13yr old son with no appetite / interest in food

jenhug

I would insist on a peadiatrician appointment via the GP. His appetite is not normal. Good luck.

peachyprice

pingufan wrote: »

Like I say he's been like it all his life so unless he was born unhappy then no, I don't think so. He's a great kid in every other way, I just wish he looked well and enjoyed his food a bit more

My daughter too, and she was a bad sleeper as a baby and toddler. I remember when she was around 18 months, the HV told me to put double cream in anything I could just to get extra calories in her.

She suffered from tonsilitis when she was younger, after every bout she had her appetite reduced, and never really came back again. I do wonder sometimes if it started because of the pain of that and her stomach has stayed tiny.

Seanymph

Good for you - I was thinking about this whilst we ate - I learnt that my daughter was eating things at other peoples houses that I wasn't exposing her to because I 'knew' she wouldn't eat it - but of course they didn't, so they served it to her and she ate it.

Are you limiting what you expose him to?

*that sounded rude, sorry, I typed in a hurry - I had a really REALLY picky eater with a huge appetite - and her sister with little appetite! At 19 and 20 they have changed roles - the eat anything is now picky and the picky is at uni and cooks for herself every day (and mostly vegetarian).

I sympathise hugely - and at the risk of upsetting others would say please don't question your parenting. We all do our best and he is in control of this at 13, not you

Heffi1

My son was like this when he was little, he did not like any savoury food at all, which was a challenge to get anything into him, I ended up covering every forkful of savoury food with yoghurt as that seemed to fool him for a while. Then when he was a bit older he only wanted chips and fish fingers, it was all he asked for and I struggled to get anything else into him. Then he moved onto only having processed peas with a roast, didn't really want any spuds.

I took a stand one day and said, he could leave the table if he was finished, but I did not immediately clear his plate away, half an hour later he said I am hungry, so I popped him back up to the table and put his half eaten dinner back in front of him, he pulled a face and said I am not hungry any more.

Turns out after a lot of messing about, he was bored with his food and did not want to eat any more of THAT dinner, but was hungry and wanted something else.

After explaining that I was not running a restaurant, he understood that what was presented to him, was the only option that evening, take it or leave it. And I meant leave it, go to bed hungry, well a couple of times of that and he miraculously began to finish his meals, or if he got bored, he asked that I save it for later.

He is 28 now, 6 ft 2 and stocky in build, he never came to any harm, I think he was pushing me to see how far he could get, and realised quite quickly that a rumbling tummy will not kill you, but is quite unpleasant.

Now he eats all sorts, is a great cook and will give anything a try, he won't eat sprouts though :rotfl:

krlyr

My brother was like this growing up. Once he moved out, he soon started trying other foods (I think the fact he always forgot to buy groceries and didn't know how to cook much meant he got into a takeaway habit and as a result tried lots of new cuisines!) and now he's one of the most adventurous food-wise of the lot of us! It was quite bizarre to visit him (he lives in Scotland so it's a bit of a trek) and find he'd developed a bit of a belly - he'd been skinny his whole life!

Welshdreamer

A parent knows their child better than anyone, we are responsible for our own health and well being, we cannot rely on the medical professionals to be proactive, that is the responsibility of the individuals.
I have had similar issues with mine. If he was my son I would be requesting a full range of blood and allergy tests from the GP. At the same time I would be requesting a referral to CAMHS, to enable my child to have a psychological assessment so I could rule out both physical and emotional ill health.
Growing up is tricky these days and parents need to be vigilant. We need to give our youngsters all the help we can.

Welshdreamer

Sorry if I sounded a bit direct! I ready own post and thought Bossy cow. Sorry!

sharnad

Is he taking a multi vitamin, if his teeth are bad he's not making himself sick is he. Maybe he could see a psychiatrist

System

My middle son was a particularly poor eater. He had a number of health problems when he was young and never felt like eating.

The best piece of advice I got was from an older more experienced Mum.

When I told her that he wouldn't eat she told me to give him what he wanted. I argued that I couldn't do that as he wouldn't have a good and varied diet but she said 'at least it will keep his stomach working and he will get the calories he needs from somewhere'.

So whatever he asked for, he got. Eventually he was able to eat more without feeling full and the sores round his lips and the paleness of his skin disappeared and he started looking a lot more healthy.

sooty&sweep

Hi
Have you asked him why he won't eat things ?
At 13 yrs old he's old enough to understand the need for a varied diet.
Jen