27 Month Old with a Very Limited Diet, Bath Issues

Bottom line is a child is going to eat what they want to eat. 99% of the time they will not starve themselves. I have 5 of my own. They go through stages. My now 3 yr old only wanted mac and cheese for months- breakfast, lunch ,and dinner. As long as she was eating something that was fine with me.
What kind of eating schedule is he on? Does he eat 3 meals plus snacks or is he a grazer where he nibbles all day? Maybe cutting out a snack or something will have him hungrier for the next meal.
As for bath, this too is normal for his age. Could be fear of the water, could be he was involved with something else when you said bath time- he was drug away from what he wanted there for tepmer tantrum.

I agree with the above answer, but if you don't think that's the issue then maybe it's a behavior issue. Have you tried sending him to bed hungry and then serving the same thing for breakfast, snack, lunch till he finally eats it? With my daughter we only had to do that a couple times till she would just eat. I didn't want to be a restruant. Another thing you can try to get more nutrients into him is smoothies. You can easily hide carrots, kale, spinach and other things like that in with the fruit without being able to taste them. I've never met a kid that doesn't like a smoothie since it tastes & looks like a milkshake.

I have no idea on the bath thing. maybe try swimming lessons to get him used to the water? My 27 month old LOVES his lessons!! Have you tried showers?

let me just say if you son has a medical problem or sensory issues, this doesn't apply. children have a need to know who is in charge and will naturally test and push until you assert that you are the parent and they are the child. children thrive on consistency and need rules and expectations for their security. read books like "the strong willed child" from dr dobson or any of his other parenting books. this is not a new idea, nor a far fetched one. every human needs to know from the beginning what is acceptable behavior versus what is not and will result in negative actions.

i know this sounds harsh, but YOU are the parent. you are letting your son act as an adult and make his own choices - basically you are letting him run your life!!! i'm not saying that kids shouldn't have choices, but you control what options they choose from. for example... would like broccoli or green beans? would you like grapes or apples? i give my 30 month old choices like this and it works. not without fights at times, but i am in control of what she eats. if she asks for something else she is told, "no, we are not having that. you may have either broccoli or green beans." at lunch you have an option, at dinner you eat what i put in front of you. if you are hungry, you will eat. if not, then you don't eat. when they are hungry, they will eat what you offer, even if it's not what they "want". you may have to have this battle for a few days to a week before he will eat what you feed him. it's okay. he wont' starve. if he's hungry he will eat.

the bath is the same thing. i am the parent, you will do as i tell you to do. we will take a bath, and you will get washed with soap and a towel. if you want out of the tub before this is done, then you may but you are going to be disciplined for not obeying (i.e. time out etc). but then you have to actually follow through once you threaten!!! i can guarantee you will have a few battles but if you are consistent then this will resolve.

good luck. every mom out there has gone through this so you are not alone

Sounds like sensory issues to me. I would have him evaluated by the early intervention program in your school district. Check out this link and see if he has any other symptoms.
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/

If you have any questions, feel free to email me. I have LOTS of experience in this area.

Good Luck,
K.

My goodness, it certainly sounds like your son is ruling the roost. I would get rid of all the foods that you feed him that no one else eats. Save the yogurts for "snacks" at a set time, and offer to him what everyone else is eating. A child that young won't starve himself! You will have to be firm, but once he realizes that he can no longer dictate what is served, you will be surprised what he will eat! My 5 year old will pick a salad over just about anything else every time.
As far as bath time goes, pick your battles. How dirty is he really getting? Splashing around with bubbles will get him fairly clean, but maybe a shower with dad will spark an interest.

There isnt a thing wrong with your son. Kids WILL NOT starve themselves. Generally, they only eat a handfull of things. Reports show that you can sometimes introduce foodsuffs MANY times before they eat it. (especially if they are singles) Keep trying. My DD just started eating carrots...took about 10 trys.
Bathtime: Stop with all the hooplaa....water, bubbles, a few toys....if you dont react, they dont react.

