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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for what to give children with high fever to eat...?

26 replies

FrazzledNeedingCoffeeNow · 05/03/2019 07:51

So, 3 DC ages 6-10, all down with a bad cold or maybe the flu. Temperatures between 102F and 104F, but manageable with Calpol/Nerofen, drinking water and been seen by GP yesterday, so no major concerns - except what do I feed them???

I am off to the shop to buy more ice lollies and yoghurt and am planning to make a chicken soup and cook the bones for a few hours, but what else??

They are not very keen on food (understandably), but the 6 year old hasn’t eaten much since Saturday, so would be keen for any tips on what your children eat when I’ll. Am off now before DH leaves for work, so good tips later will be bought tomorrow Smile

OP posts:
Sexnotgender · 05/03/2019 07:52

I’d probably go with scrambled eggs and toast.

Hoopaloop · 05/03/2019 08:00

Have you asked them what they would like?

HoraceCope · 05/03/2019 08:04

crisps
chips

basically whatever they fancy

Mabelface · 05/03/2019 08:05

Whatever they fancy within reason.

justforareply · 05/03/2019 08:10

I used to feeed mine chocolate ice cream when sick and off their food. They need the calories.

bagginses · 05/03/2019 08:12

Anything they fancy, although high temp + dairy in this house is not pretty...

StarlitTrees · 05/03/2019 08:13

Let them have whatever they want. My 2 year old has been having a temperature of up to 41 over the last few days. Suspected flu (had confirmed case in December and its presenting exactly the same).
He's had a bite or two on some of his favourite things potato waffles, chicken nuggets, apple, grapes, crisps, fruit pouch, yoghurt. The list sounds alright but it's litterally just been one or two bites.
The main concern is fluid. It isn't going to do them damage to not really eat for a few days. But sweating with a high temperature and barely/not drinking can quickly lead to dehydration, which is how he ended up in hospital for a few days in December for IV fluids, which is why this time round I'm not worried about food but making sure he gets some fluid in him.
Hope your children get better soon OP.

Shimy · 05/03/2019 08:17

Custard.

HeronLanyon · 05/03/2019 08:18

Milk toast never failed for me. Hot milk bitnofntoast in it. Salt pepper butter as they can stomach. Sounds awful when well but really comforting easy to stomach and nourishing and hydrating etc.

Kaykay06 · 05/03/2019 08:19

Not eating for a few days won’t do them any harm if they don’t feel like it, but plenty fluids is important to not become dehydrated mine get sugary juice if off food
But a little bit of what they fancy usually works then back to normal meals don’t make different dinners as I have four but snacks I can vary

TeaforTwoBiscuitOrThree · 05/03/2019 08:20

Whatever they fancy, plenty of fluids.

Original poster
FrazzledNeedingCoffeeNow · 05/03/2019 08:27

Thank you all! In the shop now, will post later

OP posts:
MotherForkinShirtBalls · 05/03/2019 08:29

Warmed 7 up so the bubbles go out if it. Eggy toast cut into fingers can be easier to swallow on a sore throat. Pancakes. Whatever else they want or will stomach.

Prequelle · 05/03/2019 08:29

Whatever they will eat. Getting nutrition in is vital so whatever they will manage

Original poster
FrazzledNeedingCoffeeNow · 05/03/2019 09:28

Thank you all so mich again!! Back home trying to eat a toast and have a cup of tea - the night was really awful with everyone awake at different times with temperatures and sore throats.

So, chicken in the oven for broth (6 hour project)

Toast (will work on variations of this)
Honey
Chocolate ice creams
Ice lollies
Grapes
Fruit and Barley juice (MIL suggestion)
Different juices
Custard
Ingredients for their favourite cake (if I get the energy)

Hoop - I tried to ask as I was heading out, one was asleep (didn’t want to wake her), the other two said “nothing”. 2 of 3 have now eaten a chocolate ice cream, so we are already better than yesterday Smile

Starlit, that must have been so frightening for you with the hospital. How awful!! I had something much less scary, but still pretty bad a few years ago when I was in the A&E with my middle one (maybe 2 years at the time). I was told that if I couldn’t get him to accept a syringe of 5ml water every 5 minutes for an hour, they would admit him. Plenty of water is non-negotiable in this flat now!! I cannot believe your little one is sick again as well. Hope he feels better really soon. x

OP posts:
WithAllIntenseAndPurposes · 05/03/2019 11:13

What a random question?

Beebee8 · 05/03/2019 11:19

I don't think you need to spend that long making soup.. the point of it when ill is fluids and ease so anything will do!

RosemarysBush · 05/03/2019 11:22

Stewed Apple with your custard (extra fluid and little chewing).

Original poster
FrazzledNeedingCoffeeNow · 05/03/2019 11:26

Sorry With, I was heading to the shop after a sleepless night and completely at loss as to what to buy (DH not back until late, so was my chance)

Bee, am doing lots of water and juice. My grandmother always swore by cooking the chicken bones with garlic and onion for several hours, think I read somewhere it should be good as well. Am home with sick children all day and whole chicken is cheap, so thought I would give it a go Smile

OP posts:
StarlitTrees · 05/03/2019 12:01

with it's not a 'random question', it's a mother, caring for a sick child, asking other parents to share their experience in what foods tempts their children when they are ill. Sharing advice and experiences is one of the main purposes of this site.

OP, in december that's what A&E tried with him first. I had to syringe 5mls of fluid into him every 5 minutes. Pointless at that stage as I couldn't get him to stay awake. Eventually they admitted him for IV fluids.
Thankfully he's not as bad this time as he's managed to drink a bit. And he seems to be on the up now. I just leave open snacks around the room and if he fancies anything he can just have it.

MamaRaisingBoys · 05/03/2019 12:05

Fruit purée pouches (like the baby ones)
Biscuits
Yogurt

That’s basically all my 2 (1&3) eat when poorly and not very much of it either

Confusedbeetle · 05/03/2019 12:07

You don't need to worry about food at all. They probably will have little appetite and trying to make them eat will make things worse. Provided they drink leave them be. They will let you know when they are hungry

Boatsnack3 · 05/03/2019 12:10

I always avoid dairy when dd is ill because regurgitated yoghurt is vile 🤮

Last time she was in hospital with a chest infection I got her to eat quavers no chewing and ice poles.

I hope everyone feels better soon.

MogThoughtDarkThoughts · 05/03/2019 12:33

Sounds good OP - you can't beat chicken soup, or 'jewish penicillin' as my mum always called it. I always used to love hot ribena when I was ill too - uniquely comforting.

Original poster
FrazzledNeedingCoffeeNow · 06/03/2019 10:01

Starlit, so happy your DS is better. The fluids are so crucial aren’t they?!

Just thought I would add a quick update as it completely threw me...! So, DS temperature shot up to 105.3 F last night, so frightening, but I managed to get it down with Calpol and Nurofen. This morning (after Calpol) he came into the kitchen and asked if I had any sausages Shock ! I didn’t, but he then accepted half a bacon sandwich with ketchup. Older DD (who woke up with 104 F) has the other half after the Calpol kicked it ShockShock.

Thank you everyone again! Yesterday’s shopping was as big a success as could be under the circumstances and I added Ribena, apples, sevenUp and biscuits this morning.

OP posts: