What to Feed a Sick Toddler Who Won’t Eat (And How To Get Them To Eat It)

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One of the most challenging aspects of parenting is helping our kids when they’re sick. When you have young children, it can be extra challenging as they can’t always tell you what is wrong, or what they want.

An aspect that always brings about concern is what to feed a sick toddler who won’t eat, and what can you give them to drink when they don’t want to drink, or when keeping food and fluids down is a challenge.

While it can be easy to generalize, it’s always important to make sure you speak to your healthcare provider with any concerns you have as they can give you specific medical advice for your child (please remember, this article is not intended to be medical advice).

With that being said, it is also good to build up your own knowledge on what is normal and what you can do when your toddler is sick. These are some important things you need to know, as well as some tips and strategies that can help you manage when your toddler is unwell.

Is It Normal For A Toddler To Eat And Drink Less When Sick?

Absolutely! It is incredibly common for a toddler to eat and drink less when they are sick, especially if they have a sore throat.

Think about how you feel when you are sick. If you have a high temperature or a tummy bug, the last thing you want to do is eat a meal. At best you’d probably only want to drink fluids when you have a dry mouth (very common), and you certainly wouldn’t be eating your normal diet of meals.

It’s the same for sick kids.

The most important thing to keep an eye on when your toddler is unwell is the signs of dehydration. It is also important to know that children aren’t just small adults, and therefore they show signs of dehydration a little differently from you and me.

Signs of dehydration in children include:

• Dry tongue and lips
• Decreased urine output (fewer wet diapers or going to the toilet less) and/or dark yellow or brown urine (should be pale yellow)
• No urine output for greater than 8hrs (for toddlers)
• Pale, dry skin
• Lethargic, tired, and disinterested in things they would normally be excited about
• Irritable and listless behavior
• Sunken eyes
• Fast breathing and/or fast heart rate

As a wife to a firefighter paramedic, whenever our kids (toddlers) are sick, my husband always says to me “it’s important we keep them hydrated as so many little ones end up in the emergency room from getting dehydrated“.

So, as you can see, it is important to keep these signs in mind, and if any of these become evident it’s time to speak to your healthcare provider right away.

What Can I Feed A Sick Toddler?

There’s no doubt it can be worrisome when your toddler is sick and not wanting to eat. A lack of appetite can have you worrying about weight loss and nutrient deficiency, and wanting to boost their immune system can have you searching for healthy food to help them fight off their cold, virus, or stomach bug.

The best approach is to keep it simple: Drink first, food second.

Drinks To Offer A Sick Toddler

Plain Water or Diluted Fruit Juice

Offer fluids like plain water, or diluted fruit juice (if tolerated) instead of relying on sugary drinks like cordial or juice boxes that can give a very false sense of hydration.

With any juice you offer, try to stick to citrus fruits as they contain higher levels of vitamin c, and be sure to use pure juice, not concentrate that has added sugar and little nutritional value.

Alternatively, coconut water can be a great option as it contains nutrients and electrolytes and can be a little more palatable than plain water.

My boys LOVE these naturally-flavored coconut water drinks for kids. I order them off Amazon and keep them ready for any sort of sick days.

Breast Milk

If your toddler is still breastfeeding, offering breastmilk is a fantastic option as it provides hydration and nutrition, as well as comfort while feeding. Be sure to keep yourself hydrated, and you may need to drink extra fluids during this time too.

Warm Drinks

If your toddler has a sore throat, cool or lukewarm fluids may be more tolerable than hot.

Something like chicken soup or even hot chocolate (made with water and a small amount of milk) can be comforting.

Even cooled-down peppermint tea, or honey and lemon tea can be soothing and hydrating.

Oral Rehydration Solution

If your toddler is dehydrated, you may be asked to give them an oral rehydration solution (ORS) as it can replace key electrolytes and lost fluids.

Even if your toddler is very thirsty and keen to drink, it’s a good idea to stick to small amounts of fluids frequently in case your child vomits all of the fluid back up.

You can even make them into little popsicles by pouring your oral rehydration solution into a popsicle mold like this and letting them freeze.

Ice Cubes

If your toddler can’t tolerate any fluids then encourage them to suck on ice cubes, or ice pops.

You can use most of the drinks above to create your own ice cubes or pops for them, and you can often find rehydration ice pops at your local pharmacy.

Food To Offer A Sick Toddler

When it comes to food to offer a sick toddler, oftentimes offering bland and simple is the best way to encourage eating. Even after they start to gain a little appetite again, sticking with bland foods for a little while can be the best thing for recovery.

BRAT Diet

• Bananas
• Rice
• Applesauce
• Toast

These foods are gentle on digestion and therefore are easier to tolerate and keep down than solid foods.

