what to feed a toddler with the flu

Full Answer

What can I give my toddler for the stomach flu?

Liquids are an essential aspect of your toddler’s diet during the stomach flu 1 2. Excessive vomiting and diarrhea can cause your toddler to become dehydrated, Baby Center warns 2. Give your child increased liquids, such as water, sports drinks and child-oriented electrolyte-infused beverages.

What can I give my Sick toddler for a fever?

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.

What should I do if my child has the flu?

When your child has the flu, you'll want to keep him comfortable. Make sure he rests. Your toddler will be more tired than usual. Try to get him to take naps during the day, plus a long sleep at night. Get him to drink up. Water, juice, yogurt, electrolyte solutions, and chicken soup are all fine choices to keep him hydrated.

What should I Feed my child when they have an 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 do you give a child with the flu?

How is the flu treated in a child?Acetaminophen. This is to help lessen body aches and fever. Don't give aspirin to a child with a fever.Cough medicine. This may be prescribed by your child's healthcare provider.Antiviral medicine. This may help to ease symptoms, and shorten the length of illness.

How long does the flu usually last in toddlers?

How long does the flu last in kids? If your baby or toddler comes down with the flu, symptoms usually last about a week but can linger for up to two weeks. The associated cough can sometimes last up to four weeks.

What do you feed a toddler with a fever and no appetite?

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.

What do you feed a sick toddler with a fever?

Bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast are the foods that make up the BRAT diet. These foods are easy to digest and have a better likelihood of staying down than many other foods when a child is sick. Similarly, CRAM is a diet that consists of cereal, rice, applesauce, and milk.

How can I get rid of my toddlers flu fast?

How to Take Care of Your Sick ToddlerMake sure he rests. Your toddler will be more tired than usual. ... Get him to drink up. Water, juice, yogurt, electrolyte solutions, and chicken soup are all fine choices to keep him hydrated. ... Bring down the fever. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help. ... Try something sweet.

Which flu is worse A or B?

Type A influenza is generally considered worse than type B influenza. This is because the symptoms are often more severe in type A influenza than in type B influenza. Type A influenza is more common than type B influenza. Researchers suggest that most adults have considerable immunity against type B influenza.

Can we give egg to toddler during fever?

Egg Whites The white portion in the egg is the protein that nourishes the yolk. Its viscous property can absorb the heat from the surrounding. The same property can be used to treat baby fever.

Is it OK if toddler doesn't eat when sick?

It's normal for a child who's under the weather to lose her appetite — along with her sunny disposition. And it's not always a bad thing. For instance, if her tummy is ailing her, an eating slowdown will give her stomach and intestines a chance to recover, especially if she's been vomiting.

What can I give my sick toddler that won't eat?

Hydration Tips for Sick Toddlers Who Aren't EatingWatered down 100% juice with ice cubes.A popsicle.Yogurt.Smoothie.Fruit (especially watermelon, pineapple, strawberries, raspberries)Milk.Warm herbal tea (100% caffeine free) with a tsp of honey (over 1 years old)Warm broth.

Should I let sick toddler sleep all day?

Sleeping While Sick Don't beat yourself up instead get her feeling better faster. Sleeping is perhaps the best medicine for your little one. Their body needs sleep, and lots of it, to heal and fight off infection. Most of the time they will take care of this themselves by sleeping longer and more frequently.

Should I let my sick toddler sleep with me?

Sick children get very tired and need plenty of rest. Encourage your child to doze off when they need to, perhaps with a story read by you or on a mobile device or CD. Never fall asleep with a sick baby on the sofa with you, even if you're both exhausted.

Can you give a toddler ginger ale?

Children 1 year through 11 years Do not give your child apple juice, chicken broth, sports drinks, soft drinks or ginger ale. These drinks may make diarrhea worse. Offer frequent, small meals of easily digestible foods (cooked cereal, toast, applesauce, rice).

When should I be concerned about my toddler flu?

Your child should be taken in for medical care if he has the following symptoms: Fever that does not respond to fluids, rest and fever-reducing medications. Extreme fatigue. Inconsolable irritability.

How do I know if my child's flu is serious?

You should seek immediate medical care in an emergency center if your child exhibits any of these core warning signs: Return of flu-like symptoms with worsened fever, cough. Fast or troubled breathing. Cyanosis, a bluish discoloration of the skin.

How long does it take for a child to get over the flu?

Most healthy people recover from the flu without any serious problems. Fever and muscle aches usually last only 2 to 4 days, but cough and tiredness can continue for 1 to 2 weeks or more.

When should you take your child to the ER for the flu?

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if your child has any of these flu complication signs and symptoms:shortness of breath.difficulty breathing.blue lips.excessive vomiting.dehydration (decreased urination, sunken eyes, dry lips)stiff neck.severe lethargy.nonresponsiveness.More items...•

How old is a baby when taking Tamiflu?

