Food Substitutions for Sick Baby?

Hi since he is eating I would try jello water, diluted sweet tea, pedialite, have as last resort tried diluted 7-up. Just absolutely do not use honey under 1yr. the tea and jello water are sweet which they like and also soothing if happen to have a scratchy throat. I have had lots of experience with this as raised my 3, raised 6 grandkids and helped with a great grandson. Sounds like you are a very good mom keep up the good work and never be afraid to ask questions, us old timers have been thru it all and love to help you out. S.

First of all let me congratulate you on being a first time single mom. I did that for many years. After working in the medical field for nearly 20 years. I left and went back to school. Became a beautician. So again I congratulate you on choosing a field that can bring you many rewards.
Within 3 years after graduating I owned my own business. Because of an illness I was forced to sell the salon. But I continue to work from my home. So go for it with full force.

As for your little one. Milk might be the problem all together. You might need to go get some pedialyte, just to keep fluids down. DONT let the baby get dehydrated. I am not a fan of rice milk. But first and always keep in contact with your pediatrician. Dont think you are ever bothering them. This is your child and their needs always come first. See what they suggest. You might try diluted sprite/7-up.

Good luck. Best of wishes. From a mom and grandma.

I would recommend trying some pedilyte or Smartwater (it has the elctrolytes in it but no flavor). Have you given him any juice prior to this? Perhaps something with citrus would help cut the mucus a little (it helps with us so why not them?). If he's cutting you might want to wet some wash clothes and roll them tight, put them in individual ziploc bags and freeze...they make for great teethers and absorb all the slobber too.

When my kids were sick we also tried chilling the formula...sometimes just the cold made it more palatible. Again, you might want to chill some of the solid foods (maybe the fruits) and try that...I have found peaches, pears, applesauce, and apricots all tasted better cold. Good luck to you! Hope the little guy gets feeling better soon.

try pedialite or kool-aid water or sprite water

I would ask your pediatrician. Until then, stick to formula. It's normal for them to not want to eat much when they are sick, just like we don't like to eat much. Just keep an eye on his wet diapers to make sure he doesn't get dehydrated. Sleeping a lot when sick is also normal, his little body is just trying to heal.

ETA: I wouldn't try introducing citrus just yet. It's really acidic, and could really upset his tummy. Plus, citrus is a highly allergenic food, so it's usually one you have to wait until they are older to introduce.

I would get some pedialyte..to keep him from getting dehydrated. The "milk" in the formula is going to add to the mucus that he is producing...so I wouldnt force the formula issue. Whatever you offer him...dont expect him to eat a lot of it...and now is really not the time to be adding new foods to his diet...when he is sick. ( I would not do that citrus juices...he is too younge for that...could lead to allergy problems).
If he is stuffed up...I would get some saline spray (they have one for babies called "little noses"...but you can get generic Ocean Spray for about a quarter the price and it is the same thing) to spay in his nose, to loosen up the plug...then keep his nose suctioned out so he can breathe easier.
If this continues for more than a couple of days I would get back in touch with the pediatrician to make sure there isnt something else he wants to do.
Good luck!!
R. Ann

Have you tried Pedialite? You know- the Clear stuff... For your baby the flavor-less kind would work best. But, honestly as long as he is having wet diapers, you don't need to worry about his fluid intake. The Pedialite would however give him what he needs. Formula is the only other thing you can give him actually, and that just adds to the mucus. He is so young that your DR. may not even suggest any type of cold meds. Meds are hard on his little system(liver-kidney)at this age. If he is coughing up mucus, the old wives-way of clearing it (My mom was one of 10) it was to use Fresh Pineapple juice (if possible but canned will work)and lots of white sugar, mix it in a bottle, (that has holes big enough to strain/drink through)and let him drink it. He will LOVE it, and it cuts right through that mucus and it will come out in his diaper, but be sure to change the diaper frequently because it can irritate his little bottom. SIMPLE SALINE, or an off brand of that, will keep his nose clear so he can breath, if he is having problems. As far as SLEEPING, that is the only way his little body can work to get rid of the cold. So expect him to sleep and sleep. If you have a small humidifier by him, that could help too. The MAIN THING IS, WET DIAPERS. If he is having at least 2 then he is ok, and the cold will work through his system in a few days. If he is not having any wet diapers he could get dehydrated, and the worse case would be-- he would have to have and IV for fluids. If you keep at least pedialite in him, he should be ok. He will be cold, and grumpy, so be prepared. Oh, and don't take him out, if possible, he could keep getting infected over and over, with all of the germs out there.(restaurants-even grandma's...) GOOD LUCK, and DON'T PANIC HE WILL BE OK IN A WEEK OR SO I PROMISE.
ME-I'm a mommy of 5 small angels, and from a large-in your business-family. I have been always been around babies. N.

Good advice here, but I would also watch for signs of RSV, a respiratroy virus. It includes coughing, trouble breathing, and runny nose. When my son got it, he did not want to take a bottle. He ended up in the hospital even though they had checked his lungs two days before. This is the prime time of year for it. Just keep an eye out. Congested kids don't eat as much, but they should still be eating.

Good luck... sick kids are no fun!