Toddler unwell not eating.

[petiteoeuf]

Hi wise mumsnetters. I know I’m worrying more than I need ti really, but FTM with a 16-month old who’s not been brilliant with solids so far, so I’m already exhausted by the constant grind of getting him to eat on a normal day. He’s now had a nasty cold for nearly two weeks and it’s really affected his eating. In the last few days he’s developed a fever and cough and has basically eaten nothing at all for nearly three days. Dr gave me antibiotics to give him if he doesn’t improve by tomorrow, so I can start those which might help. But I just wanted to hear it from people more experienced than me that as long as he’s drinking and having wet nappies, it is ok to ride the lack of eating out for a little while, right? Is there a time limit on when I need to be properly concerned? Thanks so much

Yes I'd be fine with that; mine haven't eaten for longer than that due to sickness bugs etc. So long as he's drinking water that's okay.
I would try to get him to eat using fun though. Teddy bear picnic in the garden with tiny sandwiches? Kebabs are fun for dinner. Arranging food in smiley faces, or animal pictures. Treasure hunt for hidden food.

I’d start the antibiotics today and not wait till tomorrow . Kids deteriorate really quickly and it’s been 2 weeks already. My son was in similar situation a couple of years ago and even oral antibiotics didn’t help. He had to be admitted into children’s ward eventually due to pneumonia where they put him on IV antibiotics. He improved after that

Yeah I was wondering whether to just start them. My GP is a severe type and was really strict when he gave them to me about not starting them if he doesn’t need them because it’ll make him feel worse etc, but honestly it’s just added to my already pretty stretched mental load! I thought DS was starting to improve this morning because his temp was lower than it has been and his snot and cough are slightly better than they were, but he’s SO clingy and emotional still - mind you, that could be hanger at this point. I’m bloody exhausted 🥲

Thanks for replying. really glad to know you wouldn’t be worried at this point. I also really appreciate the tips about eating and might give them a go, but honestly I’m not very hopeful as I have tried everything I can and am at my wits end - even when he’s well he still eats a nutritious (thank god) but very very repetitive diet. I’m desperate to get him into nursery as I think that will help, but we’ve got a bit of a wait yet, unfortunately

When my toddler DS stopped eating after a nasty virus, my GP said to give him whatever he'd eat to get him back into the habit...apparently kids can "forget" that they need to eat, and if they feel rubbish it's just not a priority for them.

I bought his favourite biscuits, and some ice cream...job done...over a few days he re-discovered his appetite and the biscuits were gradually complemented by more healthy items!

I feel better about getting the crisps and biscuits out reading this! He still didn’t eat much beyond a nibble, but it was the most interested he’s been in food. And then I caved and gave him a bottle because he’s miserably hungry. Hoping I’ve not just embedded the lack of solids even further, but poor little guy needed some calories! Thanks for the tip x

Same as ourselves when we're sick, it's about getting the calories in somehow. The normal rules don't apply. We can subsist on a diet of crackers, bananas and toast when we're ill - it's unreasonable to expect toddlers to continue to take these wonderfully balanced, healthy diets we have concocted for them when they're sick whenever we can't even do that ourselves.

Try some banana nice cream (literally just frozen, blended bananas) or some actual ice cream. On the sofa in front of the TV if need be. He might have a sore throat or just feel too lethargic to eat. Ice cream goes down very easily.

I really really appreciate all these suggestions, but unfortunately he is just too cautious with solids at the best of times for me to have much hope he’ll eat these! I’ve never managed to get him to eat banana OR ice cream even when he was well 😭. He won’t even have yoghurt today, which is his usual failsafe. That said, it’s worth a try isn’t it. Time to dig out the ice lollies lol

How's he doing @petiteoeuf?

Oh thanks so much for checking in! We’ve had quite the journey actually. I started the antibiotics but after nearly three days on them he still had a temp of 39+ that just would not come down, which made it 6 days of temp so I called 111 on sat who said it was okay to wait it out, but I didn’t agree so ended up in a&e until 2am with him having blood tests and all sorts! Turns out he’s got a nasty case of tonsillitis (I should have guessed really - I used to get it terribly as a kid and it was always accompanied by really high fevers). Some much stronger antibiotics later, he finally seems to be on the mend. And lo and behold, his appetite has come right back! Now just to try and catch up on all the lost sleep 🤣. Thanks so much for all the tips and support x