JUST DOESNT EAT

[goldfish12345]

Iam very sorry but right at this moment iam very frustated with my son and is eating habbits coz its getting very over whelming. I make a variety of food ranging from indian, mediterraienan, italian american no matter how much i try he doesnt want to eat he is not interested to eat. Doctor says he is ok and normal. but iam a mother and that doesnt convince me that he doesnt eat. i want my son to eat 3 times a day and be healthy like a normal kid is that too much to ask?. Please help me i have trried everything posssible .

[Renee Radenberg]

I am unclear of your son's age due to what you wrote down. If you meant 22 months, his weight and height are both below the 5th percentile for his age. It is frustrating when your child has no interest in food. The world around them is more interesting. Suggest giving him Pediasure in place of milk or make your own milkshakes from milk or yogurt (milk, ice cream, & fruit blended; or yogurt, ice cream, & fruit blended) in place of milk at meals and snack for additional protein and calories. Additional tips to add protein and calories: If he likes pasta, then add meat or cream/cheese sauces to the pasta instead of plain tomato sauce or plain pasta. Add dry milk to oatmeal, mashed potatoes, gravies, creamed vegetables, and creamed soups (add additional meats to soups). Use all fat dairy products and no low fat foods so they have the calories they need. As they grow and gain weight after a few years, then you can go to lower fat dairy items. Suggest giving him a daily children chewable multi-vitamin.  The most important thing is to RELAX. You do not want mealtimes to be a battle of the wits between your child and you. Remember meals need to be joyous for you and him. Slowly introduce new foods, and if he does not want it, do not make a fuss over it. Let it go and enjoy the meal. Try again in a few months. Sometimes it takes 5-9 times to introduce a food to a child that they will accept the new food. Hoped this helped you.

[may411]

I agree with Renee, I can tell you are a good mom who is concerned. I am the mother of 6 and each kid went through that stage.  Keep offering.  They will take it.  I changed lunchtime to more finger friendly  grapes, crackers, cheese, apples,  chicken nuggets.  The more they think you want them to eat the less they will.  Be indifferent and offer frequently.  Just a crazy thought. In the nursing home when we want to encourage their appetites we give them one resees peanut butter cup around 330.   Only one and it makes them have a better appetite.  Go figure.  Good luck    

[Renee Radenberg]

It is not recommended for children to take appetite stimulants. Try the additional calories to the food he likes as I suggested. Try giving him yogurt smoothies or milkshakes (milk and ice cream blended) instead of milk at all meals and snacks for additional calories. When you relax at meals he will eventually relax, eat the foods he likes, maybe try new foods slowly, and grow.

[goldfish12345]

yes he is born on april 20,2008 and that makes him 21 months and a little oevr that . Meal times are really war times in the house. Everybody around me thinks and sggests gove him this give him that. make me feel that iam not doing enough at all.May be iam so frustated iam writing all this becuase of that. I have had him after a looooooong stuggle with abortions so iam over reacting probably. I want to know if i can press my doctor on giving him some stimulants. he isnt gaining any weight since past 4-5 months its a stand still.he doesnt loose touch wood 22 pounds as always but doenst gain anything. I have tried pediasure he gets loose motions with that. I have tried adding half and half to his milk a very little he doesnt like that.he is just too fussy. this drama all started after he started teething. he was a very healthy and a very non fussy baby before that .it started around the 9th month when he was teething.he would eat anything then kind of a honeymoon phase. I dont know how and what went wrong he has reached a stage now that he just hates food now. Please if you can tell me a few stimulants or medications which would increase his appetite, weight etc. Their safety factors and anything I need to ask my doctor which iam not asking her or she isnt telling me. thank you so much for answering my questions and listening to me on a very boring and a tired sunday for me.