slow eaters

[gailj74]

Any suggestions for speeding up a very slow and easily distracted 6 year old at mealtimes ? He already sits at the table (no TV etc).

[Uwila]

We time ours. When the twenty minutes are up, the food is removed and meal time is over. If she didn't eat it, there are no treats or snacks until the next mealtime. She will eat now, but not very much. I've accepted she is just a small eater. She is 3 and her 14 month old brother eats more than she does in half the time.

[Bozza]

Would have thought that was fairly normal though uwila.

[Uwila]

Bozza, it's normall for the 14 month old to eat more than the 3 year old? And in 1/2 the time?

[Bozza]

That's what I meant uwila. I remember serving similar sized portions to my 14mo petite DD and to my 4yo average DS. And DS whinging and whining and claiming he didn't like it before he'd seen it etc. Now a year later he gets on with it and DD messes.

[Uwila]

I think it's just a difference in their eating habits. DD has always been really fussy. If ever she ate 1/2 of the same aged child next to her it was cause for celebration. Has always been very disinterested in eating. And, DS will just chomp down anything I put in his mouth. I pray he stays this way because I can't take two fussy eaters!

[Uwila]

Oh my typing skills really do leave little to be desired. I meant if she ate 1/2 the quantity that the same aged child next to her ate... not if she 1/2 of the child next her.

[Bozza]

Don't worry I got you. DS has always been a better eater/bigger appetite than DD at the equivalent age but even so...

[lua]

Another one here with a really picky 3 yo DD, and a scarf down DS 14 month old....


My DD really wears me out! I have tried the timing thing and became even worst... she is a generally anxious child and would spend so much time begging not to be timed, that her time would be up before she even took her first bite. Have tried the dessert angle, and taking all distractions away... sorry to say, we still sit for an hour for dinner to be eaten!

Will watch this thread with interest for a solution!

[Uwila]

Hi Lua!

[psychomum5]

My DD1 was like this at this age....and drove me insane.

I then had other issues with health from DD3 and DS2 and ignored her, and that was what did it[confused emoticon]. I am guessing that once the pressure is off them they can eat again.

My HV (luckily I did have a fab one at that point...shame about the current one>), told me then that the more fuss you make (intentional or otherwise as I certainly never thought of me as being an ogre) then they seem to be unable to swollow (and that spelling looks wrong) and so it goes on. Stress does it to me too...I just cannot eat! Feels like I have a blocked throat, and now DD1 is older she says the same.....

She is now 12, and altho she is tiny still (in age 10 clothes), she DOES eat fairly well. She also does a cycle of eat well for a month, and then not for two....which we realised when she was about 7yrs. I then fed her lots in those good months and then could slack and ignore in the 'bad' months knowing that she can eat well when she wants and is able too.

I hope this helps some.....and please don't fret. Takes a LOT for a child to eat so badly that they are deficiant in anything and as long as you continue offering and then be calm....they WILL be OK.

One other thing we do now which helps lots is to put everyhting in the middle of the table (like the waltons in fact) and let them help themselves. The only rule is that what you take, you must eat. We do ensure they take a little at a time so as not to overpower themselves and then they can always go back for more. ALL ours eat more variety now, even if the amount isn't that much more as yet.

Hope this helps