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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask how on earth I get my DC out of this food habit?

54 replies

PatterPitter · 29/11/2017 22:10

I have four DC - DS is 7, and I have 3 DDs aged 5, 2 and 3 months. DS will eat pretty much everything except fish and broccoli. DD(5) has ASD and so her relationship with food is difficult. It's gotten to the stage where she eats the same foods in the same order each day, and I let her eat in front of the TV while I'm cooking for DS and I. This is because she won't eat at the table if others are eating different foods because she's distracted by the sight/smell of their food and sometimes gagging or sick because of it. Even if we were eating the same thing, she would barely eat any - in front of the TV for half hour is the only way I've found to get anything into her. She won't eat anything cooked besides McDonald's nuggets which we have once per week.

Each night she has:

Cucumber, pepper and carrot sticks
Two big slices of cheese
Ham sandwich
Strawberries

There's not much sustenance to it and she's borderline underweight. A main problem with it is that her 2 year old sister sees her being particular and won't try anything new, either. She wants to eat the same as DD(5) then a few extra bits at the table with DS and I. She is a healthy weight so I don't know whether to break this habit by giving her the same as DS and I and she can take it or leave it, in the hope that eventually she'll try it?

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

OP posts:
Starlala · 30/11/2017 08:49

I don't have any advice on ASD behaviours but my NT 3yo has eaten a ham sandwich with cucumber sticks and tomatoes for lunch practically every day for the last year. So I think it is likely it's just an age thing with DD2 and she'll grow out of it especially if you always offer the alternative. Perhaps you could try down sizing her first portion of sandwiches and up the amount offered at the table?

DivisionBelle · 30/11/2017 08:52

Don’t do anything to jeopardise what or how your 5 yo eats.

I have no experience of feeding a child with ASD but know that none of the usual rules / guidelines apply.

Yes, a child with ASD will actually starve rather than give in to any techniques to encourage them, and foods they accept can be blocked if anyone messes with them in an inexperienced way.

I would just concentrate on including your 2 year old in her brother’s mealtimes. Maybe get her a special set of cutlery and plate (themed, Peppa Pig etc) and set it st the table. But in the end as long as she eats healthily and enthusiastically, it doesn’t matter that much.

Normal can be what works for you and your family. IMO.

zzzzz · 30/11/2017 09:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

minipie · 30/11/2017 11:26

I know quite a few (NT) 2 year olds who live mainly off plain carbs. Remember the ones you see in restaurants are by definition the non fussy ones - there will be plenty of parents who don't bother taking their DC out to eat as they know it won't work.

Actually I wouldn't eat spag bol, pies and similar "mixed hot" food until my teens. I scraped the sauce off pizza. Now eat everything and anything.

I think your 2yo's diet is fine, and your 5yo's diet is amazing given her asd.

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