what to feed your toddler when they have 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 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 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 Child for a cough and cold?

For anolder child, warm beverages are soothing and can help break up mucus. Just make sure it's not too hot so it doesn't scald or burn them. As long as they are older than 1 year old, add some honey to make their sore throat feel better and ease a cough. Milk. Despite what you may have heard, it's fine for kids with colds or flu.

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!

What foods are good for fighting the flu?

The best foods for fighting the fluBroth. Broth is rich in nutrients and antioxidants, and it helps prevent dehydration. ... Chicken soup. ... Ice pops. ... Fruits and veggies with vitamin C. ... Leafy greens. ... Fruit or vegetable juice. ... Herbal tea. ... Garlic.More items...•

How long can 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.

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.

Are bananas good for flu?

Bananas. Bananas are a great food to eat when you're sick. They're soft and bland but rich in nutrients and fast-acting carbs. The potassium in bananas can help replenish your electrolyte stores as well, since potassium is one of the key electrolytes your body needs ( 34 , 35 ).

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...•

Can you eat ice cream when you have the flu?

Milk, ice cream, cheese: Dairy gets a bad rap. Common wisdom says to avoid it when you're stuffy or runny because you'll make more mucus. But there's little evidence to support this. So if you crave ice cream to soothe that sore throat, go ahead and indulge.

Which food is good for cold and cough?

Ginger. Ginger is a popular home remedy for cough and acts as an anti-inflammatory. ... Garlic. Garlic can help you fight cold and flu. ... Raw honey. Raw honey is versatile in its healing properties, particularly in respiratory complaints. ... Turmeric. ... Lemon. ... Pineapple. ... Pomegranate juice. ... Hot tea.More items...

How long does a cold last for a toddler?

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.

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 egg good for cough and cold?

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.

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.

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.

Can you make your baby more comfortable?

There's a lot you can do to make your little one more comfy while his body fights it off. And most important of all, there's a vaccine that can keep him from getting sick in the first place.

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.

What to give a sick child?

According to the experts, just about any fluids are good for your sick child. Try some of these: Water. It's the easiest choice, but if your child says it's boring, add a little juice to liven it up. Fruit juices. Most kids love them. But when they come from citrus fruits, like OJ, they can irritate a sore throat.

How much fluid should a child drink a day?

It depends on their weight and age. Some experts say kids older than 1 need as many as 4 to 5 cups of fluid a day -- from both drinks and foods. If your child is older or weighs more, they'll need more fluid. Call your doctor for advice if they get dehydrated. Watch for these signs:

What Fluids Will Help?

According to the experts, just about any fluids are good for your sick child. Try some of these:

How to help a 1 year old with a sore throat?

Just make sure it's not too hot so it doesn't scald or burn them. As long as they are older than 1 year old, add some honey to make their sore throat feel better and ease a cough.

Do kids need fluids?

Just like grownups, kids need plenty of fluids when they've got a cold or the flu. But if your little one won't play along when you say "drink up," it's time to get creative. Making it fun is the secret.

Is milk good for kids with colds?

Milk. Despite what you may have heard, it's fine for kids with colds or flu. It won't cause mucus buildup. The protein, calories, and fat in it can help keep up your sick child's strength.

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 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.