DS 2.4 years refusing to eat

[ceasar04]

During the last 4 weeks DS aged 2.4 years has been very off his food, always been a brilliant eater before this. Had thought it was due a a period of illness, during which he was sick for 2 days, not consecutive, followed by a bout of chicken pox and now a cold and cough.

However things seem to be getting worse on the eating front, tears when offered meals, refusing things that he has always eaten before, asking for yogurt/fruit instead of eating meals.

Today he has eaten nothing at all at his childminders not even snacks and for tea had, 2 carrot batons and few bits of chicken (crying throughout) so I relented and gave him a yogurt for pudding and some raisins. He then saw DH eating some cold sausages and ate 4 in a row before bed (thanks DH)

Is this normal after a bout of illness or is he trying it on to get yogurt/fruit etc..

I'm starting to think he's just being difficult to get what he wants.

My plan is to just keep giving normal meals and if he eats some of it he can have fruit/yogurt for pudding... or should I not give him anything unless he eats all his meal? Help

Should prob say I am 37 weeks pg with DC2 and he has recently moved into a new room and big bed but he has been an absolute star and had no problems with sleeping /playing in his new room, in fact he loves it.

THis is really hard and I have had the same problem with DS1 who completely went off his food for some time after a bad stomach bug. They associte eating with pain and sickness so they don't want to eat.

I don't have a 'trick' or anything, but I ended up giving DS what he would eat, and gradually re-introduced other food, and tried as much as possible to avoid confrontation and tears.

Blend food is good, potatoes, rice, plain pasta. Easy to digest. Yogourt was also a favorite, so I ended up putting yogourt on other fruits that he liked such as bananas.

I am a big softy with my kids and I'm sure other mums would have different advice.

He ate mashed potatoes for some time...

He hasn't got a sore throat has he?I always had tonsillitis as a small child. Mums aid I never ate a thing until I had them out - then never looked back

Though in saying this i have a 3.2 year old who hardly eats a bean...............sorry not much help is it!

Personally I think you should let him eat what he wants (at mealtimes).
And gradually reintroduce other foods (in small quantities). If he is crying whilst eating foods he doesn't want you could create a real problem.
Admittedly I was older but I was a very fussy eater and my mother forced me to eat what I 'should' and I remember sobbing my way through many meals.

I'm still fussy today...

Thanks for your replies.

BP - That is why I felt so bad really, he's had a crappy few weeks prob feeling rubbish so didn't want to force him but at the same time don't want to be giving in to him.

maxy - I'm not sure if he has a sore throat but have been giving him Calpol, I'm going to swap the times round I give it him so it will have had some effect before meals.

Ne11 - No I really don't want to make a big deal out of it and create a fussy eater/food refuser. Having thought about it some more its not actually too bad a range of foods he will eat.

Breakfast has been a cup of milk, slice of toast, 2 cocktail sausages (bit weird for breakfast!!), a bowl of yogurt and some raisins. Am v happy with that and no tears so maybe he is just feeling better!! I also asked him what he wanted instead of trying to give him cereal.

Thanks again x

Yeah it could just be timing! IN that he is now being a bit fussy. What your DS ate for breakfast, my DS wouldn't that much in a whole day lol, but I am used to it!

I was also forced 9as such) to eat certain foods, but I am not fussy at all now - n fact would struggle to tell you of something DON'T like so I guess it just depends anyway. My son is a nightmare, but I think he has a sensory issue with his mouth as some odd things have happeed lol!