5. Other Foods You Can Feed a Sick Toddler
| Toddler Illness | Foods Recommended |
| Cold | Water, ice pops, ginger ale, diluted fru ... |
| Fever | Applesauce with raisin and cinnamon suga ... |
| Vomiting | Crackers, plain pancakes, dry cereal, an ... |
| Sore Throat | Cold, creamy, and nutritious foods: froz ... |
What is the best food to feed a toddler?
- Porridge fingers: these oatmeal bars for toddlers are easy to pick up and very popular with little ones. ...
- Baked apple slices: my friend swears by these—her toddler devoured them! ...
- Fruit salad: any kind of fruit will work, provided it’s chopped into the right size, but this toddler fruit salad with peach, strawberry, and blackberry sounds delicious! ...
What foods should you avoid when sick?
Some foods tend to increase histamine in the body, such as:
- Pickled foods like sauerkraut
- Smoked meats
- Nuts
- Highly processed foods with many additives
- Beans
- Vinegar
- Chocolate
- Some dairy products
- Some preservatives
How do I Feed my child when they are sick?
Tips for Breastfeeding a Sick Baby
- Common Cold or Nasal Congestion. If your baby has a cold and a stuffy nose, but she can still breastfeed OK, you don't have to do anything to treat her ...
- Ear Infection. An ear infection can be painful, especially during breastfeeding. ...
- Stomach Bug. Gastrointestinal illness is less common in breastfed babies, but it can happen. ...
What are some healthy toddler meals?
What Are Some Healthy Meals That Kids Like? Strawberries, kiwi, bananas, apples, peaches, pears, raisins and grapes are all healthy foods that children love. If you’re feeding a toddler, remember to slice grapes and other round berries into halves or quarters to prevent choking.
What do you feed a sick child with no appetite?
A sick child may have a poor appetite so serve up mini meals based on their favorite types of foods. 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 do you feed a toddler with a virus?
You may try:Breads, crackers, and pasta made with refined white flour.Refined hot cereals, such as oatmeal and Cream of Wheat.Fruit juices that are diluted by mixing half water and half juice. ... Frozen fruit pops or gelatin (Jell-O) are good choices, especially if the child is vomiting.
How do I get my 2 year old to eat when sick?
7 Tips for Feeding Sick ToddlersDon'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.
Should a sick toddler not eat?
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 toddler with Covid?
Most people with a mild illness, including children, don't need any specific treatment. They get better with rest, fluids, and fever-reducing medicine.
How do you hydrate a sick toddler?
Preventing dehydration in toddlers Have an oral rehydration solution on hand at all times. These are available in liquids, popsicles, and powders. If your toddler gets sick, be proactive about their fluid intake. Start giving them extra water and a rehydration solution at the first sign of an illness.
How long can a toddler go without eating?
Humans can usually go a month without food but will not be able to drink water for three to four days.
What are Covid symptoms in kids?
Fever and cough are common COVID-19 symptoms in both adults and children; shortness of breath is more likely to be seen in adults. Children can have pneumonia, with or without obvious symptoms. They can also experience sore throat, excessive fatigue or diarrhea.
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.
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 long does a cold last in toddlers?
How long do toddler colds last? You can expect a toddler's cold to last between seven and 10 days, but it may continue for up to two weeks. And a cough, one of the last cold symptoms to appear, can hang on even longer — sometimes up to a month.
How can I tell if my toddler is dehydrated?
These are some signs of dehydration to watch for in children:Dry tongue and dry lips.No tears when crying.Fewer than six wet diapers per day (for infants), and no wet diapers or urination for eight hours (in toddlers).Sunken soft spot on infant's head.Sunken eyes.Dry and wrinkled skin.Deep, rapid breathing.More items...•
How do you treat a stomach virus in a toddler?
There is no specific treatment for gastroenteritis, and most kids can be treated at home. Keep your child hydrated by offering plenty of liquids. Kids with more severe dehydration may need treatment in the ER or hospital. Mild dehydration is treated with oral (by mouth) rehydration.
How do you introduce food after a stomach virus?
The goal is to reintroduce bland foods that are easy for your stomach to digest. The most recommended foods to eat after the stomach flu, food poisoning or a regular stomach ache are part of what's known as the BRAT diet. BRAT stands for bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.
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.
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).
Food for Sick Toddlers: Keep These Tips In Mind
Water has many important roles within our bodies, and it is especially important when fighting an infection. Kids ages 1-3 years need about 4 cups of water per day. Kids ages 4-8 need about 5-6 cups of water per day.
Ideas of Food for Sick Toddlers
When your child is not feeling well and may not have their normal appetite, it is important to provide them with foods that will feel good on their tummies while also offering fluid replacement and nutrition. Foods that contain a water content are helpful for hydration.
Food for Sick Toddlers: Categorized by Illness
Below I have organized the types of food that may work best depending on which kind of illness your family is dealing with. Keep in mind that these foods are suggestions and that you may have to tweak your options depending on what works for your child’s illness, how they are feeling, and what works for your family.
Take Care of Yourself
Let’s not forget your health! It is not easy to parent while you are sick too. Take care of yourself so that you can take care of your family.
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). ...
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.
Can toddlers wash their hands?
Well, hand washing and hygiene can be enough for us grown-ups, but the reality is that toddlers just do not understand how to cover a cough, blow into a tissue, or avoid putting their mouths on their friends.
