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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

My ds will only eat peanut butter sandwiches, plain pasta, sweetcorn and ham. Help

61 replies

Katiekin · 14/10/2007 23:09

My ds1 would eat anything as long as it was with mashed potato but ds2 has porridge,ham or peanut butter sandwiches, and fish fingers or chicken with plain pasta and sweetcorn, carrots or broccoli almost every day. He does eat apple or banana but it is so limited and means I usually have to cook him a separate meal. We got him this far with star charts and bribery but he really seems to dislike new foods and although he will taste them, just licks them then demands water to take the taste away. Any ideas?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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OMGhelp · 14/10/2007 23:25

The family should eat as one. Even now the only concession I will make to a youngster is to make his curry much milder than ours. If he doesn't like a particular food he pushes it to one side and doesn't eat it, there will always be something different tomorrow. He doesn't get pudding if I don't think he has eaten 'enough' not 'cleared the plate', just enough as I don't want him to pick up the eat everything on your plate scenario that can lead to overweight kids/people. We have also persuaded him that peoples taste buds change as they get older and that he should keep on trying different foods to see if his taste buds have changed. Its worked on quite a few foods. He does know that both myself and DH have 1 food each that we can't stand, but its only 1 food (me celery, him peanut butter).

pointydog · 14/10/2007 23:25

lol @ moondog

Original poster

Katiekin · 14/10/2007 23:25

that's a good idea pointydog, thanks. I could give him a veg with the lunch and chicken with the tea or something.

I have been told he will get better with age but he is 5 now

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moondog · 14/10/2007 23:26

I bet there sure as hell aren't any 'food phobics' in the slums of Calcutta.

lilospell · 14/10/2007 23:26

My DCs eat most things, have been brought up with no- nonense approach, so could be as holier than thou as you Moondog. But have seen examples of children who will not eat anything other than e.g. yoghurt. they are where they are, and deserve every chance to have their palates re-educated. Call it food phobic, made up ailment, whatever. Hope your DCs never have anything wrong with them.

pointydog · 14/10/2007 23:27

5 still isn't that old. I think the staying calm and not turning food into a battleground is the best advice given already

millie99 · 14/10/2007 23:28

I am stepping away from this as can tell it is going to get nasty ! Best of luck Katiekin and I hope things get easier for you.

Original poster

Katiekin · 14/10/2007 23:28

I don't think he is food phobic. He is not afraid of touching the food, but he won't eat soup or any sauce/gravy on it. Everything has to be dry

OP posts:

lilospell · 14/10/2007 23:29

yup, am out of here too

moondog · 14/10/2007 23:30

Oh I'm staying

Greensleeves · 14/10/2007 23:31

moondog · 14/10/2007 23:31

Original poster

Katiekin · 14/10/2007 23:31

We don't make too much fuss other than insisting he tries a tiny taste of what we have for tea. He gets what he wants for breakfast/lunch.

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Original poster

Katiekin · 14/10/2007 23:34

I've got a friend who thinks like you moondog but her children eat everything they are given like my ds1. In fact she is trying to cut them down a bit

OP posts:

Gingerbear · 14/10/2007 23:34

But I REALLY REALLY don't like custard.
My DD hates eggs.
I would never ever force her to eat eggs the way a monstrous dinner lady made me eat custard until I puked.

Shitemum · 14/10/2007 23:34

someone on here once said:
you decide 'what, where and when' you eat and the DC decides 'how much'.
i would eliminate puddings for a while for everyone, he might just be holding out cos he knows pudding is coming. Also, keep presenting the morning and afternoon snack but dont give him any more if he eats it, wait and give him supper at usual time. dont let him fill up on milk. and no sweeties or biscuits etc, be strong and calm. (she says)

Original poster

Katiekin · 14/10/2007 23:35

Thanks for all the advice so far, keep the ideas coming

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Greensleeves · 14/10/2007 23:35

It sounds to me as though you are doing fine - apart from the fact that you are worrying too much (pointless remark I know). Really, just carry on doing pretty much what you are doing, but try and be a bit breezier about it, don't make his eating the focus of the family's mealtimes - just give him whatever you've decided to give him, let him eat it or not, then take it off him.

I know it's hard, but really his dietary range isn't narrow enough to impact his health, so you have the luxury of being able to take your time and introduce things gradually. If you can try and separate your anxiety level from his eating, it will help....sorry, I know that sounds fatuous.

Gingerbear · 14/10/2007 23:36

I remember being covered in sick standing outside the headmistress's office in floods of tears because I didn't eat all my fuckin' custard!!

Greensleeves · 14/10/2007 23:37

gingerbear, I had the same thing with tinned meatballs. bastards.

Gingerbear · 14/10/2007 23:38

Why Greeny, why did they do it?
Power crazed Dinner Monsters....

jamila169 · 14/10/2007 23:39

They all go through it - as long as he's eating a range of things -which he is then just make sure he has one of his favourites on the plate and don't hover - if you give him a new thing often enough, he'll have a go!
my eldest went through it, he now at least tries most things (8YO)
Ds2 is in the throes - but he's starting to copy big brother and try more things (4.5 YO)
DD will eat anything put in front of her, the stronger the better
the boys won't touch gravy or sauces except ketchup - but hey, who says they have to? They also eat cereal dry (both have degrees of lactose intolerance so don't really do milk)
I've always found that the less you make of it, the less they fight you!
lisa X

Original poster

Katiekin · 14/10/2007 23:39

He doesn't get sweets or biscuits till after tea and he has fruit for snacks. He will eat half an apple or banana.

Shitemum on Sun 14-Oct-07 23:34:48
someone on here once said:
you decide 'what, where and when' you eat and the DC decides 'how much'.

I like that idea

OP posts:

Gingerbear · 14/10/2007 23:40

Agree with whoever recommended Tanya Byron - her no fuss, just try a bit method seems the least stressful, most successful method.

Original poster

Katiekin · 14/10/2007 23:41

thanks Greensleeves, maybe I am worrying too much.

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