He just won't eat...anything...help!

Christy - posted on 07/03/2010

It may sound harsh but cut the milk. He may want to drink it all day but he does not need to. It sounds like he may be filling up on the milk instead of eating. My daughter did the same thing when she was little. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. There was crying and temper tantrums gallor but she got milk at meal times and she had to eat some of her food before she got it. We also let her pick the veggies at dinner and graze through out the day. I would give her two choices with the veggies and she got to pick one. It let her feel more in control, and I always had cut up veggies and fruit for her to eat in between meals. That is actually the rule of thumb in our house. If you are hungry you get some fruit or veggies, we don't have any other types of snack foods. Finally we also snuck the fruits and veggies into other food. You can put peas and carrots into mac and cheese shells. We made carrot or zucchini bread that very tasty for breakfast. Spinach hidden in meatballs or even just mixed into the sauce. My daughter is seven now and even though she is still picky we are slowly winning her over and it is getting easier to get her to try new foods. I almost cried the day she willingly ate salad without the discussion of why you people eat leaves...

Leslie - posted on 07/01/2010

Are you familiar with Dr. Bill Sears? He's written over 30 pediatrics books. He encourages you to "raise a grazer". Take a muffin tin and put fill it with healthy food; soft steamed 'carrot pennies', cut up grapes, steamed green beans, steamed broccoli 'trees', etc. leave it on a low table for him to 'graze' on all day as he plays. you can see part of dr. sear's dvd here (paste into your browser)

Laura - posted on 06/30/2010

try a "Food Olympics". Put five plates with differnt food groups on them and the first time you do it, encourage him to touch the food. The second time, encourage him to taste the food and then eventually eat the food. Make it fun and take all that stress away. You'll feel better in the long run and so will he. GOOD LUCK!!!

Sarah - posted on 06/30/2010

Have you tried giving him veggie shakes, fruit shakes and milkshakes? If he will only drink,maybe theres a psycological reason. Is he afraid of chocking? Has he got someone else in the family he's seen be "silly" or avoid food groups? I know that if you force the issue you'll only propell the issue, if you put food infront of him that smells and looks really appealing then walk away, I would think he'd sneek a taste when your not looking, right?
Food should be fun, maybe if you guys bake together (cheese scones or something) and then celebrate by having a picnic with the food you guys just made...My advice would be make food fun, get him involved in the making of he's meals and try introducing new dishes. If all else fails I would talk to a spesialist, last thing you want if your baby not eating. When I was a child I didn't eat or drink for 1 week...was very ill and had to go to hospital. Good luck xx
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Yvonne - posted on 06/29/2010

Try small very small amounts first put it on the plate have him see it on the plate doesn't have to eat it put it has to stay on plate. Then with time he can touch his lips then he may try a small taste.It takes a long time put eventually it will work .First then works good my child is autistic this is what they do at her school.It works.

Colleen - posted on 06/28/2010

My son is the same way. He is 14 mos and was started on table food late, at 12 mos. I still have to fight with him to eat. A few bites then he refuses to eat anymore. But he will drink 6 9oz cups of milk a day if I let him. I give in and let him have milk so that he has something in his stomach. Its so frustrating. I also worry if he is getting what he needs. I feel like he must be starving but he just won't eat food. I do try 2-4 things each meal but nothing seems to interest him.

Melanie - posted on 06/28/2010

Do you know if he just doesn't like the texture? It is actually common amongst autistic children and since I have one it just popped into mind that maybe he might not like the texture.

Melanie - posted on 06/28/2010

He will get used to the taste. Next they may have you puree or add small bits of food to the broth.
If he likes liquids however, you could make a fruit and yogurt smoothie (some vegetables go well in these, as well). As long as he is also getting a vitamin supplement.

Cerina - posted on 06/28/2010

I've tried everything and I have even prepared 3-4 different meals for him at times. He doesn't understand bribery or ultimatums and throws tantrums when I offer food. Rice, any meat, veggies, fruit...nothing. I took him to the doctor and they put him on a liquid diet nothing but broth and clear liquids for a week. How is that supposed to help?

Melanie - posted on 06/28/2010

Give him options.
You may have a ________, a __________ or a _______________. So for example... You may have a banana, a ham sandwich, or a handful of carrot sticks with ranch.

Use Bribery.

If you would like ____________ then you need to eat ___________. For example if you would like your milk then you need to eat a banana.

Combine them.

If you would like your milk then you need to eat a sandwich, frozen grapes, or a salad.