Fruitarian toddler?

[Janice83]

Hi,

Just want a little advice.

I've been friend with one of the mums in my area for quite some time and she told me that her 15 month old son is on a fruitaria diet. I've heard about vegans or even raw vegans but never about fruit only diet before. What is even more strange is that not she or her partner are fruitarians, they eat meat a processed food everyday. The little boy has always been small for his age but I don't think that this is the best diet for a child to thrive a gain weight properly. He is only 17lb and not walking yet. Not much eye contact or smiling. It seems a bit antisocial. I know every baby is different buy after knowing more about his diet I started to look more his behaviour and can't help to think that is somewhat related.

I'm being too oversensitive on the issue? I feel that is none of my business but on the other hand I worry about it. Shoul I say something? And how?

As he gets older this is going to be a real issue. Also sugar is so high in sugar, sure it's natural sugar but it's still blasts short term energy followed by a crash!! Also lack of protein etc! Not so bad if he's mostly breastfeeding but tell someone please!! She needs advice ready to understand how to feed him once he's not breastfeeding

A referral to SSD is in order. That is an abusive dietary restriction and could result in quite severe malnutrition- fabricated illness often begins this way with ever more restrictions as all coughs/colds are seen as proof of bad food.
I once worked with a family where mum only allowed New Zealand lamb, Perrier water and millet. Luckily the children were old enough to sneak in crisps and sweets at every opportunity but they were still quite ill and had long term problems.

He'd have to be breastfeeding a lot to make up for the nutrition he should be having from food. I don't think I could let this go and take no action. Speaking to the HV team seems appropriate, and if the family then falls out with you I think it's probably worth it for the sake of this little boy's health.

God, he must be sugared up to the eyeballs. And fricking starving.

They must be idiots. If they wouldn't want a purely fruit diet, why would their child?

Even breastfeeding might not be enough if the mum has a poor diet.

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1542293.stm

Show her this story, report to the authorities, do whatever you can to sleep better at night if this does turn sinister

I just have to point out that not all children are walking at 15 months, and it's not considered a delay. DS ate everything and anything and didn't take steps until 16 months and wasn't walking confidently until around 18-20 months.

As you were!