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Aww Ros, I really feel for you.I know how hard this is as we've had eating issues with DD1 on and off now for ages. She lost weight around 14 months (she weighed just under 16lb,but was nearer 17lb at 11 months),it's so hard when you can visibly see them shrinking.



I'm trying to think what I wish I had done differently............I think I would have just offered her main meal that I wanted her to eat with some finger foods that I know she probably would eat.I wouldn't have got too hung up on what she was eating,but just be glad she was eating something. I know this may set up fussy eating but you can't force them to eat can you and when they are so slim you just want them to eat- anything! It is hard to stay calm and to show her that it's not bothering you,I didn't always manage this.



I know everyone told me not to worry but it is hard (and frustrating as you have Ellie also),I know you'll be keeping an eye on the situation so you could take her to the Gp if needs be,but hopefully it'll be a phase ( ),but perhaps she'll just be small and not that fussed about food.



My DD still has a small appetite and still has a restricted diet but I don't battle her any more.Obviously it is easier as I can communicate with her etc



I hope Flora starts enjoying her food soon,it's very tough for you

xxxx

Is there anything she really likes to eat? Is she more likely to eat if walking about it sitting on a picnic rug in the lounge than in a highchair? I know it isn't ideal to feed them different food in different ways but if it means she will eat something then you might feel better.
X

Hi Ros, I feel for you! I have a battle of wills sometimes with both of mine, for different reasons.

Molly had a low appetite for quite some weeks after being ill - but she did eventually pick up. In the mean time she'd just eat bits and pieces as I knew there wasn't much point trying dinner. I just tried her with stuff little and often, such as banana/baby biscotti/organix flapjack bars/bread/rice cakes etc just to get small amounts in. She would always take yoghurts or cold fruit pots though so she'd sit quite happily for pudding!

Jen's idea about the picnic rug is a good one. We have our breakfast on a snack mat as I can't bear three potential battles during the day! They scavenge cheerio's off the floor after they've tipped them out, sit still for fruit pots and then wander round with small bits of toast.

G is not easy to try with new foods - but she will eat anyone elses food happily if she's sitting on a lap or standing up next to you!

It's hardwork but try not to worry too much - little and often is the key and plenty filling snacks. She'll get her appetite back with avengence soon I bet (M did to the extent she was eating more than G!)


Good luck! xx

I feel for you as little lady is still a terrible eater. Dd is 22 months old and still only weighs twenty two pounds. She eats no meat at all. I put children's programme on from c beebies about eating and she sits on a mat on the floor and only eats fingers food while watching tv. She does not like anyone food. Trial and error i am afraid x good luck with little ladies x

Ros, first of all, hugs for you, as you sounds stressed. Second thing is that this isn't likely to be anything to do with what you are/aren't doing - my 2 kids have really different eating habits but were both treated/fed the same. I have asked myself a lot why DD2 doesn't share some of DD1's good eating habits but the bottom line is they're different people and you can't make them respond the same way.

However - some things we've done - distraction - my personal favourite - when DD1 went through various phases of not eating certain things or playing up at mealtimes etc (and they ALL do go through various phases like that!) I used to either read to her, have the radio on in the background and was known to sometimes let her watch TV (I can hear the horrified gasps!). I also used to amuse guests/friends by sometimes singing when she was eating - sometimes I'd sing the whole mealtime to her and she'd clap, join in and eat!

She had a restricted diet at one point due to food intolerances and one particularly horrible week she was allowed just 5 foods - can't remember them all but lamb, butternut squash and rice were 3 of them - as we were trying to rule in/out various things - and it took every distraction trick I had to get her to keep eating the same things all week.

Also, I just used to think that really I'd rather both girls ate, developed a taste for lots of different food etc than fight over something which was likely to be a short lived phase - so singing and reading it was.

Then there's other things - savoury first, don't make an issue out of any food left/played with/spat out, praise for trying new tastes and good behaviour, encouraging her independence re. eating, keep trying new food, don't make different or alternative meals if she won't eat what's given, don't rush mealtimes and when she's a bit older there's other stuff - she can more involved with preparing food - even if its just a toy knife and a bit of bread and butter, and also growing your own stuff - my 2 love to eat fruit/veg we've grown in the garden. Also, we eat outside when the weather allows - either at a table or on a rug on the grass - kids seem to love it and it's easier to clear up!

Having said all that I still have one DD who will happily choose mango over chocolate or meat & veggies over fish fingers and will eat almost anything - e.g. went for tea at a friend's house this week and was given pepper & courgette curry for tea and ate the lot (much to the surprise of her friend's Mum!) and one DD who, if left to her own choices, would eat chocolate, crisps and cake for every meal, every day. I think kids go through a phase at about 18 months/2 years old re. trying new foods and restricting their diet so I'm hoping she's just in that phase at the moment.......!

Anyway, I hope things get easier soon - if you continue to be worried or she starts to look dehydrated etc or you have concerns over weight loss then phone your HV or GP ASAP.

Wishing you lots of luck.

x

Oh, I forgot to mention that I am also not holier than thou and will quite happily let my two sit and watch cbeebies while eating when needed...M will instantly calm down and eat while the songs are on and start thrashing and screaming violently when it stops and she realises that she was trying to be difficult. Little minx