what to feed my toddler with the flu

Try offering frozen fruit bars and soup or broth. Give your child a pain reliever, such as children's acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to relieve muscle aches and fever. (Never give aspirin to a child who has the flu or is suspected of having the flu.

Full Answer

What can I give my Baby for the flu?

They can help your baby feel better by making symptoms milder, and they can also help prevent serious complications, like pneumonia. 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.

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.

How to care for a child with the flu?

How to Care for a Child With the Flu 1 Understanding Symptoms. The symptoms of the flu are similar in children to those of adults,... 2 Because young children are at much higher risk for severe complications... 3 Fever and the Flu. A child between ages zero and three months whose rectal temperature is... 4 Rest and Fluids. Knowing how to care...

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).

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.

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 should I feed my toddler with a cold?

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!

How long does the flu last for toddlers?

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.

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 I get my sick toddler to eat and drink?

Give your child plenty to drink. For the first day or so don't bother about food unless they want it. After that, start trying to tempt them with bits of food and encouraging them to have nutritious drinks like milk. Try to give your child time for quiet games, stories, company and comfort.

What food is good for a coughing toddler?

Serve Easy-to-Swallow Foods Toddlers and babies who eat solids may prefer soft, smooth foods. Try ice cream, ice pops, flavored gelatin, pudding, yogurt, or applesauce. If they prefer warmer foods, try chicken broth or freshly made pudding. Babies 6 months and younger should stick with breast milk or baby formula.

Which fruit is best for cough?

These would be a surprise for you, but pineapple is a potent cough aid. Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple that has anti-inflammatory and mucolytic (break down of mucus) properties. These two characteristics of bromelain make pineapple an excellent food to help relieve a cough.

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.

How can I treat my toddler's flu at home?

Fighting Kids' Cold & Flu Symptoms: Fever ReliefAs with colds, let your child get plenty of fluids and rest.Keep the room temperature cool (between 70° and 74° F).Dress your child in lightweight pajamas.Encourage your child to drink extra fluids, popsicles, and gelatin to stay hydrated.More items...•

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.

What does flu look like in toddlers?

Speed of onset: If symptoms come on very quickly, it is more likely to be the flu. Fever and chills: A high fever and chills are more likely to be signs of the flu. Muscle aches: Aching muscles are more common in children with the flu. Headache: Headaches are more frequently with the flu than with a cold.

What should not eat in cold and cough?

And so can the following foods which you should avoid if you want that cough and cold to get any better.Sugar. You might crave a sugary tea or something sweet when you're down with a cold - what would you do without some comforts when you're sick after all? ... Alcohol. ... Caffeinated drinks. ... Milk. ... Spicy food.

What can my toddler eat with a sore throat?

How to Care For Your ChildGive them soft, easy-to-swallow foods, like applesauce, mashed potatoes, hot cereal, or eggs. ... Give them lots of liquids, like water, Pedialyte®, diluted apple juice, or popsicles. ... To soothe a sore throat, for children:More items...

Is Egg good in cold and cough?

Selenium acts as an antioxidant, which helps relieve some symptoms of the common cold. Eggs are a protein-filled food rich in zinc and vitamin D. A 2018 clinical review suggests that vitamin D intake is associated with a lower risk of a cold, and the higher your intake, the better your immune function.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How to help a child with the flu?

If one of you has the flu, have the other take care of your child as much as possible. If both you and your partner have the flu, consider asking a friend or relative to help care for your child. Wash your hands with soap and water often. Do this every time you cough or sneeze, as well as before you handle your child.

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.

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. ...

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 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.

What is the normal temperature for a newborn?

A fever of 100.4 degrees F or higher if your baby is younger than 3 months old (a fever in a baby this young may indicate serious infection or disease) A fever that rises to at least 101 degrees F if your baby is between 3 and 6 months old. A fever that rises above 103 degrees if your child is over 6 months old.

Is the flu dangerous for babies?

The flu is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs caused by an influenza virus. The flu can be dangerous – even deadly – for babies. Young children – especially those under age 2 – are at risk for serious complications if they get the flu. Each year about 20,000 people, most of them children younger than 5 years old, ...

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 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.

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.

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.