Totally lost with DS 4 fussy eating

[mamanestfolle]

My DS is 4 and is a fussy eater. Trying new foods is nearly impossible, and his diet is very limited. It consists mostly of fish fingers, pasta, pizza, chips. No vegetable at all, but he eats fruit, thankfully.
I really don't know what to do anymore. We are trying to be stricter, but mealtimes are becoming very stressful and I am really doubting my approach. Anyone successfully managed to overcome this issue?

YES!

STOP! Please stop.

My DD had a seriously restrictive diet, until she was two she would only eat cheese based crisps.
When she was 4 it had broadened to wheatabix, chicken nuggets and chips.

No fruit. No veg.

Step one:
Stop pressuring you and him

Step 2:
Get some vitamins (drops/chewable ones) so you can stop worrying about the nutrients.

Step 3:
Make them have hot meals at school.

Step 4:
Each meal time just put a little bit of something new on their plate.

I tried everything. Force feeding, starving, crying, begging, bribing.

I'd go to bed and cry myself to sleep. She wouldn't eat for days at a time. Nothing worked.

And then I spoke with a HV who told me to stop stressing, and do the above. Now she will try anything the first time.

Nothing like a bit of peer pressure from friends to soon chivvy them along in their eating.

Thanks BeeRay vitamins are a good call, it will definitely help me to stop worrying. I just feel like a massive failure it's really upsetting.
DS is still in pre school (november born) and he is doing mornings only, so meals at school are not an option until September.
It was not too bad whilst he was in a private nursery as he was having his meals there and was ok with most foods (certainly not at home, but in nursery) but now that he has all his meals at home, the situation seems to be getting gradually worse.

I remember that feeling. It's heart breaking isn't it.

Keep doing what I've suggested and in September things will definitley improve. Please don't beat yourself up about it. It's not you. Some kids just do it.