child eating issues at wits end

meritaten

I dont think your child is overeating at all. I obviously dont know what you consider a child size portion, but, am wondering if you are giving him/her enough to eat at mealtimes.
I dont think one plum is enough for a child between tea and supper to be honest, and a bit of ham and salad for supper????????? no wonder the kid raids the fridge!
I am probably going to get a lot of flack for this - but I have to say it - I think you are underestimating how much food a child needs and your child is hungry!

KiKi

jay_mi10 wrote: »

UPDATE (more for me aswell sorry lol )

Food diary so far-
...
Supper- soup and wholemeal roll-refused and tantrumed due to no treat and being told off, tantrum continued for 20 mins so brought up to bed

Hi there

I've been following your thread, just wanted to add some thoughts (some already highlighted by others).

I appreciate that this is a controlled food diary, and doesn't taken into account the constant pestering...!

But looking through, I agree that he doesn't have enough protein in his diet, which fills you up - this is especially important in the evening as he seems to need to feel full enough to go through to breakfast. My own experience of carbs was that when I ate them I CRAVED food again almost immediately after eating. In fact, after eating bread and pasta I would HAVE to have some form of sugar, whether it be a cup of sweet tea or an apple or something. When I eat protein, on the other hand, I crave nothing. I've learnt to eat all carbs with at least some protein (a small block of cheese with all fruit etc), and to eat protein and veg for my evening meal.

I have no nutritional expertise whatsoever and, of course, I'm sure everyone is different. But that was my experience and it echoes some other things people have said.


What I found interesting was that you say that he is actually refusing some food. This does tend to imply that all requests for food are not necessarily hunger. And I do wonder - given the comments from your nursery recently - if he is desperately trying to seek your attention? Esp with the sneaking down for food. He knows it gets a reaction (you locked the fridge, then the kitchen, and I can imagine you were pretty mad about it - I would be!), so maybe he then tried the tangerine to get another reaction from you?


That doesn't mean there isn't an underlying cause, of course, and you're absolutely right to get it checked out. Esp with the excessive night sweating. But a thought I had is that if it is an attention thing, maybe you could allocate him a small bowl of food which he can help himself to if he wants it - on the understanding that once it's gone, it's gone. Putting some responsibility on him, and giving him some of what he's asking for to take the attention off you (after all, the fact that he has to ask YOU for food means he gets your attention. If he can help himself yet still chooses to ask you then he definitely wants your attention!).

I certainly don't think that the controlled food diary you are giving him is excessive at all. I know plenty of four years old who eat that and a lot more! They don't constantly pester, but they do have some access to food that they can help themselves to. But that's why I wonder if some of the pestering is attention seeking rather than hunger. However, I do echo a previous comment that I actually don't think you're giving him enough in the evening, or between meals. So perhaps his own food bowl to help himself from during the day might help.

You say he does a lot of activity during the week - with that, and on top of nursery, does he get enough one on one time with you?

Just some thoughts.
KiKi

mummyofboys

Thanks for everyones advice just to point out though this is we'd-Friday I am limited to the number of snacks I am allowed to give him at nursery so I am only administering food from around 5-6 on these nights. Also she kept the diary this week so I wasn't able to see what he had till I picked it up Friday so next week I will be asking for it back . Unfortunately I am writting this in the childs waiting room of ane as his belly has excessively almost baloon like swelled and they think it is linked I am really upset / worried but at least I may get some answers
thanks so much for all the advice I'm sorry if I have come across as I'm restricting as I havnt I have just been trying my best sorry if this doesn't make sense I'm just nervous/ worried

KiKi

jay_mi10 wrote: »

Thanks for everyones advice just to point out though this is we'd-Friday I am limited to the number of snacks I am allowed to give him at nursery so I am only administering food from around 5-6 on these nights. Also she kept the diary this week so I wasn't able to see what he had till I picked it up Friday so next week I will be asking for it back . Unfortunately I am writting this in the childs waiting room of ane as his belly has excessively almost baloon like swelled and they think it is linked I am really upset / worried but at least I may get some answers
thanks so much for all the advice I'm sorry if I have come across as I'm restricting as I havnt I have just been trying my best sorry if this doesn't make sense I'm just nervous/ worried

Hiya

So sorry to hear you're in A&E; hopefully this means they will get to the bottom of it sooner rather than later.

Of course you're doing your best - you had to control what he was eating so you could make an assessment of food issues, and that was the right thing to do.

Let us know how it goes, won't you??

KiKi

sleepystar1975

jay_mi10 wrote: »

Thanks for everyones advice just to point out though this is we'd-Friday I am limited to the number of snacks I am allowed to give him at nursery so I am only administering food from around 5-6 on these nights. Also she kept the diary this week so I wasn't able to see what he had till I picked it up Friday so next week I will be asking for it back . Unfortunately I am writting this in the childs waiting room of ane as his belly has excessively almost baloon like swelled and they think it is linked I am really upset / worried but at least I may get some answers
thanks so much for all the advice I'm sorry if I have come across as I'm restricting as I havnt I have just been trying my best sorry if this doesn't make sense I'm just nervous/ worried

Sorry to see you are in A&E with your little one, hope your stay there is short.

I have only skimmed this thread, so may accidentally repeat other posters suggestions, for which I will apologise for now.

With the excesiive sweating you mention, it certainly suggests something metabolic, have they tested for hyperthyroidism?

Also, is your little one getting plenty of fluids, smaller children confuse hunger with thirst. Is he wee'ing well, and is his wee ok (By that I mean, doesn't smell too strong/look too dark etc), and are his poo's ok too?

It could also be habit or attention. Try getting him involved with the food preparation, rather than letting him snack before a meal. That way, he will see that the food is on it's way, but string out the time a bit. Even things like buttering the bread can make them feel involved without letting them near more dangerous kitchen equipment.

Most importantly, don't allow yourself to be fobbed off. Even if you have to make daily appointments with your GP or HV, don't let it drop till you have an answer you are happy with. Only you know your little man, and what you believe is normal for him.

Hope all goes well at A&E, and that you get some answers very soon.

themull1

Has he been tested for diabetes?

squoog

Hi Jay-mi, Any news? I hope your son is home and well and that you might be getting some answers.
Thinking of you x

meritaten

hi - how is the little one? I DO hope that he is all better and you are feeling better too! please update when you can.

mummyofboys

Hi everyone,

Just got out of hospital with him today.. finally have some answers, he has been diagnosed as having an over active thyroid sp? and also coeliacs disease which has completley threw me as I never even thought of that, he is doing better and i now have the huge task of restyling his whole diet. we have a follow up appointment in two weeks to discuss the medication hes been given and to see if it improves, and also with a nutritionist aswell. thanks so much for everyones help and advice, its been a tiring battle and hopefully he will now be back to the happy little boy he is .

KiKi

Hi Jay-mi,

Glad to hear that you have a diagnosis after all that. At least it means you're able to take steps and start the process of getting him better. Well done for sticking in there and managing it so well.


KiKi