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Original poster

Opinions wanted regarding feeding poorly 2yr old...

20 replies

YummyMummy1208 · 02/01/2011 17:38

Just wanted to do a quick post to get some opinions on this one, my little boy whos just under 3 has had a cold for 3 or 4 weeks now and is also complaining of a poorly tummy saying it hurts most of the day. (doc says his lungs are fine and that we should stick it out).

He went to my mother in laws today with my partner and as he is refusing most foods since xmas day (meals) she decided to give him Jelly Tots. Now i would love to hear from other mothers if this would annoy them, the fact that my child has a bad tummy, to feed them sugary hard to digest foods in my opinion is only going to make him feel worse...right?

Its just that theres a lot of friction going on between me and my partner as he (understandably) agrees with anything his mum does with the kids, and her argument is always 'ive brought up 3 kids does she not think i know what im doing?"
I just cannot see how anyone could think it ok to give him jelly tots when he has a poorly tummy??

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TheVisitor · 02/01/2011 17:40

He's been poorly and Nanny gave him some sweeties. I don't think that it's a massive biggie tbh. She should have asked you before handing them over, but it won't do him any harm at all.

Catsmamma · 02/01/2011 17:40

I'd probably be vexed if he was being sick, but if it's just a cold....

I am sensing it's not just about this though tbh.

JarethTheGoblinKing · 02/01/2011 17:41

Hmm.. jelly tots aren't the best idea, no, but some 'junk' food can be beneficial if they're getting over a stomach bug, esp if they haven't really eaten for days. I know I crave full fat coke and salt and vinegar crisps when I've had a D&V bug, something to do with replenishing salts/sugars?

I might be talking utter crap, however :)

I wouldn't worry, it's only a few jelly tots.

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SwearyMary · 02/01/2011 17:42

Sugar = energy.

Do you have an aversion to sweets in general YM? There is a LOT of sugar in dried fruit......

He will have enjoyed them, let it go. Grandparents are sent to try us

ChippingIn · 02/01/2011 17:45

TheVisitor - the childs Dad was there - why should she phone the Mum up to ask if she can give her Grandchild a few sweets? He's got a cold, not a life threatening illness.

A few sweets wont hurt him at all - he's probably just got a sore tummy from not eating much and coughing a lot - I'd let him eat anything he fancies tbh.

Pancakeflipper · 02/01/2011 17:51

How many jelly tots was it? A few or a few bags?

A few won't harm him. As already said abit of sugar is good especially when feeling a little under the weather.

I had this viral flu bug the other week and couldn't face meals for 2 weeks But I was ok with a digestive biscuit.

I never knew jelly tots were hard to digest. Why is that?

TheVisitor · 02/01/2011 18:02

It reads like the mother was there, Chipping in. Why have a go at me? Is it because my name is new?

Original poster

YummyMummy1208 · 02/01/2011 18:10

well its more to do with his upset tummy than the cold really, i know sweets wont do any harm for a cold as i did originally think anything to get something in his tummy but now hes started complaining of his tummy hurting every time he goes to walk anywhere im trying to only give him easy to digest things like biscuits and a bit of toast, weetabix etc. not sweets!
And in response to SwearyMary, i dont have any issues with him having sweets normally, he eats them more than the average child probably should! but im a big believer in this whole 'you are what you eat' thing in a way as when you have an upset stomach, putting bad food in will only upset it some more.

grandparents definitely are sent to test us! ha

OP posts:

JarethTheGoblinKing · 02/01/2011 18:19

I don't think jellytots are hard to digest, aren't they basically just sugar?

NewYearNewSolo · 02/01/2011 18:27

Now I'm pretty much a don't give sweets to the Dc's kinda Mum, but my Dd hasn't eaten very much in a couple of weeks because she's not well and has lost around 5lbs (a lot from a 4 tear old) and so her requests for the odd 'Penguin biscuit Mummy' have not fallen on deaf ears. I can't honestly see the problem and his tummy probably hurts because it's empty which is what I thought when my own Dd said hers hurt.

NemoTheRedNosedFish · 02/01/2011 18:57

My dd had a bad cold with a temperature and a sore tummy for about a week. I called NHS direct and they said that the tummy pain could well be swollen lymph nodes in her abdomen causing her pain. Not many people know there are lymph nodes in the abdomen - I certainly didn't!

13lucky · 02/01/2011 20:23

Yes agree with Nemo - it probably is the glands in the tummy. Which is why often when children have tonsillitis, they complain more of tummy ache than a sore throat because all the glands are up.

I can understand your annoyance about the sweets as my parents and inlaws also spoil the children rotten with rubbish food, but, to be honest, if he hasn't eaten for days, I would say a little something (even if it's sweets) in his tummy won't hurt. Hope he's better soon.

Original poster

YummyMummy1208 · 02/01/2011 20:46

:) Thank you everyone, i can totally see things from a different perspective now and im glad i posted on here before having another disagreement with my OH.

You're right, this isnt the underlying issue with the in law, she has a totally care free way of parenting that conflicts with mine just a little which we're trying to work on!

The doctor did say it was probably swollen glands but to be honest im unsure how to treat that other than be sensitive with his tummy!

Thanks for the advice.xx

OP posts:

McGinger · 02/01/2011 20:51

If he hasn't eaten for a wee while and has shown little interest in food I would be inclined to offer a wee sweetie as an incentive to start him eating again IYKWIM.

I hate Jelly Tots though, they are horrible sweets! They stick to your teeth like glue!

13lucky · 02/01/2011 20:55

Yummy - my dd complained of a tummy ache for a very long time after an illness once - to the point I was convinced there was something seriously wrong with her. It used to come on straight after she ate or drank anything after a particularly bad virus. I think just give bland foods to start with and perhaps just small mouthfuls, little and often.

I know it's worrying, but they can survive on quite little food as long as they are drinking well. Try and get him to drink lots and lots of water if possible...I know it's hard but it helps flush things through.

Try bland things like you would after a stomach bug - bread, toast, rice, apple (surprisingly as you would think this is acidic but is advised after a tummy bug).

Hope he feels better soon (oh and that MIL behaves herself!!! I know the feeling!)

mjinsparklystockings · 02/01/2011 21:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

ChippingIn · 03/01/2011 13:04

TheVisitor - How does this He went to my mother in laws today with my partner read like the OP was there?

I've seen you around, I wouldn't have said you were new? But anyway - whether you are new or not is completely irrelevant to my comment to you - so would you like to tell me how TheVisitor - the childs Dad was there - why should she phone the Mum up to ask if she can give her Grandchild a few sweets? is having a go at you?

togarama · 03/01/2011 13:47

Yes, jelly tots are mainly sugar and easy to digest.

I wouldn't give any processed food on a regular basis but jelly tots when ill sounds perfecly reasonable.

Hope ds gets well soon.

Original poster

YummyMummy1208 · 03/01/2011 16:02

Jelly tots are not easy to digest at all and its not really an acceptable food for a child when ill. however. i see i did make a big deal out of something i could have just overlooked

OP posts:

togarama · 03/01/2011 16:41

It's basic human biology. Complex carbohydrates, proteins and many plant materials are harder to digest (but still healthy). Simple sugars, such as those which are the principle ingredient of jelly tots, are the easiest food group to digest.

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