(no subject)

[lollardfish]

The food issues with Nico have hit a crisis point. It's very upsetting and we're seeking professional help.

This is the first time I've felt completely helpless in regards to Nico in a long time.

Comments

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

Is he losing weight, or otherwise showing signs of being undernourished? If so, then you might indeed have a problem. I hope that your food therapist will be able to help you determine first whether this truly is a problem in terms of his nutrition, or just a difficult interaction between parent and child.

The usual advice for kids going through a picky period is to offer them only healthy choices (no candy, etc.) for a fixed period of time, take away whatever they don't eat, and not make a big deal about it. The foods that he is willing to eat sound pretty healthy except for the cookies.

Is he drinking milk? That's a significant source of calories and nutrition of course, so if he drinks milk that's good. But it is also possible that he is drinking too much milk or juice, which is depressing his appetite for other foods.

[lollardfish.livejournal.com]

Whether or not the usual advice applies is a subject we are not qualified to answer at this point, but are working on it. Also, there is mutually conflicting advice out there, as in all things related to child-rearing.

He is not, yet, undernourished.

It is not an over-abundance of milk/juice issue. Or, indeed, an appetite issue. He'll be ravenous and sit there crying because it's not the food he wants (even though it's food he's eaten before).

Sigh.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

Not trying to be smarter than you about your dear little boy, and most kindly meant: How do you know he's ravenous?

K.

[lollardfish.livejournal.com]

I know all of you are working to be helpful! :)

He signs "eat" with great intent and repetition, cries, then signs eat again.

Also, he didn't really eat yesterday afternoon or evening, then slept through the night, and woke up hungry.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

When he cries, is that at an offered food that he then doesn't eat?

K.

[lollardfish.livejournal.com]

In this case. The crying at food on sight is a new level of dysfunction just appearing. It's presumably a sign we're creating greater stress in the situation.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

That's pretty fraught for you. Does he get to help choose what he's offered? Hold him while browsing fridge or pantry, so he can see what there is?

K.

[lollardfish.livejournal.com]

I've been thinking about that. It's also been recommended to have him help "make" it, which I've tried, but it hasn't really made a difference. He does like pushing buttons though.

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

Henry likes to see what's in the fridge, is why I thought of it. Nico could certainly push a few microwave buttons before meal time, even if not heating up something!

K.

[cakmpls.livejournal.com]

And even the cookies might be pretty healthy, depending on ingredients. "Cookie" covers a lot of territory (or can be made to do so!).

[gerisullivan.livejournal.com]

There are even Breakfast Cookies. Complete with bacon!

Yes, I know. That's not the point about what's going on right now. On the non-bacon front, good for you for getting help in figuring out how to deal with this aspect of Nico's toddlerhood. And yes, it sounds like mizzlaurajean's visit is very timely in that it will give you more information on this.

Good luck, and may more enjoyable mealtimes soon be yours!

[buttonlass.livejournal.com]

The cookies in question are fig newtons and blueberry newtons. Not so bad in comparison to chocolate chip.