what to feed year old with 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 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 to eat when you have the flu?

Still, it’s all about eating the right foods for your condition. Consider eating the following foods when you have the flu. 1. Broth. Whether you prefer chicken, beef, or vegetable, broth is one of the best things you can eat when you have the flu.

What can I give my 5 year old for a cold?

5 Foods to Fight Kids' Colds & Flu 1 Yogurt. 2 Sweet Potatoes. 3 Beef & Pork. 4 Chicken Soup. 5 Warm Drink.

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 foods help get rid of the flu?

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 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 is the best food for sick child?

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 can a toddler go without eating when sick?

Not eating is a good thing. If you force them to, they could lose it all over again. Don't give them solid foods for about eight hours once they've started vomiting. Clear liquids only.

Why do kids lose appetite 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 feed my toddler with a cough?

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.

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.

Is Orange juice Good for sick toddlers?

Orange and grapefruit juices contain a large dose of vitamin C. Cranberry juice and tomato juice are also high in vitamin C. Offer your child 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice that doesn't contain added sugar, which can depress your child's immune system.

How can I help my sick child feel better?

Looking after a sick childKeep the room airy without being draughty. ... Give your child plenty to drink. ... Try to give your child time for quiet games, stories, company and comfort.Sick children get very tired and need plenty of rest. ... Never fall asleep with a sick baby on the sofa with you, even if you're both exhausted.

Which fruit is good for cold and cough?

Citrus fruits Fill your diet with plenty of vitamin C rich foods, such as oranges, grapefruit, or use lemons and limes when cooking at home. Other VIT C rich foods include strawberries, tomatoes and broccoli.

What should not eat in fever?

Foods to avoid when you have the fluCaffeinated drinks and alcohol. Between elevated temperatures and increased sweating, dehydration is something to be cautious of when you have a fever. ... Greasy foods. ... Hard to digest grains. ... Sugary food or drinks.

What can I give my sick child for vomiting?

Don't give medicines for vomiting unless your doctor recommends it. When your child stops vomiting, you can offer small amounts of solid foods, such as toast, crackers, rice, or mashed potatoes. Yogurt, fruits, vegetables, and lean meat, like chicken, are also OK.

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.

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.

What foods help fight the flu?

Your body uses it to build strength and keep what you already have. Lean meat, poultry, fish, legumes, dairy, eggs, nuts, and seeds are good sources.

What foods help the immune system?

Minerals like selenium and zinc also keep your immune system going strong. These minerals are found in protein -rich foods like beans, nuts, meat, and poultry.

What Other Nutrients Fight Infection?

You’ll find this powerful antioxidant in the red, pulpy area of a watermelon near the rind. It’s also in kale, collard greens, broccoli, and cabbage.

How to get rid of a swollen throat?

Warm decaf tea with honey can coat and soothe your throat. Warm drinks are better than cold ones for opening congested airways. Bland foods -- like toast, rice, bananas, and applesauce -- are good. Experts say you can go back to a normal diet within 24 hours if you feel like it.

How to keep your tummy from getting upset?

If your tummy is upset or if you have diarrhea, stick with bland foods. Sip clear drinks to keep your fluids up. You can try chipped ice, juices, sports drinks , ginger ale , clear broths , gelatin, and ice pops. Start with small amounts, like 4 to 8 ounces at a time for adults and 1 ounce or less at a time for children.

What vitamins are good for pregnant women?

Pregnant and nursing women need more. Foods that have it provide nutrients like vitamins B6 and B12, both of which keep your immune system working like it should. Vitamin B6 comes in protein-rich foods like turkey and beans, as well as potatoes, spinach, and enriched cereal grains.

Do Flavonoids Help?

Flavonoids include about 4,000 compounds that are responsible for the colors of fruits and flowers. Research shows that flavonoids found in the soft white skin of citrus fruits -- like grapefruit, oranges, lemons, and limes -- may boost your immune system. Many other fruits have anti-inflammatory properties, too.

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 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 temperature should an infant be at 3 months?

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.

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.

Should sick children stay in bed?

But there's no need to make sick children stay in bed all day if they feel like getting up. Kids are pretty good about not pushing themselves too hard when they don't feel well. As noted earlier, you can usually feel confident basing your treatment on your child's behavior.

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 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 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:

What to give a toddler with a fever?

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. Never give your child aspirin because it's linked to a rare but serious illness called Reye's syndrome.

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 bad cough?

Try something sweet. If he's is older than 1 year of ageg and has a bad cough, 1/2 teaspoon of honey can help. Steer clear of over-the-counter cough medicine. It's not safe for toddlers.

How to help a toddler with a clogged nose?

Use nasal spray. You don't need to get an over-the-counter drug to help your toddler breathe easier when he's got a clogged nose. Instead, buy a saline spray, which is just salt water. If you spray once or twice in each nostril, it should help to open the airways. Help him breathe easier at night.

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.

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.

Is laughter good for toddlers?

Laughter is the best medicine — and that’s particularly true for toddlers and preschoolers, who can often tolera te discom fort best if they have a distraction. Sure, you can cue up a movie (and you may need to at some point so that you can take a break), but simple activities that don’t require a ton of energy and that you can do with your child pack the most palliative punch.

How can I prevent my baby or toddler from getting the flu?

Preventive measures include getting the flu vaccine, practicing good hygiene, and avoiding others who are infected.

How is flu in babies and toddlers treated?

But because the flu can be so dangerous for children younger than 2 years old, they are often treated with antiviral drugs.

What is the flu and is it dangerous in babies and young children?

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, are hospitalized with flu complications such as pneumonia.

What are infant and toddler flu symptoms vs. cold symptoms?

Both the common cold and the flu are respiratory illnesses, but they're caused by different viruses. The flu usually makes kids ( and adults) feel much more miserable than a cold does. A baby or young child with a cold typically has:

How does flu spread?

If your child is near someone with the flu who is coughing or sneezing, he may breathe in infected droplets through his mouth or nose. People with the flu are generally contagious for a day or two before symptoms begin and for five to seven days after. Children may be contagious for longer.

Are there home remedies that help babies and toddlers with the flu?

Whether or not the doctor prescribes medication, you can help your child recover from the flu and stay comfortable with these remedies:

How long does the flu last in babies and toddlers?

Your child should start feeling better in a week or two. The fever will break first, and then her appetite should return. But this is just an estimate – some kids (and adults) have a cough that hangs on for two weeks or longer.