Son Will Not Eat All the Sudden... Freaked Out

Updated on August 17, 2007
J.L. asks from Bridgeport, PA
12 answers

Hi everyone.. first I will start off by telling you my son has ALWAYS been a GREAT eater.. everyone refers to him as the garbage disposal.. I mean if there is food on the table he is always reaching for it... however.. all the sudden he will not eat!!! About a week and a half ago he started with this vomited and loose stools.. it went on for 2 days... did not think to much of it.. since he seemed fine.. and it was not alot.. vomited maybe 6 times total and it seemed to be at night. Anyway we took him to the doc and here they say he had and ear infection and hand foot and mouth diease.. ok ... started him on meds.
But here we are almost a week later and he is still not eating.. I mean not even a cookie.. HE LOVES COOKIES.. and at this point I will give him anything just to see him eat, he also has not been drinking as much as he normaly does. I am very concerned, and it seeems the ped is just brushing this off.
Just wanted some advice on what other moms out there would think? Should I take him back to the doctors... do yo9u think it could just be a phase? I am just so worried that there is something really wrong. He has stopped vomiting.. although he did spit up a very little this am, he still does have the loose bowel movements which at this time I am chalking up to the meds.
Any fed back is really appreciated.. thank you

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So What Happened?

Hello all.. thank you so much for all of your responses and words of wisdom... little man is still not eating like he normally does.. although today was slightly better.. he ate a half a pancake for breakfast and 3 chicken nuggets for lunch and nothing for dinner... but he is drinking a lot... I spoke with his doctors office this am ... and they had had it really isn't anything to worry about at this point I will bring him back in 2 weeks for a recheck on his ear infection.. so if the concern is still there they will look further into it.. but they claim if he is drinking I should not be concerned.. as long as he stays hydrated, she stated that kids his age go threw this all the time.. in fact one of the biggest complaints of his age group.. (he will be 2 in a few months) So I guess for now.. I will wait it out see if it is just a phase?? The pediasure was a great idea I think I may explore that so thank you for that idea.. hopefully it will work.
I will keep you posted...
thanks again

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S.T.

answers from Philadelphia on

Think of a time when you did not feel so hot. Food sometimes can be put off if not feeling well. If he was vomitting he made still have some nausea. The antibiotics for the ear infection do cause nausea and if he has that he may not know how to describe that feeling to you. So instead he does not eat because he has the nausea. I would just keep an eye on him. It is most important that in this hot weather he continues to drink fluids. Good luck, he will be back to normal soon. www.livegreeneasy.com

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A.A.

answers from Philadelphia on

is he not eating at all or just eating very little if he is eating something that is well something give it another week. if he isnt eating nothing. hospital! drinking too. your talking dehydration. watch for that if he isnt drinking very much but my point if he is atleast getting something down i wouldnt worry so much.

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M.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi, my daughter (2 1/2) is the same way she will eat everything from sushi to all veggies to calimari but she got an ear infection and allergies at the same time and ate very little then finished the antibiotics and still ate very little but would eat sweets. We began to think omigosh what if she will is gonna be a picky eater now I was starting to get horrified because we know other children like that and its so tough for the parents - that was the only thing we didn't have to worry about but then it happened she started eating everything again, she finally got her appetite back, don't worry give him what he wants his throat is probably a little sore and just doesn't have an appetite yet, he sounds like hes at the very end of it. I know how you feel!

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R.I.

answers from Philadelphia on

maybe he's getting his 2 year old molars. they hurt.
my daughter had runny stools when she got her teeth.
for weeks she was acting real strange, not throwing up, but not eating, rubbing her ears and just plain cranky. i didn't know what was wrong with her until a friend suggested i look in the back of her mouth for molars poking thru. sure enough, there they were!!

try to get some pedialyte into his system, that will replenish his fluids since he won't eat or drink.
maybe try to give him something cold like a popsicle or ice cream.

if you are still worried, i'd get a second opinion, or see your doctor again. go with your gut instinct because, unfortunately, doctors don't know everything.

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L.F.

answers from Philadelphia on

Your son probably still has a slightly upset stomach and from the hand foot and mouth dz his mouth may still be sensitive. offer freeze pops, as long as he is urinating 4-6 times daily he is fine. All children have periods like this. If it doesn't pass after 10 days then seem professional medical advice. Good Luck and just put yourself in his position... Would you want to eat?????

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D.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

Don'f freak out just yet. The ear infection causes the equilibrium to be off which can lead to the vomiting. The loose stools were the hand and foot. Its only been a week and as long as he hasnt lost much weight and isnt showing signs of dehydration its not time to panic just yet. How about popsicles???? If you didnt eat for several days your appetitie would shrink once you started again and if your each time you ate it upset your stomach or made you vomit you may be hesitant to eat even after the infection has cleared up. When he gets hungry enough he will eat. I dont think its time to panic just yet

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M.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

If you're worried, take him to a different doctor or the hospital ASAP and get a second opinion. It's better to be on the safe side, especially if you have a gut feeling that something might be wrong. I've had doctors brush me off before about stuff that turned out to be serious, so please don't be afraid to persist until you feel more satisfied with the answers you're getting.

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L.N.

answers from Philadelphia on

I would stay on top of it b/c it is so uncharaceristic of your child. Maybe it is just the infection he has right now that is causing him to not want to eat. I'm not sure how old he is but maybe it is teehing. I would get him to drink some pedisure, which has all the nutrients he needs since you said he will still take liquids. They come in vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and bananna cream. At least until he gets his appetite back he can still be getting his nutrients. Good luck.

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R.F.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi Jamie, my name is Mona and I have a 7 year old daughter who also went through this vase. After vomiting and having a sore throat, she was afraid to eat anything because she thought she would vomit. I started getting her to eat popsicles (pedalite brand) and re-assuring her that she would be fine. He maybe scared like my daughter was. Also, I gave her a little ginger-ale soda and gatorade which I put in her medicine seringe, sorry I had to trick her, but it worked because she thought she was still taking her medicine. Hope this helps a little.

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K.N.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi

I actually have had the foot and mouth disease and it is extremely painful. Your tongue and mouth have these bumps that are so intensely inflammed that even ices hurt. So maybe he is in a lot of pain? Also, did the doctor put him on amoxycilin for his ear infection? Know that causes upset stomachs and loose stools in my 3yr old. I personally would bring him back maybe see a different doctor in the same practice because he may be dehydrated. Better to be safe than sorry.

Good Luck

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R.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

I agree, that doesn't sound right. I'd be worried too. But I'm no doctor. I would make another appointment and make the doctor tell you what's wrong with your son. And if he really feels that there is nothing to worry about, he needs to tell you why. And also verify that the medication is causing the loose bowel movements. That, or I'd go to another doctor for a second opinion.

It may be nothing more than your son is just afraid of eating because he doesn't want to throw up again, or maybe his throat is sore. Have you tried soft foods that won't hurt his throat?

Hang in there. I know how horrible you must feel seeing your son sick like that.

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M.T.

answers from Philadelphia on

Has he eaten anything? Has he had liquids? I would be worried about dehydration. I would take him for a follow up. I hate when doctors brush things off as no big deal and make you feel like you're a worry wart. I always thought of it this way...I'd rather have the Dr annoyed with me then to have something wrong with my child and not pushed the issue.

I would ask to bring your son in today.

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