Tell me this is just a phase?

[ButWeWereOnaBreak]

Hi all
Got a bit of a sensitive 13mo DS. A couple of weeks ago we both caught the flu and his appetite understandably shrunk and he was mostly interested in BF. We are over most of it, he just has a remaining cough but not horrendous...but he has zero interest in solid foods. He will try a bite or two and then refuse. He does ask for oat milk though (CMPA) and has been having loads of this, and breastfeeding lots too. Usually he is like this with teething but I don't think that's it this time. He is slightly constipated but this hasn't stopped him eating previously either. I'm trying everything- I always eat with him, even got him to stand on a stool and watch me make lunch, letting him self feed and trying lots of variety (although it's getting tiring making 3 different options for lunch etc). Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated
Thanks x

They can be like this after an illness. Are you sure he's fully over it? I'd be tempted to give him some Calpol about half an hour before lunch tomorrow and see if he eats any better.

Definitely a phase - happens every time my DS gets a cold/cough. I think it's a mix of having a sore throat so eating is painful and having a cough which also can make it harder to eat without gagging. It takes a while to break that association but it goes back to normal after a while.

Thank you both, that's really reassuring. He still has a slight cough but don't think it bothers him much. Hopefully the association will break with time as you said :) just worried all he is having is oat milk! I hope it doesn't do any harm

It won't do him any harm. My DS used to get tonsillitis and survived on BFing and lollies. One he's feeling well again he will soon let you know as he'll be hungry all of the time