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Appetite Loss in Toddlers Feeding a toddler can be a challenge. Seemingly overnight, your good little eater turns into Mr. Picky. As you watch him push away foods that used to be favorites, turn up his nose at anything green and absolutely refuse to try anything new, you wonder if he can really survive on what seems like a handful of food each day. Most of the time, a decrease in appetite in toddlerhood is normal, but if your child is pale, lethargic or tired all the time, sees his doctor. Why Appetite Drops A toddler doesn't need to eat as much or as often as he did as an infant. His appetite drops because his growth rate slows. If he kept up the growth rate of the first year, when he tripled his weight and doubled his height, he'd be around 60 pounds and 5 feet tall at age 2. Since he'll grow just 3 inches and gain 3 to 5 pounds between the ages of 1 and 2, his appetite will decrease. To achieve this gain, he needs to consume between 1,000 to 1,400 calori...

Because young children are not able to hold a thermometer in their mouths, their temperature may be checked rectally or axillary (under the arm). Axillary temperatures are usually 1 o  lower than rectal temperatures, and rectal temperatures are the most accurate. All temperature guidelines listed in this chart are rectal. Temperatures above 105 o  (oral) can be dangerous, and need immediate medical attention. SYMPTOMS DIAGNOSIS SELF-CARE Begin Here 1. Is your child two months of age or younger with a fever of 100.4° or higher? Yes This may be a sign of a serious INFECTION. Call your child's doctor. No 2. Is your child older than 2 months of age with a fever of 102° or higher that is unresponsive to fever-reducing medicine? Yes Go to Question 14.* No 3. Does your child have a low-grade fever (up to 101°) and a runny nose, and is he or she tired and cranky? Yes Your child's symptoms may be from a simple VIRAL INFECTION, such as a  COLD or FLU. Treat your ch...