Difficult Eater

[rawfinn]

Hi, This is the first time I've used this website and looking for some advice. My nearly 2 year old stopped eating meat and veg almost 5 months ago. Before that he would eat anything as long as not lumpy. He will only eat bread, yogs, bananas, apples, weatabix and of course chocolate and biscuits given a chance. I have tried everything but he just won't eat. Its getting to the stage now where he refuses to sit down for a meal and so by the time I get him in to the highchair he is screaming so much I have no chance of getting him to eat. Has anyone been through this. If I just let him eat what he is, which is fairly healthy will he eventually eat more or should I cut those things out? HELP.

Have you tried putting him on an ordinary chair? We went through this with ds - he REFUSED point blank to go in the high chair, refused his bib, but sitting on a 'grown up' chair, he at least eats something. Having said that, his diet is largely bread, cheese, apple, yoghurt, cereal, and of course, sausage, chips and peas! Oh and baked beans and raisins. All washed down with tomato sauce!

Have you tried the trick of sitting him down at the table but not actually putting any food in front of him and giving his portion to an adult sitting next to him instead. Then you say would you like some of so-and-so's sandwich?' or whatever you're eating. It works well with my ds. Obviously it's not a permanent answer but it might getting him eating a more varied diet. I would also recommend letting him eat with other children of a similar age as often as you can. They seem to like the company and there is a sort of peer pressure' whereby if one is tucking in, the rest follow suit.

On the whole, try not to get stressed (I am one to talk!). The diet you describe isn't too bad. Just keep offering a variety and don't get discouraged. He might surprise you one day.

'making' things - eg put ingredients on plate next to eg bread/flatbread and let them do the recipe, even if you get weird combinations. dd1 loves jam & cheese!

Hi rawfin, that doesn't sound like a too awful a diet(!) To get him to sit down to eat, could ou get a little table and chair (plastic garden variety or Ikea do a great one - cheap!) I use plastic chairs and a coffe table. He might like the idea of things being his size. Perhaps invite a little friend around to eat with him. Also I used to put juice in a small jug and let them have drinks in toy cups.
Does he eat pasta? As the parent of a child who I thought would look like a piece of macoroni when she grew up I know how many variations there are for coatings! A big, HUGE hit for me was soup pasta from Tescos, small enough just to be swallowed, especially if a bit overcooked!

Do you eat together. dd eats much better at a family meal or if we have lunch together. Also being occupied myself stops me fretting about how little or much she is eating. With ds his eating improved dramatically when we ate as a family and also when we reduced his portion size - far better that he eats a little and clears his plate or even wants more.

It doesn't sound as of your ds is doing too badly diet wise. What about using breadsticks or toasted fingers to dip into mushed veg,meat or egg, or ds liked soup with bread he could chase on a spoon (Baxters especially). If it is any comfort our dd is the same age and has also cut down her food intake this summer - her latest love is sliced ham and cherry tomatoes !

hth

aww similar diet to my ds1- although he's gluten free so its gluten free bread.

One thing I've found has helped is to give ds1 very little tastes of other foods. Tonight he had a tiny drop of molasses (!!) Gradually he is becoming less sensitive about trying new things. Recently he started eating chips and gluten free pizzas.

Really you have two choices. You could just dish up food you want him to eat with no alternative. He may start to eat normally after a couple of days of being hungry (on the other hand he may not - this technique has never worked with ds1 he absolutely will not eat food he does not want to eat and just wakes in the night starving).

or you could just keep mealtimes totally relaxed. Offer him food you want him to eat, but also give him the food that he likes (so that he fills himself up). One method I use is to give ds1 whatever ds2 is having. If he doesn't eat it I make no fuss but give him a supper after bathtime and before bed so he doesn't wake us up in the night.

Good luck. It is frustrating. I do give my ds1 supplements. A good one is floradix available for health food shops- we use the gluten fre one and it contains iron. He aslo has a vitamin B complex supplement and calcium, magnesium and vitamin C supplement, oh and acidophelus (this was all drawn up by a dietician).

another tip - I also "hide" things in his food. Because I have to make his bread I add linseeds and hemp seeds. We also add things like cheese to his pancakes.

Thanks for all the advice. Will try the small table and chairs and just relax a little about it. Will let you know how we go.