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Weaning

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Help! Mealtime traumas

7 replies

DameFlatYouLent · 06/04/2012 12:29

I really hope someone can help! DS (17m) had a tummy bug last weekend which lasted about 4-5 days. From Friday morning until Tuesday evening he didn't eat a thing. Since then, mealtimes have become an absolutely awful battle ground.

Before his tummy bug, he had his preferences but generally ate really well, and in huge quantities. Now I put his favourites in front of him, he screams, throws it away as hard as he can and then screams and cries and thrashes around in his highchair until I let him out. So far, he has eaten raisin wheats, over-cooked spaghetti in tomato sauce and mashed potato - and that's it. He won't eat any fruit, any meat or any veg. He won't eat yoghurts he used to love. I'm at a loss as to what to make for him every day, and I really dread mealtimes.

The night before last he refused fish pie (a real favourite usually), then his yoghurt and fruit and just screamed and screamed until we got him down. He then screamed through his bath, went down to sleep but was up again in half an hour and wouldn't settle. It ended up with me holding him on my hip, spoon-feeding him mash - it was the only way he'd accept food, and the only food he'd eat. Last night he ate a few strands of spaghetti then refused anything else, and half an hour after putting him to bed he was wanting to get up - no doubt to be spoon-fed mash again. We didn't get him up and it took him ages of angry screaming to settle down.

I'm hoping we've stopped that from becoming a habit but still - what do I do about mealtimes? Last night I had to cook him 2 different things before he'd eat anything, and the screaming and throwing food is horrendous. Sorry for epic OP but please help!

OP posts:
hazelnutlatte · 06/04/2012 17:18

Hi, I can't be much help because my dd is much younger (7 months) but I just wanted to say that she had a stomach bug a week ago, and although she is much better now she is still refusing most foods. I think it just takes a while to get back into normal eating problems so I'm trying not to worry about it; and just hoping she regains her appetite soon.

DameFlatYouLent · 07/04/2012 09:48

thanks for the response, hazelnut. I think I was probably panicking a bit prematurely, but his violent reaction to food really shocked me. He seems to be getting back on track slowly - I've been nervously introducing foods back in and he hasn't flung too much in the last 2 days. Fingers crossed we're on the way back.

OP posts:
Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 07/04/2012 09:52

I know this is probably controversial but have you tried maybe turning his high chair round a bit and putting the tv on. Just to distract slightly and take the focus off the food and he might just start eating a bit more without realizing. Obviously it's not something to keep up but a fear of food after a bug can take weeks to break :( and if it helps get them eating again then temporarily it's not the worst thing :)

JiltedJohnsJulie · 07/04/2012 09:55

Glad things are improving Dame. I wouldn't panic if he refuses food but I wouldn't offer anything else either, as long as he's getting enough milk he should be fine for a couple of days, although I know its worrying for you.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 07/04/2012 09:56

x-posted with Where, you could try CD stories too. Forgot to say too that he may just be feeling unwell and need some painkillers.

DameFlatYouLent · 07/04/2012 20:00

Thanks all for your input. I think I may have panicked prematurely (over-anxious, moi?!) - today he scoffed an entire pear in about 1 minute flat after eating an enormous amount of cheese on toast, and then 4 fishcakes for supper, with yoghurt and banana (er, not all at once). Greedy guts is back with a vengeance, and I'm so relieved.

OP posts:
Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 07/04/2012 20:01

[bugrin] so glad to hear he's eating! Fab news :)

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