Baby not eating food during cold

Foods to Eat & Avoid during Cold and Cough for Babies and Kids

If your bundle of joy has a cold and cough, it must be really hard for you to see him suffer. Your child may have a poor appetite during this time and he may even refuse to eat. But not getting adequate nutrition can slow down his body’s natural response to fight infection. You must make sure that he eats the right food to get him immune system back on track. Read this article to find out which foods you can give (and avoid) to your child when he has a cold or cough.

Video : Foods to Eat or Avoid During Cold and Cough for Babies and Kids

Giving nutritious foods to a baby which can be digested easily by him would be the best option. Here are some foods you should include in your child’s diet if he has a cough or cold:

1. Breast Milk

If you have a newborn or a baby below six months of age, breast milk will be the only source of nutrition for him. Breast milk, being a good source of antibodies, can strengthen the immune system of a child. Check to see if your baby is congested before you start feeding your child, as congestion can prevent your infant from feeding adequately.

2. Barley Water

Suitable for infants who are at least six months old, barley water is a great remedy for fever, cold, and cough. However, it is not suitable for children with gluten allergy and caution must be exercised if a family member has such an allergy. This is because the allergy might have been passed on to your child and you could be still unaware of this fact.

3. Applesauce

Also known as stewed apples, these are easy-to-digest and can help a baby stay hydrated. They come in handy during a cough and cold as they replenish the body’s fluid supply.

4. Rice Water or Gruel

Recommended for babies who are above six months of age, rice gruel is a soothing home remedy for a cough and cold. Rice water boosts the immunity of a child thereby helping him combat any infection.

5. Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a rich source of nutrients and strengthen the immune system. They also help the body in producing white blood cells. Sweet potatoes can be consumed in the form of porridge or you can mash and puree them for your little one aged six months and above.

6. Carrots

Carrots have medicinal properties and eating carrots can enhance the immune system and keep away bacteria and viruses. You can steam and mash the carrots to give it to your baby. You can also puree them or make carrot soup. However, give it your baby only if he is above six months of age.

7. Pomegranate Juice

The antioxidants in pomegranate juice can help subdue your child’s cold. Make pomegranate juice and add a bit of pepper powder and dry ginger powder to it. Give it to your baby if he is 6 months or older. This juice will help provide him relief from a cold and cough.

8. Moong Dal Porridge

Moong dal porridge is a wholesome and filling food for babies suffering from cold. It can be given during lunch or dinner. Suitable for children seven months and older, it is a soothing dish that you little one will enjoy.

9. Curd Rice

If your child is over eight months of age, you can feed him curd rice with a little seasoning of ginger and cumin seeds any time he is unwell. If your child has a cough or a cold, ensure that the curd you serve him is at room temperature and not too cold or sour.

10. Idli and Dosa

Steamed idli and dosa make great comfort food and can be given to kids when they are unwell and don’t feel like eating. You can give idli or dosa at any time of the day to your child if he is eight months or older. You can also offer chutney or some homemade jam as a dip.

11. Sabudana Porridge

Sabudana is also known as sago; it is a good source of starch and can give your child a dose of energy. As it easy to digest, it is a preferred choice for children when they are sick. You can make sabudana porridge, serve it with vegetables, or you can simply give the water. It is good for babies aged seven months or older.

12. Broccoli

Rich in antioxidants, broccoli is a good pick for combating infections. It energizes the body’s immune system and is suitable for children over eight months of age. You can make broccoli soup or puree for your little one. He will soon feel better.

13. Tomato Soup

Almost all of us like tomato soup; it is tasty and healthy. And the good thing is that it can be even given to children older than eight months of age. It constitutes a healthy dose of Vitamin C – you can mix some mashed rice in it before offering it to your baby.

14. Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes taste delicious and can be quite filling for a baby. Made from boiled potatoes, they usually appeal to children of all ages and can be introduced from eight months onwards.

