Advice please

[dlo2977]

My 3 year old daughter was diagnosed with CF last July due to PI. She is doing well on her enzymes but is going through a phase where she could care less about eating. I swear, she could probably go a few days without asking for anything to eat. I don't think it is medical related because she will eat if she feels like it. I have tried positive reinforcement (offering a prize, sticker, etc), I have tried reasoning with her that she needs food to grow etc, I have tried negative (I know, bad, but I was desperate yesterday). I took away ALL of her princesses which is basically the ultimate punishment until she ate a small amount of her dinner. She didn't even care -- she would rather win and not eat. I do think part of it is a power struggle with me. She does better for our nanny.

I have also tried letting her pick out the food she wants, which sometimes helps. I have tried making the food fun like cutting toast or pancakes into fun shapes etc. It will work maybe once. She also says foods that she used to like don't taste good. If she didn't have CF, at this point I would ignore it and just let her not eat much until she gets over it. Should I do that just for a couple days??

Btw, her CF team is not concerned about her weight. She went from the less than 3rd percentile to 20% for weight but they do want her to gain more.

Any advice from you veteran CF moms??? Help!!!

 

[dlo2977]

My 3 year old daughter was diagnosed with CF last July due to PI. She is doing well on her enzymes but is going through a phase where she could care less about eating. I swear, she could probably go a few days without asking for anything to eat. I don't think it is medical related because she will eat if she feels like it. I have tried positive reinforcement (offering a prize, sticker, etc), I have tried reasoning with her that she needs food to grow etc, I have tried negative (I know, bad, but I was desperate yesterday). I took away ALL of her princesses which is basically the ultimate punishment until she ate a small amount of her dinner. She didn't even care -- she would rather win and not eat. I do think part of it is a power struggle with me. She does better for our nanny.

I have also tried letting her pick out the food she wants, which sometimes helps. I have tried making the food fun like cutting toast or pancakes into fun shapes etc. It will work maybe once. She also says foods that she used to like don't taste good. If she didn't have CF, at this point I would ignore it and just let her not eat much until she gets over it. Should I do that just for a couple days??

Btw, her CF team is not concerned about her weight. She went from the less than 3rd percentile to 20% for weight but they do want her to gain more.

Any advice from you veteran CF moms??? Help!!!

 

[dlo2977]

My 3 year old daughter was diagnosed with CF last July due to PI. She is doing well on her enzymes but is going through a phase where she could care less about eating. I swear, she could probably go a few days without asking for anything to eat. I don't think it is medical related because she will eat if she feels like it. I have tried positive reinforcement (offering a prize, sticker, etc), I have tried reasoning with her that she needs food to grow etc, I have tried negative (I know, bad, but I was desperate yesterday). I took away ALL of her princesses which is basically the ultimate punishment until she ate a small amount of her dinner. She didn't even care -- she would rather win and not eat. I do think part of it is a power struggle with me. She does better for our nanny.

I have also tried letting her pick out the food she wants, which sometimes helps. I have tried making the food fun like cutting toast or pancakes into fun shapes etc. It will work maybe once. She also says foods that she used to like don't taste good. If she didn't have CF, at this point I would ignore it and just let her not eat much until she gets over it. Should I do that just for a couple days??

Btw, her CF team is not concerned about her weight. She went from the less than 3rd percentile to 20% for weight but they do want her to gain more.

Any advice from you veteran CF moms??? Help!!!

 

[dlo2977]

My 3 year old daughter was diagnosed with CF last July due to PI. She is doing well on her enzymes but is going through a phase where she could care less about eating. I swear, she could probably go a few days without asking for anything to eat. I don't think it is medical related because she will eat if she feels like it. I have tried positive reinforcement (offering a prize, sticker, etc), I have tried reasoning with her that she needs food to grow etc, I have tried negative (I know, bad, but I was desperate yesterday). I took away ALL of her princesses which is basically the ultimate punishment until she ate a small amount of her dinner. She didn't even care -- she would rather win and not eat. I do think part of it is a power struggle with me. She does better for our nanny.

