from an open cup.

are you giving paracetamol/ibuprofen pain relief?

I would try that.

Poor little guy and poor you. It’s awdul when they really hurt themselves.

I’m not surprised he doesn’t want to eat, bless him. Obviously he can’t go without food longterm but breastmilk should keep him going for a little while, while he heals.

Have you tried a 360 cup? Might work well for him. If not, when I’ve been having to get fluids into one of my twins I’ve used w syringe full of water, you could just use a calpol syringe, much easier than spoons.

Yeah he's having calpol to help with the apin as that's what A&E said. I was advised no ibuprofen as it was bleeding a lot. But that's stopped now so I'm not sure if the no ibuprofen still applies

Calpol syringe of water is a good idea.

She's fine, it was a couple of years ago now. Randomly, after she had been in hospital on a drip for 3 days and rejecting everything under the sun, she started eating (my) salt and vinegar kettle chips, of all things.

Def give paracetamol/nurafen
Maybe ice cream or milkshake to numb it?
And with a soft weaning spoon
Try leaving a few snacks bits for him to eat when he’s distracted watching tv or similar?
Mouths are v painful but also heal pretty quickly so hopefully he’ll feel better soon.

Keep giving the Calpol. Offer milk in a regular cup. How strict are you with his food because when I had horrendous tonsillitis cold milk shake was all I could swallow - as it soothes as it goes down. Maybe some jelly as it won't knock his mouth. Then onto luke warm soups. He will still be very bruised as the mouth is so delicate. But it will heal quickly. Poor wee man.

It seems really bad now because mouths bleed like shit, but they also heal quickly too. A few days is absolutely fine

If he's anything like my children I suggest making tempting food for yourself and eating it so that he can see and steal some for himself. Hope he is back to himself soon.

We had this after my DS had hand foot and mouth and got blisters in his mouth. He was 12 months exactly (missed his own party!) and luckily still breastfeeding as he refused to eat or drink anything but breastmilk for about a week.

It was awful at the time but he suddenly rallied and went back to normal really fast. I, on the other hand, ended up with really painful boobs because he got my supply right back up again (having been down to a couple of feeds a day) then abandoned me!

Oh no my boobs seem to be doing that already after 3 days of more feeding.
Thanks for being reassuring everyone, it's scary when they can't tell you what's wrong or how to help.

My 3yo fell and smashed a tooth last year, it was jagged and there was a lot of blood. The dentist was ok with not eating/drinking for a couple of days but wanted him back if it went on any longer. It might be worth a quick check in with your gp to see what they say re: how long before another plan is needed. Ultimately no food/drink could become an emergency situation. That said, alongside the nurofen and calpol I would try some ice lollies/jelly/ice cream. Things that are cold/smooth and have water

Thanks. I'll try the soups and ice cream.
He's been refusing yoghurt and soft eggs which are his favourites normally at breakfast.
If he keeps it up I'll take him to the doctor

It’s so hard when they’re little. My twins just turned 3 but both autistic, non verbal and generally delayed. On two occasions earlier this year one of them bit his tongue so hard in his sleep that he woke up covered in blood and had awful wounds to his tongue. They went all yellow and ulcerated, and were top and bottom - it was so painful for him and he really struggled. I just kept up with painkillers and milk and he recovered enough to eat after a few days.

I took him to the doctors after the first one as it looked infected to me but they said that’s just how cuts there look. Same thing happened again the second time.

How many days has it been now? They said we might need some medicated mouthwash and I just laughed at them - not sure how you get a toddler with no understanding of language and no ability to mimic to swish mouthwash around and spit it out!

He's on day three.
I can't get in his mouth without help to look. He tore the bit that connects lip to gums at top, so it's hard to get to without forcing the issue.
I'll keep trying but of it goes on too long or he looks like his dropping weight etc. I'll take him to the doctor

So it’s the frenulum bit he’s cut (the little string between his front teeth)? Bless him. It will be sore and unfortunately it’s a spot that keeps moving so will be slower to heal. I’d give it another day or two, keep up the fluids and milk, keep offering soft foods like yoghurt that don’t require much movement etc.

If the area looks red or swollen or he gets a temp I’d go back sooner

Yeah neerely severed it, hence concern he needed stitches.
He's in a much better mood today n interested in a fruit pot and a few bits. So hopefully he's improving

Don’t worry about the frenulum - it’s really common for kids to fall and rip theirs, and it bleeds a lot. Both of mine have done theirs at around 15-18 months. My PFB was down the street with daddy and fell and the scream was so loud I heard it from the back of the house. Obviously I came running but it was mostly the shock. I don’t actually remember how my second did his, possibly at nursery. It doesn’t usually need a repair and should heal on its own. I was head butted by a 4yo last year and split the inside of my lip quite badly - that was swollen and sore for a week or so. Make sure he has plenty to drink and offer nice/treat foods to coax him into eating. He might be a bit scared that it’s going to hurt. Have you tried a straw?