So here is my problem. I have a VERY active 16 month old daughter with CF as well as well as a 5 year old non-cf son. My daughter has begun to lose some of her pancreatic function so they've really been pushing me to try to get as many calories/fat in her as possible. But like most toddlers she's too busy to really eat. Short of force feeding her, I don't know how to get more calories in her. And then as a bit of a side issue, my rule with my son has always been that I don't make special dinners... whatever we are having is what we're having. But with a child who really NEEDS to eat, how do I make sure she gets the food she needs wihtout totally spoiling her and allowing her to eat what she wants when she wants? Any suggestions???
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feeding my CF toddler
- Thread starter happyone
- Start date
So here is my problem. I have a VERY active 16 month old daughter with CF as well as well as a 5 year old non-cf son. My daughter has begun to lose some of her pancreatic function so they've really been pushing me to try to get as many calories/fat in her as possible. But like most toddlers she's too busy to really eat. Short of force feeding her, I don't know how to get more calories in her. And then as a bit of a side issue, my rule with my son has always been that I don't make special dinners... whatever we are having is what we're having. But with a child who really NEEDS to eat, how do I make sure she gets the food she needs wihtout totally spoiling her and allowing her to eat what she wants when she wants? Any suggestions???
So here is my problem. I have a VERY active 16 month old daughter with CF as well as well as a 5 year old non-cf son. My daughter has begun to lose some of her pancreatic function so they've really been pushing me to try to get as many calories/fat in her as possible. But like most toddlers she's too busy to really eat. Short of force feeding her, I don't know how to get more calories in her. And then as a bit of a side issue, my rule with my son has always been that I don't make special dinners... whatever we are having is what we're having. But with a child who really NEEDS to eat, how do I make sure she gets the food she needs wihtout totally spoiling her and allowing her to eat what she wants when she wants? Any suggestions???
So here is my problem. I have a VERY active 16 month old daughter with CF as well as well as a 5 year old non-cf son. My daughter has begun to lose some of her pancreatic function so they've really been pushing me to try to get as many calories/fat in her as possible. But like most toddlers she's too busy to really eat. Short of force feeding her, I don't know how to get more calories in her. And then as a bit of a side issue, my rule with my son has always been that I don't make special dinners... whatever we are having is what we're having. But with a child who really NEEDS to eat, how do I make sure she gets the food she needs wihtout totally spoiling her and allowing her to eat what she wants when she wants? Any suggestions???
So here is my problem. I have a VERY active 16 month old daughter with CF as well as well as a 5 year old non-cf son. My daughter has begun to lose some of her pancreatic function so they've really been pushing me to try to get as many calories/fat in her as possible. But like most toddlers she's too busy to really eat. Short of force feeding her, I don't know how to get more calories in her. And then as a bit of a side issue, my rule with my son has always been that I don't make special dinners... whatever we are having is what we're having. But with a child who really NEEDS to eat, how do I make sure she gets the food she needs wihtout totally spoiling her and allowing her to eat what she wants when she wants? Any suggestions???
M
Mommafirst
Guest
I'm about a year ahead of you in this journey. I was there last year and I'm there now as far as the eating etc. stuff goes. I could have written every word in your post last year.
first thing I did was talk (not at meal time) with my two boys about how the rules are different for their sister. Whenever they complain that its not fair that she gets dessert without finishing her dinner, I remind me them that lots of things aren't fair. We discuss that Alyssa needs to gain weight and she has to do a lot of things that they don't: like meds, her vest, nebs, etc. and that the rules are just different. I let them express their frustration just like I let her express her own for having to do all those things "normal" kids don't have to. It sucks for everyone, but its the way things are.
