Or lack of…
Lamb’s eating is terrible and has been for such a long time. We’ve kind of got used to it now, although it still pains me to watch him cry when anyone puts food in front of him.
We often ask ourselves, how is he surviving? We called our health visitor a number of times when he was younger and no one seemed to take us seriously. They would just say things like “put what food you want him to eat in front of him and if he doesn’t eat it then don’t offer him anything else”. It didn’t work.
Deep down I knew there was more to it than him being a ‘fussy eater’. He has a genuine problem. A fear. An anxiety. I’ve read about Selective Eating Disorder and I think that’s what Lamb has. According to the article you are born with it, so parents mustn’t blame themselves – easier said than done!
If you think you have a fussy eater, then try having one who lives off plain crackers. That’s all I can get him to eat most days. I can probably count on both hands the types of food he will eat.
He doesn’t eat at nursery, he doesn’t eat at Grandmas (apart from plain bread and crackers, and if we’re lucky a satsuma or an apple). Nursery give him what everyone else is eating and he will just sit in silence looking down at his knees. Then they will offer him plain bread and he happily accepts. He’s a cheeky one though, he will eat the pudding! He has a sweet tooth and loves anything sugary. Typical.
He’s now 3 years old and we need to sort this out. Surely there is someone out there who can help us get him to try new foods? He won’t even let me butter his bread!
Well, after a chat with my new Health Visitor who came over to discuss baby number 2, she agreed to refer him to specialist workshops. I was told about these by my neighbour so I mentioned them when she asked about Lambs health. The HV was super sympathetic about our situation and suggested we refer him to our local walk in centre that has workshops for all kinds of behavioural issues, one being eating problems. She thinks he is the perfect age to attend and I’m more than happy to take this next step in improving his eating habits.
Unfortunately as she hasn’t met him she can’t refer him just yet, but as soon as baby number 2 arrives and she gets to meet my little bubba, she will refer him to the workshops.
I have everything crossed they will help. If I’m honest, I’m not getting my hopes up, but I’m willing to try anything.
I’ll keep you posted.
Ax
I really hope that the workshops help lovely, it must be unbelievably stressful for you to see Lamb not eating, although I know you said he’s been weighed and is fine, which is great! Big hugs lovely, definitely easy to blame yourself but try not to xxx
Try not to worry too much! I’m sure the workshops will help. My SIL refused to eat anything but bread, eggs and quavers when she was young but grew out of it as she got a bit older. Hope Lamb is ok xx
Fingers crossed the workshops make the difference. I’ve not heard of selective eating problems before but I worked with a little girl who was an elective mute once and she was a similar age – I imagine it could be the same sort of anxieties.
Oh this must be so incredibly difficult for you. P1 was always very fussy, but she’d eat loads one day then nothing the next and it would go on like this every day. She’s so tiny and skinny. Luckily are food intake has picked up as she’s got older. You really need to push with your GP more than your HV unfortunately, they can refer you to the hospitals etc. I hope in time it’ll ease for him.
Oh no! To be honest my boys were superb eaters … and then came Edie. She is rubbish! I genuinely can’t understand how she functions with such a rubbish diet! H x
Extreme “fussy eating” can be so distressing for parents, we had a phase like that when Emma was younger but it never went to those extremes. I am glad to hear your HV is sympathetic and I truly hope Lamb’s eating issues will be addressed soon.xx
Oh no the poor little one! The workshops sound like a great idea, and I hope they do him a world of wonder x
It’s so worrying when children won’t eat. Can you pinpoint when it started? I have to say though, and it’s probably no consolation to you now but there are extremely few 18 year olds that won’t eat. Hope you get the referral!
Interesting I have never heard of selective eating disorder before. I do think some kids our naturally more fussy than others. I have been reading a book about highly sensitive children who are often more fussy. High sensitivity is a genetic things, so you can only do so much to encourage them to try new things.
I was really fussy as a child, but I did grow out of it, and now will eat anything.
No idea that Lamb had eating problems. Joey is so fussy and loves everything thats unhealthy. I hope Lambs referral goes well x