2.5 year old toddler doesn't feel hunger

[lrussell]

My 2.5 year old daughter has had an eating issue since I introduced solids to her at 6 months.  Not a single spoon of food successfully stayed in her tummy until she was 17 months old, at which time, she began to eat a slice of cheese over the course of an entire day.  Weeks can pass without her eating a piece of food.  She drinks 18oz of homo milk a day, and only recently I have replaced the homo milk with 2 Pedesures a day.  Her unwillingness to ingest traces back to when she was 2 months old, when even a dose of medicine before her immunization would be thrown up as soon as it entered her mouth.  She is above average in height (80th percentile) but weighs 25 pounds which is very low.  I am blessed that through all of this, she is developmentally normal and quite bright.  She knows all the alphabet, the phonetics of most letters, she can count to 13, she talks clearly, loudly and no-stop.  She is normal in every way except so not normal where food is concerned.  What is wrong with my daughter?  Is she afraid of food?  It has been a battle for 2 years - I need help.  What should I be asking of her Pediatrician at this point?  No one understands how little she eats in a week until they live with us.   Should I seek therapy?  

[robd63]

My son has the same issues with regard to food.
And as you stated, no one can understand how little the kid eats unles sthey live with us.
He has issues going to the bathroom as well and as result has been on ex-lax (prescribed by dr) for at least 8 months now in order for him to go easily.

Strictly drinks Pediasure, up to 3 bottles now as he wil not eat anything no matter how often we try.
Ongoing for months now. We have tried being nonchalant about it, we have tried withholding Pediasure, we have tried pushing the food, rewarding/games, you name it.

Everyone says same thing, eventually he will eat.
Well its getting progressively worse and we are lucky he drinks Pediasure.
There is no research I can find readily available either.

How has this  turned out for you?
thx

[babygirl6152]

how does she check out for iron deficiency? anemia?

I am a bit overweight now- ok I am an old lady- but when I was little my parents were so worried they begged my doctor to put me on medicines to increase my appetite. He wouldn't. He just asked them to try and be patient He also would have preferred I eat a high calorie diet. I sitll remember my parents taking me to a steak restaurant and I ate a roll and honey and butter and they were ecstatic.......

I know it's hard- just check with doctor every so often. I do notice when I gave my son zyrtec, he ate more- maybe it would help stimulate for a few days til they find something they love.

[enzymelover]

Both milk and soy can cause constipation and sensory issues. Don't ever give soy of any kind to a child. Giving a milk protein (casein) enzyme supplement would help with milk digestion. I would not recommend Pediasure. Perhaps he would like a rice milk drink, the ones that are enriched with vitamins A, D, B12 and calcium.