what to feed my toddler when he has the flu

• Yogurt. It's smart to give your kids some kind of probiotic on a regular basis, especially during cold and flu season.
• 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.
• Beef & Pork. Meat is naturally high in protein, a critical component of the immune system. ...
• Chicken Soup. Your grandma was right: There's something about chicken soup (even the store-bought kind!) that makes you feel better when you're sick.
• Warm Drink. Got a miserable, sniffly kid? In research, people with symptoms of colds and flu who sipped on a hot drink said it immediately eased their runny nose, cough, ...

Full Answer

What can I give my 10 month old for the flu?

What to Do When Your Baby Has the Flu: 10 Infant Flu Home Remedies 1 Keep Breastfeeding. 2 Saline Drops. 3 Remove Mucus and Clear Airways. 4 Elevate Your Baby’s Head. 5 Use a Humidifier. 6 Vapor Rub. 7 Snack Feed. 8 Pedialyte. 9 Hold Back on the Aspirin. 10 Vitamin D.

What should I do if my baby or toddler has the flu?

Whenever you suspect that your baby or toddler has caught the flu, call your doctor right away. And be sure to contact your pediatrician immediately if you notice the following troubling symptoms: If your baby is less than 3 months old and has a temperature of 100.4° or higher, call the doctor immediately.

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 can I give my Baby for a fever?

Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce the fever if there is one and alleviate body aches (but don’t give ibuprofen to babies younger than 6 months old, and never give babies or toddlers aspirin) according to your doctor's recommendation and the label. Antiviral medications.

What to feed a sick toddler who won t eat?

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 food is good for flu recovery?

10 Foods to Eat When You Have the FluIce Pops. 1/10. They can soothe your throat when it's sore, swollen, or dry. ... Turkey Sandwich. 2/10. It has lean protein, a key part of a healthy diet. ... Vegetable Juice. 3/10. ... Chicken Soup. 4/10. ... Garlic. 5/10. ... Ginger. 6/10. ... Hot Tea. 7/10. ... Banana. 8/10.More items...•

What drinks to give toddlers when sick?

What Fluids Will Help?Fruit juices. Most kids love them. ... Apple or grape juice may be more soothing. Dilute it with water so your child gets less sugar.But if your child is dehydrated, fruit juice doesn't have the right mix of sugar and salt to treat it. ... Decaffeinated tea.

Is yogurt good for flu?

Yogurt. Eating yogurt that contains live bacteria may help fight off the flu. Yogurt is also a good source of protein .

Is boiled egg good for flu?

Eggs contain protein and it is essential to gain some strength and energy at a time like this. In fact, eggs are also filled with vitamins B6 and B12 that help in boosting immunity. So, boiled eggs are a good choice of food during a fever.

How do I rehydrate my toddler?

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. Older children also can have electrolyte ice pops.

Should I let sick toddler sleep all day?

You're best to let them sleep as much as they need to if your schedule allows. Also while kids are sick, they may wake up more frequently. This is usually due to discomfort from a congested head, tummy ache, etc.

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.

How can I recover from flu faster?

12 Tips for a Speedy Flu RecoveryStay home. Your body needs time and energy to fight off the flu virus, which means that your daily routine should be put on the backburner. ... Hydrate. ... Sleep as much as possible. ... Ease your breathing. ... Eat healthy foods. ... Add moisture to the air. ... Take OTC medications. ... Try elderberry.More items...

What helps flu fast?

9 Tips to Ease Flu SymptomsStay home and get plenty of rest.Drink plenty of fluids.Treat aches and fever.Take care of your cough.Sit in a steamy bathroom.Run the humidifier.Try a lozenge.Get salty.More items...•

Is banana good for flu?

Bananas. Yes. These are great for the flu and are loaded with nutrients and energy.

How do I get my energy back after a virus?

