I know that this is a post that I can just re-post over and over again because you have heard this so many times from me before, but we are at our wits end again with Colin and his feeding issues. We are really frustrated because things have seemed to have taken a turn for the worst and we honestly don't know what to do anymore. Colin is currently eating eggs (if we can force them enough), yogurt, pudding, cottage cheese, and ice cream. That's it. What is really upsetting to me is that before Colin had his bout with strep the week before Christmas, Colin was doing so well feeding himself everything and was even trying lots of new things (and even eating pasta for the first time in over a year). However, things have not been the same since and we are progressing in the wrong direction.
Today during breakfast, Colin threw his eggs and didn't want any more, at lunch he ate about 6 bites of cottage cheese and then attempted to throw it, and at dinner, he threw his yogurt when he was only half done. This is a trend that has been continuing every day. At school, we hear that Colin does pretty well during lunch, but we are not seeing the same things at home.
I honestly don't know anymore what the problem is. I don't know if it is a medical issue from the past (reflux? constipation? throat pain?) all of which he takes or has taken medication for, a behavior issue (gaining independence? control?), something related to Down Syndrome (I don't even know what to list here), or just because. We have tried everything. No matter what, it is really frustrating because we honestly don't know what to do anymore. I can tell you that I dread meal time, but try to keep a positive outlook and attitude because of all the potential reasons that could be associated with it. It's tiring though...
Today at dinner when Colin threw his yogurt, I wanted to just cry. He is not losing weight, he is still really active, he seems himself, but just is not eating and it worries me.
Come on Colin...help us out here!
11 comments:
What about tonsils ? Have you been able to see if they are enlarged? I have heard of this effecting kids eating in this way. Maybe and ENT assessment?
Oh Kelli, I know what you're going through. It's so hard! We just started Bennett back on Prevacid and he's making very small gains with textures and trying to lick/kiss different foods. I have no idea if it's the med or not but I'll take anything. Can you try Colin on a reflex med again? Maybe it hurts and he just doesn't know how to express it other than getting mad or refusing to eat. Or is he on meds for that already? Again, I know exactly how you feel;(
I feel your pain and I know exactly what you are going through. My son is 27 months old and only eats yogurt, jello, fruit both pureed and fresh (grapes, melons, mandarin oranges (rare), and blueberries), cracker/cookies, and he was eating pancakes almost everyday for the last few months, but that has stopped. He ate a lot of table food between 9-13 months and then one day he just stopped. He was born with a severe milk protein and soy allergy. Outgrew the milk allergy but is still allergic to soy protein and soy flour. He also had/has acid reflux. He has a sensory processing disorder and low muscle tone in his mouth and jaw. He also has severe problems with textures. Some foods will make him gag until he throws up. It has been a nightmare with feeding him for over a year. It is one of the hardest things I deal with. He will throw food and not eat anything but yogurt for days. He was having problems gaining weight between 21-24 months. We are fighting to get him feeding therapy, but where I live it is hard to get.. He is almost afraid to try new foods. I was in tears many times. To know that he is hungry and he can't eat makes it worse.. I hope Colin has a breakthrough soon.
I can so understand why this must be really worrying for you, as it is an issue that you see at every mealtime day after day but I think you should reassure yourself that despite this Colin IS obviously doing ok as “He is not losing weight, he is still really active, he seems himself” – that sounds like one very cute, happy and healthy little boy to me! I saw an interesting documentary about this issue the other year, which you may not have been able to see as I don’t know if it has ever been broadcast in the USA, but I have found a link to the quite detailed press release about it, which I hope you find helpful: http://www.itv.com/PressCentre/MyChildWontEat/Ep1Wk2508/default.html
I’m not saying that Colin is necessarily the same as any of the children mentioned there, but for me it raises two particular points of interest: Firstly, I saw those kids on TV – they looked great despite their weird diets! 12 year old Rachel who had chocolate as the main part of every meal was an ideal body weight, was not deficient in any vitamins or minerals, and was developing perfectly. She had finally got to a point where she wanted to overcome her fear of new foods as she hated being different to her family and friends, so she began trying new things on her own terms. She decided toast would be a good place to start, so that is what she started with. It was slow, but that was the pace she felt happy with, and the child psychologist at the hospital feeding clinic gave her parents the confidence to be happy with whatever pace of progress she could manage and not to stress about the issue any more, and that made mealtimes so much easier for the whole family.
