To be so stressed about DS not eating?

[Mychildwont]

DS(3) is on hunger strike. He hasn’t been well but did eat everything at nursery last week.

Today he’s had

Half a banana
A few mouthfuls of spaghetti bolognaise
About five cherry tomatoes

He’s refused dinner. This is fairly typical.

For a poorly child, this is fine.

Don't make it an issue unless he's seriously underweight.

What did he eat yesterday? Or the day before?

Will he drink milk? Otherwise keep him hydrated and he’ll be fine. Poor you and poor him, no fun.

Is he holding out for Easter eggs?

I think this sounds fairly normal for a poorly child, just keep offering fluids and little things.

Have you tried giving him pain relief half an hour before eating?

It sounds typical when a child is unwell. His body is focusing his energy on making him better rather than digestion. Also long as he drinks enough fluids (ice lollies are good if they’re not drinking enough) then I wouldn’t worry.

Sounds fairly normal for a child who isn't feeling well. Don't force it and let him recover. He'll be back to normal soon.

If it helps, my dd was seriously ill when she was younger, in and out of hospital etc and just never had an appetite. I used to make her smoothies with banana, strawberry, pro biotic yoghurt drink, a splash of orange juice, carrot, broccoli and spinach. If you are seriously worried, try something like this.

Will he drink something like a milkshake, or smoothies with yoghurt and banana? Not ideal every day, but good at getting some calories in if he’s off his food but will still drink something sweet. Even ice cream, at a push.

Agree with previous poster, I wouldn’t worry too much if he’s been ill and was eating at nursery. Just keep offering his favourite foods and don’t make a thing of it.

Can you look at what he is eating over the full week? And is he drinking enough fluids? I tend to just prioritise my daughter's favourites when she's like this to try and get a few bites in here and there. This seems typical when they're ill, he'll have his appetite back in no time!

Thanks. Fluids are a worry, he will only drink water. He’s not really drinking enough but I am trying to encourage. He’s had a few mouthfuls of casserole but still a mouse sized portion. At least he’s had something though.

He's been poorly and although now on the up he's probably still not 100% so it may take a bit of time yet before he wants his normal amount of food.

I remember when i used to worry about my DD when she was younger and didn't eat much at all my HV reassured me by telling me no young child will intentionally starve themselves.

Plain water is good, hydration is more concerning than food just yet.
He'll soon start feeling peckish and eating again.