Hi recently my 10 month old daughter was recently sick with a virus and her appetite had understandly decreased while she was sick. However, it has been almost two weeks since the start of her virus and most of symptoms are gone except being congested/runny nose. While she was sick her appetite really decreased and it seems to have just gotten worse. on Average she is having anywhere from 8oz to 16 0z of formula per day (16 oz is rare) and a few bites of her solid food. That's it all day!!! Before she got sick my dauther used to love her food and had no problems eating. This is my first baby so I don't really know what is normal..this just doesnt seem to be normal to me. She is still having wet diapers but I don't think as often as they were. Any advice on what do to do or what is going on with her?
It's ok, her stomach has probably shrunk a bit. Just try to increase her intake a little at a time and in a week or two, she will be back to normal.
Take Care,
T. (mom of 4)
Hi C.-
It is so hard with children that are not old enough to tell us what is wrong. I think how I feel when I am stuffy & can't breath well. I, too, lose my appitite. If she is still having wet diapers, that is good. I would say try to give her differant types of popsicles. This way she is getting some calories along with her formula. Maybe try some cold fruits cut up small, like watermelon. These are just things I tried with my kids & the popsicles seemed to always work. There isn't a whole lot of sugar, but when they aren't eating, just getting those liquids in them will help them better. Have you given her any kinds of cold medicines? I know using medicines for me was a last resort & now that they are a little older, it is sill a last resort, but sometimes to help them, it is worth it. I hope it helped a little. Good luck!
S.
This virus that is going around is pretty nasty, I know how you feel. I had it, then my 3 yr old and then my 3 month old got it!! The one thing that was consistent was a sore throat. Your daughter may have a soar throat and that is why she does not want to eat or drink her bottle. I would recommend trying some warm chammomile tea to help soothe her throat before giving her food. Also you may want to give her a little tylenol to help with the discomfort. It is hard because at this age she can not tell you what hurts. Hope this helps.
T.
When anyone is congested/ runny nose, they don't taste the food the same as they would normally. Either it doesn't taste at all or it doesn't taste good. Try to keep her hydrated as best you can. At 10 months, solid food doesn't really do much for nutrition. She gets most of that from formula or breastmilk so keep offering that to her. As the congestion clears, she'll start eating more. Keep doing what you're doing. Offer the food and bottle and if she takes it, good. If not, don't freak out. Just wait a little bit and offer it again. Unfortunately, it just takes time. Hang in there!
I am having the same issue w/my 7 mo old son. He got sick almost a month ago, and only a few days ago did his appetite finally start coming back. And it's still not where it was before he got sick. He has definitely lost weight. My dr told me appetite is the first thing to go and last to come back when they get sick, and that it's normal. As long as he's having at least one wet diaper every 8 hrs, he's ok (not great, but ok). They also told me to give him pedialyte to keep him hydrated, which he loves, and will almost drink over formula. If you're still concerned, I would give your dr's office a call & ask to speak to the nurse. She will be able to let you know if it's ok & what else you could do to help your daughter. GL and I hope your baby feels better soon!
Hey C., I think she is fine, she is getting over a big virus that took over her little body and if she is still congested and stuffy, she isn't tasting her food or its just not tasting good right now, as soon as she clears up i believe she will be back to eating right, just keep offering her food, and give her some gerber desserts or whatever babyfood you feed her, but gerber has like mangos and vanilla custard, the sweetness my spark up her taste buds and she will eat better. It takes longer for the little ones to recover from a cold or virus. They also have vapor baby bath, if you give her a bath to clear her sinuses to she might be more willing to eat i think Johnson and Johnson makes it its in a green bottle.
Hope this helps Good Luck
S. Mommy to 5 beautiful children, 16yrs,9years old tomorrow!6years old, 2years old, and 11 months old check out my son's journey at www.liamlockhart.com
this is totally normal. It has happened to my daughter a few times. It will pass. Don't worry, just keep offering. They'll eat when they are hungry. And don't stress, she won't starve. I know it doesn't seem like she's getting much, but it's enough. They will go through these phases a lot over the next couple of years, but it's totally normal and will pass. Hang in there.