15. Dalia

Being soft food, it can be swallowed easily, especially if a child has a throat irritation or pain. It can be made without milk to speed up the digestion process when a baby is sick. Dalia can be given to babies who are eight months and older.

16. Citrus Fruits

Drinking orange juice or lemon juice can help prevent cell damage while easing congestion and thinning out mucus. Make the juice with lukewarm water and add a dash of honey. It is generally recommended for children who are one year or above.

17. Turmeric Milk

A little turmeric powder mixed in warm milk with a dash of pepper acts as a natural antibiotic and can cure a cold as well as throat infection in babies who are one year or above.

18. Mushroom Soup

The health benefits of mushrooms are plenty, and their ability to keep infections away is well known. You can give warm mushroom soup to your baby; it is great comfort food for toddlers with a cold and cough. It is usually given to children who have attained the age of one.

19. Poha or Beaten Rice

It is soft and can be chewed by babies easily. Poha is also easy-to-digest and makes for a filling meal, especially for a child who is unwell. You can give poha to your child if he is 1 year or older.

20. Tulsi Water

Tulsi or Indian basil can provide relief from a cold and cough. Boil a few leaves of tulsi in half a litre of water for about 5 minutes. Strain and give it to your child. You can give it to babies above 6 months of age.

21. Garlic Lentil Soup

Just like rice water, dal ka pani is good for babies. But if your baby is suffering from a cold and cough, you can give him garlic and lentil soup. Garlic has antiviral properties and can boost the immune system. Its antiviral properties can prevent infections as well as speed up the healing process.

22. Ajwain Water

Giving ajwain water can also provide relief from cough and can clear chest congestion. Boil a tablespoon of carom seeds in water for some time. Let it cool then strain the liquid, then give it to your baby at regular intervals.

Foods to Avoid During Cold and Cough

There are certain foods that you should avoid including in your child’s diet if he has a cold and cough. This is because some fruits and vegetables are likely to have a cooling effect and can lead to respiratory infections. These include:

1. Refined Sugar and Sweets

Too much sugar is not good for anyone, especially for babies and toddlers. Hence, sugar and sweets laden with sugar should not be given to a child when he has a cold or cough.

2. Dry Fruits and Nuts

Your child may find it hard to chew or swallow dry fruits and nuts if he has a cold or cough. There is also a risk of pieces getting stuck in his throat if he coughs while eating. So it’s best not to give dry fruits and nuts. However, you can give them in powdered form – add the powder to his milk and porridges when he is sick.

3. Spicy and Oily Foods

Spicy or oily food can irritate the throat and worsen your child’s cough and cold. Thus, it is best to not give them to your kiddo.

Tips to Feed a Child Suffering From a Cough and Cold

If your munchkin is unwell, he is bound to get cranky and may fuss while eating. Here are a few things you should keep in mind to make sure he gets the required nourishment:

Babies aged six months and younger should be breastfed or can be given formula if they have a cold and cough.
Babies who are 6 months and above should have frequent small meals instead of big meals thrice a day.
If your baby’s doctor prescribes oral rehydration solution (ORS) to your toddler, be sure to give it to your child as and when required.
If your baby does not want to eat something, give him what he wants to eat. Do not force-feed your sick child.
If your baby is above six months of age, make sure he stays hydrated. Offer him different types of fluids. These can include water, milk, broth, and fresh fruit juice made with slightly warm water.

These are just some general guidelines you should follow if your child is down with a cold or cough. However, if there are symptoms like wheezing or ear pain, then it is best to consult a doctor immediately as it can be an ear infection or something more serious. Also, do not introduce any new foods when your baby is ill as these can aggravate the symptoms or cause allergies, worsening the matters. Consult your doctor if your child’s condition doesn’t improve over a couple of days. Since dehydration is a possibility because of infections, so keep an eye on your child, note these early signs to ensure you can get your child the help he needs immediately.