Good Luck,
Mags :)

P.S. Kids this age arent generally filthy....just good ol' warm water does the trick. Perhaps the "scrubbing" with washclothes is un-pleaseant. Bath time bubbles is all you need. :)

Have you discussed these problems, together, with your pediatrician? In my totally non-professional opinion, it sounds like there may be some degree of sensory processing issue here. There is screening available for these problems and most states offer some degree of early intervention. I hope I am wrong, but I would ask, as earlier intervention gives better results.

I may come across as rude but what is it with the 27 months? Your son over 2 years old! He is old enough to be treated like a big boy. What I mean is give him a couple of choices, and then if he doesn't eat it then he doesn't eat it. My 204 month old son (17 years old) only liked chicken fingers. But I would prepare different things. If he didn't like it, well, too bad. What I made for dinner was it. I worked full time and didn't have the time or energy to be a short order cook. I'm not sure about bath becasue my kids loved bath time. Their bath generally took about an hour. That is because they played in the water with their toys. Try letting him run the rag over himself. He may be at the age where he wants to do everything for himself. My son also went through this. After he "baths" himself, run the rag on his bottom and his feet. That could help. Good luck.

You have listed one item that is a protien, two that are fruits, one that is a vegetable, and six that are processes foods (grains). That is way to many grains. I would pull 4 or 5 completely off the menu and not buy them at all. You will not be tempted to serve them that way.

I know the food pyramid shows a large section for grains, but truly, I think the food pyramid is a lie put together or/and influenced by the same group of people who are the food manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies. Anyone who eats that many grains will end up malnourished. Processed foods usually have a plethora of soy, metals, preservatives, dyes, fungal spores and lack fiber, but also the added vitamins are usually added in an unnatural / disproportionate amount. Food manufacturers take all the nutritous part of the grain kernel off, and use the chaff/ dust to make other foods. They form it into shapes, add IN-organic forms of cheap vitamins, and sell them as crackers and cereals. The other thing is that God-made foods have a higher water content and help keep the body hydrated. Crackers, cereals and chips have a very low water content. We do get a surprising amount of our daily water intake from meals.

I would try to add some meat, chicken or turkey,.. red meat every once in a while. I have read that children can only get(convert) a certain form of vitamin A (it was either retin-A or beta carotene)from animal fat. If you are worried about hormones buy hormone free.

It has been my experience that in general children's diets are usually the best when they are very young, and they get more picky as they get older. I would get those good habits in place now.

You can try to calm down the sensitivity of his nervous system by adding magnesium to his diet. There is a drinkable form called "Kidcalm". Also b vitamins support the nerves (good sources are red meats and other protiens) but you can get liquid b vitamin drops which are easier to absorb than pills. Nerves run on hydro-electricity, so keep him well hydrated.

Good luck!
Gail

We have the same issue with my 14 month old as far as eating. Your son is actually doing much better that my daughter. My doctor put her on 2 bottles of Pediasure a day now. It supplements her calories and also had all the vitamins she needs. My doc said that she has in some way gotten turned off of food and for now to just back off. Still give her food, but don't pressure it. So, I give her food and she picks, but doesn't eat much. I just make sure to give her 2 Pediasures a day and then the rest is milk and food. The doc said she won't be like that forever and she will get an appetite for food again.

Ask your doc about supplementing Pediasure.

If my son had his way he'd eat Go-Gurt 10 times a day. I allow him only 1 and that's either for breakfast or for a snack after going to the park. He'd supplement it with goldfish, chicken nuggets, and bananas. Of course, this is NOT a healthy diet. The nuggets are a treat once in a while and I let him have 1 banana a day. I use them sometimes to bribe him to having a bit more variety in his diet. "If you finish your spaghetti I'll give you a banana for dessert." He gobbles the spaghetti (I make mine really fancy with at least 4 added veggies) and gets the banana for dessert, so everyone's happy.

For the bath time, I find my son wants to bathe himself. I give him a wash cloth with a dab of body wash on it. He starts to sing "scrub-a-dub-dub" over and over. I also get the JOHNSON'S® BUDDIES™ Easy-grip Sudzing Bar. They retail around $1 and there's frequently $1 off Johnson's baby products coupons, so they're basically free. My son loves to use these himself and they grip well. Maybe something like this would help?

