Out of mind with worry, dd (nearly 4) has decided she doesn't like food and had eaten nothing for over 4 days

[beatofthedrum]

My dd has always been a picky eater but eaten the food she 'likes' in decent quantities and have always been careful to ensure a balanced diet. Last wed she started behaving strangely with her food, holding it in her mouth a long time and wanting drinks to persuade her to swallow it. By Thursday she was saying she disliked all her favourite foods and mealtimes were stressful. On Friday she stopped eating. Totally stopped and no amount of persuading/telling her Santa was watching/trying to act casual and let her choose worked. She didn't eat Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday (I'm crying typing this, it is scaring me so much). She keeps spitting into her hands and sitting there with it and she is such a fastidious little girl usually, can't best paint on her hands etc. She is letting saliva hang out of her mouth, really regressive behaviour. Christmas has been totally spoilt by the worry of this. Everyone is telling me to act casual and I have tried, believe me, but how long can you leave a situation when a little girl is voluntarily eating absolutely nothing. I manage to be casual for a few hours then I lose it, either begging her to eat or (not proud of it) shouting at her. I've phoned NHS Direct twice and they've been great but all they could do was direct us to an out of hours gp who ruled out temperature, sores in her mouth/throat. He gave us oral thrush medicine just incase was that though he could see nothing but she won't let ANYTHING in her mouth, both hands over mouth screaming crazily. I am so scared. Last night she started eating while watching tv. She ate one babybel then asked for 2 more. Refused everything else I quietly slipped beside her. Went to bed feeling much brighter but she was up in night with very sore tummy and 2 big vomiting bouts - she lost all that she'd eaten. What can I do?? Surgeries not open till tomo. Does nit really seem a GP issue as she seems to be developing some kind of phobia about food. Could really do with some advice. Thanks.

'The diagnosis of esophageal foreign body should be considered in
children with symptoms of respiratory distress, dysphagia, odynophagia,
or drooling, regardless of whether a caretaker has been
present since the onset of symptoms.'

Just saying. It's worth considering.

Both my DFs have had a bug that put them right of eating this week.
Like the OP my DD2 is a right fuss pot to start with, so for four or 5 days she basically ate nothing and drank lots.
Disappeared in time for Christmas dinner

There are cases where children cut their first permanent molar early (in most children this or the incisor is the first permanent tooth and cuts around 6 years of age).

This could explain why she will take smoothies, but not fruit pouches as they are less acidic and irritating to sore gums, plus she complains that they are 'itchy'. It would also explain the drooling and redness in ears (ears can be affected by teething. Have you had a look with a torch right to the back of her mouth and checked her gums/teeth?

Have you tried offering food half an hour after dose of Calpol, if ears or mouth hurting she may be more inclined to eat if pain reduced.

My DD has just had a D&V bug, anytime she ate she would complain of a sore tummy and she was refusing food and fluids, but she also had a temperature and D&V for 5 days so reason was obvious.

A friend just came round and all drooling/spitting disappeared and she chatted. Prior to this she had stopped speaking, was just holding mouth full of saliva and using gestures to communicate. She was silent for a couple of hours (during this time I took her out to park with her new scooter). Friend left and she is dripping saliva again. It seems to be psychological and be directed at me though she's been like this with her daddy too.
She's had nothing today but a yoghurt.

Might be worth having a read of this. Is there any reason that she may be worried, sad or angry? Did anything happen last Wednesday to trigger it?

Ok well yoghurt is good and that's encouraging that the drooling stopped when she was distracted. You haven't done anything wrong and you will get past this. Just react as little as possible and keep talking to her - when she has something she really wants to say she'll say it.

You must be so concerned. Dd drooled before noro virus for a few days but after that obvious bug signs started. It is possible she controlled the drooling in company out of awareness something is wrong. Dd also stopped vomitting when we had a visitor then continued with symptoms when they left.

I would say this sounds like quite a complex problem for her, poor little thing. Can you make a private appt for her asap with a paed?

Why don't you put her in a room by herself with a low table full of some of her favourite foods? If she guzzles them when she thinks no-one is looking it suggests the problem is behavioural. If not, it is probably physical.

Have you any friends with children whose company she enjoys that you could invite over for lunch?

Do as Larry suggested and the combination may encourage her to eat

Lovely mnetters, I am very happy to report my girl has woken up today speaking normally, no drool and has eaten a slice of toast and jam with orange juice cuddled up in bed with us! Her first breakfast since Thursday! I feel things might well be on the turn, she's engaging with her brother again and we're all feeling so much happier (understatement of the year!)

Happy to hear that! Am sure it was a bug and hopefully all will get back to normal soon!

Fantastic! You must have been so worried

Isn't it a complete relief when they start actually wanting food again

Really pleased she is on the mend, its so stressfull when you can't work out whats going on !!!

We are very happy today, all dancing in the living room!

Glad she is on the mend :)

That's great op, I saw your thread yesterday

Oh I can take you off watch now

Really pleased for you

Thanks lovely mnetters :)

Is she still eating? I hope so x

oh good news! hurray!

so relieved for you, fantastic!

Yes, a rather strange diet, but eating. We're enjoying the new year after a stressful Christmas. Cheers :)