The antiviral drug oseltamivir (trade name Tamiflu) is approved for treating flu in babies as young as 2 weeks, and the CDC recommends it for preventing flu in children as young as 3 months. Guidelines for using antiviral medications change periodically so check with your baby’s doctor about current recommendations.

How long does the flu stay on surfaces?

Studies show that the flu virus can live on surfaces for up to two days. Because the flu spreads when people are in close contact, it travels easily through schools, daycare centers, playgroups, and families. People usually get sick one to four days after exposure.

What are the symptoms of the flu in 2020?

Flu symptoms are more severe than cold symptoms and can include fever, chills, body shakes, dry cough, tiredness, vomiting, and diarrhea. The flu can be spread by contact with infected people or contaminated surfaces. ...

How old do you have to be to get a nasal spray?

The nasal spray vaccine is available for most children 2 years old and older. If your baby is too young for the vaccine, make sure everyone in close contact with him gets vaccinated to limit the chances of exposure. Get your child the vaccine early in the season.

What does it feel like to have a cold and a flu?

A baby or young child with a cold typically has: No fever or a low fever (flu temperatures may run as high as 103 degrees F to 105 degrees F, while a cold rarely produces a fever) A runny or stuffy nose . Only a little coughing.

What does it mean when you have a headache with the flu?

Poor appetite. Ear pain or a feeling of pressure in the head or face. Sometimes vomiting and diarrhea (this happens in children, but not adults) People with the flu also frequently have a headache and muscle aches, although these are hard to detect in a baby or young child.

What are the symptoms of a toddler's ribs pulling in with each breath?

Call 911 if your baby or toddler has any of these symptoms or conditions: Fast or difficult breathing (ribs pulling in with each breath) Bluish or gray skin color. Not drinking enough fluids (not peeing as much as usual is a sign of this; see other signs of dehydration) Severe or persistent vomiting.

Let her set the rest rules

No need to banish your sick toddler to bed, even if you know that’s where you’d want to go if you were feeling yucky. Just keep a close eye on her and follow her cues. Little kids are good at picking up on their body’s signals, slowing down when they’re really sick.

Doctor her diet

If anyone tells you to “starve a cold, feed a fever,” don’t listen. Childhood illnesses call for a nutritious diet — just adjust your tot’s meals to suit her appetite. If she’s willing to eat (don’t force it), give her whatever nutritious foods she’s hungry for. Pancakes for supper? Fine.

Help the medicine go down

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.

Counter congestion

Most toddlers (and even preschoolers) haven’t mastered the skill of nose-blowing, so they suffer with stuffed-up sinuses.

Read all about it

It helps kids to understand that feeling rotten is part of life. If your child is up to it, isn’t contagious and has been fever-free for 24 hours, a trip to the library will yield a few books about ailing characters she can relate to.

Keep it light

Laughter is the best medicine — and that’s particularly true for toddlers and preschoolers, who can often tolerate discomfort best if they have a distraction.

Pour on the TLC

There’s no better medicine than your undivided attention. If possible, adjust your schedule as much as you can to accommodate your little patient’s need for plenty of hugs and kisses, and offer them in double doses (that’s one Rx that kids can’t get enough of).

What are some good foods for kids to eat?

Sweet Potatoes. These bright orange spuds are loaded with vitamin A, a key immune system nutrient that helps keep tissue in the mouth, intestines, and respiratory tract healthy. Just a half cup of cooked sweet potatoes has double the A that kids need every day.

What is the best food for the immune system?

Meat is naturally high in protein, a critical component of the immune system. Beef and pork especially are also some of the richest food sources of zinc, a mineral used by the body to make T-cells, which play a starring role in immunity. Other good sources of zinc are cashews, chickpeas, and kidney beans.

Does hot tea help with a sore throat?

For little ones, brew up some decaf tea with a drizzle of honey, which may help make a sore throat and cough feel better too.

Is yogurt good for kids?

Yogurt. It's smart to give your kids some kind of probiotic on a regular basis, especially during cold and flu season. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help strengthen the immune system by populating the GI tract and crowding out the bad bugs that can cause illness.

Who is Sally Kuzemchak?

Sally Kuzemchak, MS, RD, is a registered dietitian, educator, and mom of two who blogs at Real Mom Nutrition. She is the author of The Snacktivist's Handbook: How to Change the Junk Food Snack Culture at School, in Sports, and at Camp—and Raise Healthier Snackers at Home.

