what can i offer my kids to eat when they are sick?

[mindy13651]

My 2 year old and my 3 year old are sick with cough,fever,and runny nose and they haven't been wanting to eat and i wanted to know what kind of things I should avoid giving them and what kind of things they should have I'm very concerned and want them to get better my 3yr old has been sick for 3 days now and my 2 yr old just started coughing last night and woke up with a fever and i gave him some tylenol for the fever but he doesn't seem to be interested in eating and my daughter is the same helpppp!!!:(

[gitsum]

simple carbs stuff like bread, crackers, plain noodles or rice, plain mashed potatoes. chicken soup is good for protein. soy can also be a good source of protein, but don't risk it if your kid has never had it. i've heard that plain light tuna packed in water might also be good.

pickles always seems to help me when i have an upset stomach. i've been told that cola is the best soda to give, but if you do give soda make sure it is diet soda. excessive sugar is not good for a sick child.

sugar free sports drinks can also be a good idea, just make sure they don't have caffeine in them. pedialyte is best, and there are things that can be mixed in with water, perhaps in stronger concentrations if the kid isn't drinking much.

[specialmom]

Difference of opinion, but I do absolutely give tylenol for a fever and my kids still sleep hard when recovering.  My doctor recommends that we do this so I'm not sure all doctors say to not make a child comfortable when they have a fever.  Every mom has to do what they think is best though.  luck to the poster

[AnnieBrooke]

When my son is feverish, he sleeps hard.  I've never given Tylenol not only because of the doctor's advice, but because as long as he is sleeping, he is not uncomfortable, and I do want the fever to be there to make as hostile an environment as possible for the virus.  If he were uncomfortable, I might feel differently and would certainly give it for something like a sore throat, to ease pain.  But a fever per se, in answer to your question, I would just leave alone to do its work if it is under 104, unless my son was miserable.

[specialmom]

Good luck dear and hope they get better really soon!

[mindy13651]

I think your right I don't like my kids suffering at all and i want them to get better thanks for the new ideas I appreciate it.

[specialmom]

My doctor says that it isn't worth having a child uncomfortable and to go ahead and give the tylenol to bring down the fever.  I do that as when one is feverish, it is indeed quite uncomfortable.  My kids get well just as fast as their counterparts with the tylenol and my personal thought is why have a child feel horrible, have chills, etc. when you can make them feel a little better.  My doctor does, however, not like cough medicine at night because coughing is the bodies way of dispelling something from the lungs.  If they don't cough it up, the gunk sits and then turns into a bacterial situation of the lungs.  I do use cough medicine occasionally at night though because if a child can't sleep or is coughing until they gag, this really seems to help them and again, my kids get better at the same rate as any other kids and are not sicker than any other.  

One trick my doc told me for food for little ones is this---  well, first of all, that it isn't really food that matters but hydration.  I don't worry if my kids aren't eating a whole lot of substance as long as they are drinking.  I make chicken noodle soup and we put gold fish in it and they 'go fishing'. They'll eat a few goldfish but get that valuable broth along the way.  I also will heat up a little apple juice as I figured that I personally like a warm cup of tea when I'm sick and my throat hurts----  so this is a kid friendly alternative to that.  I've put it right in a sippie cup.  My kids lovet his and ask for it when they are sick.  

Another trick hydrating item that kids love is jello.  I also will give them a popsicle.  I'll cut it up in a bowl for them.  

My kids did not like pedialyte---  any flavor.  I tried hiding it in other things, freezing it, etc.  I do at times give them gatorade which my doctor says is fine.  I've made up my own concoctions before of water, lemon and a little bit of sugar with all just being the point of giving them liquid.  

good luck and hope they are better soon!

Oh, and also, remember the tradition BRAT diet --  banana, rice, apple sauce and toast for upset tummy.  

[mindy13651]

I'll see if they will tolerate the pedialite it seems they can't keep much down and i certainly dont want them dehydrated thank you for the advice very helpful.

[mindy13651]

So would you say its better to just leave them with the fever if its less then 104?or is there another alternative?

[mindy13651]

Wow thank you that was very helpful!:)

[adgal]

My pediatrician tells me exactly the same thing about fever as Annie's does. She tells me to only use tylenol if my child is clearly feeling really uncomfortable...restless sleep, etc.  Even then, she isn't crazy about it and feels it is way overused.

As for the vomiting and diareah.  If they don't want to eat, it's not a big deal for a few days.  The most important thing is keeping them hydrated.  So small amounts of pedialite are good. And my pedi tells me that milk and juice mixed with water are fine too if the child will tolerate it.  Water is not a good solution for dehydration. You want the salts and sugars, and water does not contain them.  I usually use cooled chicken broth in a sippy cup and toast.  Really, leave it to the child and whatever he or she will tolerate.  But really really watch for the dehydration, that is the most important thing.

[AnnieBrooke]

Actually, if a child has a fever, unless it hits 104 or higher, you don't need to try to bring it down with Tylenol or anything else.  The function of a fever is to kill the virus that is making the person sick -- it cooks it out by making the body hotter than the virus can live in.  My pediatrician said they don't even want to hear about a child's fever unless it reaches 104.

Only alternate Tylenol and Motrin (or Advil) on a doctor's advice.

[Mrs_teddy_bear]

Good Foods:

toast lightly buttered
Mashed potatoes
crackers
Chicken noodle soup
Sprite, 7-up, Sierra Mist
Pedialyte

Bad Foods

Anything tomato based (upsets the tummy)
Color sodas and juices
Gatorade/powerade
Milk

You want to stay as bland as possible until they are better. I would start with some crackers and some pedialyte. Small amounts and SLOWLY. Remind them to nibble on them so they don't end up throwing it all back up.

I hope this helps and I hope they both feel better soon. Oh and my mother always told me to switch back and forth between tylenol and motrin I don't remember why exactly but it is what she says and I don't argue.