why wont my dd2 eat?

[misdee]

she has been like for as long as i can remember. she just doesnt eat foods unless they are cripsy/dry or curry. thats about it.

she does like tinned meatballs. so today i decided i would make home made ones (am trying to cook better foods for the dd's seeing as dd1 allergies are off the scale atm). and dd2 has refused to eat more than a handful of rice. i am actually annoyed with her, and i shouldnt bem its not her fault. i think she is food phobic and i dont know why. what do i do? she literally gagged when i make her try a tiny bit of meatball, and i tried to carry on with getting her to eat rice but she is so upset and shaking she has gone to bed. i just feel so sad for her. food shouldnt be something to be fearful of.

A lot of MNers recommend the book "Can't Eat, Won't Eat" for this kind of problem.

It sounds as though it could be a problem with texture as well as the actual taste. We're going through something similar with ds2 (3yrs) atm.

dd2 is 3,almost 4. will go look for the book.

today she has eaten 3 slices of bread. thats it.

Sounds very similar to ds2. He practically lives on dry bread (minus the crusts) and milk.

The CDC staff have given us a few ideas to try but so far ds2 isn't interested.

oh yes, no crusts. they must either be cut off or left on the plate.

Misdee, No suggestions I'm afraid but just wanted to let you know you're not alone....My ds will only eat yoghurts and a few crisps - nothing else - it drives me to despair...I also think he is food phobic....I am taking him to my GP on Friday as she is keen to try and resolve this problem..Would this be an idea for your dd?

Do you eat with your girls ? & if so, what sort of food do you eat ?

reason I ask is my Dd (age 3) tucks into broccoli, carrots, corn on the cob, homous/dip/ pepper strips etc. these are all foods which we eat. Whereas friends children, who eat seperately, are fussy eaters.

Would it be possible, if you don't eat with them, to start doing so, offer the same food to all & seeing where this goes ?

Mojomummy, i sit with my children and eat. dd3 will eat anything put her front of her, my dd1 will eat a lot more than she used to, and is getting more adventurous with her food, and is sampling a wider range of food than she used to. DD2 is a different kettle of fish. yesterday, we had a full roast dinner as my dh was hoem from hospital. dd3 polished off the lot, dd1 picked her way through and ate 2/3rds trting a bit of everything even some brocolli. dd2 however ate a strip of chicken, a bit of roast potato. when she attempted to eat brocolli she gagged and threw up. it was such a voilent reaction.

we eat a wide varity of foods, from casseroles/salads/curries/etc.

i am actually quite offneded that people think because you have a children who has problems with food, is because you dont eat with them

my ds (12) has been a picky eater from the day he was born, he actually eats quite healthily but only about 15 things!! my sis always tells me that he'll suddenly start eating loads when he's a teenager, i've sort of given up trying to force things, he is healthy and well, maybe just not that interested in food

i was a very picky eater as a child too, maybe he's just like me - i know at times it drives me up the wall

oh my other son (4) eats anything !

she never used to be liek this. as a baby (was gluten-free till over a year old) she ate pretty much anything. then she started gagging more as moved onto lumpier foods, and if she chokes then she wont touch that food item again.

apparently SALT was meant to send someone out to assess her eating as it could all be connected (she has a speech delay, but not language delay). but so far, nothing. in fact i havent even had her report through and her assessment was in march.

i wouldn't worry too much at the mo, at least she is eating something, how old is she?

she is 3, almost 4.

in desperation i think of serving curry every night.

well my son eats the same thing almost every night, sorry not to be much help, i am sure people would suggest loads to me but even using money as a bribe doesn't work

My DS has been a picky eater for well over a year. I used to worry about it a lot more than I do now. He lives off a few different foods that includes bread, chicken, ham, chips, yogurts and cheese. I figure if you keep introducing new foods its up to them when they are ready to try it and eat it. Just persevere

I would also maybe get her checked out with the GP though as if she is being sick etc. it could be some kind of allergy.

BTW DS eats better when I'm not sitting at the table with him

Misdee, great that you all eat together

Do you think it might be an attention thing ? if the others are eating well, there is no reason for there to be a problem ?

What about just saying to her, ok, if you're not hungry you can get down & leave it at that. Forcing her will make her gag (only on one occasion have I insisted DD taste something & she gagged - bless her & hardly surprising )

Keep an eye on her weight wise, don't let her fill up on milk/juice & give yourself & her a week to see what happens.

HTH

The CDC staff recommended putting a new food either on a separate small plate or in a little tupperware pot and putting it next to the usual plate of food. Apparently it takes something like 7 or 8 tries of putting the food out before the child will try it. It didn't work for us because ds2 would just pick up the new plate and take it back to the kitchen but it might work for your dd2.

It's probably best to try to find foods that are of a similar texture to the things that she already likes. That way she won't see new food as some kind of 'threat' IYSWIM.

Mojomummy has a good point about not filling up on juice etc. I started serving my DS his food and then after a while I gave him his drink. He was always filling up on juice drinking constantly thoughout the day. He still drinks a lot of fluids which is a good thing (especially in this heat) but doesn't get a long fresh drink before meals.