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17 m/o suddenly refusing food 6 days in a row

3 replies

sunnrainbow · 15/06/2024 17:27

My 17 month old toddler has been a decent eater since we started weaning at 6 months. He’s definitely not as good as he was when he was 12/13 months say, but he still would finish at least 2 out of 3 meals a day, all a good variety of foods (including meat, fish, fruit and veg).

On Monday he had a big bowl of porridge before we drove literally 2 hours for a haven holiday and he hasn’t really eaten properly since. He has refused almost everything we offer him. In 6 days he has probably had the same amount of food he would eat in about a day, maybe a day and a half at a push.

He has been a bit poorly with a cold or virus and cough, but it just seems such a long time for him to still be like this. When he’s been poorly before he might be off his food for a day or 2 but then he’s back to normal (he also has never refused everything). He is drinking normally.

It’s not like we were abroad (I say this because we went abroad last month and he didn’t eat that well but the minute we were back he went back to normal).

It also wasn’t really a change of routine as it was a self catering place and we stuck to usual meal times. We always eat with him and try not to pressure him to eat, but he is just not eating even simple things like yogurts, fruit, eggs, pasta, crisps or porridge (all things that were a dead cert he would he eat before this).

We came home from holiday a day early as it was getting stressful and thought maybe being back home would help but nearly 2 days later it’s the same situation. He is still not 100% but he’s pretty happy in himself and normal in all other aspects. He’s still having a poo every day (before he would have like 3 though!)

This is so long but I am just looking for reassurance this is temporary and a 17 month old can’t just develop something like ARFID overnight? It’s making me feel so worried and stressed and I’m currently 30 +3 weeks pregnant with our second and just want minimal stress!!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
sunnrainbow · 15/06/2024 17:28

I should add I took him to the doctors Friday who said he has a virus and they said just keep replacing meals with milk if he won’t eat at all, but I feel like this is now having a negative impact.

OP posts:
CadyEastman · 15/06/2024 21:37

If he's having milk he will be fine. I have a DC with ARFID and no, they can't just develop it overnight, it's not caused by a virus.

Tomorrow I'd try offering breakfast and a small cup of milk and give him some Calpol as soon as he wakes. Then gradually reduce the amount of milk he has over the next few days.

JollyGreenSnake · 19/06/2024 20:04

It sounds like he could be at the stage of being "selective" about food. Stay calm and patient. It will get better; it just takes time.
Remember "parent provides, child decides".

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