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Worried sick about DD(3) - food related

6 replies

belindarose · 16/09/2012 17:50

We're just back from a holiday visiting family and I've been getting more and more concerned about dd over the time we've been away. I know it could just be holiday/ grandparents/ change in routine etc, but her food related behaviour is really worrying me.

Every time I look at her, it seems like her face has got bigger and rounder. She's always had the chubby cheeked look, so maybe I haven't noticed a gradual change. At her 2.6 year check, she was 9th centile for height and 50th for weight. She was born on 95th and had dropped to 2nd by 6 months (all checked out by paediatrician and said to be fine). EBF and continued BF until 20 months.

Increasingly, and more noticeably this week because her same-aged cousin did not do this, she has been demanding sweet food and 'treats' and having long, outrageous screaming tantrums. These have been sometimes brought on by seeing the food (eg at grandmas) but at other times it's just been a constant refrain of 'I want something to eat'. If offered fruit or something plain like a cracker, she tantrums. She always wants 'more' of everything. For example, I've just given her tinned peaches. She screamed when she saw the bowl, shouting 'that's not enough, I don't want just a few'.

Needless to say, we haven't 'given in' to tantrums (although relatives might have). I know what foods I should be offering and mostly do. We don't use food as a reward or punishment (again, this language is used by family a lot though). We did 'baby led weaning' and thought we were encouraging a healthy attitude to food.

There's lots more to say. It's the change in her appearance that's really bothered me. She doesn't look right.

Is this a GP issue? Or is it something the HV would support with?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
belindarose · 16/09/2012 21:32

Any ideas?

OP posts:
oricella · 16/09/2012 22:02

Sorry you are so worried; some of the things you say remind me of someone I know who has Prader Willi syndrom, but there are lots of other symptoms associated with that. This might be useful. Maybe other people have other ideas - but basically if you feel something is wrong I would pursue it and initially go to HV/GP you're most comfortable with

SavoyCabbage · 16/09/2012 22:13

I would definitely go and see your doctor if you are worried.

I would also do my own 'experiment' if I was you. Keep doing what you are doing with the meals.

When she says she is hungry give her a weetabix. Don't talk about or ask her any questions about if she wants it or what she wants on it. Just say 'ok, I'll get your weetabix and put it on the table for her'. Nicely of course. It's not a punishment weetabix! But it might help you find out if she's actually hungry if she's given the same thing over and over.

There's some research I once read that was about you eat more if there's more choice. If you buy 5 packets of the same biscuits they last longer than if you buy five different kinds for example.

I purée dried apricots and freeze them in ice cube trays, then microwave them for cereal.

belindarose · 16/09/2012 23:06

Thanks for responding, both of you. Prader-Willi had crossed my mind, as the only children I've seen with this sort of face shape have had it. But she has no cognitive difficulties and few of the other symptoms. DH's family, particularly his mum, do have large, 'jowly' faces, but I feel DD's has changed.

Good idea about the Weetabix. Do you think it would be a good idea to tell her at the beginning of the day what food is going to be offered (so she doesn't keep thinking about biscuits etc), or is that making too big a deal of it?

Do GPs refer to dieticians? Also, I think it would be very difficult to discuss this with dd present. Would GP talk to me about it on the phone before taking her in?

OP posts:
SavoyCabbage · 17/09/2012 10:24

I wouldn't talk about it with her because I think if you do you run the risk of it sounding like a bad thing. You could hide the biscuits so there aren't any biscuits to want.

Get that weetabix on the table as quick as a flash without the smallest amount of debate. Then look bust and say 'your weetabix is over there' and then disappear to fold the washing.

I don't know about the Doctor but could you not talk to her with dd there and dd not realising you are talking about her?

belindarose · 17/09/2012 10:31

Thanks again. Going quite well today. The rage over wanting more breakfast didn't last too long. I've just put an oatcake and apple on the table and when she started whining, said 'this is our snack today' and she's eating it.

I'll ring dr tomorrow when she's at cm. Definitely couldn't talk about her without her realising!

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