My best advice on the food front is try to make offers for foods that are calorie dense. So instead of trying to get quantity in (which can be impossible with a picky toddler) make it quality. I got a can of duocal from our nutritionist and so whatever I could get my daughter to eat I would boost the calories with butter, duocal, heavy cream, etc. I also try to give her a variety of foods ont he plate. I don't expect her to eat everything, just figure that whichever she chooses will be good calorically. Even veggies get drowned in butter and/cheese bacuse it just figures that she would prefer broccoli to the calorie laden mashed potatoes. But you do what you can.
I have to say, that about 3 months ago, I just let go a bit. I was so done with the misery her meals with creating for me. I prepare the best meals I can and I try not to sweat it. We have three scheduled meals and two to three scheduled snack times. So if she doesn't do well on one, I just try again the next time. I can also get two cans of pediasure in a day, both right before she goes to sleep (nap and night).
All in all, we do the best we can and she still struggles to gain, but we are doing the best we can.
first thing I did was talk (not at meal time) with my two boys about how the rules are different for their sister. Whenever they complain that its not fair that she gets dessert without finishing her dinner, I remind me them that lots of things aren't fair. We discuss that Alyssa needs to gain weight and she has to do a lot of things that they don't: like meds, her vest, nebs, etc. and that the rules are just different. I let them express their frustration just like I let her express her own for having to do all those things "normal" kids don't have to. It sucks for everyone, but its the way things are.
My best advice on the food front is try to make offers for foods that are calorie dense. So instead of trying to get quantity in (which can be impossible with a picky toddler) make it quality. I got a can of duocal from our nutritionist and so whatever I could get my daughter to eat I would boost the calories with butter, duocal, heavy cream, etc. I also try to give her a variety of foods ont he plate. I don't expect her to eat everything, just figure that whichever she chooses will be good calorically. Even veggies get drowned in butter and/cheese bacuse it just figures that she would prefer broccoli to the calorie laden mashed potatoes. But you do what you can.
I have to say, that about 3 months ago, I just let go a bit. I was so done with the misery her meals with creating for me. I prepare the best meals I can and I try not to sweat it. We have three scheduled meals and two to three scheduled snack times. So if she doesn't do well on one, I just try again the next time. I can also get two cans of pediasure in a day, both right before she goes to sleep (nap and night).
All in all, we do the best we can and she still struggles to gain, but we are doing the best we can.
M
Mommafirst
Guest
I'm about a year ahead of you in this journey. I was there last year and I'm there now as far as the eating etc. stuff goes. I could have written every word in your post last year.
first thing I did was talk (not at meal time) with my two boys about how the rules are different for their sister. Whenever they complain that its not fair that she gets dessert without finishing her dinner, I remind me them that lots of things aren't fair. We discuss that Alyssa needs to gain weight and she has to do a lot of things that they don't: like meds, her vest, nebs, etc. and that the rules are just different. I let them express their frustration just like I let her express her own for having to do all those things "normal" kids don't have to. It sucks for everyone, but its the way things are.
My best advice on the food front is try to make offers for foods that are calorie dense. So instead of trying to get quantity in (which can be impossible with a picky toddler) make it quality. I got a can of duocal from our nutritionist and so whatever I could get my daughter to eat I would boost the calories with butter, duocal, heavy cream, etc. I also try to give her a variety of foods ont he plate. I don't expect her to eat everything, just figure that whichever she chooses will be good calorically. Even veggies get drowned in butter and/cheese bacuse it just figures that she would prefer broccoli to the calorie laden mashed potatoes. But you do what you can.
I have to say, that about 3 months ago, I just let go a bit. I was so done with the misery her meals with creating for me. I prepare the best meals I can and I try not to sweat it. We have three scheduled meals and two to three scheduled snack times. So if she doesn't do well on one, I just try again the next time. I can also get two cans of pediasure in a day, both right before she goes to sleep (nap and night).
