K.B. asks from Cumberland, RI on May 09, 2008
10 Month Old Refuses Food for Four Days!
Kyle is teething, and has another ear infection (tube surgery scheduled). He takes his bottles (somewhat), but will not eat a bite of food that I offer. He is eating a half jar of babyfood at daycare (must be hungry enough). Sometimes he'll eat cheerios, but not many. How long is this gunna last? The pediatrician wasn't concerned, so I try not to be. But... he has to snap out of this, right? He is usually really easy to feed. Are we entering a "phase" or will this go away in another day or so. I keep trying like 4 different things (all refused), but it makes mealtimes lengthy and frustrating. I feel so bad!
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S.F. answers from Bangor on May 10, 2008
It's hard, but this is fine. My son is going to be 3 this summer and the peditrician said that it's fine for even him to go with out food for a fwe days provided he stays hydrated. Have you tried different food? Sometimes with my son, if he was sick or in some kind of pain, he wouldn't think that the plain old stuff was worth the effort, but would go for something special. Also, try the Gerber finger food biscuits. They are about as long as you finger and pretty thick and my son loved them while getting his front 8 teeth in.
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T.C. answers from Boston on May 10, 2008
Hi K.,
I am a mom of a 3yr old and a 1yr old. I can relate to concerns about what they eat - or don't eat. Your pedi is right. Your son will be fine and he will eat when he needs to. However, in the meantime parents can freak out and worry because they love their baby so much. It sounds like you and your husband are great parents. I know much easier said than done, but don't worry about it. In a few days he will be eating a ton!
Best,
TC
L.S. answers from Hartford on May 11, 2008
He might be in pain when he eats like a stomach ache, or those teething teeth see what your pedia recommends for this, and i would not worry also as long as he is getting the fluids
good luck to you and have a nice mothers day
L.
L.P. answers from Boston on May 12, 2008
Would chilled food help? My son is the same age & he loves yogurt, tiny pieces of cold watermelon...anything from the fridge when teething. We also do cold peeled apple in the baby safe feeder. Hope he feels better!
R.B. answers from Boston on May 10, 2008
At this point, it sounds like you have done everything you can. Hopefully, the teeth will be in quickly and the tube surgery will be soon. Did you ask the doctor about giving Kyle Tylenol for the teething/ear pain. Perhaps if you try the baby Tylenol as directed, every 4 hours or whatever, it would ease his pain, and he would then eat for you.
It is very hard to see them not feeling well.
S.P. answers from Portland on May 10, 2008
babies, and all kids for that matter, don't like to eat when they are sick. I know that a lot of adults won't eat if they're sick. It's the same thing. At any rate, keep offering him liquids since it's more important to keep your baby hydrated. If he won't take formula, pedialyte, or even apple juice. At least he won't dehydrate and these drinks also have some calories, as water does not. Hope this helps and if you are still concerned, talk to you doctor again.
A.W. answers from Boston on May 10, 2008
As long as he is drinking I wouldn't worry. When your baby get's sick it's so hard because you don't want to feel like you are starving him but yet you don't want him to get dehydrated. Continue to let him drink all he wants and offer him some apple sauce, cheerios are great! They do have vitamins so that will add to what he hasn't been getting. Your doing a great job, I know it's so hard not too worry!
A.Z. answers from Boston on May 10, 2008
Dear K.,
He may go back to eating enough once the ear infection clears. Hang in there but if your gut is telling you something is really wrong, have your pediatrician monitor his weight and health.
I hope this helps,
A.
J.B. answers from Boston on May 10, 2008
DONT TRY TO FORCE THE FOOD UPON HIM just at regular feeding times offer him something that normally he eats if he dosent want it and is getting plenty of fluids just let him be ear infections are a bad thing and i know when 1 of my 3 get them my house is upside down. they yell and dont eat and want to be held or snuggled and i still have 2 others to tend to this is a hard thing but like i said more fluids less pushing
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