I am hoping to connect with some moms or other grandma's who have had to try to figure out how to get a 1 year old on Chemo and after Chemo to eat. My grandson just won't eat. today is a good example, he is in the hopsital, he ate 2 ritz crackers for breakfast, and 6oz of pediaasure. For lunch he had a bite of mashed potatos, and bite of a chicken nugget no breading, a sip of milk and that's it. He just won't eat. Any suggestions?
As an update when the time comes they will give him iv nutrition. We are well aware that the chemo makes him feel sick and he does not want to eat, I was really just hoping for suggestions of things to try that would tempt his appetite. He hates jello we tried won't even put it in his mouth. His dr said lots of chemo kids like things that are more salty. We will keep trying saltly things, He goes to Duke hospital for a transplant in the next couple of weeks and then he will get iv nutrients we have just been trying to keep him as healthly as we can in the mean time. Thank you everyone for you ideas and your prayers.
ps. we have a care page for him already.
I wish I had some advice to offer other than offering his favorite foods. God bless your little one and your family!
It's been almost 6 years since I was in this situation with my son, but I know how important it is for them to eat.
I don't know how far into the chemo you are, but you may know that each drug has different side effects and different time frames for those side effects. There was one that made my son violently ill 10 days after.
Given that, if he is on the worst days for nausea you may be doing well just to keep him hydrated. The pediasure is a good idea. Popsicles were popular with mine as were raisins and mini m&ms.
I wouldn't worry about establishing the best eating habits right now. I gave my son anything I thought he would eat and 6 years later he has great eating habits.
I'll be thinking of you and your grandson.
A.
There is nothing you can give him while he is on chemo that will make him want to eat more. Chemo makes you sick, it doesn't make you hungry.
After chemo he will just need some time to feel 'better' and he'll likely eat.
Don't push the issue, there are plenty of other things to worry about and since he is on chemo he's obviously being monitored and the docs will make sure he gets the nutrition he needs!
imagine you have the worst stomach virus ever, would you eat? Chemo is awful on the digestive system and most small kids won't eat if they don't feel well (and i'm talking about a cold). I know it's not what you would like, but if he doesn't get enough food/calories, in the hospital they'll put him on a feeding tube and that "food" will probably be less painful.
So sorry you're going through this, I'll say a prayer for you and your family!!
I am so sorry to hear of the difficulties your precious little one is undergoing. Hopefully, the bad is finite and you have a lifetime of wonderful ahead in your family.
My 21 month old son is autistic and has never taken to solid foods well. I am a bit of a foodie, so I stretch my culinary abilities to the breaking point sometimes trying to take what I know he does like and morph it into a variety of healthy choices for him. My son does still nurse a little bit. If your grandson is weaned, perhaps you may want to look into a breastmilk bank, both for the nutritional and immune-boosting properties.
As for food, Jell-o is a favorite among kids that don't feel well. You could puree some fruit and add it for a boost. I also make meringues for my son in various flavors. He likes the crunch and pretty much only eats finger foods. Also, you may want to ask for a "banana bag" with his chemo. When I had my c-section, before I was allowed solid foods, I was told I was getting all the nutrition I needed in my IV.
Good luck and hang in there.
Have you joined carepages? You can find other families in similar situations. www.carepages.com
