Help with a toddler who is still struggling with solids

[Twinster]

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone can give me some advise - am at my wits end. My 2 year old has always been a fussy eater. He has been resistant to trying new textures (though miraculously can eat biscuits and chocalate!!!).
He will not eat pasta or bread - gags on it immediately and then refuses to eat anything at all after this has happened.I have tried giving him no choice but that just resulted in several days of misery as he was hungry. I have managed to get him to take fish pie/ shepherds pie and rice mixed up with mashed up veg but he can't seem to manage chicken. He refuses to touch any finger foods at all - throws everything off the table and gets very stressed out when he even sees anything on the table.
He also doesn't seem to be in the slightest bit interested in feeding himself with a spoon or fork.
We are going on holiday soon and I just don't know what we are going to be able to give him. We are also thinking of starting him in nursery but are so worried that he won't eat anything and the staff won't be able to spend the time it takes us to get him to eat.
We feel like we are doing all the right things i.e. trying not to get worked up/ eating with him and he has a sibling to copy but nothing seems to be working.
He did have bad reflux as a baby so we wonder whether this is the reason why he has never really enjoyed food.
If anyone can offer any advise we would really appreciate it as we dread meal times.
Thanks

That right, keep calm and play it cool.
You sound like you are doing everything you can to help him eat.
So he can eat solids then? (Choc and biscuits), so he will probably eventually eat other solids. Its a case of finding meals he likes, and if necessary keep them mashed up and soft. Its possible, I guess, the Reflux as a baby has put him off.
Even if he is eating fish pie, and shepherds pie and rice 5-7 x a week at least that is good wholesome food he swallowing. On top of which he can then eat a yogurt, fruit jelly, custard and other desserts ?
Does he drink milk, I always believe plenty of milk helps, when a child isnt eating much.

Oh what a shame. Seems to be he likes the very soft textures with the exception of biscuits. If you put food on the spoon for him will he then transfer it to his mouth? If he likes chocolate you could coat a spoon with melted chocolate, allow it to set a little and encourage him to lick it off... get him used to the idea of holding the spoon?

Ironically, you might find that nursery is a good thing for him. Even if you try your best not to get worked up around meals there's obviously some source of anxiety and a different location and different people might break the spell, as it were. Fussy eaters often drop the fussiness at other people's houses, for example.

Finally, have you considered the GP? A little boy I used to know was very awkward around food (went on for years, poor thing) before he was diagnosed with a nose/throat problem that required an operation. I don't personally think children remember reflux, as such. Good luck