DD (6) not eating with a cold but hungry!

[coffeepleeease]

As the title says really! She's been unwell since Friday night with a cough/cold, and fever in the night but not in the day. She always goes off her food when she's unwell so I'm used to that but the difference this time is that she's saying she's hungry but doesn't feel like eating. She's eaten very little since Friday which I'm not concerned about, but it's frustrating when she's crying that she's "starving but I don't know what to eat". Anyone else's child been like this and how did you handle it? I'm letting her choose anything she wants so it's not because there's limited choice!

I think I would just give her soup to eat from a cup.

Something that's easy to eat, like yogurt, ice cream, grated apples.

I would put something plain in front of her and leave it there. A cup of soup and a slice of toast. If she's starving she'll eat it or some of it. Probably the process of choosing is too much right now.

Soup is a great idea. Or a thick milkshake with banana in or similar.

And offer tiny amounts so she's not overwhelmed with a plate of food. My friend has just got over a similar sounding thing and she said she felt quite nauseous. She said that sucking mints helped as did peppermint tea.

Hope she's better soon.

I would take her to GP (I know easier said then done) She might have sore throat which makes eating difficult so might need antibiotics. Does she drink? Can you make her smoothies ?

Thanks for suggestions!

I tried her with soup the other day and she didn't want it, will offer again today.

Unfortunately she doesn't like yoghurt or smoothies - she's a bit funny about textures of liquids if that makes sense. She only drinks water and occasionally orange juice.

I just made her a slice of toast and made it into pumpkin shapes. She seemed really keen but spat half of it out

She's poorly often and GP always tells me not to worry unless high temp for 5 days or any worrying symptoms. Tonight will be night 5 of a fever so will be calling tomorrow if she gets a fever again

Has she got a sore throat? Maybe something cooling like melon? Though honestly you could be tempting her with treat after treat and I think she will eat when she gets hungry enough.

Poor love! Custard? Waffles ir pancakes with syrup? Jelly? Jelly is good because it's so high in water, it'll help with hydration.

Mashed potatoes, really smooth one with lots of butter?
My DD often got colds and struggled with eating at this age it was usually due to blocked nose so difficult to chew or sore throat so difficult to swallow or could be some sores in the mouth.
I would count not eating as a worrying symptom , not for A&E of course but enough for GP to check her.
I don’t think it’s a set rule don’t call them until 5 days are over.

Ice lollies
Ice cream
Ribena
Diaoralite
Banana
Mashed potatoes and gravy
Soft pasta butter cheese
Buttered bread rather than toast

Is her nose blocked. She might find it harder to eat if she can't breathe.

Thank you for all the replies. She's still eating only small amounts but trying a few more things!