[kzwief]

I should start this post saying that Kate is sick...another ear infection, so that may have something to do with why she isn't eating, but she has just gotten pickier and pickier lately. When I had her at the doctor yesterday for her ear infection, she has lost 2 pounds since the Pediatrician saw her in December. The doctor didn't seem too concerned about it. She said it was "typical" and she will eat when she needs to and I shouldn't worry about it too much. Of course, you mention worry and of course I worry.

She will eat fruits and veggies. Always has. So that is not the problem. Protein and carbs are the problem. Even the old tried and true, last resort things like crackers, hot dogs and chicken nuggets aren't working. I don't want to start any bad habits by feeding her crappy or processed foods just to get her to eat. Do I just not worry about it and get her some Pediasure and hope she comes around? It is just so frustrating when every time I turn around she is throwing her food from her tray or feeding her food to the dogs. I am beyond frustrated.

[GuatMommy2Be]

Was she eating less before she got sick?

With my experiences with Madeline, when she gets sick she doesn't like eating either. I focus on her getting fluids and still try getting her to eat chicken noodle soup, or crackers. Will she take popsicles? Those help as well...

[Ms.Judi]

Hey Kim-It is so frustrating when they won't eat. I know that when Elaina is sick she doesn't eat well at all. I just keep liquids in her and try different things. Elaina also went through a stage where she wouldn't eat even her FAVORITE foods. They will not starve themseves and they will eat when they are hungry. Hang in there and I hope Kate feels better soon. HUGS!!

[kzwief]

Originally Posted by GuatMommy2Be

Was she eating less before she got sick?

With my experiences with Madeline, when she gets sick she doesn't like eating either. I focus on her getting fluids and still try getting her to eat chicken noodle soup, or crackers. Will she take popsicles? Those help as well...

Yeah, she was eating less before she got sick. It has been more of an issue a couple weeks now.

[MommieMin]

Cameron will now only eat white turkey hotdogs and chicken but at least he is eating meat. This isn't the best idea but I finally gave in and let the dipping phase begin. He loves barbeque sauce and now clears his plate as long as he has that. He seemed to just be getting bored with eating.

[myrachel]

kim.
i hope kate is feeling better soon....

[robandjulie]

It's probably due to her cold and possibly teething (if that's going on or coming soon), or just a phase where her tastes are changing. Kids are goofy like that.

She's getting fruits and veg which is better than many kids limit themselves to (e.g. Jorge will only eat fruit and meat and won't let a veggie pass his lips no matter how it's disguised). If you're worried about protein, try yogurt. If you're also worried about grains and such, stir some baby food cereal into the yogurt. We get the big tubs of whole milk vanilla yogurt and add a stir of apple sauce or jam to the bowl. Cheaper and more environmentally friendly than all those little unrecycleable cups. Milk, cheese, etc will also fill in the protein gap.

Also, will she eat beans? Jorge's unpredictable with them, but Katie would eat a whole can of rinsed black beans if we let her.

It's incredibly frustrating, I know. We now give Jorge about a teaspoon of each non-favorite food at the beginning of a meal. Literally, we'll give him 2 peas and a 1/8 of a baby carrot stick (like a match stick). If he eats them--and he never has--he can have more, but I'm soooo sick of throwing away a big mess of ketchup/peas/rice/applesauce soup that are all smashed together on this plate!

We also keep the dog crated/gated in a different room during meals to reduce the fun of tossing food overboard. If he drops food the first time it goes back on his plate and the second time we declare the meal over and put his plate aside. And then we keep eating with him in his chair with no toys for at least another minute so he doesn't think that's the easy way to end a meal. If he TELLS us he's done mid-meal we'll set his plate aside and offer him a distraction while we finish, but if he chooses to drop food instead he doesn't get that privledge.

[dance_muffin]

So sorry Kate has another ear infection. It can really hurt to swallow and just not feeling well will definitely affect her appetite.

I would offer her more smaller meals during her day. Some foods my kids eat when they are sick are; jello, applesauce, fruitcups, chicken soup, whole wheat toast, mac & cheese.

