HELP - your advice on what to feed a teething toddler

traveltheworld

DS is 17 months and the first 8 teeth were relatively easy for him.  But I think he is teething now (drooling tons, had a fever Friday night, red cheeks), and he is having a very tough time.  He is actually in a pretty good mood except when he needs to eat. He'd take one bite of something and then burst into tears (because his teeth hurt?).  All he ate yesterday was yogurt.  So far today the only thing he seemed to be able to eat was some applesauce.  We tried all his favourtie foods (including smashed up bananas) and he can't seem to eat them.  DS has never drank much milk so I think he is now hungry, and I just feel so sorry for him.

We tried giving him orajel last night prior to dinner but it didn't seem to help.  He still seemed incapable of eating anything.  His breath also smells bad and I've been trying to brush his teeth (which he normally tolerates) but of course that's not going well at the moment. I can't really get into his mouth to see what is causing the bad breath or see how close the teeth are coming to popping out (or to confirm if it's teething).  Any advice on what to feed him and what else to do?

Thanks!

emberlee3

My DD is doing the same thing, although not with bad breath or fever.  Maybe he is sick with a virus?  DS gets bad breath from mouth breathing when his nose is stuffy.  My kids have had some viral infections that caused sore throat or blisters in their mouths that made them cry when eating.  Basically, when my kids are feeling off, I just roll with whatever seems to work.  Also, his appetite is probably off, so don't worry too much.  My DD usually eats like a horse, but she barely touched her lunch today.  I am sure your LO will be back to normal soon.

yepyepsms

My son lives on yogurt and pouches when teething. Like your lo he ups hismilk intake too. I've also made him smoothies...you can get a lot of nutrition in those...fruit, spinach, kale, etc. good luck and sorry you guys are going through a rough teething patch:(

JENandJEH

As strange as it sounds, I've always been able to smell when my kids had strep throat.  Their breath is AWFUL.  My youngest never really acts sick, just a bit fussy, but his breath will knock you over.  Teething has never kept my kids from eating so if I were in your shoes, I would take them in to rule out strep simply going off of the bad breath, fussiness and not eating.  If his throat is sore, swallowing anything that isn't liquid or incredibly thin probably really hurts and that's why he's not eating.  

minervacullen

Yeah, smelly breath is a huge sign of strep. I'd get him checked for that.

salbabe79

mac and cheese has been an easy one when eva is teething, if its baby's teeth and not strep

cedenton

Yeah, I agree about the bad breath. That would make me think he might have a sore throat which is causing the pain. Keep us posted! hope he feels better soon.

traveltheworld

Well, yesterday DS not only refused to eat anything other than yogurt, but also absolutely refused to drink any liquids.  We tried different soups, different cups/bottles, even offered juice.  He wouldn't take any of it.  We managed to get him to drink some when he was in the bath, and were all ready to take him to the hospital this morning.  But he drank a few more spoons this morning so we decided to see what he'd be like at DC with other kids around.  Well apparently he was fine - didn't eat as much as he normally would, but did eat some, and drank a little.

It's so frustrating having a little one that you can't bribe!