As the immune system of your baby is not fully developed, they are more prone to infections and fever (which is the body’s way of fighting infections), especially before their first birthday. If your baby develops a fever, obviously, you need to do whatever you can to help it feel better. In addition to medicine and attention, you should take care of your baby’s food. Giving foods for babies during fever is a challenge.
Usually, babies refuse to eat during fever. This can make them tired, weak, and cranky. Eating healthy food (regardless of the quantity) also plays a major role in their speedy recovery. Read on to know 11 such foods for babies during fever.
In This Article
- Videos of 10 Effective Foods For Babies During Fever
- Feeding Foods for Babies During Fever
- 11 Most Effective Foods for Babies During Fever
- When to Call a Doctor?
- Some Useful Tips to Feed Your Baby when He has Fever
- FAQ’s
Videos of 10 Effective Foods For Babies During Fever
Feeding Foods For Babies During Fever
Always give priority to your baby’s wish when it comes to choosing foods for babies during fever. When your baby is sick, the first thing that goes for a toss is their appetite. You can try giving your baby some of their favorite food, but make sure the food is both nutritious and provides your baby with enough energy to fight the infection.
But, if your little one wants to be on your feed, listen to their wishes and breastfeed or formula feed them entirely till they recover from fever as breast milk and formula provide all the essential nutrients. Never force your baby to eat if they don’t want to. Just keep feeding them at regular intervals to keep them active and remember their appetite will return when they start feeling better.
11 Most Effective Foods For Babies During Fever
The food for babies during fever should be:
- Warm, less spicy, semi-solid, and soft.
- Easily digestible.
- Protein intake should be increased. Dal and milk, which are rich in proteins, can be added to their diet.
- Include food rich in calcium, sodium, iron, vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin B.
- Avoid oil, butter, ghee, and highly fibrous foods. Also, avoid cold food.
Here are eleven foods for babies during fever time and you can give this kind of food given below:
1. Breast milk
If your baby is down with a fever, feed them as much breast milk as they need. After all, it is their primary food during the first year. Intake of fluid is important during the fever. Breast milk not only helps to prevent dehydration but also provides your baby with all the essential nutrients. It also benefits your baby since it contains antibodies. Breast milk is easy to digest. Moreover, the act of nursing comforts your baby while they are suffering from fever.
2. Dal Khichdi
If your baby is over six months, you would have introduced them to solids. Moong dal khichdi supplies enough protein to your baby. It is not only easy to digest but is a balanced meal and truly a portion of comfort food. Dal khichdi is light on your baby’s tummy and also provides all the essential nutrients. Give warm khichdi to your baby. Do not try to give your baby the usual quantity they are used to eating. Even if they take a few spoons, and stop eating, do not force them.
3. Mashed Curd Rice
You can give curd rice to babies above 11 months. Remember to use curd or yogurt that is at room temperature rather than a cold one. Mash the rice well before giving it to your baby. Curd rice is easy to digest and also has a soothing effect.
4. Soup
Giving baby clear vegetable soups help to alleviate any tiredness, and it also supplies essential nutrients. Wash the seasoned vegetables thoroughly, chop them, and pressure cook them with enough water (use only filter water). Add a pinch of salt and a little pepper (optional) and bay leaves. Cook on low flame for 15 to 20 min. Let it cool, and then you can puree the vegetables, strain them and feed your baby this warm soup.
5. Dalia Porridge
Dalia porridge is a good choice to give to babies during fever. Just cook, clean and soak (for 15 min) dalia in a pressure cooker for 15 minutes on low flame. Add a pinch of salt. Mash well.
6. Fruit and Vegetable Puree
Stewed apples, mashed bananas, pureed peas, and carrots are good foods for babies during fever.
7. Rice Cereal
If your baby prefers to eat, you can try giving them rice cereal, which is also a good source of nutrition. Rice water is also said to help reduce fever.
8. Turmeric and Ajwain
Use these items liberally while preparing food for your baby. All these ingredients are antibiotics in nature and help in fighting the infection and reducing the temperature.
9. Stewed Apple
Apple sauce or stewed apple is easily digestible and hence is ideal during fever.
10. Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are packed with immune-boosting nutrients. Give steamed, mashed/pureed sweet potatoes or give as porridge to your baby during this period.
11. Broccoli
The antioxidants in broccoli help fight diseases. It also stimulates the body’s immune system. Give pureed or broccoli soup.
When to Call a Doctor?
If your baby is suffering from fever, it’s best to take them to the doctor immediately. You need to take note of the symptoms the baby is showing so that the doctor can advise accordingly:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Unexplained rashes
- Unusually sleepy or fussy,
- Seizures
It is essential that you give more nutritious food to the baby, that provides more energy. Be patient and offer the food in small quantities over frequent meals to your baby. If your baby is not eating at all, then you must seek medical help as this lack of appetite would be an indication of something more serious than a fever.
Some Useful Tips to Feed Foods For Babies During Fever
These tips would help your baby feed better and fuss-free:
- Try to give the baby frequent small feeds.
- If your baby is too weak to suckle, the mother can express breast milk and feed the baby with a spoon.
- Be patient, but persistent in offering food that your baby likes in order to overcome a lack of appetite.
- Do not feed a baby while it is lying down. Take it in your lap and make them sit up.
- If your baby throws up, wait for ten minutes and then continue offering them fluids or food.
- Do not force-feed your baby.
It is natural for your baby to lose appetite when they have a fever. As long as your little one is taking breast milk or formula milk, it is ok if they refuse to eat other food. But if your baby refuses to take breast milk, you must contact your doctor immediately.
FAQ’s
1. Can Foods Help Bring Down my Baby’s Fever?
Yes, certain foods can. Foods rich in nutrients and electrolytes can help the body fight better. This can help reduce the fever naturally.
2. Are Apples Good for Fever?
Yes, apples are packed with good nutrients. Make an apple sauce that can be mixed with a variety of foods. It is easy to digest and adds flavor too.
3. What is a BRAT Diet?
These is Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. These foods are good for the body and tasty for the tongue too. Since they stay down longer, this is recommended for sick babies.
4. Should I Follow the CRAM Diet When my Baby Has a Fever?
The cereal, Rice, Applesauce, and Milk diet is good for any baby. When your baby is sick and is refusing food, this can be soothing. This diet is high in fat, thus helping to restore your baby’s energy when sick.
5. How Long Does a Baby’s Fever Last?
A baby’s fever usually lasts for 3 to 5 days. But a fever that persists for longer or fever that is higher and doesn’t come down may need immediate medical attention
6. Is Turmeric Milk Good in Fever?
Turmeric has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and can improve immunity levels making turmeric milk good for fever.
