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I have a very similar problem with our newly place foster/adopt baby who is only 12 months old. He was obsessed with his bottle but has transferred it to food since he has been in our home. I still give him a bottle for attachment reasons, but only 6 oz twice a day while I am holding him. The transition off of the bottle/baby food happend around placement as at his foster home he was eating only baby food and drinking formula. So I worry it was a bad time to transition him but he was so ready for real food. He was 18 pounds at 3 months old upon placement in foster care. H ewas placed due to neglect. I was told that his weight was never off of the charts, he was in the 98% at 3 months and is now in the 70%. His foster mom essentially put him on her own diet-as a 3 month old baby-and his weight leveled off to the point that they thought something was wrong with his thyroid. Foster mom described to me he would scream to eat until he would vomit she immediatly put him on a strict feeding schedule. She explains that he would scream for hours between feedings and was obsessed with his bottle. He was 19 pounds at his 12 month check up. His behavior is very similar to what you are explaning. It is so hard to eat or prepare food with him in the room. It's a constant battle and he is only 12 months old. I am hoping it will get better.
I asked our Pediatrician and she said to let him eat as much healthy food as he wants without making himself sick. So thats what we are doing. When he starts to spit up (he doesn't vomit) I stop feeding him. He has gained 3 pounds in 3 weeks. He still is on the low end of his charts on his weight. I really don't know about the baby diet his foster mom had him on...but I think her intentions were well meaning. My kids have always been chubby. She's a very thin women and she explained to me that he was an "obese" baby and "disgusting." So I sort of feel she was overly zelous with the food restriction.
I ONLY give him whole grain foods, lots of good fruits and vegetables and mostly lean protein. NO junk food. I figure as much as he loves the good stuff there is no reason to give him the bad. I was told that he should outgrow his food obession when he feels he can have as much food as he wants and that it will always be there but he may always struggle with food/comfort issues.
I would ask your pediatrician even ask for a referral-it can't hurt. I plan on asking for one if this isn't resolved by next well/baby check.
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