Also Read:

Cold and Cough Medicine for Infants and Children
Home Remedies for Children’s Colds and Flu
How to Deal with Dry Cough in Babies

Sick Toddler Won’t Eat or Drink

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It’s common for a toddler’s food preferences and overall appetite to fluctuate over time. All parents know the frustration of a toddler who gobbles up strawberries one day and then won’t touch them the next day. The frustration is compounded when your child gets sick.

An everyday fussy eater can become next to impossible to please when they catch a cold or stomach bug.

You may not think about what foods and drinks to offer your little one when they come down with something, but a little know-how can help you prepare to nurse them back to health the next time they pick up a germ.

In this article, we’ll provide tips on how to get a sick toddler to drink and offer meal and snack ideas.

Is It Normal for Sick Toddlers to Eat and Drink Less?

It’s normal for most toddlers to experience a decreased appetite when they’re feeling under the weather. Sometimes a child is simply feeling too tired or cranky to eat while their immune system is busy fighting a bug.

When your child doesn’t want to eat, you might start worrying about bad eating habits, weight loss, or nutrient deficiencies. For most mild childhood illnesses, these worries are simply anxieties that we, as parents, have to set aside.

Think about how you feel when you get sick. You might feel a change in appetite, be too tired to sit at the table or chew much of anything, be sleeping more than usual, or feel somewhat hungry but nothing seems appealing.

A change in appetite can actually be one of the first clues that your toddler isn’t feeling well. If their food intake or interest in eating is suddenly and uncharacteristically off, it’s time to pay attention. Take inventory of any other symptoms like a fever or congestion, especially with very young toddlers who may not be able to verbalize what they’re feeling yet.

That being said, there are some things you can try to help your toddler eat and drink to get the nutrition and hydration they need to support their immune systems and recover quickly.

7 Tips for Feeding Sick Toddlers

1. Don’t force them to eat.

Forcing, bribing, and hovering over a sick toddler who isn’t showing interest in their usual meals and snacks can backfire, cause your child to eat even less, and be a stressful and unpleasant experience for all parties involved.

If your toddler won’t eat, focus on fluids. Preventing dehydration and replacing lost fluids always take priority over feeding solids.

2. Stick to safe foods.

This isn’t the time to offer new foods or flavors. Think about how you feel when you’re sick and the foods you do and don’t crave. Chances are you reach for more comforting items, like soup, toast, and crackers and save new recipes for another day.

3. Offer easy to digest foods.

Skip heavy, greasy or fried, heavily spiced, and sugary foods when your child is ill. Bland foods are usually tolerated better. This is extra important if your child is dealing with a stomach bug. Sugary, fatty, and highly seasoned foods can be hard for a sensitive belly to keep down and digest.

4. Offer smaller portions.

A large amount of food or drink can overwhelm a kiddo on any given day, but especially when they’re not feeling well. You should try to offer their normal meals and snacks, but don’t be surprised if you find your child grazing throughout the day while they’re sick. It might feel like you’re on snack duty around the clock, but trust that your child’s usual appetite and meal schedule will return when they’re feeling better.

5. Listen to your child.

Let them eat what they want, when they want, within reason. The human body is incredibly intelligent and children will eat when they’re ready. If your child is asking for something in particular, let them have it. You’ll have plenty of time to return to your normal eating schedule and meal time rules when they’re feeling better.

6. Try probiotic foods.

If your child has been prescribed antibiotics, offering probiotic-rich foods such as yogurt or kefir can help counteract digestive upset from their medicine. You can also ask your pediatrician for recommendations for a childrens’ probiotic supplement.

7. Don’t wait to get help.

If your sick child is refusing all attempts at food and drink, contact your pediatrician immediately.

What to Feed Sick Toddlers

Let’s review some of the most common toddler ailments, how they can affect a toddler’s appetite, and specific foods and drinks that can help manage each.

