Toddler Won't Eat - Los Angeles,CA

Updated on January 15, 2011
J.W. asks from Los Angeles, CA
9 answers

My daughter is 22 months. She has had diarrhea the last two days. Here's the catch.... she won't eat a thing. She still drinks plenty of fluids and has wet diapers, but she won't even eat a piece of bread! I got her to eat a banana yesterday morning but that was it! She is relatively happy, and she says "eat" and does sign language when she hungry (which she hasn't done), but I can't get her to eat anything! Any ideas? THANKS!

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So What Happened?

Well it turns out it was just a bug. She didn't eat for a few days, but drank plenty of fluid, and in a couple days was back to eating regularly again. Strange, huh?

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J.L.

answers from Chicago on

Its ok...as long as she is drinking plenty of fluids..I would not worry. How about sherbert or sorbet? Fruit popsicle?

2 moms found this helpful

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B.B.

answers from New York on

She probably doesn't need to eat right now, and she is listening to her body. Sometimes I think kids are better at this then we are!

As long as she is still drinking plenty, I wouldn't worry about it. Let her come back around when she is ready. I bet she will start asking for food in a day or so.

2 moms found this helpful
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D.M.

answers from Denver on

I agree - if she's got a bug and feeling icky - food isn't appealing. Keep up the fluids and electrolites... maybe try a smoothie?

2 moms found this helpful
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F.W.

answers from Cumberland on

Keep up with the fluids, especially something to replace electrolyte or if you are still breatfeeding ,keep that up as well. Kids will eat when they are hungry--leave her be, offer bland things like toast, rice, banana apples, crackers etc and let her choose what or if to eat. Her body is telling her to not take in solids right now for a reason:)

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J.F.

answers from Columbus on

I would make sure she is getting enough calories. If she is drinking, maybe she would like a banana smoothie or something (just not too much sugar or fruit because that would make the diahhrea worse). I wouldn't worry too much if she is still happy and drinking plenty.
Maybe something really bland like a cracker in the shape of her favorite character?? (They have some good options at Whole Foods or BabiesRUs.)
I agree with the other moms--if it gets worse or persists much longer, call the doc.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.N.

answers from Dallas on

I've heard of some kids using the sign language and not fully understanding what it means. However, she is 22 months so this is probably not the case. Maybe she isn't really hungry though. I'd say if she doesn't improve to call the doctor. I mean it's always good to be safe.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.B.

answers from Honolulu on

I also think that food probably just isn't appealing right now when she's getting over a stomach ailment. One thing my son almost always eats when he's sick is frozen banana. I mash one up and put it in a container and freeze. Then when I'm ready to use it, I microwave for 15 seconds or so and then spoon feed it to him (like ice cream). He loves it. We've done this with papaya too. He will also eat Popsicles so I get the pedialite ones and give him those for electrolytes.

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D.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Call your pediatrician.

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T.P.

answers from Milwaukee on

I agree, keep up the fluids. Our pediatrician recommended the BRAT diet:
--Bananas
--Rice
--Applesauce
--Toast
Try cutting the toast in a cute shape with a cookie cutter?

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