I have also tried letting her pick out the food she wants, which sometimes helps. I have tried making the food fun like cutting toast or pancakes into fun shapes etc. It will work maybe once. She also says foods that she used to like don't taste good. If she didn't have CF, at this point I would ignore it and just let her not eat much until she gets over it. Should I do that just for a couple days??

Btw, her CF team is not concerned about her weight. She went from the less than 3rd percentile to 20% for weight but they do want her to gain more.

Any advice from you veteran CF moms??? Help!!!

 

[dlo2977]

My 3 year old daughter was diagnosed with CF last July due to PI. She is doing well on her enzymes but is going through a phase where she could care less about eating. I swear, she could probably go a few days without asking for anything to eat. I don't think it is medical related because she will eat if she feels like it. I have tried positive reinforcement (offering a prize, sticker, etc), I have tried reasoning with her that she needs food to grow etc, I have tried negative (I know, bad, but I was desperate yesterday). I took away ALL of her princesses which is basically the ultimate punishment until she ate a small amount of her dinner. She didn't even care -- she would rather win and not eat. I do think part of it is a power struggle with me. She does better for our nanny.
<br />
<br />I have also tried letting her pick out the food she wants, which sometimes helps. I have tried making the food fun like cutting toast or pancakes into fun shapes etc. It will work maybe once. She also says foods that she used to like don't taste good. If she didn't have CF, at this point I would ignore it and just let her not eat much until she gets over it. Should I do that just for a couple days??
<br />
<br />Btw, her CF team is not concerned about her weight. She went from the less than 3rd percentile to 20% for weight but they do want her to gain more.
<br />
<br />Any advice from you veteran CF moms??? Help!!!

 

[Mommafirst]

HiAdvice please

Hi Dana,

I sooo understand the frustration of a kiddo who has no interest in eating. It sounds like a very typical preschooler behavior. I have three kids and all my kids went through that stage. From my experience, I think its best to back off a bit. I know the temptation with a CF kid is to want to control it even more, but ultimately you CAN'T.

My daughter wound up with a feeding tube, because we didn't have ANY room to lose when she started her pickiness. But once we let eating just be a fun part of family life, and we didn't worry because we'd get the calories in while she slept, she started to really enjoy eating. She loves food now, eats lots of healthy food. She tries everything and has an amazing attitude about food for a just-turned-4-year-old. Every night she sits down to dinner and tells me how good everything looks. If we have a family get together, she MUST have some of EVERYTHING on the buffet. She tries less common foods like mussels and love casserole stuff such as lasagne and baked ziti. She is soooo UNpicky now, its a miracle.

So my advice is just let it be. Continue to offer a variety of good foods. Continue to discuss with her the benefit of good foods for a healthy body. But don't try to force it or engage in a battle of wills. She'll win and you'll feel defeated daily.

I hope this helps. And I hope this pickiness stage is short lived in your house.

 

[Mommafirst]

HiAdvice please

Hi Dana,

I sooo understand the frustration of a kiddo who has no interest in eating. It sounds like a very typical preschooler behavior. I have three kids and all my kids went through that stage. From my experience, I think its best to back off a bit. I know the temptation with a CF kid is to want to control it even more, but ultimately you CAN'T.

My daughter wound up with a feeding tube, because we didn't have ANY room to lose when she started her pickiness. But once we let eating just be a fun part of family life, and we didn't worry because we'd get the calories in while she slept, she started to really enjoy eating. She loves food now, eats lots of healthy food. She tries everything and has an amazing attitude about food for a just-turned-4-year-old. Every night she sits down to dinner and tells me how good everything looks. If we have a family get together, she MUST have some of EVERYTHING on the buffet. She tries less common foods like mussels and love casserole stuff such as lasagne and baked ziti. She is soooo UNpicky now, its a miracle.

So my advice is just let it be. Continue to offer a variety of good foods. Continue to discuss with her the benefit of good foods for a healthy body. But don't try to force it or engage in a battle of wills. She'll win and you'll feel defeated daily.

I hope this helps. And I hope this pickiness stage is short lived in your house.

