Sick kids - what do you feed them?

[daffy2k]

So we've been really lucky in the sense that Madeline has rarely been sick.  Aside from the odd runny nose and an ear infection at the end of August she hasn't caught anything really bad since last January.  Until this weekend.  She is totally miserable and refuses to eat anything I've offered her.  Same with drinks.  She will drink a bottle of milk here and there (not helping her cough I'm sure) but doesn't want to touch the water or juice I'm offering.  

When your kids are sick, what do you give them?  Anything tried and true when they want nothing else?  I'm at a total loss.  Last year we had barely started solids so nursing her constantly was the obvious solution.  But we've been done breastfeeding for 3.5 months.

[bcandlm]

Other than when he had stomach viruses, LO has never been so sick that he wouldn't eat, but if he were refusing, I would see if he would at least take some Pedialyte to keep him hydrated and some bland stuff like applesauce and toast. That's what we did with his stomach viruses.

[vasc]

BRAT diet, Bananas, Applesauce, Rice, and Toast for tummy problems, but even for non-tummy problems.

Jello (any flavor but red flavors, as if they puke up red the dye stains horribly).

Pedialyte? Gatorade, watered down?

[vasc]

Cheerios?

[amv]

BRAT and freezies, I blend and freeze a bunch.
Pedialyte freezies if she's commuting a ton like this past week.

[musicalsilver]

When LO's feeling crappy, I go with his favorites that are pretty bland - crackers (which he could probably eat all day every day), mashed potatoes (with minimal additions), applesauce, and bananas.

I'm happy to still be breastfeeding when it comes to things like this, but I know that doesn't help you!

[cynthia2007]

For tummy aches, rice and applesauce she usually will eat. Sometimes crackers too or goldfish. And milk and water

[workinit]

I'm really easy going when it comes to eating during an illness. When D feels crummy he loves snuggling. (Truthfully this kid could snuggle all day every day). I let him sit On my lap and eat. We don't do as many formal sit down meals just because I know he feels miserable so I try to stick to grazing throughout the day and dinner at the table.

[peachey]

Pouches seems to be something he will eat even if he feels off. Things that are cool on his throat like fruit chunks that have been in the fridge. I wouldn't worry too much as soon as they feel better they start to eat again.

[alark]

A stomach bug hit daycare on Thursday, so this weekend, Ev has been living on toast, applesauce, bananas, rice, pedialyte, and water. Daddy gave her too much milk yesterday and she got sick again.

For dinner tonight we branched out a little and gave her roasted potatoes, chicken, and a little honeydew. As long as her tummy is recovering, I'm trying to stick to bland foods and avoid anything that's too spicy, acidic, or creamy.

[daffy2k]

Thanks guys. No tummy issues, so really anything could go. I got her to drink some warm herbal tea with honey to help soothe her throat (plus hydrate) so that was a bonus. And she did eat a few crackers. I was shocked when she only ate 3-4 of the Cheerios I offered her and wouldn't touch them the rest of the day. We've tried soups, and all of her usual favourites. She's even refusing pouches. I might make some Popsicles tonight and we will be doing pedialyte with a syringe if I have to tomorrow. I did entice her to drink a decent amount today, but it was tough. I'm just worried that if she doesn't eat anything she won't really have the strength to fight off this bug,

[musicalsilver]

Jan 18, 2015 20:25:39 GMT -5 daffy2k said:

Thanks guys. No tummy issues, so really anything could go. I got her to drink some warm herbal tea with honey to help soothe her throat (plus hydrate) so that was a bonus. And she did eat a few crackers. I was shocked when she only ate 3-4 of the Cheerios I offered her and wouldn't touch them the rest of the day. We've tried soups, and all of her usual favourites. She's even refusing pouches. I might make some Popsicles tonight and we will be doing pedialyte with a syringe if I have to tomorrow. I did entice her to drink a decent amount today, but it was tough. I'm just worried that if she doesn't eat anything she won't really have the strength to fight off this bug,

What kind of herbal tea did you give?  DH gave LO some tea last week and for some reason it makes me irrationally nervous.  I have no basis for this, and need to be educated!

[42butterflies]

daffy2k I think I may have missed it, but does she have an ear infection? I know when mine refuse to drink or eat a lot with the crud, it's bothering their ears and they are infected.

[daffy2k]

42butterflies if she hasn't improved tomorrow morning I'm going to take her in to get checked for one. She seemed much improved this morning so I decided to play it out but we basically did yesterday in reverse (great morning, miserable afternoon. Yesterday was the opposite). I was really hoping the good spirits last night and this morning signified some kind of improvement but I'm doubtful now.

[ciahanna]

If anyone wants it, I have a homemade Pedialyte recipe that I give Gia. Use a 4 cup measuring cup, put 1 cup hot water in the bottom,add 1/3 cup honey,1/3 cup lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt stir it until it's combined then fill the rest of the measuring cup up with cool water and stir again. I usually transfer it into two 16.9oz reusable water bottles.

When Gia feels crappy I can usually get her to eat yogurt or tapioca pudding. Or Kings Hawaiian rolls. She's a weird kid.

[vitafelix]

B lost his appetite and lost 2 lbs when he had roseola. He would usually eat yogurt, applesauce, cheese, goldfish crackers, or sometimes a pouch.