My son had hand foot and mouth disease about 3 weeks ago, then he had an ear infection back to back. Right now, we are on antibiotics for the 7th day. About 4 or 5 days ago, he woke up with a bad cough, but was eating okay. The very next day, he did not take much of his bottles and has refused his baby food. He acts like he is okay, but he won't eat and refuses his baby food. He used to eat 2 big jars of baby food and about 28 oz of formula a day. I know that babies go through phases, but not like this. He may sometimes eat 5 oz, then 4 or 5 hours later eat 2 oz and then another 2 or 3 oz 4 hours later. I am afraid he is not getting enough nutrients. I called the Doctor's office and I am waiting for their phone call about his symptoms. I don't know what to do because for the past 3 or 4 weeks, he has not been eating enough and I don't know why he would refuse his baby food too. Has anyone had this happen to their child?
The antibiotics have probably wiped out the good bacteria, along with the bad bacteria, in his gut. You might consider giving him a tiny daily dose of probiotics to replenish his bacteria.
I think that you did the right thing calling the dr, however
i would go to the pharmacy and get the liquid vitamins and put them in his bottle. That way, no matter what, he will be getting the nutrients that his body needs.
I hope he gets better soon.
B.,
Hello, My name is R.. I have a 4 year old daughter who just completed feeding therapy at Richmond Children's Hospital Day Program. You can see her at http://www.myspace.com/millerrenee. Reanna started refusing foods around 6 months of age. Though her case is a little different she was totally g-tube dependent! She refused pretty much everything. However, in 7 weeks we were able to get her to eat 100% by mouth (all pureeds in her case because she doesn't have the chewing skills yet). Hope you can get some ideas from my videos! The biggest thing for Reanna is the rewards. She loves her DVD player. I reward her with each bite by letting her watch her video! You can also use toys at the table. You just don't give the reward until the bite has been taken. You would be suprised what rewards will do. You should think about joining my yahoo group at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/learn_to_eat/. This group was originally designed to share her feeding progress as we were in the program. However, others have requested to join and now it is turning into more of a support group where other people can join and talk about their own challenges with feeding their children.
Sincerely,
R.
when babies are sick they won't eat very much. same as an adult, they lose their appetites when they aren't feeling well. just make sure he's getting enough fluids so he doesn't get dehydrated. offer plain water, kool aide, juice, even ice chips or popsickles, just so he's getting some liquid into him. if he still refuses, try squezing a few drops in his mouth with a medicine dropper every 15 minutes or so. when my daughter got rotavirus a year ago, the only thing she would take was the crunchy ice from sonic, but it worked. she stayed hydrated and we didn't have to take her to the hospital like we thought. don't worry, once he starts feeling better, he'll get his appetite back.
It is undoubtedly all the antibiotics and all the ailments have just messed up his stomach flora and he has a bit of a belly ache over it. Hopefully once all the other stuff clears up, he will get his appetite back. I don't know if they make a high nutrition supplement for babies like they have for animals, called Nutrical, that is great for those type situations. You just give them a little dab and it goes a LONG way toward giving them what they need to get by for a day or 2 if necessary, till their little bodies can get re regulated. Probiotics probably wouldn't hurt either once he gets off the antibiotics.
Good Luck! T.
Mabye try him on regular food. Like mash potatoes. All I can tell you is try regular food, but no fish,peanut butter, or eggs.
Hi B.,
Don't get too worried about it. When I was little about 2 years old, the doctor told my mother that I only needed about a tablespoon of food per year old (at that age 2 tablespoons) to get what I needed. I'm sure it will pass and if he's hungry, he'll eat. You know that if you don't feel good, you don't want to eat either. I think all kids go through it. Also, if he's just gone through a growth spurt, he might not be as hungry right now.
Good luck!!
When kids are sick they don't want to eat. I recommend many small meals(like 2-3 bites). I would also use the medicine dropper every 15 minutes (It really works!) If you have a small scale (I used a bowl and a food scale) weigh his diapers each time you change them and keep track of how much they weighed and how often you changed them. We had to do this for my oldest daughter when she first came home from the hospital. It will tell your doctor if he is hydrated enough.
Good Luck!
B., I know that this is probably a very frightening period for you but try to remember that babies and small children will eat when the are really hungry. I raised a daughter that was only 27 pounds when she entered kindergarten because of her eating habits. She was still only 92 pounds when she married at 20. All my worrying was in vain because as she matured she started eating normally on her own and seems to have caught up with the rest of the world, ha ha. Now I have a 17month old granddaughter that is basically the same. She will go in spurts of eating everything in sight and then not eating at all. She did not take formula or baby food very well, either, so we gave her whatever fluids she liked and would tolerate. She will drink whole milk now and loves it. The doctor said that as long as they are hydrated and in no danger of being terribly ill, just give them what they want and offer it too them more often. He, nor I, believe in forcing a child to try to do it our way. Also, some of the medications that children take can be appetite suppressants so you might want to check that out with you doctor also. Hang in there and Good Luck.
Some antiboitics will affect appetite, and if he has a sore throat he may not want to eat or swallow. some kids never act sick, as far as actitvity wise, but their appetite is affected.
Possible allergic reaction to the antibiotics?? My son was on antibiotics and didn't have a reaction until the 10th and final day! Turns out he is allergic to penicillin, but the whole time he was on it (for strep throat) he didn't want to eat. He also had hand/foot/mouth disease (at a different time) and he developed a horrible blister under his tongue and would only eat popsicles and frozen bananas for several days. (I only saw the blister because he was screaming and pushing away his food.)
Is your son teething? That could be a cause as well if his gums are uncomfortable. I hope you figure it out, Good Luck!
i am so sorry to hear the baby has been sick. I would have his throat checked. Perhaps he has discomfort swallowing. Hope you find out soon. Best wishes for his good health.
D.
Hi B.,
I'm sorry to hear your little one is feeling yucky! Hugs to you mama and remember this will pass soon. I know it can be very frustrating and even scary when our lo's are sick & have drastic changes in diet or routines but try not to stress over it.
As a mama to 3 lo's I can assure you that they know what their body needs when it's sick. If he's not eating, he's not feeling well. I wouldn't even offer foods until you see him showing interest or you know he's feeling better. I would be certain to give him plenty of fluids and even a sip or two every 15-30 minutes. With my lo's I would give food only when they asked for it and I would start with toast or applesauce. When they were babies, I would nurse on demand until they were feeling better and showing an interest in food. One other thing, remember that antibiotics are very hard our their bellies so that could be a possibility for why he's not eating.
One of my all time favorite books/parenting guides is http://books.google.com/books?id=hOey7ZFPDj0C I have referred to this book numerous times when my lo's have been sick. It's full of practical information and lists recommendations for both conventional and alternative treatments for dealing with common childhood illnesses. Check out half.com if you plan to get one for your library...I love the discounts.
I hope he's feeling better soon. Keep us posted.
Peace,
J.
it is sooo normal for them to not want to eat when they are sick. i've seen my son go days on just his milk. he'll eat if he's hungry! trust me on that. nothing is wrong, he's totally normal. just make sure he is getting some fluids or he could get dehydrated. if he's eating and drinking something, its better than nothing at all. maybe try to give him a little pedialye or some water too. if you don't feel comfortable with that, take him to the doctor. i think most of it is normal, but sometimes its better safe than sorry.
