Getting My 7 Yr to Eat When He Has the Flu

Updated on August 08, 2010
D.W. asks from Oceanside, CA
16 answers

Hi Moms,

My son has had the flu since Wednesday. It started out w/ a bad headache and fever; then moved to his tummy and he threw up a couple of time, but now he just will NOT eat anything! He'll sip a bit of water but that's it. The doc recommended the Pedialyte pops but he won't even eat those. He's a stubborn little one and is afraid he'll throw up again - ah me... He's lost at least 5 lbs. How's he going to recover if he gets no nutrition?! I even offered McDonalds but still NO! hmmmm Any advice is most appreciated!
Thank you!

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So What Happened?

Thank you moms for the ideas and advice! Since I posted this morning he drank a glass of water and had a popsicle (I know, sugar), and had a couple more sips of water just now. I think that since he didn't get sick from that we're getting back on track.

I really appreciate your responses and ideas - thank you so much!
D.

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E.M.

answers from Johnstown on

I wouldn't worry about anything other than liquids. There's also the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast) that is great for upset bellies. Try to get him to eat popsicles or chicken broth. Ginger ale or Coke is great in moderation as well.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.M.

answers from Topeka on

I wonder if he would like chipped ice to nibble on? Or freeze some of his favorite juice and let him chew on that? Anything to get the fluids into him. I would also think about offering chicken broth or beef broth...maybe Ramen Noodles ( heavy on the juice light on the noodles). Ask him what HE wants and then let him try it.
Does he like fruit? How about watermelon?
Don't push too hard...it will become a battle of wills and you will lose!!!

1 mom found this helpful

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

He doesn't have to eat... just keep hydrated so he does not get dehydrated.

Have you ever had food poisoning or stomach flu? It is VERY hard to eat when sick like that. When he is better, his body will naturally be 'hungry' and he will eat.... but just not right now. Its okay.

But, I would really try and get him hydrated... a sip at a time. When sick with a stomach flu, the body actually CANNOT intake a lot of liquids at one time, or it will be thrown up. So... take a little sip at a time... over the course of 1/2 to 1 hour.
A person sick with a stomach flu, simply cannot 'drink' like a normal person either. The body cannot take it.

McDonalds will just make him throw up.

If he does not drink anything, and gets dehydrated.... (look online for the symptoms), then he may have to go to the ER and they will give him an IV to re-hydrate him.
Tell him, is that what he wants???? Dehydration is very serious... more serious than not eating.
So, encourage him to drink something.... or suck on ice too. Popscicles etc.

But you do not have to 'force' him to eat solid food. He has a stomach flu... that will not help.

I would REALLY make sure, he is not dehydrated... his weight loss... can occur from not drinking and dehydration.... not from food.
Think about that... because, a body typically loses water weight first... not muscle weight.
So, you need to keep that in mind....
WATCH out for dehydration in him... especially since he has NOT even drank anything much... since Wed.

All the best,
Susan

2 moms found this helpful
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S.R.

answers from San Francisco on

Have you tried chicken noodle soup or broth? How about jello. If he doesn't like pedialite try gatoraide or capri suns. I would give him any kind of popcicle that he likes. Right now he just needs to start getting fluid in. Clear is best to start with. Once he sees that he did fine he'll start wanting other foods too. Poor guy, 5 lbs is a lot for a kid in such a short time. Good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

In our house, when my son is sick, he's allowed to eat anything and everything he wants--popsicles for breakfast, etc. Sounds like he's just not interested--just concentrate on fluids...can he be bribed with ginger ale mixed w/ a little splash of maraschino cherry juice, a smoothie, sherbet, freezer pops, Sprite, Gatorade.......hope he's better soon. Poor little guy.

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

Your son's appetite will return soon. Don't despair.
Think about it....you've had the flu really bad I'm sure. You know you need nutrition. But heck, there are just times when even the thought of anything is just too much.
Keep offering different things. I wouldn't throw some McDonald's onto an empty tummy that's been upset, but your son will get hungry again.
Maybe try offering some jello or fruit juice bars, maybe some applesauce. My kids liked it warmed up when they didn't feel good.

It's hard, but try not to worry too much. Your son will eat again, I'm sure of it.

Best wishes!

