My Son Won't Eat - Las Vegas,NV

Sounds like me as as a child. i had major texture and sensory issues, and only ate a few handfuls of food a day. It wasn't until I was about 11, with a bone scan of a 9 year old and a threat of iv feeding by my endocrinologist and that I would never reach 5 feet that I started to force myself to eat! (And I am just under 5 feet as an adult).

Anyways, the very few foods I would eat, was chicken noodle soup (usually broth only with crackers and cheese), spaghetti noodles with no sauce, some fruits, raw carrots with ranch, bread and milk, toast... and that was after much trying.

What my pedi had us do was the Carnation instant drink mixes, and I know it's still recommended for kids like this today. It t least helped.

What you can try is making fruit smoothies and popsicles, and adding in vitamin powder. You can add supplements to almost anything, soups, oatmeal, sauces... that was another thing my mom did to sneak in nutrients into my meals.

Withhold items such as ice cream, unless you keep it light and add in toppings like nuts and fresh fruits. If you do waffles, make whole wheat ones and a healthier syrup option and fresh fruit. Try making carrot or zucchini bread. Try making sweet potato fries. Quesidillas, english muffin pizza, and he can help put on the toppings. He gets constipated a lot because he has no fiber intake, which means he needs to be eating those fruits and veggies.

Even the smallest children will understand things explained simply, "Strawberries and carrots are yummy and make you grown big and strong like Superman... they will make your tummy feel better so going to the bathroom doesn't hurt so bad. Would you like to get big and strong and have an easier time in the bathroom?"

Involve him in the kitchen in preparing the food, get him a fun kids cookbook... do things to help excite him about what he's eating.

Remember to give him plenty of options and limit the junk you bring into the house, so he can't default away from healthy choices.

When he throws a tantrum, there is nothing wrong with marching him in timeout, waiting until he calms down and reminding him he's a good boy that needs to eat his dinner, than he can go watch his favorite cartoon and have ice cream.

We give choices to our kids, "You can either eat 4 really big bites until you are done, or 10 little bites!" They usually choose the 4 big bites. After the 4 I usually say, "That was good huh, you think you can eat 3 more big bites, then we'll have ice cream!" It works a lot... even if I spoon feed them (which my 5 year old doesn't mind at this point because we make it fun.)

Hang in there, sounds like you are really trying!

Well I do agree that if he's eating breakfast and lunch and doesn't eat much at dinner, he's probably fine. He could have texture issues and that could be keeping him from eating other things. I would try (and you probably have) giving him some new foods along with his comfort foods. Also, have him help you pick out fruits and veggies from the grocery store. He's old enough to get into that and be excited about trying some new things. If he has BM issues, that could also contribute to his eating issues. He may just be bloated and uncomfortable. Have you tried the Miralax? I know a couple people with boys (don't know if it's more of a boy thing or not??) who had to use Miralax every day b/c of those issues. It helps, but it also poses the question of how long to you let that go on...but maybe it will provide some relief now.

I think overall he's probably getting enough nutrients, you'd be surprised. You could try and introduce some of those pediasure and whatnot if he'll drink that. Does he drink chocolate milk? Maybe you could try ovaltine?? I loved it as a kid! Good luck, it's really hard when your kid doesn't eat!

If it's because of a texture, he could have Sensory Processing Disorder, or something similar. The issues he is having with food, is one of the symptoms. Of course, having a symptom, doesn't mean he has Sensory Processing Disorder, but you might look into it. Speech delays are also common, with SPD. Occupational and Listening Therapy are two therapies used, for treating this. You will probably have to see a specialist, for a diagnosis. I'm not sure, it would be something handled by a general MD.

I think your currnt plan is worth a try. We struggle a little too, and I have gone to full out bribery. At night we let her watch a cartoon if she eats her dinner. And on occasion we bribe with a dessert to get her to eat the healthy stuff. I also find if i can get her off the snacks, she will be hungy enough to eat her dinner. Good luck. Not to horrify you, but I would google "mechanically seperated chicken" (its what chicken nuggets are made from).

Sorry, your Ped is wrong. Your child could very well be having issues with his gut and could be in pain as well. Constipation /poops are a great place to start with food issues. I would have a stool collection kit and check for yeast, parasites, etc. and also if he is metabolizing his food correctly. Go to www.tacanow.org and check out the labs and diet sections and look into 'leaky gut' among other things.

How is his sleep?

Time for Occupational Therapy to learn how to eat other foods and for you to seriously consider removing gluten (wheat, rye, barley, and most oats) and dairy completely from his diet. Check out the GF-CF section on the TACA site for help with this. Just wanting chicken nuggets (hope it is not McDonalds) and waffles is so a sign of problems with gluten. If you decide to try the 'diet' just ask away. We went cold turkey with 21 foods whereas others will take one food at a time, modify, whatever will work for them.

Yes, he will.
I'm writing this after reading only the first two lines of your request.
I may write more after I read the rest.
But . . . . yes. He will.
You will need to approach the entire situation in a different way.
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Do what Momma L.said.
Good advice!