 

[Mommafirst]

HiAdvice please

Hi Dana,

I sooo understand the frustration of a kiddo who has no interest in eating. It sounds like a very typical preschooler behavior. I have three kids and all my kids went through that stage. From my experience, I think its best to back off a bit. I know the temptation with a CF kid is to want to control it even more, but ultimately you CAN'T.

My daughter wound up with a feeding tube, because we didn't have ANY room to lose when she started her pickiness. But once we let eating just be a fun part of family life, and we didn't worry because we'd get the calories in while she slept, she started to really enjoy eating. She loves food now, eats lots of healthy food. She tries everything and has an amazing attitude about food for a just-turned-4-year-old. Every night she sits down to dinner and tells me how good everything looks. If we have a family get together, she MUST have some of EVERYTHING on the buffet. She tries less common foods like mussels and love casserole stuff such as lasagne and baked ziti. She is soooo UNpicky now, its a miracle.

So my advice is just let it be. Continue to offer a variety of good foods. Continue to discuss with her the benefit of good foods for a healthy body. But don't try to force it or engage in a battle of wills. She'll win and you'll feel defeated daily.

I hope this helps. And I hope this pickiness stage is short lived in your house.

 

[Mommafirst]

HiAdvice please

Hi Dana,

I sooo understand the frustration of a kiddo who has no interest in eating. It sounds like a very typical preschooler behavior. I have three kids and all my kids went through that stage. From my experience, I think its best to back off a bit. I know the temptation with a CF kid is to want to control it even more, but ultimately you CAN'T.

My daughter wound up with a feeding tube, because we didn't have ANY room to lose when she started her pickiness. But once we let eating just be a fun part of family life, and we didn't worry because we'd get the calories in while she slept, she started to really enjoy eating. She loves food now, eats lots of healthy food. She tries everything and has an amazing attitude about food for a just-turned-4-year-old. Every night she sits down to dinner and tells me how good everything looks. If we have a family get together, she MUST have some of EVERYTHING on the buffet. She tries less common foods like mussels and love casserole stuff such as lasagne and baked ziti. She is soooo UNpicky now, its a miracle.

So my advice is just let it be. Continue to offer a variety of good foods. Continue to discuss with her the benefit of good foods for a healthy body. But don't try to force it or engage in a battle of wills. She'll win and you'll feel defeated daily.

I hope this helps. And I hope this pickiness stage is short lived in your house.

 

[Mommafirst]

HiAdvice please

Hi Dana,
<br />
<br />I sooo understand the frustration of a kiddo who has no interest in eating. It sounds like a very typical preschooler behavior. I have three kids and all my kids went through that stage. From my experience, I think its best to back off a bit. I know the temptation with a CF kid is to want to control it even more, but ultimately you CAN'T.
<br />
<br />My daughter wound up with a feeding tube, because we didn't have ANY room to lose when she started her pickiness. But once we let eating just be a fun part of family life, and we didn't worry because we'd get the calories in while she slept, she started to really enjoy eating. She loves food now, eats lots of healthy food. She tries everything and has an amazing attitude about food for a just-turned-4-year-old. Every night she sits down to dinner and tells me how good everything looks. If we have a family get together, she MUST have some of EVERYTHING on the buffet. She tries less common foods like mussels and love casserole stuff such as lasagne and baked ziti. She is soooo UNpicky now, its a miracle.
<br />
<br />So my advice is just let it be. Continue to offer a variety of good foods. Continue to discuss with her the benefit of good foods for a healthy body. But don't try to force it or engage in a battle of wills. She'll win and you'll feel defeated daily.
<br />
<br />I hope this helps. And I hope this pickiness stage is short lived in your house.

 

[JORDYSMOM]

It must be so frustrating for you worrying that your child is getting enough nutrition. Heather has given you great advice! If you push, it WILL become a battle of wills, and your child WILL win the battle.

I know it's hard, but try not to let your child see that this gets to you. If she knows she has the power to upset you, she will use it. Try leading by example. When you eat, show enjoyment in doing so. Make sure she sees food as something fun/good. It should never be something she's punished over, because that could lead to eating disorders later on.

