My son is 3 and has the flu for the frist time

Miranda - posted on 02/23/2012

i think that's ok. He probably has a sore throat.

Kristin - posted on 02/17/2012

bananas, rice, applesauce, toast initially, then move on to other foods that you know he likes. Keep the seasonings mild and transition gradually back to what you all usually eat.



As long as he is not becoming dehydrated or overly lethargic, and with pedialyte that is unlikely, he is doing just fine.



Really hope he is feeling better by now.

Mimi - posted on 02/15/2012

Maybe you could make him some healthy shakes that he can keep down. There are lots of recipes online. Slowly add solid food. Momma Mimi

Sylvia - posted on 02/11/2012

Oh, that's always tough when they're sick and won't eat :(



I'd suggest nursing as much as you can. My DD had scarlet fever (that's strep with a rash) when she was 3, and refused to eat or drink anything for several days until the antibiotics started to kick in. Fortunately she nursed A LOT, because nursing made her feel better, so she didn't end up getting dehydrated or anything.



OTOH, while little kids can get dehydrated easily, especially if they're sweating a lot (or throwing up, but you said he has the flu, so presumably that's not an issue), so getting fluids into him is super important, it's not the end of the world if he doesn't eat for a day or two -- he'll catch up when he's got his appetite back :)

Ann - posted on 02/11/2012

Pedia Sure is better than giving milk products. It has special electrolytes that are needed by the body. If unsure about giving your child any foods ALWAYS check with your family doctor or pediatrician. Some of the other posts offer good advice as well. Don't push the solids to soon and let him tell you when he is ready for solids. My granddaughter is a great example -- give her solids too soon and it only makes matters worse.



Personally when I am sick all I crave is good old cows milk. Now that I am older I use 2% but nothing beats a good cold glass of milk. (Not to say that those of you who have allergies are not included in this -- I totally understand if you cannot drink cows milk because of that so don't beat me up -- LOL)

April - posted on 02/11/2012

Saltines, chicken broth and ginger ale. Keep up the pedyalite.

Debbie - posted on 02/11/2012

I went through the same thing lol I have only one and she is now 10. She would do the same thing she went almost a week without eating and I totally freaked out lol the first thing I got her to eat was what we call baby toast it's toast with a little bit of butter and a pinch of sugar and cinnamon she devoured it good luck

Jodi - posted on 02/10/2012

Um, flu is influenza, which is a virus.....nothing to do with bugs in digestive tracts, and certainly not an infection which will culture, so no "germs" per se.



I would, however, be wary of milk on a sick tummy, but if he is keeping it down, there is no harm in having a little. As others have said, don't worry about the food side of things, he'll be fine as long as he is keeping down fluids.

Sherri - posted on 02/10/2012

Oh geez here we go. Cow's milk is just fine and very healthy for your family as also recommended by my nutritionist and my kids pediatrician.



Soy milk, almond milk or rice milk these may be healthy but they are also disgusting tasting I will stick with cows milk, cream any day of the week.

Pamela - posted on 02/10/2012

Milk is the worst thing to give someone with a flu bug because it provides a great substance for the germs to keep growing in the colon and digestive tract.Besides, cow's mil is for calves, not humans!



Pedialite contains nutrients. I would also give him lemonade made with the same amount of fresh squeezed lemon juice and organic maple syrup in the bottom of a quart or gallon container, add filtered water and heat or serve at room temperature or chilled.. This is a cleansing liquid that will help flush the germs out of his body. Nix on the milk.



Use soy milk, almond milk or rice milk to keep your whole family healthy. All three easily substitute for everything you use cow's milk for and it is MUCH HEALTHIER!!!

Lee Ann - posted on 02/10/2012

I completely agree with the other posts as well, as long as he is staying hydrated then don't worry about him not eating, if he dose feel like eating try a liquid diet, like soups and jello so it wont be too much on him, hope he feels better

Ella - posted on 02/10/2012

He will eat like a horse when he starts feeling better...you can get all the calories in liquid form and thats ok....italian ice, pop cycles, boullon, mash potatoes, buy an assortment......offer something to him every hour while awake....then he will ask for food as he gets better day 5 or 6.....good luck....oh, this is the time u dont worry about sugar intake/...sweet tea is really good for calories and a sick stomach.....ella

Donna - posted on 02/10/2012

Well it's not usually a symptom of influenza.

Sherri - posted on 02/10/2012

Donna that isn't true my son had the actual influenza two years in a row and we had severe vomiting, and high high high fevers.

Donna - posted on 02/10/2012

Does he have the flu or a stomach virus? There is a difference. The flu is a resperitory illness. Kids don't usually throw up with the flu. They do throw up with a stomach virus. When he does feel like eating start with dry foods such as toast and crackers. If he keeps that down then add in applesauce, soup etc. Nothing too heavy at first. If he doesn't want to eat don't worry about it. As long as he is drinking he will be fine.

Bonnie - posted on 02/10/2012

It's great that he wants to drink lots as many children don't when they are sick.



There is a certain diet you can follow when sick called the BRAT diet. It consists of foods that are easier on the stomach in times like this. They are bananas, rice, apples, toast (dry). Don't pressure him to eat, but these are the things you can start to offer to him.

Jolene - posted on 02/09/2012

if you all have any suggestiions on what to give him when he is beginging to feel hungry again let me know.....and about how long it will take till he wants to eat?

Jolene - posted on 02/09/2012

Thank you all so much, he is my only child and i stress lol....i am just glad he has not thrown up in 2 days thank god....he has kept the milk down and loves the pedialite so I guess I will just keep giving him fluids untill he wants to eat......

Medic - posted on 02/09/2012

I would not give a sick kid milk. Just water, and pedialite. Kids will not starve themselves they will eat when he is hungry and his body is ready.

Emily - posted on 02/09/2012

I agree with the other posts. Lots of fluids and lots of rest!!! One thing though. If he's had direaha don't give him milk. Dairy will make it worse, and that side affect can last up to a week after he's all better.

Katherine - posted on 02/09/2012

Exactly what Sherri said.

Sherri - posted on 02/09/2012

Don't push food. He is doing exactly what he should plenty of fluids and plenty of rest. He will begin to eat again as he gets better.