need help with a 4yr old with loss of appetite

z's playa · Jun 1, 2005

Wish I'd go through that :chuckle

Seriously though...it just sounds like a picky eater to me but on the other hand....maybe she needs to see a psy to explore other possible reasons for her lack of appetite.

Sorry I can't be more helpful. I never heard of children not eating at all for 7 to 10 days unless they suffered some kind of emotional trauma and I'm speaking from personal experience only.

Z

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jun 1, 2005

You bet I have! My son did this and it scared me so much! Most times it was a stomach flu that passed...but he wasn't in pain or discomfort...just not hungry! Other times it was a growth spurt and he ate like crazy before it...then just didn't for a few days.

My doctor told me to watch temps twice daily, and alert the MD if it is above 101F. But most importantly if things didn't return to nomal after a week to come in to the clinic. If he wasn't urinating or drinking..this was time for hospital. A five pound loss was also ER time!

Hope that helps, but I would have her check in with the Doc and ask specifically...'what are the symptoms I should contact you with (how long till I make another appt), and what are the symptoms that should alert me of emergency action". And be insistant on answers!!!!!!

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jun 1, 2005

You bet I have! My son did this and it scared me so much! Most times it was a stomach flu that passed...but he wasn't in pain or discomfort...just not hungry! Other times it was a growth spurt and he ate like crazy before it...then just didn't for a few days.
My doctor told me to watch temps twice daily, and alert the MD if it is above 101F. But most importantly if things didn't return to nomal after a week to come in to the clinic. If he wasn't urinating or drinking..this was time for hospital. A five pound loss was also ER time!
Hope that helps, but I would have her check in with the Doc and ask specifically...'what are the symptoms I should contact you with (how long till I make another appt), and what are the symptoms that should alert me of emergency action". And be insistant on answers!!!!!!

Oh yeah..and home made smoothies with a little carnation instant breakfast or the like helped too ! Who can say no to a nice cool smoothie or milkshake!

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Jun 1, 2005

Children go through phases where they dont eat. Just like little ones get busy and foget to go to the bathroom and have accidents. They dont do it on purpose they just are to busy with life to stop until its too late. Life is a busy place and if the kid doesnt want to eat, unless they are losing weight or otherwise sickly i dont know what the problem is. Keep fruits and veggies available to them to pick up and munch. When they get the inkling they will. But if it is made to be a big deal, they learn real fast what gets attention and it becomes a control issue. Especially if they are in a household where everyone is busy all the time. It gets to be their contol if they can get attention from a busy parent because they wont sit down and eat when someone else says they should.

I'd say chalk it up to age and developmental stage. Let it go unless there is a real medical problem. JMO

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Jun 1, 2005

Children go through phases where they dont eat. Just like little ones get busy and foget to go to the bathroom and have accidents. They dont do it on purpose they just are to busy with life to stop until its too late. Life is a busy place and if the kid doesnt want to eat, unless they are losing weight or otherwise sickly i dont know what the problem is. Keep fruits and veggies available to them to pick up and munch. When they get the inkling they will. But if it is made to be a big deal, they learn real fast what gets attention and it becomes a control issue. Especially if they are in a household where everyone is busy all the time. It gets to be their contol if they can get attention from a busy parent because they wont sit down and eat when someone else says they should.
I'd say chalk it up to age and developmental stage. Let it go unless there is a real medical problem. JMO

Totally! Mine is a very VERY picky eater..even now at 11! I leave out things for him to snack on and found he is a..what I call...grazer...likes little snacks throughout the day instead of full meals! Took me FOREVER to learn that LOL!!!! I love my full meals...LOL!

Yeah, he will throw the guilt trip.."well then I am not eating" bit on me all the time...so I put out his plate and say "eat it or don't...it is your choice". That has helped some...took that power of guilt away from his grasp! (then I try to find the real probelm...).

mommatrauma, RN · Jun 2, 2005

LOL..the fact that your friends 4 year old actually HAD an appetite is a great thing....My son is 4...and unless he can carry it, it fits in a toy train, or the dog doesn't get it first...he wants no parts of it....he's not a picky eater, he just eats when he wants to...Perfectly normal...this age is for exploration...children are more interested in playing and getting to know the world around them, and they see eating meals more a less a minor inconvienience and an interruption of their play time...He will eat when he is hungry..I don't force him...he drinks plenty of fluids...he is in the 60th percentile for his weight...so it certainly not affecting his growth and development...he goes through phases..somedays he'll eat well, and other days, if he had a waffle, that was a lot...If he is otherwise healthy, and not drastically losing weight...and still taking in fluids...I'd think I'd wait it out...I always keep a baggie of finger foods for when he has the urge...carrots, celery, string cheese, gold fish...sometimes I will even cut up chicken in cubes and put it in a baggie...that way he can take it with him as he moves about the house with his toys...and he gets the best of both worlds! And chicken cubes work well for Thomas the train cargo!!! :rotfl: