My nine year old is refusing to finish his meals and spits them out alot, this has been happening for about a month, two things have happened one he choked a month ago but was fine after and the second he hasn't been able o go to his babysitters house for a month and shes had him since he was 11 months old. Can someone please help me so he doesn't get sick?

Holly - posted on 12/05/2012

if he is not eating at all, that is a problem, but if he is eating some he should be getting enough, kids go through growth spurts and sometimes wont grow much, during these times children will become full faster and just not eat much.... as long as you are giving him nutrient rich foods he should be fine... in the mean while if he is just REALLY not eating enough you can buy him pediasure, which is basically a meal suppliment drink... it is full of vitamins and minerals and calories.

Denise - posted on 12/05/2012

my seven year old daughter suddenly won't eat. she takes tiny bites out of her food and if she doesn't like it she spits it out. She's become so selective in what she will eat and on average eats only 1/4 of her meals. So worried...what should i do?

Samantha - posted on 06/23/2012

Thanks Amy that's a great idea were thinking of going over there to visit this week i'm hoping that will help

Amy - posted on 06/23/2012

He's 9, have you asked him why he's not eating? Is he eating some just not finishing everything? As adults we tend to think our children should eat more than necessary. If you think the not eating is related to choking then you may have to seek some outside counsel for him to talk to. But honestly at 9 he should be able to answer why, and if he says he's just not hungry than don't push just make sure he's not filling up on snacks instead of meals. Or if you're concerned make sure there are plenty of healthy snack choices available to him so he can graze throughout the day rather than sitting down for a meal.

As far as the baby sitter goes.....try talking to him about how he feels about it. Explain to him that she's hurt and perhaps he'd like to send her a card or something letting her know that he's thinking about her.

Samantha - posted on 06/23/2012

Thanks Becky! But it happened at home. He was eating chicken and he took a big bite and I keep telling him to take small bites because his throat is small and he can easily choke which he did, the reason he isn't at his babysitters is because she fell and hurt herself and because she was unconscious the next day when the kids arrived her boss is putting her under investigation and my son is missing her alot. I just don't know what to do to help i tried making all his favorite foods and it helps a little hen it doesn't sometimes he will eat it all ans swallow and other times its a challenge.

Becky - posted on 06/22/2012

Have you talked to him about the choking incident? Did this happen at the babysitter's house? He's probably scared to let anything go down his throat because he is afraid of choking again. He's chewing the food to get the flavor out of it and then spitting it out. If this happened at the sitter's then he's associating the sitter's with the choking. (Assuming, of course, this is where it took place). I saw something similar to this on a show, sorry can't remember the name, where a lady went without food for quite some time because of a choking incident. She would chew the food, then spit it in a cup. It took a while, but she was able to conquer her fear and is now able to eat solid foods. Your son needs to talk with someone. Maybe you can get through to him, or maybe he needs to talk with someone else. Good luck!