My 3 year old son has been sick for a few days. Started out with croupe then seemed to move to a chest cold. I brought him to the ER to get him checked out yesterday. The doctor told me that I REALLY need to push the fluids because he was looking a bit dehydrated.
So Friday he ate about 4 grapes for breakfast, and that was it for the day. A bit of milk, bit of juice. Saturday he ate about 1/4 cup yogurt and 3 or 4 grapes for breakfast and refused to eat for the rest of the day. The fluids slowed down a bit too. I bought him a slurpee and he only drank a few sips and wouldn't drink anymore. Today he ate one grape for breakfast and that's it. He did drink about 4 ounces of milk and I finally got him to eat a popsicle so that's a bonus for the fluids.
Should I be concerned about his solid intake or is it really the fluids that I need to be concerned about?
2007-03-25 06:50:55 · 11 answers · asked by Angela G 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
You only need to be concerned about fluids. Realistically you can live for 7-10 days with just water -and most of the fluids you are offering have calories and nutritional value as well so they count as food and water.
Offer any fluid that you think your child will take, offer it frequently. Don't forget soups, jello and frozen desserts (sorbet, popsicles, ice cream, etc) count as fluids.
2007-03-25 06:58:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its the fluids you really want to be concerned with. My son who just turned 4 had a nasty bout of tonsillitis with a high fever, and literally went 5 days without eating a thing. He drank a ton of water and juice though, so the doctors were ok with it somewhat as he at least wasn't dehydrated. He did lose 2 pounds which was a little upsetting, but as soon as he felt better he ate twice the amount to make up for it!
What you're doing is great... just keep pushing fluids and popsicles or anything like that... once he feels better he will start eating again. Just keep an eye on him - if he becomes very lethargic or stops eating completely (like my son did) - definitely bring him back to the doctor to keep an eye on him.
I hope he feels better soon!!!
2007-03-25 08:29:54 · answer #2 · answered by Mom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When they are sick like that, first don't push as much milk..it's harder on the tummy. Second don't worry about the appetite because it's normal for feedings to be off. The main thing is the liquid. Keep giving him liquid..Give him juice, water, koolaid, Powerade, popsicles, jello, Any kind of liquid like that. As I said, milk is a bit rough on the tummy and the cold symptoms right now. If he's looking a bit dehydrated, worry about that for now. It can happen in no time that they become dehydrated then it's a trip to the hospital and an IV to give him fluids til he's back to where he should be if you don't watch it. I'm mom to 3 and been there many times.
2007-03-25 07:04:19 · answer #3 · answered by Melanie A 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The fluids are the important thing. Humans can go longer without food than we can fluids. The other thing that is difficult for hospital personnel is if you bring in a very dehydrated kid, their veins shrink up and it can be very difficult to start an IV to help hydrate them. The grape has fluid, but not much. Push the popsicles. Will he take jello? 7-up? Does he have a sore throat (this can be hard for kids that age to tell you)? If so, maybe give him some tylenol so he'll be more willing to swallow fluid.
Good luck and see your pediatrician if he won't take much fluid or his urine output decreases. Don't wait!
2007-03-25 07:01:31 · answer #4 · answered by Elizabeth M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd be more concerned about fluids than calories. I'd offer him Sprite or 7Up and see if he'll drink that, also clear juices. I'd stay away from milk because it can cause more mucus and might upset his stomach while he's sick. Here's a homemade pedialyte recipe for you (that stuff is expensive):
List of Ingredients
1 quart water
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3 1/2 Tbsp. sugar
* Optional:
1/2 pack any flavor Kool Aid (no sugar added) or to taste
1/4 tsp. salt substitue (for potassium- sold as NuSalt)
Recipe
Heat up a small amount of the water and dissolve all other ingredients in it.
Add remaining water and stir well. Keep in refridgerator.
2007-03-25 06:59:34 · answer #5 · answered by Heather Y 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The fluid intake is more important right now. Dehydration can kill a small child. But you need more than just water. Try getting some pedialyte. They make it in frozen pops too which he may prefer. And make an appointment for him with your regular doctor if he doesn't get better.
2007-03-25 07:42:38 · answer #6 · answered by Sharon M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
3 to 4 weeks
2007-03-25 08:03:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even some healthy babies need to be forced to eat at times. So when a child is ill, (s)he finds it more difficult taking anything in. don't force ur baby to eat right now. try offering him things u know he likes to take. And no matter how little he takes, don't force him further, but u may urge him and reward him with hugs and kisses if he obliges. U're even lucky he's taking anything at all. Try maintaining this and also give him plenty of water to help his dehydration. Take him out or invite his friends to ur home and serve them meals. He might surprise u by joinig them and even struggling for their share. I Wish him quick recovery and a gargantuan appetite.
2007-03-25 07:10:01 · answer #8 · answered by sholly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't be concerned with his solids intake. When my kids are sick, popsicles are a great way to keep them hydrated. Anything you can get them to drink (except the sugary, caffeine, or soda drinks), will help. He'll be fine, it sounds like you are going all you can.
2007-03-25 06:55:59 · answer #9 · answered by chelebeee 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try him on soup next, a smoothie made from bannana.Yogurt is also a good one all of these foodstuffs have ,a high liquid content, try and get him to sip water and blackcurrant juice.It will soothe his throat.
2007-03-25 06:58:39 · answer #10 · answered by Lindsay Jane 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