Two year olds on virus no. 10

[AmethystAngel20]

My fussy eating two year old identical twins barely eat. They go to nursery twice a week and are now on virus 10 in three months. Family commenting on how 'they're always ill' which doesn't help. Seen Paedatrician twice who keeps telling me to chill out basically. I've booked into to see her again and I'm going to request blood tests to check iron levels etc. One twin is two pounds heavier as eats slightly more and is less active. Doctor prescribed iron without even doing blood tests etc which alarmed me. I give them half the dose of it anyway but they are still catching illnesses. They are given high doses of vitamin c a day, probiotics, omega 3, elderberry syrup, multivitamin and iron. Still no change.

I'm also really fed up and depressed with cooking good food & throwing good food away. Finger foods they're fussy with too. Don't like most veg or fruit, pizza, fish fingers, chicken in any form, sausages or pasta. Tried and tried, left breaks then tried again. However, my post was meant to be about them always getting ill so I've gone off on a tangent a little lol!

Any constructive advise gratefully received. Thanks.

omg, this sounds exactly like my 5 year old. I've even posted a couple times on here about him, he's been getting ill a alot just basically catching every cold going around in his school and i too requested a blood test which showed a high platelet count and we have to keep going back to monitor the levels, depending on next weeks results we will be referred to a pediatrician to take the next steps in figuring out whats wrong.

my DS is also a fussy eater, only wants chicken nuggets and fish fingers, and i too find myself throwing away platefulls of good food, that hes barely touched. it's frustrated and it makes me want to cry because i feel like hes not getting the nutrition he needs and its my fault for letting him get away with this behaviour for so long. i do not know how to get him to eat better.

I suppose you should just request the blood test and see what the results are and take it from there. its easier said than done. the worst part is the waiting.

i also suspect his iron might be low but the dr hasnt mentioned it just said his white blood count is high. i've been stressed about this since january. i need a vacation.

sorry for my ranting reply, probably not helpful at all.

apologies for all the spelling errors but am too exhausted to correct them.

My 3 year old also gets a lot of illness and it always gives him croup.
He had a blood test a couple of days ago and we have had a letter asking us to see a doctor about his results.
Tbf though he eats really well and eats fruit and veg,iron rich foods no problem.

10 viruses each or between them? That is a lot for only 3 months. I'm literally going through the same thing with my 3 year old. Are they in creche/nursery? I'm taking my lb next week to ask the doctor if we can have a blood test. Can I ask what type of virus' they have had like all viral or bacterial?

Re the eating, that's completely normal - and I know how frustrating it can be as I have a 7yo and 5yo who are the same.

I highly recommend getting a copy of 'My Child Won't Eat' by Carlos Gonzalez (Spanish paediatrician) - brilliant book that will help reduce your worrying about what they do or don't eat.

Sorry I just noticed you said they are in nursery twice a week! Does the string of virus' start with them starting nursery or have they been in for a while?

Thanks for all your replies. It's since they've been in nursery. Yes, 10 each. All cold and cough based viruses, one being g flu and one twin caught chicken pox. The knock on affect is they have no appetite. One twin dropped nearly two percentiles but then she picked up again. However, this last three days all she's eaten is 1 weetabix. 2 bags Organix baby crisps and a tin of custard. I'm at my wits end. I've started getting ill a lot too lately. I'm very run down with all the stress.

With that amount of illnesses it is Jo surprise their appetite has diminished so much, and if the illnesses starting have coincided with beginning nursery then I think you have the culprit. My lb is exactly the same since starting nursery and when he was 1 Yr old he was in creche and was exactly the same as your twins, I stuck it out for 6 months and then pulled him out of creche at 18 months as I couldn't take the illnesses anymore, obviously that is not an option for some working parents, my dh and I were able to literally swap our hours around and he changed to self employed also at that time to help work out childcare (we don't have family that can help look after ds). I think you may just have to stick it out, I can imagine how difficult it must be with two of them as one was bad enough. Just keep persevering with the food and offer them what you know they will eat to keep their energy up. Will they go for yogurts or toast even? Xx

Definitely nursery bugs. I put them in nursery as my husband works away a month at a time and I have no help or family. I was going out of my mind dealing with the twins 24/7 and needed a breather hence putting them in nursery twice a week till 3pm. This allows me to have a Counselling session, or see Physio , go to gym or get housework done properly etc. Being at nursery has brought them on socially, but the only down fall is the viruses. Both hard work with food as it is without the viruses. No wonder I'm always getting ill. I'm still unwell after 7 days of my current virus. This is my 4th in 6 weeks. I dread mealtimes but try to remain as calm as I can. They eat slightly better at nursery around other kids but play up for me at home. Will see what Paedatrician says re: my request for blood tests.

