Unfussy child will not eat breakfast

MrsCook_2

nuttybabe wrote: »

Olliebeak - dh prefers packed lunches made the same day so I do them all together in the morning. I am a sahm so even though everything is shared I do feel that dh does deserve some perks for working and me not so I make his lunch fresh. Its about the only nice thing I do for him!! :P

do the kiddies ones at night and just do his in the morn

MrsCook_2

by the way when he has the cereal is he having it with milk? try without and see how that goes.
jam / chocolate spread sandwich is another idea

nuttybabe

MrsCook - they all have the same so I just assumed it would be quicker to do them all at once. Will try doing the kids the night before and see how calmer the morning is, which may help ds if I am able to sit with him eating my breakfast. Never tried sandwiches for breakfast, will add that to the 'try' list.

Atomised - When he doesnt eat breakfast he moans all the way to school that he is hungry. I dont know if its to wind me up or if he actually is. He does get snack in school so if it wasnt for the moaning for 20 mins every morning I may let him go without it!!

Thanks again. So much to try.

pandora205

I wouldn't put too much effort into coaxing and trying different recipes, as this could (peversely) be giving lots of attention for not eating and drive you mad too! I'd suggest ensuring your son doesn't eat too much/late the evening before and definitely no evening snacks or sweetened drinks, then get him up nice and early. If he's hungry he'll eat. If he isn't in the pattern of eating he'll take a day or two of this.

If he moans about being hungry on the way to school, remind him that he should have eaten breakfast. Ensure he has a healthy packed lunch/lunch and a midmorning snack of fruit. He won't starve himself and he may develop a better pattern of eating.

Is he underweight or overweight? If there are other issues around eating, it might be worth discussing with health visitor or GP. Another thought - is he doing anything interesting (for a 5 year old) instead of eating, such as watching tv or playing? I'd avoid those too. Tv off, toys away and ideally sit down at the table with the rest of the family (do you get to sit with the children, as thats a good way for everyone to develop a 'meal time' pattern?)

nuttybabe

Pandora205 - you are right, I shouldnt make an issue out of it but I find it hard as I want him to eat his breakfast and when he doesnt he just moans about being hungry which winds me up and gets my attention more.

He is the right weight for his age, we eat together as a family at breakfast (although I am usually up and down) and at all other meals with no tv or toys. he will sometimes sit at the table for an hour not eating his breakfast, just sit there looking at it! Then after I throw it away he will say he is hungry.

pandora205

nuttybabe wrote: »

Pandora205 - you are right, I shouldnt make an issue out of it but I find it hard as I want him to eat his breakfast and when he doesnt he just moans about being hungry which winds me up and gets my attention more.

He is the right weight for his age, we eat together as a family at breakfast (although I am usually up and down) and at all other meals with no tv or toys. he will sometimes sit at the table for an hour not eating his breakfast, just sit there looking at it! Then after I throw it away he will say he is hungry.

I know it's hard when they moan... Aren't children good at winding their parents up and getting the attention they need, even when we know what to do?! Perhaps a little chat with him first to tell him the new plan and that you definitely won't be giving in (snacks en route to school, extra break time treats, etc.) and that breakfast time is his only chance. Then, it's put it into action... Deep breath and ignore him when he moans and won't eat. Reward yourself afterwards (and 'act as if' you are calm and it doesn't matter during)... If you have other 'helpful' children or adults making comments that give attention or fuel the situation, have a chat with them too about ignoring.

It won't be easy but it will work - if you can keep it up for a few days. Choose a time when you are feeling strong and well organised (the advice to prepare the lunches the night before is useful, though it is a chore, isn't it?) then action stations.

Perhaps a reward chart for your son too, though not too much fuss and praise at the time, just 'I see you're eating breakfast, well done' is plenty at the time.

Good luck with it .. you'll get there and in the mean time he won't starve!

Wonder_Girl

nuttybabe wrote: »

he will sometimes sit at the table for an hour not eating his breakfast, just sit there looking at it! Then after I throw it away he will say he is hungry.

DD2 used to do this, it used to drive me nuts! :rolleyes:she would sit with food in her mouth and just stop chewing and stare into space!!:mad:

I started to set a timer. When everybody else had finished the meal I would set the timer to 15 mins, if she finished before the bell went off she would get a token (read connect 4 disc), if she didn't finish on time she would lose a token. When she had 20 tokens we would take her to the shops and give her £5 to spend on anything she liked. I then gradually reduced the time set on the timer and now she often finishes first!

I found it motivated her really well as she would literally just lose interest and it helped to focus her mind a bit. I did have to keep an eye to make sure she didn't rush her food down and still ate properly mind.;)


WG x

daska

Getting up earlier is a good idea and yes, stand firm on the no snacks, but how about offering him the chance to tell you what he'd like to have - if anything! Suggest he asks his friends at school what they have for breakfast so he can get a few ideas. Perhaps plan out a week of 'things to try'. A star chart and a reward at the end of the week if he eats breakfast every day.

(I'm one of those people who can eat any kind of food any time of day but I never used to eat breakfast when I was at school.)

PasturesNew

We never ate breakfast when I was younger - and I still don't really.

Find some stuff you can let him take with him and eat when he's ready. Seeds, nuts, banana, piece of flapjack or a healthy muffin. No fuss, just slip it in his bag every day without a word. Keep it small at first, then over time add a bit more to it.

nopot2pin

nuttybabe wrote: »

I will pop into wilkinsons on wednesday and some egg cups or even make my own, thanks.

Could your son not help with this ?
It might help him eat an egg, if he has made the cup that its in