My 15 month old son won't eat.?

Question

My son is 15 months old and will not eat. He has a hypersensitive gag reflex and gags on everything. I grind up the 8 month and 12 month toddler baby food (jars) and he still gags and refuses he even gags on yogurt (minigo). I try giving him table food (bread, chicken pieces etc) but, he spits them out. I try every day over and over again. He has lost weight and is now off the growth chart. (20 lbs @ 15 months) He is a very active boy and has bowl movements everyday.

He is seeing a dietician and she tells me to put butter in his food, feed him whip cream, etc... very high fat foods. the only problem is that he won't eat anything! I feel terrible when I force the food into him (hold his head and make him eat a bite.) He cries and so do I. I am afraid I am giving him a negative food experience and he will have issues with food for a long time. People tell me to just relax and if he wants to eat he will... Well I have tried that and he would seriously go all day without eating! I am at the end of my rope, so frustrated and feel terrible.

Any suggestions? Or people who also went through something similar that have good tricks up their sleeves?

Also, if I have him good and occupied like playing with toys or watching TV he will usually take a few bites with out any issue and even open his mouth for more... it just doesn't last long.

Also, he did have relfux until 13 months of age where he would puke at least 2 whole meals a day. (so the negative experience with food started then) And he only has his 2 bottom teeth so chewing food is also an issue.

Can anyone help me?

Answer 1

Sounds like you have a serious problem on your hands and need to see a specialist.  You did say that if you keep him occupied he will take a few bites without an issued.... well, keep doing that.  If it doesn't last long, do it frequently.

Answer 2

Sounds like you just have to try to keep distracting him and keep offering him a varieties of foods.  Don't get upset if he doesn't eat the whole thing, if he had a few bites praise him and be happy that you at least got something into him.

I think you should also be feeding him a little more frequently.  I had gestational diabetes when pregnant and the first thing they told us is not to eat three full meals a day, but to break it up in to more frequent smaller meals.  

So, use that philosophy with him.  Distract him to take a bite of that banana or yummy ground up chicken with that dollop of butter, but don't freak if he doesn't eat more than two bites.  He can sense your anxiety and if you want food to be positive you need to remain positive. (i know it's easier said than done)

He's also at that age where he's struggling to be a little more independant.  Offer him lots of finger food he can feed himself.  A cracker or a gerber puff, anything really.  

Perhaps the high chair is the issue and he would be more happy to sit in a chair (with you watching and standing close) at the table.  

When you are trying to spoon feed him, give him his own spoon and let him play with the food a little bit too.  My daughter loves to put apple sauce in her hair like shampoo.  It's all about making it a positive fun experience for them.  I'll have a bowl of whatever I want to feed her and I'll give her a little bowl of her own with a spoon.  Normally it gets flung all over the place, but she eats what I put in her at least.

Also, there are vitamin supplements that even he at 15 months old should be taking.  Tri-Visol is one and you should inquire with your dietician about pedisure's.  They are like milk shakes, but if you're having a hard time getting him to eat, really that should be the last resort.

Have some patience, it will get better.  I too have a baby that's fallen off the curve, but you can't stress about it you just gotta figure out what's going to work.   And the best part is that what works will change every day!

Good luck!

Answer 3

my first response would be to take him to an ENT (ear nose & throat DR) my son had something close to this and his tonsils was extremely enlarged and had to have them and his adenoids removed.

my second thought is babies will eat when hungry even if its a few bites at a time, keep snacks like cheerios and things that little ones like to use fingers for around for him. at least its something . kids can go for a day or 2 with out eating as long as they are still drinking plenty of fluids.  

Answer 4

TAKE HIM TO SEE A DOCTOR! or better yet a specialist.

Answer 5

you should talk to your doctor to see if its ok to drink a supplement drink kinda like ensure. I dont know if they are built for youngsters, but they are chock full of nutrients. How about mashed potatos and cheese sauce, do the same with cauliflower. But from what I know about gag reflexes is that they do eventually go away on its own, maybe you could try homemade smoothie drinks, ice, frozen mango chunks and bananas.  

Answer 6

Lori Ernsperger writes two good books: Just take a bite and Meals without tears.  I heard her speak and she was really good.  Check those out and see if they might be helpful!

Answer 7

You said that he won't eat,how about drinking? What about pediasure? Those nutritional drinks for kids,try it.Maybe  you could make some smoothies,or milkshakes to keep his weight up.

Answer 8

It seems like you have tried everything, and can't get him to eat.

I'm glad that his doctor is involved.

The only thing is that, like many other things with children, sometimes at this age they get the idea that it's too important to Mommy.  Toilet training is a good example.  Just backing off and letting the child decide they want to do this often turns the tide in the other direction.

Have you tried that?  Just have the food out there and don't GIVE it to him?  He is old enough to grab what he wants without you pushing it at him.  Anything that you think he will eat, just make it available.  Don't go through all the highchair routine, or bibs, or anything else that he attaches to the eating nightmare.  

Eating disorders come from stress at mealtime.

Just let him grab what he wants to eat, and make sure it's something that appeals to him, and he will eat.

You can gradually add things that are better for him nutritionally, but right now he needs carbs and calories, right?

Zuchini bread has always been a nice substitute for kids who won't eat vegetables, too.  Stuff like that.

Answer 9

If distracting him is working, keep doing it. Even if it doesn't last long. A few bites of food is better than none at all. Also, maybe ask your doctor if you can give him some benadryl or something that will make him relax and drowsy and less likely to cry and refuse to eat.