All in all, we do the best we can and she still struggles to gain, but we are doing the best we can.
first thing I did was talk (not at meal time) with my two boys about how the rules are different for their sister. Whenever they complain that its not fair that she gets dessert without finishing her dinner, I remind me them that lots of things aren't fair. We discuss that Alyssa needs to gain weight and she has to do a lot of things that they don't: like meds, her vest, nebs, etc. and that the rules are just different. I let them express their frustration just like I let her express her own for having to do all those things "normal" kids don't have to. It sucks for everyone, but its the way things are.
My best advice on the food front is try to make offers for foods that are calorie dense. So instead of trying to get quantity in (which can be impossible with a picky toddler) make it quality. I got a can of duocal from our nutritionist and so whatever I could get my daughter to eat I would boost the calories with butter, duocal, heavy cream, etc. I also try to give her a variety of foods ont he plate. I don't expect her to eat everything, just figure that whichever she chooses will be good calorically. Even veggies get drowned in butter and/cheese bacuse it just figures that she would prefer broccoli to the calorie laden mashed potatoes. But you do what you can.
I have to say, that about 3 months ago, I just let go a bit. I was so done with the misery her meals with creating for me. I prepare the best meals I can and I try not to sweat it. We have three scheduled meals and two to three scheduled snack times. So if she doesn't do well on one, I just try again the next time. I can also get two cans of pediasure in a day, both right before she goes to sleep (nap and night).
All in all, we do the best we can and she still struggles to gain, but we are doing the best we can.
M
Mommafirst
Guest
I'm about a year ahead of you in this journey. I was there last year and I'm there now as far as the eating etc. stuff goes. I could have written every word in your post last year.
first thing I did was talk (not at meal time) with my two boys about how the rules are different for their sister. Whenever they complain that its not fair that she gets dessert without finishing her dinner, I remind me them that lots of things aren't fair. We discuss that Alyssa needs to gain weight and she has to do a lot of things that they don't: like meds, her vest, nebs, etc. and that the rules are just different. I let them express their frustration just like I let her express her own for having to do all those things "normal" kids don't have to. It sucks for everyone, but its the way things are.
My best advice on the food front is try to make offers for foods that are calorie dense. So instead of trying to get quantity in (which can be impossible with a picky toddler) make it quality. I got a can of duocal from our nutritionist and so whatever I could get my daughter to eat I would boost the calories with butter, duocal, heavy cream, etc. I also try to give her a variety of foods ont he plate. I don't expect her to eat everything, just figure that whichever she chooses will be good calorically. Even veggies get drowned in butter and/cheese bacuse it just figures that she would prefer broccoli to the calorie laden mashed potatoes. But you do what you can.
I have to say, that about 3 months ago, I just let go a bit. I was so done with the misery her meals with creating for me. I prepare the best meals I can and I try not to sweat it. We have three scheduled meals and two to three scheduled snack times. So if she doesn't do well on one, I just try again the next time. I can also get two cans of pediasure in a day, both right before she goes to sleep (nap and night).
All in all, we do the best we can and she still struggles to gain, but we are doing the best we can.
first thing I did was talk (not at meal time) with my two boys about how the rules are different for their sister. Whenever they complain that its not fair that she gets dessert without finishing her dinner, I remind me them that lots of things aren't fair. We discuss that Alyssa needs to gain weight and she has to do a lot of things that they don't: like meds, her vest, nebs, etc. and that the rules are just different. I let them express their frustration just like I let her express her own for having to do all those things "normal" kids don't have to. It sucks for everyone, but its the way things are.
My best advice on the food front is try to make offers for foods that are calorie dense. So instead of trying to get quantity in (which can be impossible with a picky toddler) make it quality. I got a can of duocal from our nutritionist and so whatever I could get my daughter to eat I would boost the calories with butter, duocal, heavy cream, etc. I also try to give her a variety of foods ont he plate. I don't expect her to eat everything, just figure that whichever she chooses will be good calorically. Even veggies get drowned in butter and/cheese bacuse it just figures that she would prefer broccoli to the calorie laden mashed potatoes. But you do what you can.
