He's just eating less and less

[unconventionalfrog]

Sorry posting for traffic because I'm at wits end.

My two year old (end of this month) hasn't been the best eater but we've always been able to get things down him but over the last two weeks it's been impossible he will not eat any meals what so ever, he'll snack so we've tried deconstructing the meals and offering them like that, nope so we just have to feed him little but often but he will only accept certain things and I hate when people say oh he'll eat when he's hungry cos he bloody doesn't and I don't know what to do!

He doesn't talk so we can't ask him what he wants, he doesn't walk either.

We have physio coming up and he's going on the list for speech therapy at the end of the month but what can I actually do about his eating? Even the childminders at a bit of a loss and can't suggest much.

Being 'fussy' around previously familiar food isn't uncommon with toddlers. But as your little one is non verbal and not walking, presumably you think there's other issues here.
Have you heard of ARFID? I'm not overly familiar myself but I think it's a form of food avoidance that can be linked to sensory processing. So a real reluctance to eat and a lack of interest in food.
Probably worth raising with your GP or health visitor. Is he willing to take drinks? You can get liquid supplements for children to make up the gap in nutrients and calories.

At the moment he's just been diagnosed with GDD but we do suspect autism.

I haven't heard of it, no but thank you for mentioning it I'll look into it and speak to the GP - it's frustrating because he is a big lad (not fat but solid) so he doesn't look like he's lacking but he doesn't really eating anything.

Luckily he doesn't drink a lot so we give him water and milk but even then he'll only drink flavoured water so it's not the most healthy but I've tried tap water and he'll just refuse, he always has.

Have you tried baby signing with him? If he isn't verbal it would be so useful for giving him some communication tools. You can get some lovely first signs books on Amazon to cover things that you might want him to communicate with you.

It may not help with the food but it could do - it would help him have a bit of control as he learns to say what he wants and needs in sign.

If little and often and safe food works well for him then stick with that. Offer new things but doing push or make a fuss.

how is he sensory wise? Maybe worth looking at some sensory play to get him used to the different textures and smells etc without the pressure to eat

Speak to your GP about your concerns, as it sounds like you have other concerns about his development.

Also be careful of how much milk he is actually drinking; milk is a food and will fill you up.

It’s hard whilst you’re waiting for help/diagnosis. Eating can be sensory for kids with GDD. I don’t know whether they do Portage in your area, but if they do, this is a good place for support and advice. I think you can self refer, too, or ask your GP.

Has he had a cold recently? Get his ears checked by GP, could be an ear infection. He might be selectively eating due to pain from pressure.

My son was diagnosed autistic at 2, he has a very limited diet. What is on your sons safe food list? The rules are so different with our kids you can't use the "they'll eat when they are hungry logic"

We do have the portage team coming, it's a new thing they're coming for the second time tomorrow so I'm gonna mention it then too.

He only has milk for bed sorry I was just saying what he has, he drinks water throughout the day.

Sign language is a really good idea, I guess I thought he wouldn't understand but I don't really know until I try so I'll pick some of the books up, thank you.

It's just really stressful because his list of safe foods is getting smaller too, he doesn't have as many now and it's basically just shit he'll have if anything at all.

I'll see what portage says tomorrow and then maybe it's a trip to the GP

What about innocent smoothies?

also consider not giving milk until he has eaten first

can you leave a few of his favourite snacks on a table so he can go and pick something if he is hungry?

Is he losing weight ? Is he underweight?

How much he eats is almost irrelevant

I'll have a look at the smoothies, don't know if he'd like the texture but it's worth a try.

He only has milk for bed sorry I should have been clearer with that - water rest of time.

He can't reach the table as he can only crawl but we do leave food in accessible places and he has no pressure to eat them but he just ignores it.

It's just hard because he'll change what he likes/dislikes fairly often so I can't even say oh yes he'll eat this because sometimes he absolutely won't - it feels impossible sometimes.

just give him his safe foods however rubbishthey are, just get food into him, forget battling if that how meal times ed up, it really isnt worth it.

2 year old can be stubborn and persistent with food- too big to be fed, and determined to get their own way. Let them have it- let them win as long as they eat something- if its a phase, it will pass

Definitely take pressure off and just leave food around. Bits of satsuma, a cracker, a kid flapjack etc

My son stopped eating a lot around 18 months but did settle on safe foods though it's very small. Try to understand the profile of what he will eat, what could he be liking about it, is it texture? Smell? Colour? Then offer things similar