When my boys were that age, they enjoyed snacking throughout the day more than sitting down to an actual meal. Cheese & lunchmeat rolls, crackers with peanut butter & other items that covered a couple of food groups at once were always available to them. I never allowed sugary or empty calorie snacks unless they had already eaten a good meal.

Once, Jordan went through a burrito phase. That's all he would eat - period! It worried me, so I told his doc. He said "so let him eat burritos. They have healthy beans, they have bread & cheese for his dairy. Nothing wrong with burritos every day, Mom." <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

Stacey

 

[JORDYSMOM]

It must be so frustrating for you worrying that your child is getting enough nutrition. Heather has given you great advice! If you push, it WILL become a battle of wills, and your child WILL win the battle.

I know it's hard, but try not to let your child see that this gets to you. If she knows she has the power to upset you, she will use it. Try leading by example. When you eat, show enjoyment in doing so. Make sure she sees food as something fun/good. It should never be something she's punished over, because that could lead to eating disorders later on.

When my boys were that age, they enjoyed snacking throughout the day more than sitting down to an actual meal. Cheese & lunchmeat rolls, crackers with peanut butter & other items that covered a couple of food groups at once were always available to them. I never allowed sugary or empty calorie snacks unless they had already eaten a good meal.

Once, Jordan went through a burrito phase. That's all he would eat - period! It worried me, so I told his doc. He said "so let him eat burritos. They have healthy beans, they have bread & cheese for his dairy. Nothing wrong with burritos every day, Mom." <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

Stacey

 

[JORDYSMOM]

It must be so frustrating for you worrying that your child is getting enough nutrition. Heather has given you great advice! If you push, it WILL become a battle of wills, and your child WILL win the battle.

I know it's hard, but try not to let your child see that this gets to you. If she knows she has the power to upset you, she will use it. Try leading by example. When you eat, show enjoyment in doing so. Make sure she sees food as something fun/good. It should never be something she's punished over, because that could lead to eating disorders later on.

When my boys were that age, they enjoyed snacking throughout the day more than sitting down to an actual meal. Cheese & lunchmeat rolls, crackers with peanut butter & other items that covered a couple of food groups at once were always available to them. I never allowed sugary or empty calorie snacks unless they had already eaten a good meal.

Once, Jordan went through a burrito phase. That's all he would eat - period! It worried me, so I told his doc. He said "so let him eat burritos. They have healthy beans, they have bread & cheese for his dairy. Nothing wrong with burritos every day, Mom." <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

Stacey

 

[JORDYSMOM]

It must be so frustrating for you worrying that your child is getting enough nutrition. Heather has given you great advice! If you push, it WILL become a battle of wills, and your child WILL win the battle.

I know it's hard, but try not to let your child see that this gets to you. If she knows she has the power to upset you, she will use it. Try leading by example. When you eat, show enjoyment in doing so. Make sure she sees food as something fun/good. It should never be something she's punished over, because that could lead to eating disorders later on.

When my boys were that age, they enjoyed snacking throughout the day more than sitting down to an actual meal. Cheese & lunchmeat rolls, crackers with peanut butter & other items that covered a couple of food groups at once were always available to them. I never allowed sugary or empty calorie snacks unless they had already eaten a good meal.

Once, Jordan went through a burrito phase. That's all he would eat - period! It worried me, so I told his doc. He said "so let him eat burritos. They have healthy beans, they have bread & cheese for his dairy. Nothing wrong with burritos every day, Mom." <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

Stacey

 

[JORDYSMOM]

It must be so frustrating for you worrying that your child is getting enough nutrition. Heather has given you great advice! If you push, it WILL become a battle of wills, and your child WILL win the battle.
<br />
<br />I know it's hard, but try not to let your child see that this gets to you. If she knows she has the power to upset you, she will use it. Try leading by example. When you eat, show enjoyment in doing so. Make sure she sees food as something fun/good. It should never be something she's punished over, because that could lead to eating disorders later on.
<br />
<br />When my boys were that age, they enjoyed snacking throughout the day more than sitting down to an actual meal. Cheese & lunchmeat rolls, crackers with peanut butter & other items that covered a couple of food groups at once were always available to them. I never allowed sugary or empty calorie snacks unless they had already eaten a good meal.
<br />
<br />Once, Jordan went through a burrito phase. That's all he would eat - period! It worried me, so I told his doc. He said "so let him eat burritos. They have healthy beans, they have bread & cheese for his dairy. Nothing wrong with burritos every day, Mom." <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<br />
<br />Good luck. Let us know how it goes.
<br />
<br />Stacey
<br />
<br />