I have to say, that about 3 months ago, I just let go a bit. I was so done with the misery her meals with creating for me. I prepare the best meals I can and I try not to sweat it. We have three scheduled meals and two to three scheduled snack times. So if she doesn't do well on one, I just try again the next time. I can also get two cans of pediasure in a day, both right before she goes to sleep (nap and night).
All in all, we do the best we can and she still struggles to gain, but we are doing the best we can.
M
Mommafirst
Guest
I'm about a year ahead of you in this journey. I was there last year and I'm there now as far as the eating etc. stuff goes. I could have written every word in your post last year.
first thing I did was talk (not at meal time) with my two boys about how the rules are different for their sister. Whenever they complain that its not fair that she gets dessert without finishing her dinner, I remind me them that lots of things aren't fair. We discuss that Alyssa needs to gain weight and she has to do a lot of things that they don't: like meds, her vest, nebs, etc. and that the rules are just different. I let them express their frustration just like I let her express her own for having to do all those things "normal" kids don't have to. It sucks for everyone, but its the way things are.
My best advice on the food front is try to make offers for foods that are calorie dense. So instead of trying to get quantity in (which can be impossible with a picky toddler) make it quality. I got a can of duocal from our nutritionist and so whatever I could get my daughter to eat I would boost the calories with butter, duocal, heavy cream, etc. I also try to give her a variety of foods ont he plate. I don't expect her to eat everything, just figure that whichever she chooses will be good calorically. Even veggies get drowned in butter and/cheese bacuse it just figures that she would prefer broccoli to the calorie laden mashed potatoes. But you do what you can.
I have to say, that about 3 months ago, I just let go a bit. I was so done with the misery her meals with creating for me. I prepare the best meals I can and I try not to sweat it. We have three scheduled meals and two to three scheduled snack times. So if she doesn't do well on one, I just try again the next time. I can also get two cans of pediasure in a day, both right before she goes to sleep (nap and night).
All in all, we do the best we can and she still struggles to gain, but we are doing the best we can.
first thing I did was talk (not at meal time) with my two boys about how the rules are different for their sister. Whenever they complain that its not fair that she gets dessert without finishing her dinner, I remind me them that lots of things aren't fair. We discuss that Alyssa needs to gain weight and she has to do a lot of things that they don't: like meds, her vest, nebs, etc. and that the rules are just different. I let them express their frustration just like I let her express her own for having to do all those things "normal" kids don't have to. It sucks for everyone, but its the way things are.
My best advice on the food front is try to make offers for foods that are calorie dense. So instead of trying to get quantity in (which can be impossible with a picky toddler) make it quality. I got a can of duocal from our nutritionist and so whatever I could get my daughter to eat I would boost the calories with butter, duocal, heavy cream, etc. I also try to give her a variety of foods ont he plate. I don't expect her to eat everything, just figure that whichever she chooses will be good calorically. Even veggies get drowned in butter and/cheese bacuse it just figures that she would prefer broccoli to the calorie laden mashed potatoes. But you do what you can.
I have to say, that about 3 months ago, I just let go a bit. I was so done with the misery her meals with creating for me. I prepare the best meals I can and I try not to sweat it. We have three scheduled meals and two to three scheduled snack times. So if she doesn't do well on one, I just try again the next time. I can also get two cans of pediasure in a day, both right before she goes to sleep (nap and night).
All in all, we do the best we can and she still struggles to gain, but we are doing the best we can.
M
Mommafirst
Guest
I'm about a year ahead of you in this journey. I was there last year and I'm there now as far as the eating etc. stuff goes. I could have written every word in your post last year.
<br />
<br />first thing I did was talk (not at meal time) with my two boys about how the rules are different for their sister. Whenever they complain that its not fair that she gets dessert without finishing her dinner, I remind me them that lots of things aren't fair. We discuss that Alyssa needs to gain weight and she has to do a lot of things that they don't: like meds, her vest, nebs, etc. and that the rules are just different. I let them express their frustration just like I let her express her own for having to do all those things "normal" kids don't have to. It sucks for everyone, but its the way things are.