Hi, C.. Well, if it's been 2 weeks since the start of the virus, you can count on at least 7-10 days of that being days that she was very, very sick and not able to eat or have an appetite. She's still got a runny nose and congestion, so she's still a little sick. Try to give her some water along with the formula to make sure she isn't dehydrated. This may also help the congestion. I would give her a few more days, and then if her appetite doesn't slowly improve, I would take her back to the doctor.
Remember that if you, yourself, don't like to eat when your taste buds are off -- if you can't breathe well, your taste buds are not going to work right, and things might even taste bad if you have post nasal drip -- and your baby probably feels the same way, too. She probably doesn't have much energy, either, so her food needs are a little less than normal because she's not as active.
So don't panic yet, but if she doesn't slowly improve, get the doctor's opinion. Don't expect her to just bounce back immediately -- remember how long it takes you to feel normal after a bad cold or the flu. Keep her from getting dehydrated, and don't stress out over food, or that will make her feel even less like eating.
Peace,
Syl
I've also heard that if a baby's nose is congested, they have a hard time breathing while drinking formula, so they don't eat as much.
Hi, my 9 month old went through a food strike for at least 3 weeks, where he ate really little, he was not sick and I was so worried. He loves yobaby and that was the only food he would tolerate so I fed him the pink one with DHA and cereal added and I tried to give him other foods and if he wouldn't take those just relied on the yobaby at least he was getting something. He is now back to his usual self, hang in there, it will turn around. Just keep trying every day to feed her, and if she takes something give her as much of that as she will take.
First of all, don't panic mommy! All kids go through this, my 4 year old AND my 2 year old are going through it again right now.............Your child will NOT starve itself, if she is hungry she WILL eat.........It could be a million things, even possibly a sore throat. Just keep offering often and watch her, if she truly isn't eating at all then go to your pediatrician....otherwise give it a bit of time it will all "even out"
I would take her to her pediatrician. She's clearly not eating well for her age and the last thing you want is for her to get dehydrated. And having the congestion makes it difficult for her to drink from her bottle. Have you tried suctioning her nose and offering her the formula in a sippy cup? Definitely consult her doctor. Hope she's feeling better soon!
I have two young children, almost one and two and half. My oldest had her first cold at 19 months. My youngest 6 weeks because of my oldest. I was scared to death when she got so sick so little... and yes stopped eating and sleeping. She has had a couple of colds and through all this I have found out a lot. As long as they are drinking half the recommmended amount during the sick period it is fine. When it comes to her getting the vitamins she needs a couple of weeks of not drinking the right amount is okay. When it comes to peeing... they say that one pee every 8 hours is okay and if it is less then that you might want to have her checked. Believe me she will start eating again I promise. It is just so scary for us and I think the more we push and push her to eat the more they refuse. So try and relax and it will get better. C. :) Good Luck
The congestion does have something to do with this. Once it has cleared up eating should return to normal. Just keep offering her food and formula. If she still doesn't get better with the congestion in a week you might want to talk to the doctor about a decongestion and the lack of appetite.
Any time my children were sick, they too would eat less. I would say it's normal. However if you very concerned, you should always consult with your ped. I wouldn't worry about it...sickness takes a lot of children, especially babies. I would keep offering her things like applesauce, baby cereal, oatmeal...things you normally feed her. She could also be going through a phase that many babies go through where they begin to get "picky." And, don't forget teething. If she's teething on top of being sick, you can expect a decrease in appetite. Keep cheerios on hand, little crackers with a dab of jelly, small bits of cut up cheese. Even if she is taking a bite here and there, she is eating...just not as much as you are hoping for. Give your ped a call if you are still concerned.
Food does not taste the same when your nose is stuffy. Taste is on the tongue and it is coated with nose drippings. Brush her tongue before feeding. CALL THE DOCTOR, HIS YAGHT PAYMENT IS BHIND.
I think that can happen with viruses. My daughter takes a while to get her appetite back after a virus, but she's older so it's not as worrisome. Plus, your daughter may also be teething, which can hinder a baby's appetite.