What to Feed Toddler with a Fever

When your toddler spikes a fever, they may be fussier than usual or have less energy which can decrease their interest in doing much of anything—including eating. The biggest concern with a fever is keeping the body well-hydrated to prevent dehydration.

If your child complains of feeling hot or cold when they have a fever, you can offer cooling or warming liquids to help them feel more comfortable. Try to offer their normal meals and favorite foods if they have a fever with no other symptoms, but as always, don’t force or bribe them to eat and take your cues from your kiddo.

Head and chest colds are often accompanied with congestion, runny nose, and cough. Fluids and foods with a high water content are your toddler’s best friend while they fight off a cold. Fluids can help thin mucus so it’s easier to get out when they cough or blow their nose.

The steam from warm foods can also help loosen mucus and provide relief from nasal congestion. Offering warming soups, broths, hot chocolate, and non-caffeinated tea (with supervision, of course) are all good options.

What to Feed Toddler with Sore Throat

The pain of a sore throat can make swallowing food and liquids uncomfortable, which may make your toddler eat less even if they feel hungry. Acidic foods can irritate an already inflamed and sore throat.

It can help to skip these foods until your toddler’s sore throat has healed:

Orange juice
Pineapple juice
Orange slices or segments
Tomato juice
Tomato soup

Extra-cold or warm liquids may be soothing and offer relief from a sore throat. You can try offering:

Smoothies blended with frozen fruit and/or ice cubes
Popsicles
Frozen yogurt or ice cream
Ice water
Cold apple juice or cider
Cold pudding
Hot chocolate
Herbal, non-caffeinated tea

What to Feed Toddler with Diarrhea and Vomiting

If your child is vomiting or has diarrhea, you may be tempted to wait until it passes to offer food or drink. However, vomiting and diarrhea can quickly dehydrate a child.

The most important thing to remember if your child is vomiting or has diarrhea is to keep giving them small amounts of fluids to help replace what’s being lost.

Try offering 1 or 2 tablespoons (1 or 2 ounces) of water, coconut water, or an electrolyte replacement solution every 15 to 30 minutes if they’ve been vomiting or had diarrhea. Steer clear of sweetened drinks and juices since the sugar content can make diarrhea worse.

Small amounts will likely be better tolerated than trying to get them to drink a full cup.

If they keep small sips of fluids down, increase the amount of fluid you give them every 15 to 30 minutes.

The “BRAT diet” advises feeding bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast for stomach ailments. These foods contain simple carbohydrates that provide energy and are easy to digest.

Hydrating Foods and Drinks for Sick Toddlers

Fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or just refusing liquids for a prolonged period of time can put your toddler at serious risk for dehydration. If you’re concerned your toddler is dehydrated, contact your pediatrician immediately.

The best way to prevent dehydration and replace fluids lost through vomit, diarrhea, or sweat is to keep a cup full and encourage your child to sip from it all day long. Using a favorite cup, crazy straws, or liquid dropper to “squirt” liquids from a cup spark a toddler’s interest in drinking more.

Water is the best choice, but if you’re finding it a struggle to get them to drink it, here are some other drink ideas:

Else plant-based formulas for toddlers and kids
Coconut water
Watered down juice
Milk of choice
Clear broths
Popsicles
Smoothies or milkshakes made with fruit, milk, yogurt, or Else plant-based formulas

If your toddler is still breastfeeding, you can nurse or offer expressed milk as much as possible while they’re sick. Breast milk is hydrating and offers nutrients they may be missing from solid foods while they’re sick.

If your child is refusing fluids, try offering foods with a high-water content. These include:

Yogurt
Pudding or chia pudding
Store-bought puree or smoothie pouches
Watermelon
Cantaloupe
Honeydew melon
Pineapple
Apples
Strawberries
Peaches
Cucumbers
Zucchini
Carrots
Tomatoes
Lettuce

Meal and Snack Ideas for Sick Toddlers

In addition to the above ideas, here are some other meal and snack ideas that are simple to prepare and serve and have blander flavors preferred by sick toddlers.

