what to feed a child that wont eat

pretz_2

hiya

right i need some serious help.

my daughter is 2 1/2 yrs old and as decided she isn't going to eat by this i mean anything, nothing has changed indoors so its not down to being unsettled, she used to be a brilliant eater that would try anything you placed infront of her, then she started getting fussy which i expected as every child goes through that right?, but it got to the point where i could only get her to eat macroni cheese and peach yoghurts. Howevever for the last 4 days she hasn't touched a thing i cant even get her to eat chocolate which is a big treat for her.

i took her to the doctors this morning and he said that there isn't anything pyshically wrong with her but if she doesnt start eating by monday then take her back and he will refer her.

but i'm worried as by then she wouldn't of eaten a single thing for a week nearly. i have been giving her milk although she doesnt seem keen on this and has been drinking on average 2 8oz bottles a day shes willing to take plenty of juice.

the thing im asking is, is there any ideas that you have how i can tempted her to eat something im at the point in where i will try anything as shes getting skinny so preferably high calorie foods but i dont know where to start please help.

i must stress that i dont want medical advice as i got in trouble for this yesterday,

thanks
pretz

donnajt

pretz (((((hugs))))) to you, i know exactly what you are going thru my DD went through a similar stage just after her 1st birthday and i know how worrying it is, firstly, don't push too hard, if she doesn't want to eat don't force or battle with her

our health visitor advised us to prepare her food and if she hasn't touched it within 30 mins throw it away, her eating habits got worse as she started to cut her big teeth, and she would only eat egg whites, alphabites, roast potatoes, sausages, ham, strawberries and yogurt - i used to go out of my mind that this was not a healthy diet but our gp and health visitor told us not to battle with her as we would end up with a bigger problem further down the line - DD is now 8 and eats *almost* everything!

keep an eye on her and take her back to gp on Monday if she still hasn't eaten

have you tried including her in the preparation of her meals? ie pouring milk over cereal, let her put spread on toast, make some cakes etc? this might encourage her to try something

hope that helps, dtx

pretz_2

thanks donnajt

i know exactly what you mean about not forcing it, my sister was did this with my nephew and now the only things he will eat is chips and crisps nothing else so i have never forced her to eat anything hence why she lived on mac and cheese for who knows how long.

on the prep thing we did make bread and rice crispie cakes on thursday which she loves doing but when it came to eating them she wasn't interested but im not giving up just yet ive planned a picnic tomorrow with little goodies in the park to see if a change of scenery will help

Fern_Merkin

This must be sending you out of your mind with worry.

What you cannot afford to do is get over stressed in front of your dear loved and cherished daughter. That will just escalate it for her and I do understand it's not easy. Can you get her involved as donna said by asking your big girl to help? This is a time to create great smells in the kitchen but without pressure.

Maybe if she's involved in making a cake, for example, for someone she loves, daddy or grandma, and sees your evident enjoyment a licking the spoon, scraping the bowl, she may be interested. but still may not want to try. The cooking smells and the looking forward to tasting it may get her interested.

At all times do not push. Make it something not that important but special. If you do a pie or anything pastry based, let her make something special for someone.
Flat cakes are great, pastry, spread it with marg, add sultanas fold over, do it again! All cooks 180 C in 15-20 mins

The good smells may work but if not then yes see the doc again monday.

l21ynz

Hiya, sorry I have no advice but my DD is the same she is 19 months, altho she will happily much away on crisps and chocolate when she gets it but touches nothing else :rolleyes: she is still in a size 6-9 clothes aswell, was thinking of taking he to the doctor actually as im getting a bit worried.

Sorry to hijack your post, just wanted to let you know you are not alone :grouphug:

Money_saving_Diva_2

I know this might sound odd, but have you thought of having a teatime for her and her best dolls/teddys? Put them in a circle and serve everything in tiny mouthfuls. She might eat if her fave teddy is eating too!

Please don't think I am mad, this worked for my friend and her picky daughter one weekend!

Diva.x

Triggles

if she will drink juices, can you maybe try a glass of v8? it's a vegetable drink. or do a fruit smoothie - we make our 2yo one with by putting chunks of frozen banana, frozen peaches, frozen plums in the blender, adding vanilla yoghurt and cranberry juice and whizzing it up til it's like a milkshake. He's quite a picky eater but he loves this.

carrottopsuk

Money_saving_Diva wrote: »

I know this might sound odd, but have you thought of having a teatime for her and her best dolls/teddys? Put them in a circle and serve everything in tiny mouthfuls. She might eat if her fave teddy is eating too!

Please don't think I am mad, this worked for my friend and her picky daughter one weekend!

Diva.x

on the same lines, perhaps a couple of friends involved in the party would help too.

Best of luck

Miss_Piggy_2

(((HUGS)
This must be awful for you. Kids can stop eating for so many reasons. She may have a persistent tummy ache or something which is putting her off. Doctor wouldn't necessarily be able to spot this.
The suggestions already put forward are a good idea, such as a dolls tea party.
I personally would take the focus off your daughter. Dish up her favourite dinner or something but then completely ignore her and get on with something else. It works with mine when he's being a bit awkward. He eventually gives in and sneaks to the kitchen. I'm not saying this will work with yours but it may be worth a try.
Good luck and let us all know how she's getting on.

moanymoany

If you have a dolls tea party, you could pretend that one doll doesn't want to eat and ask your daughter why dolly doesn't want to eat her sandwich.

She might just give away why she isn't eating. I know this technique is used by pschologists to get information from small children.

Impossible advice coming - I would hesitate to tempt her with things like crisps and chocolate as it could give the child a stick to beat you with later. I would dish up normal meals as donnajt suggested. This will keep up a feeling of normality rather than a special situation.

I really feel for you - kids eh! If it isn't one thing it's another. It gets easier when they hit 30 - or is it just different? :rotfl:

littlepinky84

Could you try leaving small things like sandwiches ect sitting about and not mention them and maybe a small bite would be taken when no-one is around?