Unwell toddler not eaten in 3 days

[Sleepy987]

Toddler currently has a horrible virus. Has been ill for over a week and still really bad with fevers etc. Been to GP but said just viral. Today he’s only eaten a banana at lunch time. All other meals and snacks refused, including favourites. Yesterday was just a yoghurt pouch. He’s still drinking though luckily (less than usual but still some).

I’m starting to worry now. He has no energy but also can’t force feed him?! Is this little food when ill normal?

I wouldn't worry as long as he's drinking, I'm sure he'll perk up in a few days.

Very normal to go off food. My toddler barely eats anything when he's unwell. As long as he's drinking and weeing. If he gets any worse though take him back to see the doctor. There's some really nasty things around at the moment.

Is he having juice ?

My ds caught a bad flu-type virus and didn't eat for more than a week, but he continued to drink & pee, so the doc said just make sure he is hydrated and keep his temperature as close to normal as possible .

Try some warm soup or dilute fruit juice, but as long as he's drinking, not to worry too much.

By the time he did start eating again, he was very skinny and all eyes, but put the weight back on quickly.

@MintJulia @Swirls346 when you say your littles didn’t eat, do you mean they literally didn’t eat anything or did they eat little bits?

@Sleepy987 I mean he would drink squash and then eat some things but not much at all. Maybe like half a yoghurt , a biscuit all day type of thing. Appetite soon returned when he was better. He's not eating much at the moment though because of teething. X

Have you tried smoothies? Or if he'll eat ice cream, you could freeze smoothies or milk. Cocoa powder has protein and minerals in it, so mixing some into some warm milk as a drink might be a good idea if you think he'll take it.

I'd go back to GP or ring health visitor for advice about the eating specifically. "It's just viral" isn't good enough, you need practical advice about how to care for him during this virus and signs to look out for of it getting worse.

Having said that, could it be Covid at all? That used to make stuff taste funny for some people so might have affected his likes/dislikes?

Try shoving some calories in a drink - you could try making milkshakes or just full fat milk or hot chocolate.
As long as he’s drinking it’s not a big deal medically for him to go off food for a few days while ill, especially as he is having small amounts. It’s fine to drop all pretense of a healthy diet and offer his favourite foods even if that’s chicken nuggets and chocolate. You’ll get the balance back when he’s recovered his appetite.

Very normal, but also very worrying for a parent.
As long as he is drinking that is the most important thing.
Try ice lolly or ice pops. Even ice cream. Appetite will come back slowly, so keep offering small bits but don't worry if he refuses.

There might be an immune reason to not eat when unwell

@Sleepy987 He didn't eat anything solid for a whole week. I managed to persuade him to have a little bit of tomato soup. And a few spoons of pineapple juice. But other than that, he only wanted water, calpol and to sleep.

It was very worrying but the GP checked him twice. After a week, he sat up and said he was hungry - huge relief. 🙂

It's fine as long as he is drinking. Don't worry :)