Feeding issue - unusual; advice welcome

[user1484843368]

My little girl stopped weaning at 10 months and has refused all solids. I have seen expert after expert who all say the same - let her play with food etc. But this does not translate to eating; she is terrified of food in her mouth and we are struggling to help her overcome this. She has been referred to Great Ormond Street who can't see her until October. She is 2 years old in a month so has not been eating for more than a year. She has survived on formula (at the dietician's recommendation) but is now allergic to this (I've just moved her on to HIPP from Aptamil; fingers crossed she doesn't react - 1 day in!). Has anyone had this extreme situation happen to them and can they offer any advice?

[AladdinMum]

Maybe she has food sensitivities? some children will reject certain food textures or even colors. Is she developing fine in all other areas? understanding, non-verbal communication, etc?

[user1484843368]

Hi AladdinMum, it is possible she is developing fine in all other areas and the hospital has deemed it a psychological barrier, not physical.

[AladdinMum]

Hi, yes I would expect that, most food sensitivities are neurological, not physical. It is possible that she in meeting all the usual major milestones? or is she meeting them?

[user1484843368]

Hi again, yes she is 23 months and can say the alphabet accurately, count 1-20, is great with colours and we are working on days of the week and 1 times table. Walking, movement, play, all fine and she likes other children and does not seek solitude. thanks for responding x

[AladdinMum]

That is great, some of it sounds very advanced! how is her non-verbal social communication? things like social referencing (looking at you when she gets startled or is unsure about something), pointing to share excitement (like a plane in the sky), seeking praise (making you look at her when she does something she is proud of), following a point and a gaze (you point, she looks in that direction and not at your hand; you move your head and say 'look' and she moves her head in the same way to see what you are looking at and not just look at your face), etc - these are some of the important social communication milestones expected by 18M.