Child doesn't want to eat anything happily

[rek5178]

My child is 2 yrs and 3 months old. My problem is that he does'nt want to eat anything. He doesn't take milk even. he is just 10 Kg.


This discussion is related to My Kid does not want to eat!.

[specialmom]

Hm.  First, as long as a child is growing along their growth chart, no need to be concerned.  That means that the little one IS growing.  My second child was a small guy and still is to a certain extent.  But he is not concerning to his pedatrician because he grows steadily.  Just slowly.

How is your son's motor development?  Is he on target for his milestones?  How is his speech?

So, I'd ask specific questions about his weight at his next drs. or health visit.  If they are concerned, they need to give you a plan to help him to continue to grow.  I know that my pediatrician recommended the regular meals but lots of healthy snacks during the day.  

Eating is tricky with children of that age.  Yep----------- some can be really difficult about it.  For milk, have you tried putting some flavoring in it such as chocolate or strawberry?  My little guy was nursed forever it seemed and really wasn't fond of milk.  That is until we found the strawberry syrup!  Now he drinks milk that is white, strawberry, or chocolate.  

I try not to get in battles over food.  That is my theory.  I keep meal time peaceful.  I may strongly encourage more bites, but do not wage war and make my kids sit and eat something they either don't like or eat when they are full.  I moniter the their nutrition over the course of the day.  I notice if my boys eat a big breakfast that they will not eat a huge lunch, a bit lunch and not a huge dinner, skimped on either breakfast or lunch, then they eat a really big dinner.  My husband and I cheer them on like they won the lottery when they take bites, eat something new, finish what is in front of them.  Kids like to please and I try to use that to its advantage.  I make them try new things and take one bite.  If they do not care for it, then they don't have to eat anymore.  

My first born boy does have some issues with food.  This is where a specialist such as Julie has mentioned would be helpful.  My son sees an occupational therapist because of sensory issues.  He has real aversions to certain textures.  He'll spit something out.  It is called tactile defensiveness.  The other reason why my son has difficulty eating is something called motor planning.  He has difficulty coordinating chewing things like meat.  He'd rather not bother.  He gagged a lot as a tiny guy.  STill will if he does not take the time to work on chewing.  So, an occupational therapist can treat eating issues and also a speech pathologist.  Eating issues are often involved with speech difficulty.  They are trained to work on this as well.

Good luck

[jjanel99]

well my doter didnt want to eat ether she was on the light sied to. What seemed to hellp a lot is not pushing her and giveing her a multy Vituman from Shackly its a liqed and she takes it every morning she gets hunger and sated to seat littel by littel and she eats like a hores now.

[Julie359]

Maybe you should discuss with the doctor about reffering him onto a therapist who deals with eating disorders.  The therapist will work on encouraging him to eat and break this behaviour.  I think more of a CBT type therapy may benefit him greatly.

Has he had a bad experience with food?  Did he have a choking fit?  

[rek5178]

Yes we have a health visitor. I discuss with the doctor but doesn't get any development in his behaviour. Ya  he has always been a very fussy eater.

[Julie359]

So he weighs roughly 22lbs.  How tall is he and what is his build, small, medium?  

This does seem to be on the light side, as my child was 24lbs or 11kg when she was 18months.  Do you have a health visitor?  Do you take him to a clinic for regular weigh in's and talk to the doctor about your concerns?  Has he had any tests?  Plus has he always been a very fussy eater or has this problem developed recently?  Has anything happened that has scared him involving food such as a choking incident or as a baby did he have a lot of vomiting attacks?  

All this info will build a bigger picture as your being kinda vague.... Hope to hear from ya soon.