Hi,

M a totally frustrated mom past a month. My daughter was a good eater, she loved to eat, past a month, she has started to refuse food... She has severe cold and hence refuses to eat anything... I can't give her meds if she won't eat, please help me...

You do realize that the common cold, no matter how severe, is a virus for which there is no 'medicine?' There are only drugs that help with the congestion, aches, and fever. Mainly you have to keep her bundled up and warm, rested, with plenty of fluids, not so much food, and humidity. Surely she has a favorite drink which you can water down (no soda though) and a favorite food, it doesn't matter too much what it is for a little while. Get creative and ask her to be involved, and arrange a plate with animal shapes or mermaids or princesses, whatever she wants. Jello molds come to mind. Of course homemade chicken soup is the best, because it provides liquid, protein, vitamins, and vapor all in one.

Now if she really has been sick for a whole month, I am guessing that your doctor gave you antibiotics for her, on the assumption that her congestion has become baterial rather than viral, and that they need to be given with food for 10 days? It doesn't have to be a lot of food. Again, try jello jigglers in molds. Try cream of rice with maple syrup or honey. Foods that are soft and soothing on her throat and don't get stuck when trying to swallow, when she can't breathe anyway.

Children go through phases. They eat like a horse, or they don't eat hardly at all.
Don't force the issue. She will eat when she is hungry, she won't let herself starve.

Speak to her doctor if you are very concerned. But unless she is losing a lot of weight and/or not growing at all, it sounds like normal childhood to m.

Hi Joy n Jennie
Well, She was given antibiotic. Since I found it hard to take care of her, I went to my in-laws until today (hence the delay in replying). She is fine now, but still refuses to eat. In a day, she eats just 2 egg whites. Nothing else. That too the egg whites are given with a lot of pampering. I have tried everything. I tried force feeding, pampering, anger, silent treatment, cartoons, bribing, nothing works. Doctors say its heriditary, very true. Ma hubby was very bad eater as a kid. He is an only child and my mother in law said he always was a PAIN when it came to feeding. The only +ve point was that he loved milk, yoghurt and she gav him just that. My daughter hates them both.

Since October she has had nothing but a couple of egg whites each day? Or does it just seem like it? Does she snack at other things?

See what she does if you leave some finger foods out for her within reach. Cherrios, toast strips, small bits of cheese, that sort of thing. Has she tried feeding herself? She may take in a bit more if you let her try it on her own... just set the dish or bowl in front of her, hand her a spoon, and walk away. What is she drinking? If she is not eating a varied diet, best for her to continue with formula or breastmilk to ensure the nutrients, fats, and calories she needs.

Thanks for answering back. I agree about leaving food out. She might be dependent now on the attention around food, negative or positive. Put various foods on the table, or on a coffee table near the floor.

She might have a rare allergy, she might just be enjoying this. With a variety in front of her and no importance attached to anything to do with food, she might decide to eat again when you aren't looking. Help yourself to a bite or two of it once in a while, with no comments about it, just other subjects.

Well, thank you guys, I followed your suggestion. She loooooooooves junk. I prepared what we call manni here in India. I used lentils, pulses, nuts, etc and powdered them. I cook it with milk, add curd and give it as a drink. She drinks because I bribe her with what she loves. A few chocolates or wafers, whatever she asks. I don let her eat any of her fav unless she drinks the manni.