Get him in the shower with you... you can wash your legs, then wash his, etc. Make it a game. He can wash your toes, if you can wash his legs... Also we forgo teh wash cloth all together. Put the foamy soap right into his little hands and let him squish it.

Kids are stubborn little monsters at the table. If you think he needs more food then try smoothies... mix in whatever you want and he might drink it. Mine do. But yogurt has calcium and protien, cheese and cracklin oat bran are excellent foods, protien and fiber respectively. See if he will eat off YOUR plate. For my #2 it was all about location... her plate was never good enough, but if it was on MINE then she could eat it.

Sounds like he m ight have some sensory issues. I'd either call your local ECI program ( you can google ECI and your city) or take him to a private OT (occupational Therapist) who can help you guys work out these sensory issues

I agree with a previous poster who mentioned sensory issues - that could explain both the eating and the bathing problems. But, you know, we all have sensory issues - it's the degree to which it affects our day to day functioning that needs to be looked at.

I think young toddlers tend to be picky, but if you look at the foods that your son is eating, they're mostly comprised of foods that need little chewing or they become soft and easily chewed once they're put in the mouth. Have you tried soups, bananas, avocados or smoothies (as someone else suggested!)? You can hide a lot of nutritious foods in soups and smoothies.

I'm inclined to agree with your gut feeling that your son's doctor isn't being very helpful or knowledgeable about your son's diet, but I don't think anyone here can tell you whether or not you should look for a new doctor. if the ped. is fine in all other areas, it might be a case where you need to do more research and advocating for your son - it's something that we all end up doing anyway as parents to varying degrees. If you question his overall care of your son, then it might be worth the effort to find another doctor.

As for the bathing issue - could you give him a choice between 2 different washcloths and/or 2 different soaps? Keep the choices limited. Talk to him about the bath, why he needs to bathe and what to expect before he gets in.

Books that might help could be Raising Your Spirited Child, The Out of Sync Child and The Happiest Toddler on the Block if you want a more mainstream approach. Even if he's not spirited or "out of sync", the 1st 2 books have some valuable ideas that could help any child.

If you see no improvement in either situation and especially if you suspect other probs in the areas of communication, socialization and gross-motor development in addition to the feeding and bathing issues, I'd encourage you to contact Easter Seals or other early intervention provider to have him evaluated so they can help you and him figure out how best to help him along.

sounds like my 6 year olds diet. She is very picky and has problems with different textures, and we are still trying to get her to try new things. My 3 year old, on the other hand, would eat anything, but recently started restricting himself to his favorite foods. It is a normal stage of development to restrict themselves to different foods, called "food jags". It usually doesn't last long. I'm sure that letting him miss meals works for most (super nanny) but my daughter just didn't eat and got really mean. I don't think you need to switch peds over this issue, and you will gets lots of different suggestions from different people. I became confused as to which direction to take with my daughter. As for the bath, this too is a stage. Give him something to wash and it may help (my son has a dog that goes in the tub). Otherwise, just make the baths short, do the soap last, and eventually it will pass.

As far as the bath issue my son was the same way. From birth and it never got better. So when he was 3 I took him to swimming lessons. First I made sure it was someon I trusted. The first day was horrible I walked away from the pool for 30 minutes. When I went back they had just got him in the pool because he ran. Do not be there the first time. By the end of the 5 days he was not swimming, but he would put his head under water. From that week on bath time was not problem. And he learned to swim the next year. I highly recommend swimming lessons. A child who refuses most foods will not starve if he misses a few. Sounds harsh maybe but it is true. My advice is better get a hand on this now or it will only get worse the older he gets.

Here are some good tips at this blog on child eating / picky eaters
http://blogs.goddardsystems.com/Cedar-Park-TX/2009/12/26/...

My pediatrician recommends not catering to the finickiness of my children's eating habits. My kids get a plate of the same food that everyone else is eating. If they choose not to eat it, the consequence is either that they cannot have a dessert or that they go to bed hungry.

