14 replies to this topic

[gormlaith]

DS is 4 and has always been a poor eater. Very fussy! It would be easier for me to list the things he does eat rather than doesn't.

Lately it has got much worse. He hasn't eaten a vegetable in probably a year, and eats an apple maybe once every few weeks. Wont eat meat- used to eat pasta and rice but now refuses.

I tried a new tactic- if he eats one mouthful of what is on his plate then he can have something else (which 99% of the time its a peanut butter sandwhich) however he has started dry retching and gagging (genuine not faked) when food touches his mouth. I said i was going to take him to the Dr but mum did one of her whole "oh he'll grow out of it- just leave him be" things and now i'm not sure. I mean they are probably just going to tell me to make him eat more fruit and veg right? What can they actually do?

Anyone has similar experiences?

[Merla]

I would take him to a child phycologist. It is normal for children to be fussy eaters, but dry reaching (genuine) and gagging is a bit extreme. Have you ever forced him to eat? He may have some phycological perception of what he does and doesn't like based on others reactions/what it is? If that makes sense?

I don't think taking him to the doctor would hurt, even if you are over reacting, its going to cost you $20 and an hour of your life to ease your worry, I think its worth it.

Have you tried making things he doesn't like into new things? Like adding carrot to home made sausage rolls, or some pureed pumpkin into the tomato sauce on pasta? How does he react to changes like that?

[MissUnderstood]

The only thing I thought of was..

What's his moods like.. ??
Weight ok?
Fluids ok?
Sleep?

I think if any of the above are being affected, that it's time to seek professional help. When DS stopped formula at about 1, his weight dropped so badly that I was scared he'd die. He was stick thin and sick looking. He had trouble sleeping, was cranky and violent.. and that was only in a matter of a few weeks.

[Merla]

ETA: I have met quite a few fussy eaters over the years, one boy who would only eat chicken sandwiches (with chicken lunch), plastic cheese and meat pies, that was it.
He did grow out of it, but it took a bit of encouragement "try this, its cheese flavored" for something like mango that he would like anyway. Though he would just flat out refuse, no tasting at all, once he tasted it he usually liked it.

Does he like any sauces? Gravy, cheese sauce, tomato/BBQ sauce? Sometimes allowing them to drown something in sauce helps too. My brothers refused to eat cauliflower until my father made colli bake with lots of cheese sauce, they loved it and there has been no problem getting them to eat it since as long as it has cheese sauce on it.

[gormlaith]

He is waiting to see a psych for anxiety/ possible aspergers issues so i will definitely be mentioning it to them. I have never forced him to eat- i've always been a believer in not making things like food/ bedtime a negative experience.

I have tried all sorts of tricks- making funny faces out of food, different shapes, i even sculpted a volcano out of mash potato and had sauce as lava trees from broccoli and the dino shape chicken nuggets. Gee it looked good! LMAO

Problem is he doesnt eat anything that i can hide things in... he wont eat anything with sauces, ie only plain white rice or plain white pasta. Wont eat sausage rolls, pies, vegie cakes, rissoles ... as i said easier to list the things he does eat.

Thanks for your input- you basically said what i was thinking re: the psych.

[gormlaith]

Things he will eat:
Yogurt (only plain not flavoured and only one brand)
Weet bix
Nutri grain
Toast with peanut butter or vegemite
Sao's with PB or VM
Corn thins with PB or VM
PB or VM sandwhiches
Crackers with cheese
Milk/water/some juices
Rice wheels
Chocolate (so long as it is plain chocolate ie not a mars bar or crunchie)
Plain boiled lolly type lollipops
Plain potato chips

[chachee]

Perhaps taste sensory disorder?? I just did a google and gagging is one of the signs??
What food does he eat???

[MissUnderstood]

DS's Psych suggested 'food play'. I know it sounds insane but it did help. DS now eats enough to take him off the list for a PEG.

I cooked up different foods... cut up some other fresh stuff.. Put it all on different plates and got him and my girls to make things with the foods. The girls were quite happy to shove anything they could in their mouths and eat it.. and DS eventually put a few things to his mouth... but mostly played with it. We did that a fair bit and made it a big fun game! I had a bucket beside me ready just in case the gags turned into more and he followed through but I never had to use it. It made food fun. Not something to dread..

A few years later.. DS was diagnosed with a sensory processing disorder.. so the foods were actually giving him negative feedback. But therapy helped him to overcome a lot of it and he now eats more than enough to keep his weight just below the normal line. He's still underweight.. but he's no longer sick.

It's probably completely different. But I thought a suggestion might help. Good luck. It's a stressful road to go down.

He has Dysphagia too. That and the sensory issues were causing the gagging.

Edited by MissUnderstood, 08 April 2010 - 08:34 PM.

