My 4 yr old neice won't eat anything?

Question

She used to eat all the time, anything you put in front of her, now, since she turned 4, she won't eat nothing. The food that she does eat, she spits out. Is there anything wrong with her? she has ADD. Is it just a stage she's going through, or should we take her to the doctor?? Please help!

Answer 1

All kids go through stages where their appetites pick up and then drop off.  My son is 2 and I seriously think he hasn't eaten, for real, in about two weeks.  I even mentioned this to his doctor before and she said that as long as he's getting all food groups in a series of days, he is fine and this is normal.  It's a good sign that growth is going on.  I've noticed that his appetite will pick up for about a month and then for a little while, he'll back off.  During the down time, I've noticed that his measurements change.  I know this because I didn't believe the doctor when she told me it was a problem, so I started monitoring him.  Hey, I'm a mom with only one child!  It's my nature to freak out!

As far as the ADD, that's not the cause of the appetite loss.  However, if she's on medication, that could be the problem.  Did they change her medication or it's dosage?  I have a friend who's daughter has ADD and when they change her dosage, she loses her appetite and even loses a little weight.  When she mentioned this to the doctor she was told that after a while her appetite will pick back up, unless there's a problem with the medication and then she would have to be taken off it and possibly given something else.  ADD Medications alter the way their chemicals work and their brain function.  Sometimes this happens.

Since it is an adverse side effect to these medications, if you neice is taking them, I would call her doctor and report it.  Then monitor her weight every day or two to see what's going on there.  She may have to be treated differently.

Answer 2

Beleive me its a stage because i  went threw it. I have ADD as well and me not eating anything doesnt have anything to do with my ADD. So many people blame stuff on their ADD but most of the time ADD  is NOT to blame. She will eat when she is hungry enough. If you are concerned about her and she wont eat for a day or two talk to her doctor, but she will eat

Answer 3

If she's hungry, she will eat.

Kids get fussy. If she doesn't eat for days at a time, take her to the doctors.

Answer 4

Its a stage.  The best thing to do is wait for her to ask for food.  She won't starve.  A lot of kids like Pedisure or pedialyte pops.  Don't worry about it.

Answer 5

Sometimes as they get older they just eat less. But when shes hungry shell eat trust me.

And if she absolutely wont eat try eating your own food in front of her and offer her some. Sometimes theyd rather eat other peoples food instead of thier own.

I did that with my niece all the time cause she was too interested in her toys to eat .

Answer 6

maybe her stomach upset you better should go check doctor soon.