My 2 year old does not eat regular food
@PrincessJamie (21)
United States
February 22, 2008 2:20pm CST
My son is 2 years old and is still being spoon-fed. He will only eat foods that have been put through the food processor. If there is a tiny lump of chicken or something that has not been chopped up enough, he will spit it out or gag. I've already taken him to his pediatric doctor and also a gastroenterologist. I was told to schedule an appointment with a speech therapist and a radiologist. I haven't done this yet, because I really feel that his problem is behavioral. My husband agrees with me. Occasionally, in the grocery store, he will eat a sugar cookie. He will also eat a Gerber biscuit which is pretty hard and really has to be chewed up. This is why I think it's a behavioral issue. He also doesn't like anything new. I once refused to feed him because I wanted him to feed himself, but he would not do it. And after a day and a half, I gave in because I didn't want him to starve.
Has anyone had a child that did anything like this? Should I take him to see the other 2 doctors even though I'm 99.9% sure he is fine? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
3 people like this
4 responses
@sid556 (30959)
• United States
25 Feb 08
It does sound as if it is behavorial but I would take him to the other doctors just to rule any other probable causes out. You'd feel so bad later on if you didn't and were wrong. If it is behavioral then I would be asking the doctors for advice on how to correct it.
@PrincessJamie (21)
• United States
28 Feb 08
Thanks for your response & the advice. I'm in the process of setting up an apointment for the radiologist. If that doctor says he is fine, then I will take him to the behavorial specialist. He has no speech problems at all. In fact, he talks like a pro, so I think the speech therapist would be a waste. Hopefully one of these doctors will be able to help him.
@Gemmygirl1 (2867)
• Australia
24 Feb 08
Maybe you should take to see A Dr but not necessarily the ones they recommended.
If you think it's behavioural, then, try a behaviour specialist to see what the problem is. They might be able to help unravel the mystery for you.
How long have you continued to spoon feed him? Have you ever allowed him to feed himself - as in, all meal times, whether it be with a fork, spoon or just his fingers?
I also think it could possibly be (without sounding bad) that you have allowed him to be babied for so long that maybe he's just not wanting to have to do things for himself - could that be right? If not, then i dunno but he should've been attempting to feed himself somewhere around 6 months of age with various finger foods & the pureed stuff should've been gone from his diet a LONG time ago.
Good luck but try a behavior therapist before jumping in to other Dr's coz they should know best.
@floramwaters (1595)
• United States
23 Feb 08
I have never dealed with your problem, but my oldest did/does have a speach problem and it has never stop him from feeding himself. It really sounds like a behavioral issue to me. I would say as a test let him finger paint and see if he will touch that and get his hands all missy If he does not even do that then I might have him look at my the other drs.
@PrincessJamie (21)
• United States
23 Feb 08
That's a great suggestion! We've never tried finger painting, so it will be fun for him (hopefully!)
Thanks for your response.
@Gollywog (1092)
•
12 May 08
My son only ate choc and chopped spaghetti? Not together lol, I worried so much He was my seconed child, the first she was fine so I put it down to being a lazy male lol. He might not like the texture so just give him some thing different each day, some thing he can hold in his hand! He will want to try it at one point Fruit,veg,cookie. He will not starve he is old enough to give signs when he is ready to try things him self.If you make a big fuss he will know it bothers you this is one way of getting attention, they are cleaver little darlings lol. My son survived hes almost 27yrs now healthy,fit,and GREADY LOL.