The second point I found really interesting was that if a child does develop a food phobia, for whatever reason, then (I quote) “it’s important people realise such children aren’t just fussy: “If I got a sheep’s eye and I put it in your sandwich and squidged it down nicely and said, ‘Eat this, this is a nice sandwich,’ you probably wouldn’t be able to put it in your mouth and this is what children have to what seems to other people to be quite normal foods.” Maybe Colin subconsciously associates when he was ill before Christmas with eating rather more “solid” foods just before then, and is just being understandably cautious, particularly if he picks up on underlying family stress around mealtimes too?
With all the families in the documentary, once they started following the very simple “three golden rules” quoted in the press release their children improved markedly – it took a few months, but they were all eating near normally by the end of the process. I’m sure Colin will continue to thrive, even on his restricted diet, and in his own time I’m sure he’ll want to experiment with trying new foods again. I hope that this web link has helped you feel maybe a bit less worried about his feeding, as that will help him too.
Best wishes, Ruth R [UK]
:-( I'm sorry, Kelli!!! Weird thing about getting sick and reverting - Samantha did the same thing several times when she was 2 years old. She'd start to expand her taste buds, then get strep or hand-foot-mouth or something, and suddenly wouldn't touch certain staple foods anymore. I don't understand it, either. Glad he's not losing weight, though!
And from a purely nutrition standpoint, can you maybe try blending something like Kale into his yogurt?
I have zero advice on the feeding issues and really shouldn't even comment because I have not been there....but to me a lot of it sounds like behavior / control issues related to age...it's like he's testing his boundaries only he's doing it with food because he knows it frustrates you? I could be totally off base but I know Landon and Sutter both are very good and pushing my buttons and do it by doing thing they know bug/bother me! I really do hope that something in the feeding department changes for you guys soon!!!!
Hang tough, mama. You're not alone.
While Colin is mastering his food fights and pitching arm strength, you are doing overtime in the worry. Clearly not minimizing your frustration - just trying to put a smile on your face by adding a positive:=). You pretty much covered all the basics in what might be at the root - most likely a small combo of all your thoughts. Walking lightly, I wonder, if there is any downside to asking/pushing the doctors for an appetite stimulent? They are used all the time for kids AND I am sure your amazing doctors would have suggested it for Colin if THEY had your mommy concerns! But maybe it might be worth asking about given the impact Colin's eating (or not) is having on you??? I hate to make suggestions because I know you and Chris do everything and more for the kids - and your supportive dream team continues to help Colin achieve his milestones - but I also am so sensitive to your "WORRY":=). Hang in there - and no bribes, healthy food topped with ice cream or anything else is too low to stoop to achieve YOUR mommy comfort. Hugs - Randy
Oh Kelli, I wish I could help in some way. I have no advice, and no magic wand, but I am hearing you and am keeping you in my prayers. xo
ooooh I am so sorry. That is sooo frustrating. Addison only has a handful of foods that she will eat, so I had a nutritionalist come consult with us. After hearing the list, she said we were doing everything right, but UGH that is even more frustrating because I wanted her to tell us what we could give Addison that would make her eat a more well rounded diet (besides just chocolate and yogurt)
(hugs) I hope Colin branches out for you soon!
Before I give you my two cents let me say that I feel for you! Colin is doing great in so many other areas, but this feeding one seems to really be hard for him...and unfortunately that makes it hard on you too. You are being an amazing mom and please try to not be too hard on yourself when you get frustrated. You are human!!!! :-)
Sweet Pea used to throw her food CONSTANTLY! When I was in the behavior class it was the main thing that I was focused on correcting. Have you worked with a behaviorist? Ours is provided by our local Regional Center who provides all the EI services in CA. The food throwing MAY not be 100% related to the aversions he is having. Just a thought.
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