
Getting plenty of fluids (even via tiny sips throughout the day) is also important and is especially restorative if your sick toddler has a fever, cold, flu or lung infection. Serve foods with a high water content, like chicken soup or broths, applesauce or small pieces of ripe cantaloupe or watermelon.
How to tell if your baby is lethargic?
Symptoms of Lethargy
- Dizziness
- Abnormal heart rate Rhythms
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Spacing out
- Not being able to wake up
What foods should I Feed my Baby?
What Foods Should I Feed My Baby?
- Cereals. Offer a variety of grains including wheat, rice, oats, and corn. ...
- Meat & Alternatives
- Fruit & Vegetables. Babies need to learn to eat a variety of foods from each of the food groups to make sure they are getting all the nutrition they need.
Should I Feed my Baby before bed?
Yes, you can feed your baby right before bed. But, ensure you add it to your baby bedtime routine instead of purposely feeding her so she can sleep through the night as this might cause a vicious cycle for your baby. Besides, experts suggest feeding your baby 30 minutes before she sleeps to prevent sleep association, which can be hard to break.
Should you wake a baby for a feed?
- Baby's tummy empties easily. Babies digest breast milk easily and quickly. ...
- He might snooze through hunger. Most of the time, your baby will send out hunger cues like lip smacking, rooting and finger sucking — not to mention a hearty cry ...
- Baby needs to gain weight. ...
- You need to boost your milk supply. ...

What to give babies when they are sick?
How to treat: Avoid cough or cold meds, but give him Infants' Tylenol for fever. Dry air worsens congestion, so run a humidifier in Baby's room while he sleeps. If he's not drinking lots of breast milk or formula, give him water or, if your child is over 1, an electrolyte drink, like Pedialyte.
Do babies lose appetite when they have a cold?
Don't worry if babies lose their appetite They'll eat normally when they're well – as do adults. So in the meantime, as long as they're drinking and it doesn't go on for too long, don't worry about it (NICE, 2016).
How do I get my sick baby to drink?
Offer your child liquids in new, fun ways. Put a drink in a cup they don't usually use. Give them a straw. Pour some juice in a bowl and have them eat with a spoon.
What do I do if my baby has a cold and won't eat?
Sick Toddler Won't Eat or DrinkDon't force them to eat.Stick to safe foods.Offer easy to digest foods.Offer smaller portions.Listen to your child.Try probiotic foods.Don't wait to get help.
How long does a cold last in a baby?
If your baby has a cold with no complications, it should resolve within 10 to 14 days. Most colds are simply a nuisance. But it's important to take your baby's signs and symptoms seriously. If symptoms don't improve or if they worsen, it's time to talk to your doctor.
How do I rehydrate my baby?
Give your child small sips of oral rehydration solution as often as possible, about 1 or 2 teaspoons (5 or 10 milliliters) every few minutes. Babies can continue to breastfeed or take formula, as long as they are not vomiting repeatedly.
How do you know if baby is dehydrated?
Dehydration occurs when an infant or child loses so much body fluid that they are not able to maintain ordinary function. The warning signs can include dry skin, tongue and lips, rapid breathing, fewer wet diapers and tearless crying.
Do babies drink less milk when sick?
Due to the inflammation of a sore little throat, associated with a cold, your baby may start to refuse to breastfeed or may want to breastfeed for shorter periods.
Is it normal for a baby to eat less when sick?
Eating less solids during an illness is normal. Drinking less fluids is not. So far, your child does not have any signs of dehydration.
How long do babies lose appetite when sick?
This can be a sign of illness, infection, or low blood sugar. Infants dehydrate easily and not eating can quickly turn into a medical issue. Generally, they shouldn't go without feeding for longer than five hours for their first 12 weeks.
Do babies eat less when they have a cough?
A: Sniffling and coughing might make him lose his appetite. Being congested also makes it more difficult for him to eat because he can't breathe through his nose while he swallows.
What to do when sick child is hungry?
Frequent small meals are easier to digest and will help meet their energy needs. Steer clear of rich, fried, greasy foods and lean toward simple starches such as rice and noodles as these are easy on the stomach.
What to feed a child with a cough and a runny nose?
But what are your best bets for feeding them when they are mildly sick with a little sneezing, a cough and a runny nose? Diluted fruit juices, water, soup and broth are great ways of replenishing fluids.
What fruits can help with colds?
