Hello I'm writing this as I'm struggling.
I have a 21 month old daughter, who I believe may be on Austim spectrum. My daughter doesn't eat well whatsoever. She doesn't drink well either. Unless its milk.
My daughter isn't walking, and hates it if you try and get her to walk. Though she'll stand on furniture and coast. But with any intervention she will get up. She would also stand on tip toes. We've taken her to the doctors. They said that she's fine, just double jointed. We've also have a physio appointment in January.
My daughter will eat a lot of non edible things. Things like paper, crayons, Teddy bears.
I've been told by May that she shouldn't be having lots of milk. I used to water down her milk. 3oz of milk and 3oz of water. She would have 4 of those bottles during the day. One or two during the night. I would encourage her to drink water through the day too. I was recommended that I just gave her 6oz of milk morning and night. Well since the 2nd of November (when I started) my daughter has not drank a lot. She doesn't want water whatsoever. She'll get up. The most water I can get her to drink is 9oz. This is throughout the day.
I forgot mentioned that the reason I was recommended to reduce her milk, was because it she get her to eat more. People said that milk could be filling her up, and that's why she not eating.
I'm worried that no matter how I'll encourage her and make drinking water fun she's not going to take to it.
My daughter eating is another problem as well. If she had her way she'd eat toast and sandwiches morning, noon and night. Now I've tried everything to encourage her to eat. She rarely tries anything new. She has no interest. Plus she rather starve than eat. I've tried all techniques. Its frustrating as people talk to me like I've not. My mother in law believes it's okay to force food into her mouth. Which is one thing I don't do. Also I hate. I don't like her around my daughter when it's time for food. As I'm afraid that she'll force food.
On the side note while my partner was young my mother in law would try and force feed my partner. She was quite abuse towards him with food. If he didn't eat then she would shove his head into the food. She's been known to throw food around the place. All this resulting my partner having a phobia with trying food.
But after all the recipes and trying over and over, my daughter just won't eat.
I feel like a terrible parent. I want my daughter to progress. But at the same time I don't want to force her to jump hoops. Especially if she does have autism.
I have no idea what to do. Any suggestions /advice I will appreciate it.
Thank you for your time.