child eating issues at wits end

mummyofboys

Hi

I feel at the end of my tether writting this... It may sound so strange but my three nearly four year old child will not stop eating. It is consuming my whole life,he mythers for food every single hour but mosly every half an hour,
For example today he had two big bowls of porridge and fruit, and as soon as he had finished the second bowl he wanted more, my family have commented about his obsession, he literally demands it all the time, I have to either give in or prepare for a huge horrendous tiring battle. I have got a 6 month old who is teething and im 3 weeks into an intense health access course and i just feel exshausted (spelling sorry)

He has been like this for his whole life even when on milk, but it has got dramatically worse in the last 3/4 months i have had to lock the kitchen door as he was sneaking down and honesltly no dramatics eating up to 10 frube yougurts, or whatever else he could eat then going back to bed. He eats nearly the same portions as me and also asks for more and more pudding, i am very careful to give him the correct foods, but it is not as if he is even jus asking for junk it is any type!

I have took him to the doctors today the last straw being him having a bug and temp and diahorhea and vomitting and still being the same with regards to mythering for food. he was wieghed and he is a normal wieght, the doctor said he would say it is not normal and refer to a peadiatrician after he spoke to his senior. I have just had a phone call arranging blood tests but also asking a health visitor to asses at home?? i feel like im being treated like a bad mum? does this mean they think its to do with me?I feel at my wits end.

gunsandbanjos

Mention Prader Willi to your doctor and see what they say.

ellay864

Firstly big hug as you must be shattered dealing with that on top of having a younger baby to look after. And no it doesn't mean they think you're a bad mum...tbh I'd be grateful they are taking it seriously and arranging checks. If they're talking about blood tests they could be looking at sugar levels, hormones, any of a range of things that might lead to a physiological reason for his behaviour.
If he's eating as much as you say he is but not overweight then it isn't 'normal' but that might just mean he has an exceptionally high metabolic rate
But I guess they'll also ask the hv to pop round as there is the chance it's a behavioural thing as well. The fact he's been like it all the time is something they should know as it rules out attention seeking since the baby appeared.
I know it must be really hard for you but just try to stay calm and don't feel like they're out to judge you - they're there to help you. Good luck, let us know how you get on x

mummyofboys

gunsandbanjos wrote: »

Mention Prader Willi to your doctor and see what they say.

I have been researching this today after the doctors,but my doctor said maybe a metabolic issue and would refer after spoke to his senior. Now it seems the think it is more pscyhological though as they are sending a health advisor to assess... how will this be carried out?

mummyofboys

Thankyou- He mthers constantly but I dont give in all the time, so maybe this is why he is not overwieght. He always goes in the fridge and then we have huge temper tantrums aswel.. He is a very stubborn child and is generally hard work, I dont know why but I feel this just reflects so bad on my parenting... feel really tearful today and just like I am failing as a mum

MrsRogers

********HUGS*********
No they are not checking up on you just trying to find out what the problem is and give your some help and support. I can not imagine what you are going through but you have done the right thing going to the doctors. Not sure if it will help could you reduce his portion sizes and give smaller meals more often? (Just while docs are doing their thing). Poss low cal snacks... Sugar free jelly or rice cakes, Sorry if this has been tried before just trying to think what id do in your situation.

Good luck

nickyhutch

You are NOT a bad mum! There's something up, and you've done the right thing in taking him to the GP so that it can be looked into and sorted out. Keep on top of the GP, and push for a referral to paediatrician.

Vaila

id maybe try the "tough love" option, i had a cousin who was the same, he even used to come to our house for dinner then say to his parents he hadnt had anything so he could get another supper! i think as he is young its the bwst time to reinforce a regular eating time routine, and only allow him normal portions, maybe even having a certain treat day ? it must be hard when you have other commitments too ..good luck

gunsandbanjos

MrsRogers wrote: »

********HUGS*********
No they are not checking up on you just trying to find out what the problem is and give your some help and support. I can not imagine what you are going through but you have done the right thing going to the doctors. Not sure if it will help could you reduce his portion sizes and give smaller meals more often? (Just while docs are doing their thing). Poss low cal snacks... Sugar free jelly or rice cakes, Sorry if this has been tried before just trying to think what id do in your situation.

Good luck

Good advice here, maybe some things that take longer to eat aswell? Like carrot sticks or other veggies. Maybe wouldnt go for the jelly as its sweet even though it will be low cal. Yoghurts etc are easy to eat so will be gone quicker.

Good luck!

mummyofboys

Thanks so much.. I have been trying with the small snacks and often, even with porridge ect in morning as its slow release.. It just seems like never ending, I am so tired of the rowing I hate to say it but although I love him I am finding it hard to like him if that makes any sense... I have thought so many things, boredom but he does it whilst out for the day or at the park contantly asking, he wakes up in the night and goes down but now we lock the kitchen door as he figured out the fridge safety lock and started on cupboards. I have thought growth spurt but he has been doing it since birth- we couldnt wind him as he would scream for the bottle. When he goes to my boyfriends mum she feeds him contanstly as she seems it as spoiling him as she doesnt see him often and he eats basically all day so i know if i let him he would eat all day.
I just feel maybe they think im not feeding him as i said about the locks ect.. but that was mainly for safety as we have grapes ect and wouldnt hear him choke.

mummyofboys

Also just to add. he does this at nursery too where the meal times are set/strict he constantly asks and requests seconds thirds which they give i have spoken to her today before the doctors...even at a christening on sunday he had some cake, and he was off trying to sneak 3 portions and we had to take them off him que huge outtburst.. all the other kids were just playing