Toast

Choose 100% whole grain or sprouted toast for additional fiber, vitamins, and minerals
Creative toast toppings can entice a sick toddler to take a few bites. Try nut butter and mashed strawberries or raspberries, mashed banana and cinnamon, or hummus and cream cheese.

Pancakes or waffles

Try making your own batter with a whole grain mix and adding in mashed banana, pumpkin puree, or blending the batter with spinach for extra fruits and vegetables.

Scrambled eggs

Oatmeal made with dairy or nondairy milk or formula

Mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes

Soups and broths

Chicken noodle or chicken rice is usually a kid pleaser. Vegetable rice soup is a good option for vegetarian and vegan families.

Plain cereal, pasta, or rice

Choose 100% whole grain and sugar-free cereals

Applesauce with cinnamon

Fruit

Softer varieties are usually better tolerated when kids don’t feel well. Try strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, bananas, and ripe pears.

Vegetables

Try soft steamed or roasted vegetables, like carrots and broccoli. Offering a dip such as hummus, ketchup, or ranch dressing can help entice your toddler to nibble some veggies, but don’t be surprised if your toddler turns up his or her nose at vegetables when they're not feeling well.

Should My Sick Toddler Avoid Dairy?

Some people avoid milk, yogurt, and cheese when they’re sick, believing it can worsen the congestion that accompanies head and chest colds. There’s no scientific evidence that dairy increases mucus production or thickens mucus, so this theory may be an old wives tale.

Still, the answer of whether to serve dairy to your sick toddler isn’t a straight-cut yes or no. Some people do notice they feel worse then they’re sick and eat dairy.

Sick toddlers don’t need dairy since there are many other foods and drinks you can offer them to meet their nutrition and hydration needs. However, if your toddler is used to drinking a cup of cow’s milk in the morning or is asking for a grilled cheese sandwich, these familiar foods may be a comforting source of nutrition when they’re not feeling well.

Of course, if your toddler doesn’t normally eat much dairy there’s no reason to offer it when they’re sick.

The best thing you can do is take note if your sick toddler’s symptoms seem to worsen after a cup of milk or yogurt. If you notice any changes or are worried dairy could potentially worsen their congestion, it’s best to skip it.

The Else product line is full of nutritious, non-dairy alternatives to milk that can be served on their own or blended with fruit and vegetables to make a smoothie or “milkshake.” Non-dairy yogurts made from coconut milk or cashews can also be a good alternative for kids who love yogurt but may need to skip it while they heal from a cold.

If your toddler is battling a stomach bug, serving dairy can be iffy. Sensitive stomachs may have a hard time digesting dairy. Again, it’s best to skip cow’s milk and recipes made with dairy if you’re in doubt. Once your little one has recuperated from a bout of vomiting or diarrhea, it’s fine to offer cow’s milk and other dairy foods again if they want it.

Seeing your toddler feel unwell and trying to manage their symptoms is a troubling experience, but it’s something most parents go through at one point or another. Offering simple foods and drinks and prioritizing rest can help your little one get back up to running, playing, and eating normally in no time.

The content and advice provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis, treatment, advice for specific medical conditions. Always consult a pediatrician to understand the individual needs of your child.

Feeding a sick child

Publication date: 12/15/2016 08:22

April 22nd, 2016 Olga.

While the child grows up, he will be ill with various diseases more than once. About 80% is accounted for by SARS. Any disease (we are now talking about the flu, SARS) is characterized by poor health of the child - malaise, cough, runny nose, weakness, and maybe intestinal upset. And all this affects the appetite of the child. If a child has caught a cold, mothers always ask themselves the question: how to feed him properly? Proper nutrition of a sick child will help to quickly cope with the disease.

