7yo not eating much after sickness bug

[ConsternationStation]

My 7yo DS vomited once on Sunday night and had a little diarrhoea for a couple of days. Generally he's been fine but has had low energy and virtually no appetite. He's told me that he's partly frightened to eat in case he's sick again but also just doesn't fancy anything. He vomited a tiny amount this afternoon and I think it's less likely to be because of the sickness bug and actually because he isn't eating much.

He's still drinking water but won't touch any juice/milk etc so I'm not too worried about dehydration (yet!) but it's eating next to nothing. I've tried to get him to eat plain foods like toast, pasta, crackers and things like yoghurt or apple but he won't touch it. He's not the best eater at the best of times so this is particularly difficult. Any suggestions? How long is too long without eating more than a couple of bites of a cracker or a bit of toast?

Will he eat an ice lolly? Or a biscuit? Some raisins?
Something small, reasonably gentle, and a bit of sugar to boost his energy? Might help his appetite once he has a little food in his stomach?

Or is he just not interested in the plain stuff and would he happier with something a bit more interesting? I don’t think you need to worry too much about sticking to plain if he’s happy to eat something else?

He's been actively turning down anything with any sort of flavour. Even things that he normally loves. He's not interested in ice lollies or biscuits or anything like that right now which is very unlike him.

I do think him not eating much is actually making him feel worse now.

Yes I definitely think that not eating/low blood sugar can make you feel nauseated. If he’s drinking water, would he go for some watered down orange juice?

Was he sick today after eating? Has that put him off even more?

I think it always takes a week to get over a bug. I wouldn’t worry yet.

Water doesn't provide electrolytes nor sugar, he will be experiencing low blood sugar and probably mild dehydration which will make him feel awful. Can you put a tea spoon of sugar into his water and let it dissolve?
Pretty much the same thing happened to my son 2yrs ago, we ended up having to take him to a&e where the nurses told him he HAD to drink Ribena or they wouldn't be able to let him go home, they also put him on an IV drip of course.

@Realisation14 Yes, I realise this. It's what has gotten me a bit worried. I'm getting some sort of sugary drink like ribena today to see if it helps. He had two sips of apple juice yesterday but other than water that's all he managed. Well, that half a croissant, a couple of bread sticks and a few pieces of plain pasta. Wouldn't touch ice poles or ice lollies or any sort of flavoured food/drink.

He so very rarely gets ill and when he does he normally bounces back so quickly. It's so horrible to see him like this.

I did realise any food had been consumed, this will help the blood sugar levels. And if the pasta was boiled in salted water this will help a little too.

He's finally starting to eat more foods, albeit very bland ones, but he's been sick about once every day. It typically happens after he's been sedentary or lying down for a while and then gets up to go upstairs or do something. Could his tummy just be very sensitive from the sickness bug and causing a bit of acid reflux?

I know, I need to speak to a doctor or a pharmacist. It did appear as though he was getting better and then he was sick again tonight. He's getting a bit of a fear of eating or doing anything in case he's sick now.

My DD will often drink some cold flat full fat coke after a sickness bug. Gets some sugar into her which often kick starts some appetite. Worth a try?