OK, preparing to be flamed again - DD 12 and eating

[PhilomenaChristmasPie]

DD's schoolday diet:

B: breakfast oat drink, multivitamin

L: nothing

D: maybe something like chicken pasta bake with veg and a mini roll

She also barely drinks.

She's now seeing the consequence of this. Last night she started having a panic attack because she couldn't sleep, then she realised it was because she needed to go to the toilet, but she's constipated.

Last time I posted about this I was told that I should leave her to it, but now it's causing her problems, how can I persuade her to eat more fibre and drink more?

Have you had a word with the doctor or nurse about the constipation? She might listen to them regarding having to drink more and eating more fibre, perhaps she'll be referred to a dietician.

I’m sorry, I don’t know the background. I hope you won’t be flamed because I imagine this is really stressful for you.

Why won’t she eat? Does she have an eating disorder? Will she at least drink water to try to help with constipation?

Would she eat ice lollies like a calipo type thing? Or jelly? I used to struggle with getting fluid into my daughter who had constipation and had to try different things. Or really small cups of water or squash so it doesn’t seem much.

The fuck is up with the last two posters?

The fuck is up with the last two posters?

^ This

Trip to the gp. He might suggest seeing a paediatrician who can offer better advice than a gp. The paediatrician might then be able to refer your daughter to a dietitian and if your hospital has a clinical psychology team too.

Fybogel might be the answer in the short term. However, it sounds like an eating disorder. Get help sooner rather than later.

Gp probably won't be much help unless she is very underweight.
She needs to drink lots of water and prunes.
Do not give her any medicine to help her go toilet.
It sounds like she has an eating issue and if you give her another option as in medication it will prevent her changing her food habits.

At twelve can't you insist she drinks every morning and evening and involve her in making the food/ planning the weeks menu to get her interested in eating? She's not ready to be left to her own devices if she's not managing to eat and drink enough.

Tell her that unless she eats more fibre and takes in more fluids in the form of vegetables and water/fruit smoothies (plus eats during the day), she is going to continue to have these symptoms?

Not searched your name, so don't know if there is actually an ED going on, but if there is, the last thing you want to do is introduce the concept of using laxatives or bulking agents.

I would suggest a heatpack on her tummy, but until she gives her body something to work with, it's going to continue.

She’s not eating enough, and hence there is not enough bulk in her system to aid things along.

I agree with Pp who advised not to add laxatives, as they will mask the problem and prevent her engaging with solving her eating issues. Why isn’t she eating and drinking more?

Can you persuade her to even have just an apple at lunchtime or a few grapes mid afternoon? Just start small with a piece of fruit.

Hi not sure why she doesn't eat. It's hard isn't it. Will she drink fresh orange juice or more water? Smoothies?

Crkey, you deffo don’t need to be flamed!! You must be really worried.

My dd1 is 13 and has a similar eating pattern. Apparently she doesn’t like breakfast as it’s too early. Then she hates eating at school. Just eats an evening meal!! She comes out of school crabby as so hungry.
The way I’ve tried to tackle it, is to limit her sport if she doesn’t eat. She loves sport. I’ve explained that sport takes out energy, so if she doesn’t put any in, she can’t spend any! This has made her think more along these lines, other than just food as food.
Also in terms of drinking...can you get her a really funky drinks bottle and a nice squash or similar? My daughters love a drinks bottle and therefore seem to drink more without noticing.

Good luck OP. It can be such a worry