WWYD in this situation re. eating meals

[ett]

So for the past few days, DS2 has been sick with a fever and not eating very well. I've pretty much been feeding him away from the table while he's planning because of his illness.

Well, today he is better. No fever and acting normally now. He had a small amount of granola and cup of milk for breakfast this morning. I tried giving him lunch and he refused it. Tried offering him other healthy food he likes and refused those too. Just kept saying he's not hungry. It's 1:45 now and he's still saying he's not hungry.

So WWYD in this situation? My current plan is to wait until he's hungry and then offer him his lunch food. I already told him that when we go pick up DS1 from school, he can't ask for crackers in the car if he hasn't eaten his lunch now. (I will bring part of his lunch in the car with us.) He's clearly not sick anymore so I don't want to have him eat while he's playing.

[egoldber]

When I've been sick, I can feel off and not like my old eating self for days afterward. I don't think this sounds that unusual.

[Green_Tea]

I'd just roll with it and offer the lunch food when he gets hungry. Brining it in the car is a good idea. It can take a few days for the appetite to get back to normal.

[SnuggleBuggles]

He could very well still feel sick. And when someone is sick here, they get carte blanche on food. If all they want is crackers and chocolate milk then I will indulge that for a day or 2 even after I think they feel better. Ds2 has been sick since Sat. night and though yesterday he seemed much better, he still barely ate. Today he is back on track mostly.

Beth

[BabbyO]

DS doesn't eat well for a week or two after he gets sick (depending on how long he's actually sick). I'd just go for giving him his lunch food in the car as planned, if he asks then.

Although, I also indulge a bit when DS is ill....I don't really care if all he asks for is crackers. When I'm sick I often only want to eat chicken soup...you know the probably not so great for you condensed stuff in a can. If DS decides crackers are what he can keep down...or what tastes ok to him...I roll with it. Especially since he's generally a very good eater (he begs for things like broccoli and carrots).

[fedoragirl]

DD had an ear infection weeks ago, and finished up a round of abx. It's been 2 weeks and she's still not got her appetite back. I freaked out at first, and posted frantically here. Now, I am just learning to take it in stride because really, what else can you do?

[lizzywednesday]

Originally Posted by BabbyO

... When I'm sick I often only want to eat chicken soup...you know the probably not so great for you condensed stuff in a can. ...

I also only want things that are horrifying to my non-sick self.

[eh613c]

Just wait until he's hungry. His stomach probably shrunk a little bit because he hasn't been eating much. Have you tried offering soups?

[SpaceGal]

It usually takes a while to get the appetite back I think. My boys usually aren't hungry for a few days and then they catch up later. It's fine...as long as they take liquids here and there you should be ok. I usually offer the yummier snacks if I get worried...grapes...frozen squeeze yogurt...stuff like that.

[ett]

Thanks everyone. I don't know why I was so uptight about the food thing today. It's been a really long week and I'm going a little stir crazy being at home with DS2. I'm just so used to DS1 who rarely loses his appetite.