Food issues with nearly four year old, any help gratefully received.

[ojzj2012]

Hello,

I am struggling with my nearly four year old (on lots of things but lets tackle one thing at a time :-))

He has always had issues surrounding food and mealtimes (having read the amazing FASD book I realise it's part of him and not a failing on my part ie still having to feed him at nearly four)

GE has little interest in food and would happily survive on milk and only wants to eat as an impulse reaction ie refusing food and not eating at meals then hours later seeing a banana so 'must have now' his packed lunch comes home uneaten. He loves fruit so can get his five a day that way but still not a healthy diet.

He has issues with textures, chewing, flavours and needs feeding as his concentration levels are none existent.

He hates a majority of food ie potatoes, a majority of meats and pulses and most veg other than peas or raw carrot and I have to puree any textured food like bolognaise sauce.

As a result his diet is very limited and repetitive. Plus with his impulse behaviour and obsessive ritual of only eating a certain food but two or three of the one item (possibly made worse with his utter refusal to eat a meal then me letting him eat something just to fill his tummy)

Now the fun part he has developed severe allergies to items he used to eat regularly, again probably due to sensitized due to over exposure to only that food.

I am struggling as the extent of his allergies haven't been diagnosed due to Dr errors of only requesting a test for strawberries but deleted the other food tests and now got to wait for another appointment for more blood tests which as anyone with a FASD child with sensory issues who cannot bear being touched or restrained etc is beyond stressful for all concerned.

unfortunately the three staples that I could guarantee a full tummy are completely off the table unless I want a trip to a&e.

I am at a loss as to what to feed or how to break the cycle as unfortunately strawberry is avoidable but eggs, dairy and wheat are in a lot of the food Z would eat and his limits and refusal to try or eat anything different is making things difficult.

I apologise for the length of this message and disjointed content but my phone keeps wiping anything I write if I go back to correct.

I have tried the placing food on a plate to look at touch or taste and spit out, as I am aware it takes seven tries before a food is 'liked' but meal plans are getting limited and I don't want to create any more sensitization of foods he can currently eat.

I am wondering if this is a common problem for children with fasd and if a more experienced person could give me some tips-still on the old learning curve after 2years and just when I master one thing he changes the rules or goalposts. Life is never dull with a fasd person

[Louismay]

Sounds very familiar we find some times whilst watching cartoons easy. Distraction

Things like small cherry tomatoes cucumber grapes slices of cucumber can sometimes be a helpfull subconcious suplement also cold pasta as you say tough going with these children sometimes early morning or bed time good luck

[ojzj2012 in reply to Louismay]

Hi, thanks for replying.

I also do the spoon feed whilst favorite movie is on to distract. He isn't a morning eater or a too tired eater so gotta catch the magic slot which changes daily

he loves cucumber and will eat with every meal. I also find finger foods are best, although he still eats normal food with fingers like a much younger child and still has dexterity problems holding a spoon or fork.

we will get there hopefully

[FamilySupport in reply to ojzj2012]

Hard as it is, try not to stress yourself as if you make it a big issue these kids pick up on it. Have you been to the chemist and got a multi vitamin supplement; a drink one might be easier than tablets?

Finger foods are good. have you tried olives? Try fish, as that is soft and flaky.

There is a great book by Annabel Karmel called Feeding your Toddler. Lots of easy recipes that look fun

Try involving your child in the food preparation so they feel they "own" it - even if all they do is mash potato peelings and water in a plastic pan on the kitchen floor....

Enjoy! Mealtimes in our house now are enjoyable and fun.