During an illness, the baby always has a poor appetite. There are physiological reasons for this:

at elevated temperatures, blood circulation in the stomach slows down. because the body sends blood to vital organs: the heart and lungs. The process of digestion and assimilation of food slows down and the child needs less food than usual;
during an illness, the liver actively fights toxins, the products of the vital activity of viruses and the decay of damaged cells, so a large amount of food carries an additional burden;
the toxins themselves poison the body and the child, when he is ill, not at all up to food;
blocked nose, sore throat, difficult to swallow.

Nutrition should be appropriate for the child's age;
during illness, do not introduce new foods into the diet;
food should be sparing - liquid or semi-liquid;
make small meals if the child does not want to eat, and the number of feedings can be increased;
if the child refuses to eat, let him drink more fluids (water, compote, fruit drink, rosehip broth).

From the diet during illness should be excluded:

Hard-to-digest foods - fatty meat, whole grain cereals, fresh vegetables and fruits.
Foods harmful to the liver - fatty dairy products, chocolate, vegetable oil, lard, confectionery.
Rough, which can damage the mucous membrane - nuts, seeds, crackers, cookies.

Useful menu

During an illness, a child needs food that is well absorbed by a weakened body. Therefore, chicken broth, vegetable soups, stewed and boiled vegetables are perfect for feeding a child during SARS.

To avoid mechanical irritation of the stomach, choose foods that are low in fiber. What foods are low in fiber? These are potatoes, cauliflower, pumpkin, rice and semolina, animal products.

Potatoes are especially delicate in fiber, so include mashed potatoes in your menu more often. You can cook mashed potatoes with sausage, cheese. Beautifully decorate the dish.

Animal protein must be present in the diet of a sick child, since it is a building material for protective antibodies. They are rich in lean meat - veal, beef, lean pork. For soups, use secondary broths from turkey meat, rabbit, chicken breast.

What else can you feed a child during illness? Yogurt helps out well, especially homemade, with the addition of berries.

Cook porridge for the child: semolina, oatmeal, you can also add berries from jam or defrosted.

A sick child needs vitamins. You can make vitamin drinks from rose hips, berries, cook jelly, dried fruit compote, berry juice. . Such drinks will alleviate the condition of the baby if the throat hurts. But with indigestion, milk should not be given at all.

To increase the appetite of the dish, it is desirable to arrange it beautifully so that the child immediately has a desire to eat it.

Nutrition for a convalescent child

After an acute period of illness, a period of convalescence begins, when the baby is on the mend and nutrition during this period plays an important role. The food of a recovering baby should be rich in energy in order to restore strength, contain minerals and vitamins, the food should be well absorbed.

As soon as the symptoms of the disease subside, do not rush to pounce on a child with enhanced nutrition, it will take a few more days to restore digestion. Continue to follow the diet, adding lean meat and fish, cheese, eggs, boiled vegetables and fruits to it.

Ideal for casseroles, puddings, steamed cutlets, vegetable soups. Introduce fruits and vegetables into the diet and do not forget about sour-milk products that will help restore the disturbed intestinal microflora. Let during this period the food be fractional, the child eat a little. And when the body gets stronger, the child will return to a normal diet.

Choosing tactics

When feeding a sick child, parents must remember that it is impossible to force-feed a child!

We provide a diet with easily digestible products. Some parents find it difficult to feed the baby during illness, he categorically refuses to eat. Psychologists advise not to turn feeding into a circus with musical numbers so that the child eats "well, at least one spoonful."

If a child refuses to eat once, it will not bring much harm to health. He will not remain hungry, but will ask for something anyway when his appetite wakes up.

And don't scold the baby if he doesn't want to eat. Appetite will be restored.

Information from the site: deti-i-vnuki.ru/pitanie-bolnogo-rebenka/

Tips for parents: how to feed a sick child?

Our children sometimes get sick, and in addition to the correct treatment of the disease, for a speedy recovery, the child needs proper nutrition. All parents know this, but often they have problems with feeding - children refuse to eat at all or require something completely different from what is prescribed and useful for them.