Hope she is feeling better soon. I'm sure her appetite will pick up.

[robandjulie]

Oh, and to contradict myself completely.... As you probably know, sick kids often have issues with milk so all that yogurt, milk, and cheese may have to be tried out after she rebounds a little.

[sak9645]

I am concerned about the weight loss. Two lb. is a lot at that age. We are not talking about normal toddler pickiness, where there are days where the child seems to be living on air, but where normal growth is occurring. We are talking about weight loss, and that simply shouldn't be occurring.

Right now, you need to be treating the infection, because infections burn calories like crazy. You might also want to check for parasites, because they burn calories like crazy, too.

And right now, you need to work at keeping intake up. By all means, use Pediasure if you have to. It adds calories and provides the nutrients a young child needs. Even if you can get one can into the child every day, it will make a difference.

And, frankly, with that kind of weight loss, I'd start loading the highest calorie foods possible, even if they are not the most healthy. Fruit and yogurt smoothies are great, but milkshakes aren't so terrible either. A feeding disorders program that my daughter went through actually recommended them. My daughter was doing so poorly, weight wise, that the program people even told me to give her chicken nuggets and french fries, if she would eat them, just to get calories and nutrients into her.

Sharon

[rapf777]

Giuseppa is going through a phase of not eating right now and all she wants is milk and yogart. I also voiced my concerns to the doctor and she said..she will eat when she is hungry...well within a few days Giuseppa was eating non stop. Yes when she is sick she will barely eat and I do give her lots of fluids.

Hoping she feels better soon.

Rose

[angelkisses0102]

As the mom of a child with feeding/swallowing issues, I must say that not all kids will eventually eat. Yes we are the exception but we also had to wait months to get an opening with the feeding therapist...so not entirely rare.

I would be concerned with a two pound weight loss at this age...that is a rather large percentage of body weight...and honestly my feeding challenged child has never lost weight...maybe not gained for over a year but never lost weight. Our pedi dismissed my concerns for YEARS and DS was 5 before we started therapy...and now on top of feeding/swallowing issues we have behavioral issues with eating. And at age 5, this is the hardest part of his therapy.

Fussiness is normal...my DD went through quite a few stages...but once weight starts being lost, I, personally, would dig a little deeper. In all honesty it is probably nothing....but don't do what we did and wait it out. For some kids, they will starve themselves. I know, I have a 35 pound 5.5 year old who we have to force to eat most days.

[maak]

I agree with angelkisses and sak(sharon) weight loss esp 2 pounds is not normal. Your dd needs a thorough eval to make sure there are no other issues. We had a very fussy eater who only would eat about 7 different items but she steadily gained weight between visits. She hated meats of any kind and had alot of texture issues so I blended very well cooked chicken with sweet potatoes. She still eats baby food sometimes at 3 but has gotten so much better. I found if I was cheerful and not upset when she rejected the food I gave her and try to make meal times pleasant and not a struggle things got better. I was so worried about her limited diet but do know some kids are food fadist and very restrictive with the type of food they eat and they are thinner than other kids but cont to gain and grow, so you need to get a second opinion re this weight loss!

[JillnChris]

I don't know if the dr. had any suggestions for you but when dealing with underweight kids before I have found that most dr.'s recomend really limiting sugary foods and things like potato chips and juice because they are just empty calories. They also have suggested that you sneak in fat wherever you can. So whatever veggies she likes just serve them up with a ton of butter, ranch dressing, or cheese. Does she like things like cheese and yogurt? How about beans? Those are all things that have a lot of protein. Does she like pasta? Even if there are only a few of those foods that she will eat like Macoroni and Cheese or Grilled cheese sandwiches it is not going to kill her to eat those things for every meal. I think as parents we think that we have to serve them something different everyday. But really as long as they are eating something semi-healthy does it really matter?

[IH8MEAT]

Kids get more protein than you think.

We are strict vegetarians, and protein intake has never been an issue for any of us.

Try getting her to eat beans, brown rice, legumes, etc. Also, just for the heck of it, go buy her some veggie "chikn" nuggets and veggie hot dogs. Xan eats these things up!