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Two year old really won't eat anything

12 replies

floppops · 15/04/2012 20:52

My DD REALLY won't eat much at all. She is losing weight. She has never really eaten much. She had silent reflux as a baby but did eat homemade baby food well when weaned. Since she only eats fruit and some bread sometimes. She did have a phase of only eating baked beans which I was so thankful for-that I had found something she would eat but now refuses that also.
I have offered her EVERYTHING! Seriously every type of food and presentation imaginable. I eat with her. I don't make a big deal of it in front of her to eat. She's been around other kids and family eating. Nothing works. It's as though she doesn't recognise food as something she needs to eat?
She doesn't drink milk either anymore.
She is surviving on the occasional piece of toast and fruit and often refuses that.
I am so worried and depressed about it. Her sleeping is awful, and her behaviour and she is ill every few weeks. I am sure she would be so much happier if she could eat?
I have read threads about picky eaters-with a huge range-to me! of things their children will eat.
Is there anyone out there with a child with such a limited diet? Or had-how did/do you get through it?
I have someone coming round from our children's centre to "observe" her not eating tomorrow.

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MerryMarigold · 15/04/2012 20:59

Glad someone is coming to help you. Things do go up and down. My ds2 was very, very fussy for a year from 2-3, but now he is improving. He likes odd things like raw onion Hmm and rocket, sprouting brocolli, which most kids would hate, so do keep trying things out on her.

Has anything happened recently in the family/ nursery? My ds1 was a difficult eater, and he virtually starved himself after I had twins. I remember being so happy when he ate a packet of crisps after a week! I did introduce Nesquik to get milk into him, which worked for him. He's a lot better now (he's 6, twins are 3) but still won't eat school dinners and often leaves quite a bit of a packed lunch, but at least I know what he's eaten that way.

None of my kids are 'good' eaters, but they are better if they have had a busy day, eaten few snacks, are generally happy/ not overtired. I know what it's like to worry about eating, so I have a lot of sympathy for you.

floppops · 15/04/2012 21:09

Than you for your reply.
Actually have tried raw onion, sprouting broccoli and rocket too! But no luck.
She is always over tired. Huge problem with not sleeping well. She is always so active though.
She will it wotsits!! But you can't give them those every day..can you?
Nothing huge happening really-although as I said she is so often ill.
Vicious cycle.

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StrangerintheHouse · 15/04/2012 21:58

That is a really good book.

But if she is losing weight it is serious, not just fussy eating. (You do mean she has actually lost weight, not just dropping down centiles?)

Have you taken her to the doctor to make sure it is nothing physical? My friend's ds had huge tonsils and swallowing solids was difficult so he avoided most food.

Does she have good days when she eats more? Personally I would just give her whatever she will eat alongside whatever you are having. She will be consuming something then and might take the odd bit of other food too. I find ds drops foods (see my freezer full of various soups) but picks up some others I thought he wouldn't eat at the same time.

wolvesarejustoldendaydogs · 15/04/2012 22:01

A random one, but consider asking the GP to do a blood test for coeliac disease? My DS went off food, would only eat a few things, stopped putting on weight and was eventually diagnosed with this (age 4). DS2 (age 2) is currently doing the same thing, and we are in the process of getting him tested now.

MerryMarigold · 15/04/2012 22:22

I know what you mean with the not sleeping well. It's all very linked, isn't it? My ds1 is a bit like this (but sounds less severe than your dd). His eating and sleeping get worse, and worse. He is now at school so it generally starts when he's stressed at school or towards the end of term. His activity level also tends to go up, but it's a kind of nervous energy. His behaviour can get quite difficult and he gets very emotional (crying about nothing). It's really hard.

Please tell us what the HV says. I would also go to the GP too, just to register concern, so that you are on their radar if it continues. Do you think your dd is anxious? Maybe she just needs a break and something to break this pattern? Can your dh get some time off and have a mini 'holiday' from home so it's not too much change, but she gets to spend a lot of time with both of you. It always helps my ds1 to have his Dad around a bit more and to get one on one time with me.

HappyCamel · 15/04/2012 22:29

Yy to getting blood test for coeliac

lesstalkmoreaction · 15/04/2012 22:34

Agree with the blood test and in the meantime get a vitamin tonic in her as it may boost her appetite, try minadex, it got me through several sessions when my children didn't eat much.

floppops · 16/04/2012 05:32

Thanks just remembered I have that tonic. Will give her some today.
She has lost weight and dropped percentiles.
Think she can eat as she can eat a bag of wotsits! But I literally have only given her those twice.
I am a single mum merrym, she does spend time with her dad but there can be some anxiety between us all.
Actually it is a behaviourist who ran a feeding clinic with a dietician is coming round today-so I hope that starts to help.

OP posts:
floppops · 16/04/2012 05:36

Thanks another name, bought the book just now.

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justaboutisnowakiwi · 16/04/2012 06:20

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