at what point should I worry about a 3yr old not eating?

[Chulita]

DD, 3.2, has had tonsilitis since Thursday last week. She had a fever between 40C and 41C til Monday despite regular doses of Calpol/Nurofen. She now doesn't have a fever but still can't talk properly due to her tonsils being so enormous there's barely a space between them. She's on antibiotics as a kind of "just-in-case".

She's barely eaten since Thursday morning - think 3 blueberries mid-morning, about 10 cheerios mid-afternoon and a nibble of biscuit and that's it. Today she's had a few dried cranberries and raisins but nothing else. She is having a cup of Nesquik, sometimes 2 in a day which is why I'm not hugely worried but she's not exactly a large girl to start with.

What do you reckon? Should I be trying to get her to eat? or should I keep offering and let her start up again as and when she's ready? I'm offering her everything - ice cream, jelly, chocolate buttons, anything as long as she's eating but she's not remotely interested.

Kind of a non-question I know but I don't know how long she can go without eating before she starts coming down with other things because she doesn't have the energy to fight it off.

Lots of drinks with added glucose and I was told to give them with a straw. Apparently drinking from a cup causes more pain but straw means the throat doesn't stretch so much so they take more. She will get the energy she needs from the glucose and as long as she is hydrated she will be okay. Might want rehydration salts too if she has been running a temperature. Have a word with the pharmacist if you get the glucose. I wouldn't leave it too long without some energy input as the body starts to use up muscle and other energy stores in the body and that can become quite serious quite quickly in one so young. Jelly, ice cream and yoghurt are the first foods my two usually take. If you are really concerned nip back to the doctor with a urine sample as they can check for ketones which tells you if they are in any danger. Hope she is better soon.

I hadn't realised that about the straw but it makes sense, I'll pick some up tomorrow along with the glucose.
Thank you!

When ds has tonsillitis (which he gets very bad - same sort of thing as you describe), he won't eat OR drink, but the one thing that always works is ice lollies. Perhaps try the ice pole type ones to start but obviously the sugary stick ones are better for calories.

Funnily enough she had half a ribena ice lolly for tea, I'll give her whatever she asks for as long as she's eating! Is dairy (like mini milk) a bad idea? I vaguely remember dairy being bad for a sore throat or something.

Well dairy will produce more mucous, but I asked about this at the doctors and they said it's ok to give yoghurt etc - better that they are fed than increased chance of small amount of mucous IYSWIM?

If she is keeping it down then give it to her as it will give her energy and nutirents.