8 Year old not gaining weight not growing. PLEASE HELP - Can you help this FUSSY EATER????

[drosophila]

So ds is highly allergic and suffers from asthma. As a result his weight and growth are plotted by a Consultant Paed. I am always worried about his weight but am always assured that it is fine - 50th percentile for weight but 75th for height. Last visit we were referred to a dietitian more to allay my fears ( he had dropped a bit on the weight) and got advice about fussy eaters. We followed the advice in general ( don't make a big deal about food etc) and ds has not grown or put on weight in 5 months. Now Paed is worried.

The thing is he doesn't like food and I notice that even choc is met with little enthusiasm these days. We have abandoned the dietician's advice and have started to nag again. i am worried and know nagging is not the right thing. The paed has suggested multi vits with Iron as apparently low iron can influence appetite.

Grateful for any tips.

Glad you're in the system for getting support.

Has the consultant considered checking for other health issues? (ie diabetes, etc - this happened to us, my ds2 didn't grow for a year then presented with this). It's a good think that they have suggested vits - but have they actually tested to see what his iron levels are?

I seem to remember that someone like Tania Byron (Bryon?) did some good work on tv with kids and food - maybe someone will come along who knows better than me on that one.

DS was a very fussy eater and at one point would only eat four things. We were at the end of our tether when someone suggested getting him involved in buying, preparing and making the food. It didn't happen over night but he is a much better eater now and we even started growing our own which he really enjoys.

DS (and DD2) has a dairy intolerance so I understand your difficulty in avoiding certain foods.

I think sometimes a little nagging isn't too bad. I second Tanya Byram (?sp).

Yes they are always doing blood tests on him and have actually checked his Iron. It is a bit on the low side apparently but within paramenters.

He just seems so disinterested in food but strangly likes to watch J Oliver. I have tried the cooking thing with him but to be honest not enough. I will try some more.

Thanks for sharing

I presume he has been tested for coeliac disease, (symptoms of which are poor weight gain and growth, and often a poor appetite)?

I don't think so. I will check.