As far as the bath time....I think that as painful as it sounds, you should suffer through the screaming fit to bathe him. Eventually he'll realize that no amount of hysterics is going to stop the cleaning part.

Keep in mind that YOU are the boss. Remind him of that....it sounds like he knows how to push your buttons...don't let him. Make sure that there are consequences for his behavior in the bath tub.

And finally, remember that he's two...and this too shall pass...:).

I'm not sure about any sensory issues, but I do have a 25 month old boy and 3 1/2 year old girl and I am aware of lots of power struggles. They come up here and there. As we know, kids are trying to find their way in this world and they are also trying to assert their independence. It's important for you to set clear guidelines and rules for both the bath time and food time.

I used to worry about how much food my kids were eating because they were such good eaters as babies and then once they entered toddlerhood, they became more picky. I read a good e book I got on-line called the Food Sense Program. Basically you need to feed on a schedule. Breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack (if you want, I don't usually have a final snack for them). Have him eat every hour and a half or two hours and don't make meal/snack times a power struggle. If he wants to eat great, if not it's up to him, but if he doesn't eat he can't eat until the next scheduled snack/meal time. Then he still has a choice, but he's following your rules. Also you are not making something special or becoming a short order cook. As far as what to feed him, when giving him something new offer something you know he will like and something new or what you are eating. Don't make it an issue when he's eaten or not eaten and when he's ready he can be excused (he does have to sit at the table for a few minutes so you can have some family time). Toddlers will eat when they are hungry and it's important that we let them trust their own instincts. The food schedule and rules have helped in our household (if not just for my own sanity).

As far as the bath time routine goes. I would start talking to him hours before you give him a bath about what happens in the bath and why we take them. You can even find him a special doll to bathe together as you explain what your going to do later. Then tell him your expectations about bath time and that it's okay to get upset, but that you need him to use a big voice. If he starts crying ask him if he's scared or mad and then ask him why. You have to be strong and consistent and wash him. If he doesn't like the washrag use your hand and soap, you can make it a choice for him so he still feels some independence. It does sound like he knows how to get his way during bath time so you have to be clear and consistent.

I know that as parents of toddlers it's important for us to have clear and consistent guidelines because it makes them feel secure. It is also important for them to test our rules and expectations as they grow into independent young people. We are there to guide them and teach them what is acceptable behavior and to teach them consequences. Be strong and hold your ground because you are the adult and you know what's best for your child. Good luck!

I have been out of touch for a bit seeing as my son is 9 years old but we still have some food issues with him,Getting this child to bathe even at 9 is a whole nother story. My son does have sensory issues but at that age your child is to young for them to know if it's a faze he'll out grow or something that will stick with him for life. With mine like a few of the women said it's textures he won't eat anything he has to chew loves things that are soft. I wouldn't give him a whole plate I would choose 1 soft item from your meal like a pasta or mashed potatoes. Make him think it's a treat. Only give him a few bites then tell him it's so good that mom ate it all up no more. He'll be more inclined to try more next time. For bath's I would get him one of the loofa's with the duck heads or frogs don't let him see u but put a little soap maybe he'll help wash himslef if he thinks it's a game. Play with him with it. If he doesn't do to good of a job at first do it more often and use wipes to suppliment. when I was a child i wouldn't eat more then one item for a year. My ped told mom that I wouldn't starve myself so she took it away. When i stopped eating he said,well maybe I'm wrong and to give me back my pb&j. I grew out of it but some kids will starve themselves so as long as he's eating somethning and it's semi healthy he'll be ok. Good luck.

Sounds like my 8 year old. They do live through it. Checking out ECI is a good idea, just in case.

As for the bath, one thing that still helps with us is a character bath mitt. I'm not the one washing the dirt off, it is. We've had the "dirt eating frogs". (Each finger had a frog.) And now, it's the dirt eating monster. (Monster mitt from Target.) He's willing to even let the monster mitt wash his hair, as long as his bath visor is protecting his eyes. Once he's clean, it's play time. As someone with skin issues, I don't believe in a daily bath. It's too much for sensitive skin. 2-3 times a week is plenty, unless he gets extra dirty.

Good luck.