How to Feed a Sick Child Who Won't Eat

When you are not feeling well, food can lose its appeal and your appetite can wane. The same is true of children. Whether it is a cold or the flu, an illness can suppress a child's appetite and make meal times difficult. While it is important for the child to take in as many nutrients as possible to benefit her immune system, expect that her appetite will be less than normal. Until her health improves, you might have to resort to creative measures to feed her.

Things You'll Need

• Favorite foods and meals
• Bananas
• Rice
• Apple sauce
• Toast
• Juice
• Soup
• Craft sticks
• Gelatin
• Fruit

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Instructions

• 1

  Prepare the child's favorite foods. Do not try to force a sick child to eat foods that she dislikes, because these will be even less appealing than when she is healthy. Choosing foods a child normally enjoys could entice her to at least take a few bites.

• 2

  Introduce the BRAT diet, which is a bland diet consisting of bananas, rice, apple sauce and toast. This diet will help to settle an upset stomach as well as provide foods with a high nutritional value, which in turn can help the child to get better.

• 3

  Keep the child hydrated with water and clear liquids such as apple juice. Keeping the child from becoming dehydrated is far more critical than making sure he is eating meals when he is sick. Serving soups, such as chicken noodle soup, will also help the child to drink in nutrients.

• 4

  Entice the child with healthy foods and drinks disguised as treats. For example, freeze juice and craft sticks together to form healthy juice pops. Chop up fruit and include it in homemade gelatin treats.

• 5

  Refrain from forcing your child to eat. A day or two of a decreased appetite will not be harmful as long as you are keeping the child hydrated. Her appetite will return to normal once she is feeling better.