The Best Ways to Bounce Back After Being SickTake your time. Be careful not to push yourself too hard too fast. ... Turn off those screens. Phones, TVs, and tablets all emit blue light that causes strain on your eyes. ... Make a green smoothie. ... Drink hot water with True Lemon. ... Practice meditation and deep breathing.

How to help a toddler with a stuffy nose?

Water, juice, yogurt, electrolyte solutions, and chicken soup are all fine choices to keep him hydrated. Warm liquids may even help to unclog a stuffy nose. Bring down the fever. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help. Ask your doctor's office what the correct dosage is for your toddler's weight and how often to give it.

How to help a toddler breathe?

Help him breathe easier at night. When your toddler goes to sleep, put a cool-mist humidifier in his room. The moisture from the vapor helps relieve his stuffy nose.

Why does my toddler have a runny nose?

Runny nose. If it's the flu, on the other hand, your toddler may have things like: Sudden high temperature that persists despite fever reducer medication. Feel much more tired than usual, sleep more, and do a lot less activity. Sore throat.

How to take care of a sick toddler?

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.

Is it safe to give a toddler tamiflu?

But a drug called oseltamivir ( Tamiflu) works against the flu virus, and it's safe to give to toddlers. There are a few drawbacks, though. For one thing, it's only effective if you use it in the first 2 days after your child gets the flu.

Is it safe to give a child a cold medicine?

A Drug to Treat the Flu? Steer clear of over-the-counter cold and flu medicine -- they aren't safe for children under age 4. The flu is caused by a virus, so antibiotics, which fight bacteria, won't do any good. But a drug called oseltamivir ( Tamiflu) works against the flu virus, and it's safe to give to toddlers.

Does oseltamivir make symptoms go away?

Also, it won't make symptoms go away, though it does make them milder and shortens the duration of symptoms by 1-3 days as in the next sentence. Oseltamivir may make your toddler's bout with the flu end a day or two early. Talk to your doctor about it.

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.

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.

How to prevent flu in toddlers?

How to prevent the flu in babies and toddlers. During pregnancy, shielding a growing baby from flu germs is easy. Snug and safely sealed off in that cozy uterine cocoon , yet-to-be-born babies are protected from colds and flu, even if you’re not.

What are the symptoms of the flu in toddlers?

Common symptoms of the flu in babies and toddlers include: Fever. Dry cough. Sore throat. Runny or stuffy nose. Muscle aches and pains. Headache. Exhaustion.

How to treat fever in infants?

Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce the fever if there is one and alleviate body aches (but don’t give ibuprofen to babies younger than 6 months old, and never give babies or toddlers aspirin) according to your doctor's recommendation and the label. Antiviral medications.

What temperature should a 3 month old be?

If your baby is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, call the doctor immediately. The flu can lead to serious complications, especially in young babies since they haven’t had a chance to build up their immune systems yet.

How to help a child who is not sick?

Use baby wipes and/ or hand sanitizer in a pinch when washing up with soap and warm water isn't possible right away.

Is it normal to be scared of a baby with the flu?

If it does turn out that your little one has the flu, it's normal to be worried and even scared, especially with young babies and toddlers. But with the proper medical care, supervision and treatment by the pediatrician, plus a lot of rest and fluids, your child will likely be on the path to recovery soon.

Can you give a baby a cold medicine?

A cool-mist humidifier running in your child's room, especially at night, can also be helpful (avoid a hot-water vaporizer, which can potentially burn your little one if she touches it). Never give babies and young toddlers any over-the-counter children's cold and flu medications, as they don't help and can be harmful.

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.

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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.

What to do when you have the flu?

There’s kind of this stereotypical idea of what to do when you have the flu; you curl up under the covers, fill your tummy with chicken noodle soup, and pop in an IV filled with vitamin C.

Can you use a humidifier on a baby?

If your baby hates an aspirator (let’s face it, we all do), you can use a humidifier to break up some of that congestion . Experts recommend using a cold air humidifier rather than a traditional, heated humidifier.