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Original poster

ds orally fixated?

18 replies

sauce · 23/05/2007 22:01

Poor ds is finally developing a tum-tum at the ripe old age of 3.6. I struggled to do up his trousers around the waist today and he, quite naturally, refused to wear them because they "hurt". He has always been an enthusiastic eater, made my nips bleed with his powerful little mouth from day one, and will not be parted from his precious dummy. Basically, he constantly needs to have something in his mouth. What can I do?

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colditz · 23/05/2007 22:03

Are you or his dad tall?

IMO, pudgy children turn into tall adults!

He may also be due a spurt - trousers that ds1 couln't get past his bottom last year are now dropping off.

Original poster
sauce · 23/05/2007 22:10

Not very tall. I'm 5'7, dh 5'9. Our dd is so thin I call her my little stick-insect & she's never been particularly interested in food. She takes after dh's side: dh's sisters are all v. slender. My side tend towards the plump, but not obese. I had a tummy when I was little and have had to battle with my weight all my life. I don't want ds to be teased about his tum like I was! But there is no way I'm putting a 3 yr old on a diet!!

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colditz · 23/05/2007 22:12

Maybe the trousers are slim fitting? Adams fit slim - they fit ds1 now, but didn't last year, whereas I find Asda MUCh more generous.

colditz · 23/05/2007 22:23

Or, maybe some exercise would help him?

Play fetch with him in the park Ds1 loves this!

Original poster
sauce · 23/05/2007 22:24

Maybe I'm comparing ds to dd too much. She can still wear size 4 in some brands even though she's almost 7.

Dh has already started nagging ds about his eating habits and calling him Bunter. Reminds me unpleasantly of my mum who had me on cottage cheese and celery sticks for lunch when I was 8.

But why does ds need something in his mouth all the time? Next thing, he'll be slouching around with a fag dangling from his mouth. Horrors!

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Hathor · 23/05/2007 22:25

Have you tried weaning him off the dummy?

colditz · 23/05/2007 22:29

Take the dummy away and make him keep it in his bed - they are known for causing speech problems, and without it he may be less inclined to sit around.

Your Dh is being foul and I would have serious words

Original poster
sauce · 23/05/2007 22:30

Oh yes. That was a nightmare. His screams, and finally desolate crying, were so heart-rending that I gave in at midnight on the first night. Our compromise is only when he's in bed but he sucks on that thing all night, I kid you not!

As for running around, he's actually quite active but very clumsy. He always trips and bangs his head or skins his knee. More screeching.

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Original poster
sauce · 23/05/2007 22:32

Dh is a product of his public boarding catholic school upbringing and being sent away when he was 7. His mum reminds me of the Queen.

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colditz · 23/05/2007 22:33

What does he eat, then? Maybe he could benefit from a bulkier diet? You say your dd was really thin, did you get into the habit of making a lot of high fat foods for her to keep her weight up? (My mum did this with me, and my brother got really plump)

colditz · 23/05/2007 22:34

Seriously, don't let him nag your little boy about his eating, he'll make the poor boy so unhappy

Original poster
sauce · 23/05/2007 22:39

Yeah, he drinks masses of milk (2.7% fat) and loves his carbs. Bread, pasta, risotto, mashed pots... lovingly prepared to tempt the fussy palate of Miss. Ds wolfs his down. Breakfast, for example, begins at 6am with a bottle of milk with Nestlé baby powder, then cereal and milk with his dad at 7, orange juice or strawberries and possibly bread and jam if there's time at 8, when his sister has finally managed to drag herself out of bed.

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Hathor · 23/05/2007 22:53

Nestle milk powder? Why not give him cow's milk?

Original poster
sauce · 23/05/2007 22:57

It is cow's milk but with Nestlé choccy powder mixed in. I think I might start mixing skim milk (yuck) with our usual.

It's actually the oral fixation thing I'm worried about. As I said earlier, why does he always have to have something in his gob?

OP posts:
colditz · 23/05/2007 23:04

he's only 3 - some children are still breast feeding at 3, it's quite normal. Distract him when he nags for the dummy.

Re the Choc powder, he would be better off with normal Semiskimmed milk without the chocolate powder.

If he is using the bottle as a comfort object he may be sucking it when he doesn't even want the contend, so maybe fill it with water?

Original poster
sauce · 24/05/2007 11:59

Thanks Colditz. I have to smile re your suggestion for the chocolate powder & the water - if only! He's not really a kid you can negotiate with...

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colditz · 25/05/2007 16:11

I didn't really mean negotiate though, just do it and let him take it or leave it.

singingmum · 25/05/2007 16:15

My ds was a tubby(in older size trousers spent ages taking up legs).
One day we looked and he's skinny(he's now 12yrs) He just suddenly thinned out and shot up.I wouldn't worry just make sure you have plenty of needles and thread or know a cheap tailor

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