The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says children under age 5 and specifically toddlers under 2 are most susceptible to the flu. Their underdeveloped immune systems are the most likely to be attacked by the flu virus, resulting in chills, fever, sore throat, nausea and vomiting that lasts from three to five days. During that time, ensure your toddler is hydrated and nourished by offering bland foods easy on the stomach until symptoms improve.
BRAT Diet
Staples in combating the flu should include items from the BRAT diet, which comprises bananas, rice, apples and toast and can offer nutrition without upsetting your toddler's stomach. The BRAT diet is bland and easily digestible. It also is low in fiber to help the binding of loose stool, should diarrhea be another symptom your toddler has during the flu.
Chicken Soup
While chicken soup and broth may seem like an archaic remedy, they can actually help your toddler feel better. Broth is made of mostly water to aid in hydration while thinning out mucus secretions that could have your toddler feeling congested. Noodles help supply carbohydrates for energy when your toddler feels lethargic. Another advantage of chicken soup is its sodium content. The salty taste can encourage drinking more fluids to prevent dehydration.
Frozen Treats
Toddlers with the stomach flu can become pickier than usual. While it's fine to allow your toddler to eat less when he's feeling sick, it's important to provide his body with some calories for energy and hydration. Freezer pops and other water-based frozen treats are ideal for the flu for a variety of reasons. The cold can soothe an accompanying sore throat while providing the body with calories and water for quick energy and hydration. Since freezer pops are sweet and somewhat of a novelty, it may be easier to entice your toddler to consume one.
Fluids
Through the stomach flu's duration, fluids should be promoted as much as possible. Your toddler's lethargy and general aversion to food can extend to drinks and result in possible dehydration. Offer water and pediatric fruit drinks as often as possible, but avoid sugary fruit juices, soda and sports drinks. Sugary drinks draw more water into the digestive tract and can sometimes exacerbate diarrhea. If your toddler refuses to drink, rarely urinates, is lethargic and listless or has dryness around the mouth, contact your doctor since they are all signs of dehydration.
References
- Family Doctor; BRAT Diet: Recovering From an Upset Stomach; February 2011
- BabyCenter: Flu in Children
- Kaboose; Feel-Good Foods: 10 Cold & Flu Fighters; Shara Aaron and Christine M. Porretta
- Kids Health; Stomach Flu; Kate M. Cronan; September 2010
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Key Facts About Influenza (Flu) & Flu Vaccine; July 14, 2011