What Should I Feed My Child After Vomiting

After it has been 4-6 hours since the last time your little one upchucked and they are keeping down fluids, you can start trying to feed them these recommended foods:

How Long Does The Stomach Viral Flu Last In A Child

Typically the stomach flu lasts 24-48 hours in children, but some children have symptoms for up to 10 days. If your child suffers from symptoms past 48 hours, contact a medical professional as they are at risk for dehydration.

Recovery

It’s never easy seeing your little one suffer, but remember to take care of yourself too by sanitizing everything. You won’t be much good if you catch the virus too. I’ve made that mistake before and it’s not pretty.

How to know if your toddler has the stomach flu?

Symptoms. Most of the treatment for the stomach flu in toddlers is designed to minimize symptoms of the illness, according to Kids Health 1 2. The most common symptoms include an upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and fatigue. If your child develops blood or mucus in his stools, call your doctor immediately.

How long does a fever last with the stomach flu?

Symptoms can come on suddenly and last for up to three days, but they might also disappear within a day. A fever is not common with the stomach flu; call the pediatrician if your child runs a fever with a stomach flu 1 2.

Is stomach flu contagious in toddlers?

Gastroenteritis is a viral infection of the intestinal tract. The infection typically causes symptoms in toddlers for one to two days and is highly contagious. One of the best treatments for toddler stomach flu is to modify the diet 1 2.

Can you give a toddler soda with stomach flu?

Liquids are an essential aspect of your toddler’s diet during the stomach flu 1. Stay away from excessive amounts of fruit juice and do not give your child soda; both contain large amounts of sugar, which can worsen diarrhea.

Can you introduce bland foods to a toddler?

Kids Health recommends eliminating all solid foods from the toddler's diet while she is vomiting 1. Once the vomiting stops, you can introduce bland foods in small quantities. Introducing foods too early can cause the stomach to become upset and perpetuate vomiting.

Can you give a toddler ice pops?

You can also use ice pops to help maintain the proper amount of liquid in your child’s diet. Stay away from excessive amounts of fruit juice and do not give your child soda; both contain large amounts of sugar, which can worsen diarrhea. Liquids are an essential aspect of your toddler’s diet during the stomach flu 1.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

1 . The flu comes on suddenly.

What temperature should a child be at?

When it comes to a child with a fever, there are two situations when you should call the doctor immediately: 1 An infant up to 3 months whose rectal temperature is above 100.3 degrees or below 97 degrees: Babies this young cannot regulate their temperatures well, so you shouldn't wait to call the doctor. 2 A child between ages 3 months and 6 months with a rectal temperature of over 101 degrees: Although these older babies can regulate their body temperature better than when they were younger, a temperature over 101 degrees is still a serious concern.

What happens when a child gets the flu?

The flu comes on suddenly. You will likely notice that your child seems perfectly fine and healthy and then all of a sudden develops a fever, fatigue, body aches, and other symptoms of the flu such as sore throat and cough.

How to keep a child from getting dehydrated?

If your child is vomiting or having diarrhea, it's important to be sure he or she doesn't get dehydrated. Once the vomiting stops, the best way to maintain hydration and replace lost electrolytes is to give the child small sips of Pedialyte. 4  Space these sips out; give one every five to 10 minutes so you can be sure your child is able to keep the fluids down.

What happens if a child has a high fever but is active?

If your child has a high fever but is active and behaving pretty normally, you needn't be as concerned as you should be if, despite having only a low fever, your child seems unhappy and doesn't want to play.

Can kids handle the flu?

No one likes having the flu —it's a miserable illness and makes pretty much anyone feel horrible. But feeling confident that you know how to care for a child with the flu can ultimately help both of you feel better. Fortunately, kids are typically very resilient—in fact, they're often able to handle having the flu better than adults.

Does Verywell Health use peer reviewed sources?

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Influenza in children.

Best food for toddler with upset stomach

When your child has a stomach flu or an upset stomach, it’s best to stick to bland foods and plenty of fluids.

What to feed a kid with a sore throat or cough

Kids with a sore throat are going to like the same thing that adults with a sore throat like. Think about what would be most soothing.

What to give a toddler with a fever

If your child has a high temperature, your child’s pediatrician may advise you to give them a fever reducer like acetaminophen (Tylenol).

How to keep your toddler from getting sick (and help them recover from illness)

The best thing you can do to help your toddler stay healthy is frequent hand washing. This is the number one way to stay healthy!

Other things to do when your toddler is sick

There are many ways to help a sick toddler that don’t involve feeding them.

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.

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). ...

Can you make a vanilla milkshake with yogurt?

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!

Do you need to add vitamin C to a baby?

Remember, you don’t need to add Vitamin C or remove dairy. Instead, focus on hydration, adding in nutritional boosts wherever possible, and consider giving your child Elderberry and Probiotics if your pediatrician approves it. And don’t forget to try out a few of my go-to recipes for sick toddlers!

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.