[chachee]

gormlaith, on 08 April 2010 - 08:32 PM, said:

Things he will eat:
Yogurt (only plain not flavoured and only one brand)
Weet bix
Nutri grain
Toast with peanut butter or vegemite
Sao's with PB or VM
Corn thins with PB or VM
PB or VM sandwhiches
Crackers with cheese
Milk/water/some juices
Rice wheels
Chocolate (so long as it is plain chocolate ie not a mars bar or crunchie)
Plain boiled lolly type lollipops
Plain potato chips

Maybe try juicing some fruit and vegies and see what he thinks???

[MissUnderstood]

gormlaith, on 08 April 2010 - 08:32 PM, said:

Things he will eat:
Yogurt (only plain not flavoured and only one brand)
Weet bix
Nutri grain
Toast with peanut butter or vegemite
Sao's with PB or VM
Corn thins with PB or VM
PB or VM sandwhiches
Crackers with cheese
Milk/water/some juices
Rice wheels
Chocolate (so long as it is plain chocolate ie not a mars bar or crunchie)
Plain boiled lolly type lollipops
Plain potato chips

Omg.. that was DS's list. Minus a few. How amazing.

Let me guess... hates sauces.. runny and mushy things make him gag.. chewy lollies are a no go.

[gormlaith]

MissUnderstood, on 08 April 2010 - 08:21 PM, said:

The only thing I thought of was..

What's his moods like.. ??
Weight ok?
Fluids ok?
Sleep?

I think if any of the above are being affected, that it's time to seek professional help. When DS stopped formula at about 1, his weight dropped so badly that I was scared he'd die. He was stick thin and sick looking. He had trouble sleeping, was cranky and violent.. and that was only in a matter of a few weeks.

His weight is fine which is part of the reason mum thinks i'm over reacting cause he is growing.
Fluids are fine- he drinks plenty and mainly water or milk. Juice as a treat once or twice a week.
Sleep..... he's ok once he is asleep. Its getting to sleep that is the problem! Its not uncommon for him to still be awake at 10 or 11 or later...
Moods and bahaviour are a BIG issue- he has been tested for autism and apparently doesnt have it- he has an appointment to get a second opinion. I believe if his eating would improve then behaviour and moods might as well. I know i feel cranky and yuk if i have had maccas or junk for a day or two! And i crave a big bowl of vegies.

Surely his body must be screaming out for some greens!

MissUnderstood, on 08 April 2010 - 08:35 PM, said:

Omg.. that was DS's list. Minus a few. How amazing.

Let me guess... hates sauces.. runny and mushy things make him gag.. chewy lollies are a no go.

OMG YES! Exactly the same! You said WAS his list- i'm guessing it has changed?

[MissUnderstood]

That's good that his weight is fine!

I know what you mean about the body screaming for veg. Mine does. I hate junk and yet DS still loves it. I do get SOME veges into him now. Just not many. But it's better than a diet of milk, choc chip biscuits and chocolate.. them being all he would eat at the end.

DS is still up as we speak. Sitting beside me. He's normally up till close to midnight. He just can't get to sleep. He does try.. but he can't switch off. He's been assessed and nup.. he has none of those things. Very odd! Maybe it's all related to diet.

And yep.. it's changed.

The therapist and paediatrician stopped all solids and put him strictly on a pediasure and polyjoule diet.

Then started slowly introducing solids.. one by one. It was hell but we are at the other end now! Their is light at the end of the tunnel!!!!!!!!! Not saying that our boys are the same.. but damn they're sounding similar!

Edited by MissUnderstood, 08 April 2010 - 08:43 PM.

[Merla]

chachee, on 08 April 2010 - 08:35 PM, said:

Maybe try juicing some fruit and vegies and see what he thinks???

Thats a good one. Maybe try an apple carrot juice? See what he thinks. I added a bit of beatroot to it to make it into "pink juice", but not sure if he would go for that.

[gormlaith]

I have tried juicing things but he wouldn't go for it. He can pick up even half a teaspoon of liquid vitamins in juice. I tried smoothies too and wouldnt drink those either. But i might try it again- its been a few months since i tried them.

Just googling the sensory disorder now. It sounds about 50% right for DS.

Missunderstood- DS will lie in bed for hours and takes ages for him to just drop off. Mine is still awake too. They do sound so similar!

Thank you so much for all your replies! Always amazed at how wonderful the ladies on here are

[Missdee]

ur DS eats WAYYYY more than my DD and she is 4 soon..

this is what she will also eat - and she does the occasional gag on food too when i make her try it. however she sleeps well will gladly go to sleep , she is not loosing any weigh (skinny but not loosing weigh) , no behavior issues and is very content.

and this is her basic diet

nutella sandwich
milo milk
water
rice w/ butter
mac & cheese
yogurt
monster noodles (dry noodles in the packet)
oh and the latest - sausage rolls
fruits , bananas, apple, peach
potato chips (hot)
chocolate

no vegies what so ever - will refuse to eat them . I don't eat them either never have since i could remember wen i was a kid

go figure

Edited by Missdee, 09 April 2010 - 08:50 AM.