my son does't eat

[vini2002]

My son who is now 3 yrs old, gives me really hard time in feeding him. I have tried every possible measure like involving him in the kitchen to taking him out to dine outside, even having small get together/picnic with his age group kids but nothing has altered his eating habit. He was born hypoglycemic and was in NICU for 4 days. I couldn't breast him, he was on bottles. When he was 6-7 months, we started introducing him different Indian food(we are from india). Somehow, we managed to feed indian ,american , even italian food until he was 18 months old. He even enjoyed having such variety but gradually, he wanted to feed all by himself. When I let him do that once, twice, instead of eating, he started playing with the food. When I insisted on feeding, he refused and since then, the battle to feed him still going on. I am trying both ways, letting him feed himself or letting me feed him, but nothing works. I am frustrated. All he wants is oreo, cookies or dried mango slices. That's it. Few days back, he had his 3yr physical. He was checked absolutely fine. He is STILL ON BOTTLES. I FAILED IN THIS AREA TOO. My 2 yr old daughter is taking milk from glass but he doesn't want. IS this attention problem? Since september last 2008, he has been coughing a lot...went to doctor so many times..eveytime, his doc says , he is fine. I just couldn't find any answer. NEED HELP..ADVICE..

[vini2002]

thank you!  I will try again..however, I have tried sippy cups also but it didn't work. My son drinks juice and water from glass, problem  starts with the milk.. I will try once again..let see

thanks once again

[Renee Radenberg]

His weight is just below the 75th percentile and his height is just above the 75th percentile for his age. He must be eating / drinking something because his weight and height are above normal for his age. Have you tried the sippy cup with him that has a straw in cap of the cup? It is half like a bottle but it is a cup. To help you to wean him off the bottle, suggest every few days start to lower the amount of times you give him the bottle until you are only giving him the bottle once a day just before bed. As you lower the bottles, you increase the times you are giving him a sippy cup at meals for his liquids. Remember to relax at meals and just give him the foods he wants. Slowly introduce new foods. Sometimes it takes 5-9 times to introduce a food to a child that they will accept, however, if they do not want it you have to not make a fuss and let it go. Hoped this helped you.