In addition, bed rest or hospitalization imposes some restrictions on the eating process itself, the eating process becomes somewhat different than usual. Passion.ru found out how to properly feed children during illness.

Physiological characteristics of the body

When children get sick with acute infections, it is unpleasant. In addition, the simplest and most natural desire of a child in the first hours of an acute illness is a refusal to eat, even the most beloved one.

Refusal to eat is a normal reaction, since it is caused by the body's biological programs and manifests itself as a symptom of almost any disease, even in adults, we just know how to eat through force, "because we need to." Children do not understand this, and refuse to eat. However, it seems illogical for parents to refuse food, because strength is needed to fight the disease.

All acute illnesses are based on stress: pain reactions, fever, oxygen deficiency in tissues. This leads to a standard reaction of the body for all people - the brain activates blood circulation in the most important organs that help to cope with the disease - this is the brain and spinal cord, heart, lungs and kidneys.

In all other organs, blood circulation is minimized during the fight against the disease. This is especially true of the digestive system - the intestines and stomach. At the same time, its peristalsis slows down, the production of juices and enzymes decreases, they become thick, so it will be very difficult to digest food.

In addition, due to viral infections, babies often develop the so-called "intestinal syndrome" with loose stools, abdominal pain and gas - this also explains the lack of appetite and a categorical refusal to eat.

It has been proven that the strength of the intestinal syndrome and the frequency of its occurrence are directly related to the activity of parents in feeding the child: digestive disorders develop due to the fact that the body is not able to digest an increased amount of food.

How the liver affects appetite

The liver plays an important role in the child's body - first of all, it is involved in the digestion and digestion of fats, but in addition, it is actively involved in the fight against infections. The synthesis of antibodies and interferon is carried out in the liver. They are involved in the neutralization of viruses and microbes, the removal of toxins and waste products of the enemy, increase general immunity .

During acute infections and illnesses, the load on the liver increases many times, and loss of appetite is one of the protective mechanisms of the liver from overload. The liver focuses on more important functions than digestion.

That is why there is no need to raise a panic when a child refuses to eat, his nutrient reserves will be enough for the acute period of illness, and the weight that is lost during the illness is then quickly restored. As the activity of microbes decreases and recovery occurs, appetite is restored.

How to feed a child during illness?

Give up the habit of spoiling a sick child with harmful things - cakes, sweets, chips, soda - this will strain the pancreas and can cause a breakdown in its work, which can result in abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Feed your child often, but little by little, even a few spoons of soup or porridge will be very useful for the child.

If it hurts the child to eat

Sometimes, due to problems in the mouth or nearby areas (ears, nose), the child refuses to eat. It hurts him because of stomatitis, it is unpleasant to swallow because of a sore throat or otitis media. Anesthetize the mucosa before eating or drip medicine into the ears or nose.

Do not rush the child, give him the opportunity to carefully chew everything and swallow carefully, without causing discomfort.

If your baby is sick, change the nipple to a softer one with less flow so that it doesn't choke and press the nipple on the sore spots in the mouth.

Feeding bedridden patients

Sometimes it becomes necessary to feed children in bed, then special tables will come to the rescue. You can put cutlery and plates on them, and a maple and a napkin are spread on the bed for the child himself so that he does not stain linen and clothes. Feed the child with a spoon, raising his head to a semi-sitting position. Make sure that he has time to chew and swallow everything. Do not force-feed your baby, especially if he is sick.

Babies are usually fed from a drinking cup or bottle , placed on their knees and covered with a diaper. After eating, the child needs to wipe his face and hands, wash with a damp towel, give him a drink of water.

As the child recovers, his appetite will return and he will begin to eat on his own. In the first days of recovery and returning to your usual diet, make sure that the portions are one third smaller and the baby does not overeat. Digestion may not immediately cope with a large amount of food.