<br />
<br />My best advice on the food front is try to make offers for foods that are calorie dense. So instead of trying to get quantity in (which can be impossible with a picky toddler) make it quality. I got a can of duocal from our nutritionist and so whatever I could get my daughter to eat I would boost the calories with butter, duocal, heavy cream, etc. I also try to give her a variety of foods ont he plate. I don't expect her to eat everything, just figure that whichever she chooses will be good calorically. Even veggies get drowned in butter and/cheese bacuse it just figures that she would prefer broccoli to the calorie laden mashed potatoes. But you do what you can.
<br />
<br />I have to say, that about 3 months ago, I just let go a bit. I was so done with the misery her meals with creating for me. I prepare the best meals I can and I try not to sweat it. We have three scheduled meals and two to three scheduled snack times. So if she doesn't do well on one, I just try again the next time. I can also get two cans of pediasure in a day, both right before she goes to sleep (nap and night).
<br />
<br />All in all, we do the best we can and she still struggles to gain, but we are doing the best we can.
<br />
<br />first thing I did was talk (not at meal time) with my two boys about how the rules are different for their sister. Whenever they complain that its not fair that she gets dessert without finishing her dinner, I remind me them that lots of things aren't fair. We discuss that Alyssa needs to gain weight and she has to do a lot of things that they don't: like meds, her vest, nebs, etc. and that the rules are just different. I let them express their frustration just like I let her express her own for having to do all those things "normal" kids don't have to. It sucks for everyone, but its the way things are.
<br />
<br />My best advice on the food front is try to make offers for foods that are calorie dense. So instead of trying to get quantity in (which can be impossible with a picky toddler) make it quality. I got a can of duocal from our nutritionist and so whatever I could get my daughter to eat I would boost the calories with butter, duocal, heavy cream, etc. I also try to give her a variety of foods ont he plate. I don't expect her to eat everything, just figure that whichever she chooses will be good calorically. Even veggies get drowned in butter and/cheese bacuse it just figures that she would prefer broccoli to the calorie laden mashed potatoes. But you do what you can.
<br />
<br />I have to say, that about 3 months ago, I just let go a bit. I was so done with the misery her meals with creating for me. I prepare the best meals I can and I try not to sweat it. We have three scheduled meals and two to three scheduled snack times. So if she doesn't do well on one, I just try again the next time. I can also get two cans of pediasure in a day, both right before she goes to sleep (nap and night).
<br />
<br />All in all, we do the best we can and she still struggles to gain, but we are doing the best we can.
i am in the same situation. And i think that is now when i should teach her to eat different things, and eat properly, and all that things that we said before we had a child. The picture at lunch today was she throwing the food to the floor and me red face, and my husband going outside because it was to much for him.
Today night I did the baby soup again, and then she ate everything in ten minutes, not an hour and a half I spend at lunch time. Would try baby food for a day and then back to normal food, but I need to restart with the sensation that eating is a good thing to do with mom.
I f you can try to put nuts in her food, good calories, and omega 3 oil.
Today night I did the baby soup again, and then she ate everything in ten minutes, not an hour and a half I spend at lunch time. Would try baby food for a day and then back to normal food, but I need to restart with the sensation that eating is a good thing to do with mom.
I f you can try to put nuts in her food, good calories, and omega 3 oil.
i am in the same situation. And i think that is now when i should teach her to eat different things, and eat properly, and all that things that we said before we had a child. The picture at lunch today was she throwing the food to the floor and me red face, and my husband going outside because it was to much for him.
Today night I did the baby soup again, and then she ate everything in ten minutes, not an hour and a half I spend at lunch time. Would try baby food for a day and then back to normal food, but I need to restart with the sensation that eating is a good thing to do with mom.
I f you can try to put nuts in her food, good calories, and omega 3 oil.