Does milk increase mucus?
But research has shown that dairy actually does not increase mucus production. (Balfour-Lynn IM. Milk, mucus and myths. Archives of Disease in Childhood. 2019;104:91) Ultimately, your main take away from this should just be that if they want to drink milk during their cold, you shouldn’t worry about serving it.
Available on your favorite platforms
Something I’ve noticed with my friends who don’t have kids, every time I tell them my kids are sick they’re like WHAT AGAIN? It’s pretty inevitable when they’re still developing their immune system and it’s really not until grade school when it starts to decrease.
What to do if they just want ONE thing
If all they want is toast or crackers, that’s okay! Give them a few days to eat this way until they feel better, and then get back to the normal menu. You can still offer other items but it’s normal if the only stuff they are drawn to is plain.
Food for toddlers recovering from 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!
Top supplements for preventing & treating illness
Your starting lineup for this sickness season is: hand washing, good hygiene, probiotics, and elderberry.
Prevent sickness with probiotics: the immune boosters
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.
Treat sickness with elderberry: the symptom reducer!
As soon as they actually start getting sick, reach for Elderberry. 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.
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.
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.
How to help a sick child eat?
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. Try bananas, rice, applesauce or toast if they are a bit queasy. If you can get in some vegetables – go for it, but focus more on getting them nourished!
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.
How to help a toddler with fluids?
Soup is warm, soothing and an accepted remedy. It also will help provide for your child's fluid needs. For a more filling soup, add some rice or noodles and cooked, chopped vegetables.
What fruits and vegetables are good for kids?
Good sources of vitamin C include lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit and berries. 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.
What to eat when you are queasy?
Try bananas, rice, applesauce or toast if they are a bit queasy. If you can get in some vegetables – go for it, but focus more on getting them nourished!
What to feed a sick child?
Yoghurt. Another effective food for sick children, yoghurt is a good source of proteins. They also infuse the body with the necessary probiotics to maintain good health. You can either feed yoghurt to your child with breakfast, or give it to him in the evening along with other meals.
What to feed a child with a fever?
Particularly, when they suffer from upset stomach or diarrhoea, you need to feed them with light meals and soups. This helps the food to be easily digested by the body. They do not pressurize the digestive system and help to heal the body. Carrots can be served as soup, as they are tasty and light. During fever, children grow repulsive towards various foods. Carrots can make the difference, as they are easily digestible, tasty and loved by kids.
How to help a child with a sore throat?
Honey. Honey is known for its abilities to soothe sore throat. During flu or other throat infections, feed your child with honey. It will form a coating in the throat and keep off irritation. You can either drip a teaspoon of honey in the drinks or feed honey separately to the child on a scheduled basis.
Why are eggs good for kids?
Firstly, they provide lots of proteins to the body. They repair the body and replenish the lost nutrients. The protein in egg can be digested easily. You can provide egg curry or boiled eggs to your child in the meals.
How to help a child with a disease?
Prepare meals containing various cereals and pulses for your child. It will help them to form a strong defence mechanism against the diseases. These foods contain good amounts of protein, which help the body to recover after illness.
Why is it important to give food to a child?
It is necessary to give effective food to your child at this time for comfort and curing the ailments. Not all regular diets are suitable for kids.
Why do kids eat oranges?
They contain Vitamin C and antioxidants. Oranges help to cure the children fast, adds strength to their immune system and infuses the body with various minerals. You can prepare orange juices for your child or let them consume the whole food. Even when your kids remain fit, make sure that they consume oranges on a daily basis to maintain the sturdiness of their defence system.
What to do if your baby is refusing milk?
For an older baby who has started solids but is refusing milk, offer clear liquids and foods with high water content like juices that have been half-diluted with water, gelatin, soups and popsicles (if they've been introduced). Offer fluids frequently throughout the day, and remember that any amount — even a few sips at a time — is a good thing. ...
Why is it important to drink fluids when breastfeeding?
If your baby has a fever, a respiratory infection such as a cold or the flu, or a gastrointestinal illness with diarrhea, it's important that she drinks plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Babies who are on breast milk or formula alone should eat as often as they like, unless the doctor recommends otherwise.
Do babies take what they need?
Babies tend to take what they need when they need it, and once they recover from their illness, their appetites usually recover, too — big time. In fact, once your baby's bug goes bye-bye, don't be surprised to see her become a little power-eater.
Can you give a baby electrolyte fluid?
If your baby has been experiencing a lot of diarrhea or vomiting, your doctor may recommend a rehydration (electrolyte) fluid made especially for kids. Just don't buy the sports drinks at the store; they contain a lot of sugar, which may make diarrhea worse.
Can a baby eat bland food?
However, there's no need to restrict her diet to only bland foods if she can tolerate more. Be especially respectful of your baby's likes and dislikes when illness makes her appetite iffy. If that means nothing but breast milk or formula and pears for three days, so be it. Don't pressure her to eat.
Can you feed a sick baby?
As long as your little one is still drinking and peeing, not eating as much as usual is okay for most minor illnesses; no special diet is necessary. Follow these general guidelines for feeding your sick baby: Encourage her to drink. If your baby has a fever, a respiratory infection such as a cold or the flu, or a gastrointestinal illness ...
Is it normal for a child to lose appetite?
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. It's also very common for many infections ...