It’s important to know that the brat diet is quite nutritionally limited, and shouldn’t be relied upon for a long period of time. 

If your toddler isn’t moving beyond the brat diet within a day, then you should speak to your healthcare provider for advice.

Soft Food

With a similar approach to the BRAT diet, offering soft food can oftentimes be easier on digestion and gentler for an unwell tummy.

Soft and simple foods like porridge or smoothies with oats, and avocado all make for great soft meal options.

Oats are great for providing energy, and avocado is a good source of healthy fats. Keep in mind, this isn’t the time to be offering new foods. The best foods to offer are ones your toddler already knows and likes.

Protein-Rich Food

Animal proteins like boiled eggs or chicken can also be beneficial, as well as yogurt and cottage cheese which provide probiotics to help support your child’s immune system.

Avoid fatty foods that could make an upset stomach feel worse, and stick with bland foods. The key here is to keep it soft, easy on the tummy, and only continue if tolerated.

Food With High Water Content

Offering food with a high water content can be a great way to increase hydration with small amounts of fluid from these water-rich foods.

Fresh fruit like watermelon, apples, pineapple, and strawberries can be an easy way to hydrate and add nutritional value.

How Do I Get My Toddler To Eat When They’re Sick?

Knowing what to feed a sick toddler and actually getting them to eat are two separate challenges. 

Here are a few tips to help make eating a little easier:

Small portions – They may not be interested in eating large amounts, so start with small amounts and work your way up.

Be positive – Talk about how the food will help them to feel better and don’t be too pushy or critical if they don’t eat much.

Distraction – Having something enjoyable like a favorite movie playing in the background may help them relax and forget about the food.

Listen to them –  If they don’t have much of an appetite, just remember it’s normal. Allow them to take their time with eating and respect if they say they don’t want something. It’s okay for them to eat their favorite foods, and not eat from all of the food groups.

Don’t force food –  Just as you wouldn’t want to be forced to eat when you’re unwell, try to avoid forcing your toddler to eat when they’re unwell. Continue to offer food, and ask if they want anything, but forcing them to eat could make them feel worse. Always focus on fluids first. Your toddler will be back to their regular diet in no time.

Questions You May Be Asking Yourself (FAQs)

When our kids are sick, we tend to question so many different things and ask ourselves a bunch of questions (you’re not the only one who Google’s what to do when your kids are unwell).

These are some of the common questions parents ask when their toddlers are sick:

How Long Can A Toddler Go Without Eating And Drinking?

A toddler should not go longer than 24 hours without eating or drinking. If your toddler is not eating or drinking within 24 hours, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional right away for advice and support.

When To See A Doctor

If your toddler’s symptoms are lasting longer than 24 hours, or they seem to be getting worse we recommend you see a doctor for further advice.

Having said that, if your child is under 6 months of age and has any of the following signs: fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash then you should always see a doctor.

When Should I Take My Toddler To Urgent Care or ER?

If your toddler is showing any of the following signs or symptoms, then you should take them to an urgent care center or hospital to be seen:

• High fever over 101°F (38.3°C) that’s lasted more than 24 hours
• Severe abdominal pain
• Uncontrolled vomiting or diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing, increase in breathing rate or effort (such as respiratory retractions)
• Severe headache or confusion
• Coughing, wheezing, or other severe respiratory symptoms
• Rash accompanied by a fever
• Dehydration due to lack of fluids (as mentioned above)
• Decrease in consciousness or are difficult to rouse
• Or any other signs or symptoms that cause you concern, you know your children best.

Will Drinking Milk Make My Sick Toddler Worse?

It’s possible that drinking dairy could make your toddler worse (especially if they already have an upset tummy), and it is usually recommended that sick children drink clear fluids.

However, if your child will only tolerate milk, and is not having any trouble keeping it down, then it is a viable option.

When In Doubt, Seek Advice From A Healthcare Professional

No matter what your toddler’s condition may be, it’s always best to seek advice from a healthcare professional. They are the best person to help diagnose and treat any illness or condition your toddler may have.

No parent likes to see their child ill, but if your toddler is unwell it’s important to approach the situation with care.

Be understanding of their needs, provide them with clear fluids and nourishing foods when possible, and seek medical advice if needed.

Taking these steps will help ensure that your toddler gets the care they need in order to get back on the road to recovery.

A Note of Encouragement:

It’s natural for us as parents to worry about our kids when they’re feeling under the weather, especially when you’re stressing over what to feed a sick toddler who won’t eat.

But, try your best not to panic.

It can be hard to watch our kids struggle with unwellness, but with the right level of care and attention to their needs, your toddler can make a full recovery. Hang in there, you’ve got this!

Best of luck and take care.  You’re doing an amazing job as a parent!

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