Today night I did the baby soup again, and then she ate everything in ten minutes, not an hour and a half I spend at lunch time. Would try baby food for a day and then back to normal food, but I need to restart with the sensation that eating is a good thing to do with mom.
I f you can try to put nuts in her food, good calories, and omega 3 oil.
i am in the same situation. And i think that is now when i should teach her to eat different things, and eat properly, and all that things that we said before we had a child. The picture at lunch today was she throwing the food to the floor and me red face, and my husband going outside because it was to much for him.
Today night I did the baby soup again, and then she ate everything in ten minutes, not an hour and a half I spend at lunch time. Would try baby food for a day and then back to normal food, but I need to restart with the sensation that eating is a good thing to do with mom.
I f you can try to put nuts in her food, good calories, and omega 3 oil.
Today night I did the baby soup again, and then she ate everything in ten minutes, not an hour and a half I spend at lunch time. Would try baby food for a day and then back to normal food, but I need to restart with the sensation that eating is a good thing to do with mom.
I f you can try to put nuts in her food, good calories, and omega 3 oil.
i am in the same situation. And i think that is now when i should teach her to eat different things, and eat properly, and all that things that we said before we had a child. The picture at lunch today was she throwing the food to the floor and me red face, and my husband going outside because it was to much for him.
Today night I did the baby soup again, and then she ate everything in ten minutes, not an hour and a half I spend at lunch time. Would try baby food for a day and then back to normal food, but I need to restart with the sensation that eating is a good thing to do with mom.
I f you can try to put nuts in her food, good calories, and omega 3 oil.
Today night I did the baby soup again, and then she ate everything in ten minutes, not an hour and a half I spend at lunch time. Would try baby food for a day and then back to normal food, but I need to restart with the sensation that eating is a good thing to do with mom.
I f you can try to put nuts in her food, good calories, and omega 3 oil.
i am in the same situation. And i think that is now when i should teach her to eat different things, and eat properly, and all that things that we said before we had a child. The picture at lunch today was she throwing the food to the floor and me red face, and my husband going outside because it was to much for him.
<br />Today night I did the baby soup again, and then she ate everything in ten minutes, not an hour and a half I spend at lunch time. Would try baby food for a day and then back to normal food, but I need to restart with the sensation that eating is a good thing to do with mom.
<br />I f you can try to put nuts in her food, good calories, and omega 3 oil.
<br />
<br />Today night I did the baby soup again, and then she ate everything in ten minutes, not an hour and a half I spend at lunch time. Would try baby food for a day and then back to normal food, but I need to restart with the sensation that eating is a good thing to do with mom.
<br />I f you can try to put nuts in her food, good calories, and omega 3 oil.
<br />
We add olive oil and butter to the regular foods we eat at meal times. I'll put butter on his Peanut butter sandwiches, a dolop of olive oil in his casserole or pasta... DS also gets whole milk with cream and/or carnation instant breakfast, we drink skim milk.
We add olive oil and butter to the regular foods we eat at meal times. I'll put butter on his Peanut butter sandwiches, a dolop of olive oil in his casserole or pasta... DS also gets whole milk with cream and/or carnation instant breakfast, we drink skim milk.
We add olive oil and butter to the regular foods we eat at meal times. I'll put butter on his Peanut butter sandwiches, a dolop of olive oil in his casserole or pasta... DS also gets whole milk with cream and/or carnation instant breakfast, we drink skim milk.
We add olive oil and butter to the regular foods we eat at meal times. I'll put butter on his Peanut butter sandwiches, a dolop of olive oil in his casserole or pasta... DS also gets whole milk with cream and/or carnation instant breakfast, we drink skim milk.
We add olive oil and butter to the regular foods we eat at meal times. I'll put butter on his Peanut butter sandwiches, a dolop of olive oil in his casserole or pasta... DS also gets whole milk with cream and/or carnation instant breakfast, we drink skim milk.