That sounds really exhausting love, I can't imagine how you cope for a month at a time with two 2 Yr olds. I suppose you will just have to weigh up the pros and cons of it being worth it. Go for the blood test if it will out your mind at ease, do they look pale or overly tired etc? Xx

You may have already tried this but thought I'd suggest it anyway, childrens food supplement peadiasure (sp?) you can get this in boots and make up a milk shake, it's a great weight gainer.

Sounds exhausting for you, but sounds totally normal for 2 yr olds.

They often eat less for a bit after being ill.

I used to worry lots about mine but stopping weighing him and just feeling him whatever he would eat really helped.
Sometimes lived on fresh air for days then other days would eat lots.
Cereal, fruit or toast makes a good supper here.

Can you speak to your HV?
I think putting them through blood tests sounds a bit much.

Yes they are catching lots of things, but they are fighting them off and not having to go to hospital.
So likely their immune systems are just fine.

Thanks for your replies. The thought of putting them through blood tests does upset me but I'm hoping it will be as quick as a vaccination. They're full of energy but the skinniest twin looks pale and washed out. But even when she's poorly she's running around. I'm worried about their iron in general as they eat very little in terms of iron foods per day. They don't like egg yolks. I have home cooked spag bol, lamb strew, beef chili, beef casserole, cottage pie, fish pie, tuna pasta bake, chicken carbonara all in the freezer that they won't eat now. They don't like milkshakes or any fruit juice so sadly I can't give them protein shakes. They don't like dried fruit either. One bonus is that they also dislike chocolate and cake! They do recover quick from illnesses but then catch another. I have always suffered from Anaemia. Right now the girls are driving me insane. I'm not enjoying this age at all. One twin goes out of her way to defy me. It's tantrum galore. Fight fight fight. Same at most mealtimes. I feel so guilty for not enjoying being a Mum. I feel like Cinderella without the fairy god mother! Every day is a chore. I'm 46 and feel like I'm 76!!

Ps My health Visitor suggested blood tests.

I had this with mine. She’s hardy ever ill now

My 3yo has very low iron levels which were diagnosed with blood tests. He was very very pale, dark around eyes and no energy at all. My 1yo has been ill so much since starting Nursery but doesn’t have the same look DS did before we took him to the doctors. The blood tests, whilst done by the paediatric nurses at the hospital (so knew exactly what they were doing) still aren’t pleasant. Ask your GP to prescribe numbing cream to put on beforehand and make sure you keep them wrapped up warm to help the blood flow.

Also, just to note, before diagnosis DS had very little appetite which was obviously making things worse. Since he’s been on his iron supplements his appetite has got better. He also drank lots of milk which stops the absorption of iron so we’ve reduced what he drinks now.

Thank you. Would the Paedatrician have numbing cream? We have private healthcare so will be seeing one at Spire Health.

They're full of energy. Tire me out. It surprises me off how little they eat. I give them the iron medicine with vitamin c as this increases absorption. I avoid calcium for a few hours for the reason you said about preventing absorption. One twin has spatone water but the other twin won't have it hence giving her half the dose of iron medicine prescribed by the doctor. The GP did say that having iron may improve their appetites. I can't take them out anywhere to eat as they won't eat it. Sandwiches, pasta, pizzas, etc etc.... they don't like. they will nibble on garlic bread. That's it! It's mentally draining.

I’m sure they will be able to sort something - I’m not sure they would do the tests without numbing first. It’s pretty traumatic even with the numbing cream depending on if they can get it first go.

Sounds like you have your hands full. I’m shattered with my two and have no idea how people cope with twins. The eating thing can be very frustrating, DD (18months) pretty much eats everything which is how DS used to be. But something happened at about 2ish and he just became incredibly fussy. Seems like a lot of his toddler friends were the same but didn’t stop me from worrying. As I said, he is a bit better now but tends to have good days & bad. He’s been off his food this last week as he’s caught the virus his sister had last week.

Fingers crossed you get to the bottom of any problems. I would say, trust your instincts - we knew something wasn’t right with DS. He also has low Vit D levels too & is due to see the paediatrician in April in case there are any underlying problems or if it’s just a diet problem.

Angel20 - when do you intend to take them for the blood test?

I'm booked in 15 April. Hopefully something constructive comes out of the appointment. I've always suffered low Vitamin D therefore I'll ask for that to be checked too. Thyroid problems also run in my family and dads. If. I didn't have a twin sister to compare my skinniest twin too, I'm wondering if I'd be as anxious..? The one with more weight just looks healthier. But my instincts in general steer more towards my skinny twin and hopefully my anxieties diminish once the tests are done. I'm hoping the Paedatrician does the tests. She seemed reluctant the last time I saw her. I too know a few mums am with two year olds who've become fussy. Sadly mine have always been that way. More so now though.