Need Hel with My Four Year Old

I think that part of your question is cut off, I am not sure what it is that he wont take...however, if you are asking about milk, my daughter went through this and I talked to her doctor and went online to find a chart of milk equivalents. We posted it on the fridge and made sure she got enough milk/milk equivalents each day...

-- I'd wonder if his teeth hurt- if there is a molar coming in -- or a painful something happening in his mouth--- -- you might check that out -- .

sigh ( they really put us through it, don't they?)

Blessings,
J.
aka- Old Mom

my 3.5 yr old is being picky and not wanting to eat anything i make him, unless he asks for it and even then he is bing difficult about it. I think it has to do something with controling the situation. And frankly it is driving me nuts. I am at my end with it. Your little guy could be having the same issue. His sounds a bit more extreme, has he started a new school or any other big changes? The only other thing I can think of is he may have some issues with his teeth. If he has not been to the dentist recently, I would get him in, just to make sure he has nothing going on there.

Your son could have sensory issues, or possibly food allergies.

Google "sensory processing disorder" for lots of information, or for a checklist of symptoms/behaviors, go right to this website (scroll down to the "oral input" checklist):

http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-proces...

You may find other things in these checklists that seem accurate for your son, too. And tips on what to do next, if this looks like it could be your situation. Here's another very readable (and encouraging) page that summarizes life with sensory disorders:

http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/funny-SPD-kid-...

Good luck!

First I would check with your dentist/doctor to make sure his mouth is healthy.

If it is, the you are probably in a big!!!! power play. He only wants to drink, and you are fussing all over because he won't eat. Is he the middle child?

I think the only way you are going to get him to eat again is to stop giving him milkshakes. That probably sounds too simple and awfully brutal to you. But if he only has food in front of him, he will eventually eat.

At first he will cry and make a big fuss (temper tantrum). Don't give in, stay calm, turn your back on him. Go out side and scream if you must.

He will eat. Children do not starve themselves to death. It might take a couple of days. Start with food that he used to really love. And during this time offer desert. If all he eats is desert so be it. At least he eats.

Whatever method you choose to change his behavior, stay calm and do it consistently until you son's behavior's changes.

Good luck.

When you say he doesn't want to "he" any more, I'm guessing from the rest of your post you mean he doesn't want to "eat" any more. Could it be a control issue? Is he showing signs of needing to control other aspects of his life? I think especially in times of stress kids look for ways that they can try to take some control of their lives. Have there been any changes in his routine or home life? Some kids have regressions in potty training since controlling bodily functions is one thing they retain no matter what. Maybe your son is attempting to control how he eats in a similar attempt to feel in control and secure. If you think other circumstances might be contributing to a sense of insecurity, addressing those with him my eventually lead to him accepting solids again. Good luck!

I agree that it could be either a physical problem in his mouth and/or a power struggle you've gotten into with him. I don't understand why you would even want him to eat ice cream, in fact I'd be glad that he doesn't want it! Personally I'd cut out all the unhealthy foods, including all forms of sugar and cow's milk, and just offer him a wide variety of really healthy foods and pure juices, letting him choose. After ruling out any problem with his mouth or teeth, of course.