 

[Ratatosk]

We struggled with this constantly. What I did was find which foods DS liked and let him eat that. We once went on a trip to Mexico and he ate Spagettios for every lunch and dinner. I figured as long as he ate, I didn't care. Because like you said -- he didn't CARE if he ate or not. A former GI told us he'd eat when he was hungry, but he wouldn't and we couldn't afford to allow him to not eat for days on end. And they were never worried either because we managed to maintain a 50th percentile for weight.

Now that DS is older, he's liking more variety. He does snack quite a bit. If he doesn't eat all that well at supper, I'll get him a snack before bed. Get him involved in grocery shopping, so he can pick out what he wants for breakfast -- right now Smore poptarts. It does get easier when they can tell you what they want to eat.

 

[Ratatosk]

We struggled with this constantly. What I did was find which foods DS liked and let him eat that. We once went on a trip to Mexico and he ate Spagettios for every lunch and dinner. I figured as long as he ate, I didn't care. Because like you said -- he didn't CARE if he ate or not. A former GI told us he'd eat when he was hungry, but he wouldn't and we couldn't afford to allow him to not eat for days on end. And they were never worried either because we managed to maintain a 50th percentile for weight.

Now that DS is older, he's liking more variety. He does snack quite a bit. If he doesn't eat all that well at supper, I'll get him a snack before bed. Get him involved in grocery shopping, so he can pick out what he wants for breakfast -- right now Smore poptarts. It does get easier when they can tell you what they want to eat.

 

[Ratatosk]

We struggled with this constantly. What I did was find which foods DS liked and let him eat that. We once went on a trip to Mexico and he ate Spagettios for every lunch and dinner. I figured as long as he ate, I didn't care. Because like you said -- he didn't CARE if he ate or not. A former GI told us he'd eat when he was hungry, but he wouldn't and we couldn't afford to allow him to not eat for days on end. And they were never worried either because we managed to maintain a 50th percentile for weight.

Now that DS is older, he's liking more variety. He does snack quite a bit. If he doesn't eat all that well at supper, I'll get him a snack before bed. Get him involved in grocery shopping, so he can pick out what he wants for breakfast -- right now Smore poptarts. It does get easier when they can tell you what they want to eat.

 

[Ratatosk]

We struggled with this constantly. What I did was find which foods DS liked and let him eat that. We once went on a trip to Mexico and he ate Spagettios for every lunch and dinner. I figured as long as he ate, I didn't care. Because like you said -- he didn't CARE if he ate or not. A former GI told us he'd eat when he was hungry, but he wouldn't and we couldn't afford to allow him to not eat for days on end. And they were never worried either because we managed to maintain a 50th percentile for weight.

Now that DS is older, he's liking more variety. He does snack quite a bit. If he doesn't eat all that well at supper, I'll get him a snack before bed. Get him involved in grocery shopping, so he can pick out what he wants for breakfast -- right now Smore poptarts. It does get easier when they can tell you what they want to eat.

 

[Ratatosk]

We struggled with this constantly. What I did was find which foods DS liked and let him eat that. We once went on a trip to Mexico and he ate Spagettios for every lunch and dinner. I figured as long as he ate, I didn't care. Because like you said -- he didn't CARE if he ate or not. A former GI told us he'd eat when he was hungry, but he wouldn't and we couldn't afford to allow him to not eat for days on end. And they were never worried either because we managed to maintain a 50th percentile for weight.
<br />
<br />Now that DS is older, he's liking more variety. He does snack quite a bit. If he doesn't eat all that well at supper, I'll get him a snack before bed. Get him involved in grocery shopping, so he can pick out what he wants for breakfast -- right now Smore poptarts. It does get easier when they can tell you what they want to eat.