How concerned should I be that my 16 mo old daughter isn't really eating?

Question

She is recovering from croup and has two bottom teeth coming up and has had no interest in eating for the last 3-4 days. She typically has a very healthy apetite. She will drink lots of milk and juice AND I'm giving her PediaSure for calories. Should I be super concerned? She really can't afford to lose weight. She is tall for her age but only in the 12th percentile for weight.

(P.S. we just moved to a new country and do not have a doctor yet so please don't suggest taking her to her doctor. We don't have one yet).

Thank you.

Answer 1

As mother of 3 and grandmother of one, I think I can help you with this! My daughter was plagued with croup, and it always interfered with her appetite, too. I wouldn't get too concerned unless she is terribly listless and seems to be dehydrated. Kids really can vary their food intake greatly from week to week..even month to month, depending on their growth cycle. I can always tell when they are going thru a growth spurt, they will be ravenous. Then when their body rests for a bit, the appetite will lessen considerably. Teething will also REALLY put them "off their feed"...a couple of good ideas to help the teeth come thru quicker is to have her chew on a frozen wet washrag...or a clean pork chop bone! You may think I'm crazy, but my old doc for the oldest 2 kids (now 25 & 24) suggested it and it worked like a charm! Good luck!

Answer 2

No one else has mentioned that it's okay for your child to be on the 12th percentile. (As long as she's been travelling along that line and hasn't dropped from another percentile ie 50th in a short period of time).

3-4 days is not a long time to go without food, especially since you're giving her pediasure. I would suggest doing what the nutritionist above mentioned and offer her some of her favourite foods first. If she continues to refuse, wait awhile, then give the pediasure. (That way she won't associate Pediasure with meal times). My son just got over a stomach bug, where he refused any solid foods, except for a few grapes here and there, for 5 days.

Just remember, this phase will pass. Just make sure that she stays hydrated as dehydration is a more pressing short term concern than no solid food intake for a few days.

Answer 3

Even though you mentioned, pls don't suggest taking her to the doctor... i'm going to. Even though you don't have one yet, you can go to the ER or urgent care. If she's not eaten much in 4-5 days, you're just going to have to take her to a doctor. Pedialyte is good for electrolytes being replaced due to a highfever, pediasure is kind of like a meal replacement so as long as she's eating a little of that every now and then and drinking pedialyte she should be ok, but you may want to get her some Oragel, a numbing agent for her teeth that are coming up. She is most likely in some pain and doesn't want to suck on anything because of it. put a little of that on her gums and then try to feed her. about 5 minutes later. If you don't get any results after that, then you just need to crack down and get a doctor & find one immediately.

Answer 4

Usually the doctors would tell you not to worry, but since she is only in the 12th percentile for her weight I would try and force feed her.
But if it's only been 3-4 days I think there is not really a problem as long as she takes in lots of liquids and maybe you should give her additional vitamins.

Answer 5

Take a step back and read, You may have answered you're own question.

See, my daughter is 2 and i worried about the same when she was sick and afterwards. Here it wasnt that. She found liquids are more "convient" it many ways. So, i cut back on the liquids started giving her soft foods like bannanas and textured foods she likes and she eats more now.

If not the case, then i really wouldnt suggest "forcing" she is only young and on the same note, more fragile. But please, try looking for a pediatrician in your area, in case it gets too much worse.

Eat with her and show her you "like it too."

Good luck.

Answer 6

OK I wont suggest not taking her to a doctor. Just let the baby get sicker and sicker. What kind of mother are you? You get your lazy butt off the couch and find a doctor immediately for the child. Don't you have any common sense lady? You have alot of nerve to even post this here. You would rather get advice from non professional people in the field of medicine? Just doesn't make sense.

Answer 7

children at this age work on a hunger drive she will not starve herself

don't worry she will eat when she is hungry, just make sure you are offering her healthy food, (do not offer snacks to try to get her to eat something this will do more harm than good)

just keep offering what you tipically would feed her before she was sick and do not replace her meals with extra juice or pediasure everything will be fine

Answer 8

as long as she drinking milk shes fine...

get some crackers and fruit snacks and put them on a table where she can reach them threw out the day and keep this stock refilled

my niece did the same thing she eats like a bird... when they are hungry they will eat just give child lots of milk and the pedia sure really does help

Answer 9

I would not be concerned unless you notice a weight loss.. Other wise she will eat when she is hungry her body knows when she needs food, but other wise watch her and take her to the doctor for a check up.. Good luck

Answer 10

You should not immediately be concerned!
As long as she is drinking liquids she is still getting vitamins and minerals!
As long as there is no diarrhea continue to give her the liquids, when she is ready for food--she will let you know! Whenever you eat--offer her some of her food!