desperate

[Doodles]

Doodles is under weight, he won't eat, we've tried everything, he'll currently only eat cereal. He did try some fish pie nighht before last but he literally took a few tiny mouthfulls as if to shut us up and that was it.

His ribs are very visible & I can feel each of his vertabre, yet I keep getting told that he's just going through a faze and he'll grow out of it, how long am I supposed to bloody wait for that?

Does anyone have any ideas of what I can do? x

 

[titch]

How old is he? I know you've heard it before but it is a normal stage to go through. Its a survival instinct, as children get more independant they get less trusting of food. It stops them eating things like poisonous mushrooms etc..

Messy play is good for this, especially with foods, custard, mashed potato, let him make an almighty mess playing with it. Also you might find he's more likely to eat something off your plate, even if he's got the exact same thing on his plate. The worst thing you can do is try to force him to eat, even though its very tempting, it will make this phase last even longer cos he'll go on the defensive. must be horrible for you to see him like this. Hope the other mummies have ideas that worked for them.

 

[MrsR]

I agree, let him play with the food. Don't bribe, threaten or cajole him (ie don't say 'if you eat another carrot you can have....../you won't get....../come on just one more') just leave him to it. Sit together for meals as much as possible. If he's old enough get him to help you make things. Let him see food is fun, not a chore. If he makes a mess, he makes a mess-it's all cleanable

 

[MrsR]

Oh and i know it's so hard but try not to say 'good/bad boy' or make a fuss when he does/doesn't eat something x

 

[Minchin]

hey
sound sliek good advise from the others. I have no expereince or knowledge but wanted to say hope it gets easier. My cousins little boy is nearly 2 and now only eats corn (has to be on the cob) plain biscuits and mushrooms. He used to eat loads. Must be awfully stressful for you.