Good sources of vitamin C include lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit and berries.
How to help a child with fluids?
Offer your child a variety of soft fruits; they are not only full of vitamins and minerals to support good health and immunity, but contain a good deal of water to help support your child's fluid needs. Frozen sliced fruits are convenient and easy to thaw, and they won't spoil as quickly as fresh fruit. Here are a couple of ways to serve them:
Can frozen strawberries spoil?
Frozen sliced fruits are convenient and easy to thaw, and they won't spoil as quickly as fresh fruit. Here are a couple of ways to serve them: Slightly thawed fruits, such as blueberries or strawberries, offer a cooling sensation on the throat.
What to feed toddlers recovering from illness?
When your child is recovering from an illness, you can expect for their appetite to still be off for several more days, and that’s fine! Usually bland foods are more appealing to them during this time, but know that you don’t have to ONLY offer the standard bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (BRAT). ...
What to take for sickness season?
Your starting lineup for this sickness season is: hand washing, good hygiene, probiotics, and elderberry!
What to give a toddler who doesn't want water?
It’s a lot to ask of them to consume large amounts of water, especially if their tummies are upset, so small sips throughout the day are key. And when they really don’t want water, it’s okay to find something else they will drink. Even if it’s a milkshake to soothe their sore throat! A simple vanilla milkshake can be a great option, because they’ll love the ‘treat’ and you can sneak in a little nutrition boost (that they won’t notice) with a scoop of yogurt or vanilla Nutrikid Shake. Keep reading for my go-to vanilla milkshake recipe further down in this post!
Why is hydration important for kids?
That’s because many of the more glamorous parts of getting sick actually draw fluid out of the body.
Can elderberry help with colds?
It won’t prevent them from getting sick like probiotics can, but research does support it shortening the duration of their symptoms, so you don’t need to give it to them daily unless they start showing signs of a cold. Try this elderberry gummy or this syrup.
Can kids drink tea with vitamin C?
Spilling the Tea on Vitamin C. The truth is that your child really does not need to take a Vitamin C supplement, because it’s really easy to get 100% of the Vitamin C they need from food. Toddlers get enough Vitamin C from any ONE of the items on this list: 2 strawberries. ½ small orange. 2 strips red bell pepper. 2 tbsp broccoli.
Do probiotics help kids?
Probiotics will help support your child’s immune system, which can ultimately keep them from getting sick. I use Culturelle Kids (amazon affiliate link*) because the strain and dosage has been researched and proven to help keep kids from getting sick. If you want to learn more about probiotics for kids, see this post.
What to take for a sick toddler?
Whether the pediatrician recommends acetaminophen (Tylenol and others) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil and the like) to bring down a fever, or prescribes antibiotics to beat a nasty bug, you’ll want to make medicine-taking as pleasant as possible for your sick toddler. Usually that means doing what you can to mask an unpleasant taste. Even prescription drugs in the kid-friendliest flavors can have an after-taste to some tots.
What to do when your toddler is sick?
Getting plenty of fluids (even via tiny sips throughout the day) is also important and is especially restorative if your sick toddler has a fever, cold, flu or lung infection. Serve foods with a high water content, like chicken soup or broths, applesauce or small pieces of ripe cantaloupe or watermelon. For sore throats, a frozen fruit-juice bar can soothe the scratchiness.
How to keep a tot from getting moldy?
Run a cool-mist humidifier (aka vaporizer) in the room where your tot spends most of her time. Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on keeping its filter clean to prevent mold and bacteria growth.
How to help a toddler who is lethargic?
If she seems too lethargic to do much more than snooze and listen to a few songs or stories, stick to slower-paced activities. Just make sure your child is fever-free before you take her out near other people. (Going for walks or playing outside in your backyard is fine).
What to do if your toddler's nose is red?
Offering your tot tissues with lotion in them can also help soothe the chapped skin.
What to do if your child is throwing up?
If she’s throwing up a lot or has persistent diarrhea, call the doctor. It’s likely the pediatrician will advise you to give her an oral rehydration solution , like Pedialyte. If your child goes without eating or drinking anything for 24 hours, that’s another sign to call.
Can you wave a magic wand to make your toddler feel better?
So while you can’t wave a magic wand to make those icky feelings go away, there’s plenty you can do (outside of what the doctor orders) to ease your own parenting worries and help your sick toddler feel better.