Help another worried Mummy

[plumfairy113]

Hi all

It's been a while since I've been on but I've had a real problem to log on, but I'm here now and desperate for advice.

I have a 19month old boy who has not been great at eating but now I'm really worrying. I avoided all naughty foods until he went to a party and he was tempted with crisps and chocolate that was around 12 months old. Since then I've had a nightmare with meal times. He likes to eat independently only finger foods, he will not eat anything wet with a spoon unless it is a dessert, the only finger food or food in fact he will eat is sandwiches (made with only wafer thin meats which worries me as there is no goodness in them), carrots and sausages, crisps & chocolate. He loves dessert custard, fromage frais and thankfully he does like fruit. He has about 7oz cow's milk in the morning with dry cereal (he won't have the milk on his cereal he eats them by picking them up) and then 9oz milk at bedtime.

He's not underweight, he's started walking at 18 months & I thought this would improve his apetite.

Anyone have any ideas if I'm doing anything wrong or any ideas on what can inspire my boy to eat other than junk food!!!!???? Help me please as every meal time is a battle ground of him crying until something he enjoys is put in front of him. I have tried the not giving in but he is such a strong character I just can't win.

Sorry for babbling, thanks in advance.

[KristySmitten]

oh gosh, i am sorry to hear this story but sadly it sounds very similar to mine! i think you should not worry that you have done anything wrong, i also think that i have done something wrong but i think the bottom line is that some children just seem to enjoy food more than others. unfortunately i don't have too much advice as i am pretty much in the same boat, its awfully worrying i know. you said your LO is a healthy weight and so is my son,so then i guess thats something to be reassured about.

my LO is only just one year and has still been having formula so its been suggested to me that i need to cut the milk down or switch to cows milk to increase his appetite but this is most probably not an issue for you. the ladies on here are really nice tho and will offer any advice they can to you.

[Bear]

I really dont have any advice as Im going through a nightmare myself. All I can offer is hugs and big ones!

[camsmummy]

Hi there,

Not sure if this helps but worth a shot - my friend has similar eating frustrations with her LO - wont even put anything in her mouth, so it isnt that she has tried it and then not liked the taste or texture, she doesnt get that far.

She came round the other day and we fed the LO's together - mine had pasta twists with tomato and cheese. She had a bowl of mushy stuff which she wouldnt touch, but since they sat at the table together, they were both very interested in each other's food. In the end, they each seemed to want what the other one had, poss because it was different to what they had - ended up being a communcal meal! Her mum texted me when she got home to say she had made her LO pasta twists for tea and she had eaten the lot, which was a first. Is it worth trying to get a pal round whose LO you know is a good eater and just see if they copy one another a bit? Pasta seems a good bet as he could pick it up like finger food if not too much sauce on it and you could make that AK hidden veg sauce, so you know he is getting something good.

They def seem to be influenced by other kids - I have seen my LO on the film the nursery did for open day eating some apple, which he wont eat at home!

I guess your LO and mine are both at that age when they are trying to assert themselves a bit and where they cant express themselves v well verbally, so get really frustrated.

I gave C a piece of clementine the other day which he immediately spat out. the following day I made a big play of peeling it in front of him and separating the chunks and eating a coulple of pieces myself and suddenly he was interested! He now keeps bringing them to me from the fruit bowl saying 'more', so its one extreme to the other!

[plumfairy113]

Hi Camsmummy

Thanks so much for the advise, I going to try it next week. All of his little friends eat perfectly so I am going to arrange for 1 of them to call round. I'm so glad I saw your message today as I am feeling so so low. This afternoon when he was asleep I cried and cried. I've had severe tantrums this last week at mealtimes, nappy change, getting his coat on and getting in pushchair. I have felt a complete failure not being able to cope. Coming on here has made me feel better. Mr poor husband walked in and I just cried!!! I feel so in-confident!!! Thanks again. X

[matilda s mum]

Hi Plumfairy
My toddler is 19 months too and varies from easting everything offered to being really fussy.
Do you eat together. I find that if I eat with Tilly she wants to eat what I am having. I got her to eat porridge this week by sharing a portion between two bowls - one for me and one for her. She wouldn't touch her own, but actually let me spoon feed her 'mine' - little madam!

I was recently given a copy of AKs Fussy Eater book which is fab - lots of great recipes to try and lots of finger foods too.

Wraps are great (try grated cheese and tuna in a folour tortilla wrap and cut into mini batons). or you could do breakfast ones with banana - or even use a pancake for variety.

Tilly also like to eat a bowl of dry cheerios and raisins mixed! bananas always a winner as are yoghurts and fruit pots, but sounds like these are no problem.
Does he like toast - maybe try cheese on toast too. So at least breakfast time shoud be ok!

pasta shapes are a great idea too - if he won't use a sppon then maybe keep dry, again with grated cheese, then build up slowly to addign a bit of a tomato or hidden veg sauce.

With sandwiches, i have slowly addd more filling - persuaded Tilly by cutting them with pastry cutters into interesting shapes - like a gingerbread man or heart or star. current favourite for her in dairylea and marmite together!

will try to think of more. also have a look through other fussy eater threads as am suer loads more suggestions already been made on other posts.

Good luck - and try to stay calm and be patient!
xx