should you force a child with a fever to eat??

Question

My 4 yr old is running a fever and I would like for her to eat,but she refuses.She is only drinking.Should I force her to eat??

Answer 1

no
let her sip cool water and juice
if she will take some broth, let her sip on that too.
if she will take a cracker or piece of toast.

Answer 2

No don't force her to eat, as long as she is drinking plenty of fluids she should be fine...and if she does eat then put her on a brat diet till she is feeling better. in case your wondering what a brat diet is...it is: toast, rice, banana's and apple sauce and stuff like that so her tummy won't get upset!
Oh also people think that a fever is a bad thing but as you should know it is how your body naturaly fights off illnesses, of coarse it is uncomfortable which is why we take fever reducers, just make sure you keep monitoring it and it doesn't keep going up. If you try getting her temp down by using cool clothes and notice her getting goose bumps then immiditly stop and cover her up becuase that is your body's natural way off rewarming and can actually cause her temp to go up and don't cover her head with anything becuase you will keep the heat trapped in.

Answer 3

No. If you ask a doctor they would most likely reccomend fluids. Not food. When your sick and have a fever do you feel like eating? most likely no. This is the same with her. she may be young but that doesnt change the fact that when ur sick food is the last thing on your mind. Dont force her to eat. that may just make things worse and cause her to puke or someting else. Just give her juice and water and keep an eye on her. Also it may help the fever if you put a warm or cold wet washcloth on her head. My mom use to do that for me when i had a fever as a child.

Answer 4

It is very normal for a child with a fever not to eat. Just like the saying starve a fever feed a cold. The best thing you can do is to make sure she is drinking allot of liquid. Try to get her to drink some pedialite so she can replenish her electrolytes. If she wont drink the pedialite Gatorade is the next best thing. Don't worry yourself, i assure you she will eat when she needs to. Hope she feels better soon.

Answer 5

I don't think it will harm her not to eat a day or two-most kids,grown-ups too do not feel like eating when ill. Its important she drink esp fruit juices for important she does not get dehydrated. Keep on hand Vitamin/Mineral pill daily for children her age and if she doesn't take daily good idea to give when ill for will give nutrients she needs. I wouldn';t force her to eat for probably feels bad enough as it is without having Mommy getting mad at her-needs your comfort.if you gt too concerned call her Pediatrician or take her in to see him for fever is usually indication infection somewhere in body or virus as in the flu. Give some chicken soup for even doctors agree there is a substance in chicken soup that does work to help with cold and the flu, if thats what it is. Or just the chicken broth since she is drinking.Also try some jello or canned fruit-chilled a bit in the fridge or even pudding for she's drinkling because she is thirsty why I suspect cold or flu for both make one thirsty. so anything cold you'll have ,more success with if she refuses the soup.Hope nothing serious and she get well guickly

Answer 6

Let her drink all she wants. If she's running a fever she's probably too warm, dehydrated, and feels thirsty. Give her Pedialyte and mild juice and let her rest. You can't force a 4 year old to eat - how are you going to do that? Nah, let her drink. I believe they also have frozen Pedialyte-type pops - I know I've seen ads for them on TV. When she feels better she'll let you know when she'd hungry. If the fever continues, take her to the doctor.

Answer 7

Make sure she is getting enough fluids. Clear ones. I wouldn't force her to eat her stomach might be upset and she might get sick. Try some soup she might drink the broth. If she has had a fever for more than a day or two I would call the dr. It is flu season!

Answer 8

I had the same problem and I didn't force my son to eat the doctor told me as long as the child is drinking fluids it is okay if anything try pediasure drinks because they have the vitamins in them for kids or even those shake like drinks they fill the belly but yea don't force feed your child, may get sicker and start throwing up or even get diarrhea and that equals lose of fluids.

Answer 9

When your immune system is compromised and fighting for its health, the reason that you lose your appetite is because your body wants to "fast". The reaosn that it needs to fast is because the longer that your body goes without food it begins to break down the virus/bacteria that is attacking your body. When you drink liquids such as water and juice the toxic substances are flushed out of your system. As long as you or your child doesn't have an appetite while sick, then allow yourself or your child to "fast" so that the anti-bodies will properly fight off the disease. Always drink plenty of fluids during a time of sickness. Good luck!

Answer 10

I wouldn't force her to eat. Just keep offering. Atleast she's drinking. Are you offering her Pedialite or anything like that? If it lasts for more then a couple of days I would call the doctor though. Good Luck! Hope she feels better soon.

Answer 11

Feed A Cold, Starve A Fever. My grandmother used to tell my mother that all of the time.