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T.C.

answers from Colorado Springs on

He doesn't need to eat. He does need fluids though. I totally understand his hesitation to eat or drink. I'm sure he doesn't feel like it at all. I would insist on a couple of sips every half hour or so. Tell him to take two sips and let that sit for at least 15 minutes. If he is okay, then he needs to take two more. Whatever you do, don't give him sugary stuff or that nasty McDs! That is not food and has no nutritional value at all. It will only serve to make him sicker. Yuck. You might go get some oscillococcinum from a health food store. It works AMAZINGLY well for flu. It is made by Boiron. It tastes like sugar, so your son will probably be fine with it. Put about 1/2 of a tube under his tongue, and let it dissolve there. In a couple of hours you can give him the other half of the tube. Keep giving it every 3-4 hours until he is better. I bet you won't even need 2 whole tubes of it before he is doing great again. Blessings!
EDIT: I've just now read all the other posts. I'm so sorry, but please stay away from the sodas, juices, and other sugary things. Sugar suppresses your immune system. It is counter-productive for getting healthy. You will only prolong his illness, making things worse. Sugar is a poison. We are addicted to it in America. And, we are an obese nation because of it. Did you know that only Colorado has a less than 20% obesity rate? I think it is because you have to work harder in Colorado just to live because of the altititude. Stay away from sugar. :)

1 mom found this helpful
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D.W.

answers from Gainesville on

Right now liquids are more important than food. Keeping him hydrated is paramount. Offer him just a tablespoon at a time of anything that sounds good to him to drink-pedialyte, sprite (I don't give my kids soda at all but desperate times call for desperate measures lol), ginger ale, gatorade. He is old enough to understand that he needs to drink to get better and keep from going to the doctor or worse the hospital. Just explain it in your awesome mom way

1 mom found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from San Diego on

Glad he seems to be feeling better. When my kid's get sick and stop eating I reintroduce them to food w/ a gatorade/water mixture, and then soft boiled eggs, jello, and the BRAT diet, which a previous mom wrote about.

The body knows what it needs and it doesn't need food immediately to get better, liquids are much more important because of dehydration w/ a fever.

Good luck!!

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A.H.

answers from New York on

just stick to the water.. try jello, ice cream.. or tell him sherbert is good for a tummy problem.. tell him it will make him better... ask him if he wants noodle soup... make sure he doesn't have sores or bumps in his mouth.. my kids were like this when they had cocksackie...

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S.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi! Did the doctor recommend clear carbonated soft drinks? Will he drink a little 7up?
Ialso use Shaklee PerformanceDrink for Electrolyte replacement, for all ages. Here is a link for more information. I'd be glad to help and send a sample.
http://sharon4health.myshaklee.com/us/en/products.php?sku...
All the best!
S. Garcia, ____@____.com

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M.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

the last thing ANYONE wants to do after having the flu is eat - especially McDonalds! Yes, it's hard to see your little one not eating and losing weight - but that is normal. The best thing, I've found as a mom of 3, is to start with very soft foods that are NOT hard to digest - no fruits and veggies for a couple days. The BRAT diet is the best to get him back on track, and it will not cause further diarrhea, etc. It's Bananas, Rice (white), Applesauce and Toast (none to little butter). This is basically fool-proof, appetizing, and will get him right back on track. Also my kids always loved a little fluffy white pancake - NO butter NO syrup, but perhaps a tiny sprinkle or powdered sugar. Just appetizing stuff that will hold up in his belly without causing further problems. A couple days of this and he'll want to eat again, do not worry.
M. ;)

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D.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

give him electrolyte water..and regular popsicles ...i've had that stomach flu and its just too hard to eat u just feel sick..the electrolyte water really helps..like Smart Water. good luck xo

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P.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

First of all , he has to be dehydrated. So i suggest gatorade or ice chips.If he contiues this for more days he may have to be admitted to the hospital of an I.V. My daughter went throught the something and the gatorade and ice chips helped. I am a Medical Assistant and a Certifed Surgical Tech and I know that keeping him hydrated is the most important thing. I hope he gets better. My prayers are with him...

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M.A.

answers from Orlando on

I once had a nasty virus or flu & my Dr. told me to drink nothing but gatorade for the next 24 to 48 hours until the bug passed from my system. Gatorade was the only thing I didn't throw up.

K.N.

answers from Austin on

My mother used to make me a pitcher of Jello water... Basically, jello that hasn't been chilled. It's another way to get kids to stay hydrated. Don't worry about him eating sugar--besides, the presence of sugar will keep his electrolytes balanced (plain water and vomitting can cause the electrolytes to get out of whack) and give him some glucose for calories and blood sugar levels.

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