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Original poster

So, how many days of your child not eating would it take to freak you out?

17 replies

bohemianbint · 13/03/2008 18:47

DS is 19 months. He was sick on Sunday and has had a temperature and been all subdued ever since. He'll have a weetabix for breakfast but that's pretty much it then for the rest of the day. I've offered allsorts but he's not interested.

So, I know not to push him and he'll eat when he wants, but it's been 5 days now of him surviving on about 200 calories per day. The doctor didn't seem too fussed but am wondering how long this can really go on for?

OP posts:
RubySlippers · 13/03/2008 18:50

hmm - always takes my DS a few days to regain his appetite when he has been ill

Is he having milk and/or water?

Twiglett · 13/03/2008 18:51

if he's taking fluids I wouldn't worry .. I'd give it a couple of weeks after the bug .. he is at least eating something

Original poster
bohemianbint · 13/03/2008 18:52

He doesn't really do milk - just chocolate soya milk occasionally. He is drinking throughout the day, I just hope it's enough.

It's really worrying me, I've never known him to be off his food for so long. I'd be delirious!

OP posts:
Twiglett · 13/03/2008 18:54

smoothies?
icecream (soya versions)?

really don't panic BB

milfAKAmonkeymonkeymoomoo · 13/03/2008 19:02

They do seem to live on air at times don't they?

During the last bought of molar teething my DD ate next to nothing for ten days - literally. I tempted her with smoothies and soups.

Original poster
bohemianbint · 13/03/2008 19:49

Cheers- I'm wondering if it is teeth related actually, but I thought he had them all now!

OP posts:
Seona1973 · 13/03/2008 19:56

they dont get their final baby molars till around the age of 2 - does your lo have his eye teeth already? (my 17 month old ds is currently getting his top 2 eye teeth through so is a bit disturbed at night)

Saker · 13/03/2008 19:56

My DS1 had a bad stomach bug at almost the same age (now he's 8!) and didn't eat for going on two weeks. He got horribly thin and he had no energy, but he got over it and then ate for Britain to make it all up. So I wouldn't worry too much as long as he is taking fluids.

theangelshavethephonebox · 13/03/2008 20:00

I can sympathise. My ds eats very little anyway but has been poorly for the last week and is surviving on a weetabix, half a cup of milk and two bites of fruit a day. He's been drinking water though. It's happened before (never for quite so long) and his appetite has always gone back to normal afterwards so you've probably no need to worry.

Skimty · 13/03/2008 20:26

I said the same thing to my Mum two days ago. DS (18mth) had been surviving on one slice of toast and milk for five days. He wouldn't even have chocolate!

Today he's eaten more than a teenager and he was walking like he was 8 months pregnant!! Hope everything's okay for you. Don't worry about taking him back to GP if he doesn't eat soon!!

PutThatInYourPipeandSmokeIt · 13/03/2008 21:06

When you're poorly, your body is trying to deal with the poorliness and your stomach doesn't empty in the normal way - i.e. a little food goes very much further than if you're well. They eat what they need during this time and to have more in them would mean the body was trying to do too many things at once (i.e. digest food + deal with infection etc)

PutThatInYourPipeandSmokeIt · 13/03/2008 21:07

oh and p.s. a peadiatrician told me that children go very happily without eating any solids AT ALL for 7 days.

Original poster
bohemianbint · 14/03/2008 13:45

Cheers everyone!

I'm taking him back to the docs this afternoon because he's still off his food, has a temperature, is drowsy, keeps nodding off in the day and wants to do nothing but snuggle with me on the sofa. Which is lovely, if not ironic, considering I posted only a week ago about what a handful he is!

Will probably get fobbed off again but will keep you posted. Thanks again for the replies.

OP posts:
PutThatInYourPipeandSmokeIt · 14/03/2008 14:43

Let us know how you get on - poor thing, it must be so miserable for him

Original poster
bohemianbint · 14/03/2008 18:55

Thanks Pipe - he has a fever but no other signs, ears and throat look fine. Apparently if he's not better by Monday they'll just blindly treat him. Whatever that means!

OP posts:
PutThatInYourPipeandSmokeIt · 14/03/2008 19:10

It probably means that they'll put him on to antibiotics without really knowing what's wrong with him (i.e. whether viral or bacterial). The worst that will do is nothing at all as only bacteria respond to antibiotics. They may suggest taking a blood sample which might be a good idea if he's still as poorly by then. Hopefully he won't be and you'll all have a much nicer weekend!

somersetmum · 14/03/2008 19:45

Forget about meal times all together and leave tasty snacks around where he can find them. Healthy ones, plus all his favourites.

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