Getting enough calories lately?

[OperaMama]

I've long been accustomed to chasing the almost-5 y/o boy around with a spoon in my hand, constantly feeding him when- and wherever, but the dietician at the center wants us all to knock that off. She says it's time for him to learn to sit and eat a meal with everyone, even if we drop a lot of calories over the next few weeks while we retrain ourselves. I can see that, but we're in the 2nd week and a lot of calories have indeed been dropped. I gather from other moms of 5 y/o boys (w/o CF), that grazing and disinterest are very common, and they fret a bit too. But I sooooo want him to get enough calories!

Anyone else have experience and input on the age/the CF factor/psychology? I literally understand both "positions," i.e. go with what works (stuffing him myself) or let him take responsibility gradually.

 

[OperaMama]

I've long been accustomed to chasing the almost-5 y/o boy around with a spoon in my hand, constantly feeding him when- and wherever, but the dietician at the center wants us all to knock that off. She says it's time for him to learn to sit and eat a meal with everyone, even if we drop a lot of calories over the next few weeks while we retrain ourselves. I can see that, but we're in the 2nd week and a lot of calories have indeed been dropped. I gather from other moms of 5 y/o boys (w/o CF), that grazing and disinterest are very common, and they fret a bit too. But I sooooo want him to get enough calories!

Anyone else have experience and input on the age/the CF factor/psychology? I literally understand both "positions," i.e. go with what works (stuffing him myself) or let him take responsibility gradually.

 

[OperaMama]

I've long been accustomed to chasing the almost-5 y/o boy around with a spoon in my hand, constantly feeding him when- and wherever, but the dietician at the center wants us all to knock that off. She says it's time for him to learn to sit and eat a meal with everyone, even if we drop a lot of calories over the next few weeks while we retrain ourselves. I can see that, but we're in the 2nd week and a lot of calories have indeed been dropped. I gather from other moms of 5 y/o boys (w/o CF), that grazing and disinterest are very common, and they fret a bit too. But I sooooo want him to get enough calories!

Anyone else have experience and input on the age/the CF factor/psychology? I literally understand both "positions," i.e. go with what works (stuffing him myself) or let him take responsibility gradually.

 

[Samsmom]

Hi there. My daughter wasn's diagnosed until she was 12, but at age 5 she was underweight and the peds. were always on me to keep the calories coming. I was like you, let em graze as long as they are getting the calories, but there comes a time when they need to learn to have a meal like everyone else. Here are a few things that worked for us.... if your kid likes the pediasure type drinks get tons of them and offer them as a reward for eating at the table and for taking in predetermined portions. You can also use the shakes as supplements during the day as the grazing part. Also try to encourage eating at the table by making it a big family event. I have 3 kids and they will sit at the table and eat and talk with us if we sit with them, but if we are busy or if say I decided not to eat that night then the kids don't like sitting at the table without the grownups. Rewarding good behavior works much better than punishing bad behavior. It takes time to change habits so go easy on yourself even if it seems to be taking a while to see the results. We also use a lot of charts for stuff cause kids love earning stickers for successes. So many stickers on the chart gets a reward. Also, if you limit the grazing about 2 hours before a meal then he should be hungry enough to want a full meal. If he is not used to eating a full meal at one sitting then it may take a while for his tummy to catch up and it may be necessary for him to eat several smaller meals until his belly catches up. Hope some of this helped, just don't give up!!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Samsmom]

Hi there. My daughter wasn's diagnosed until she was 12, but at age 5 she was underweight and the peds. were always on me to keep the calories coming. I was like you, let em graze as long as they are getting the calories, but there comes a time when they need to learn to have a meal like everyone else. Here are a few things that worked for us.... if your kid likes the pediasure type drinks get tons of them and offer them as a reward for eating at the table and for taking in predetermined portions. You can also use the shakes as supplements during the day as the grazing part. Also try to encourage eating at the table by making it a big family event. I have 3 kids and they will sit at the table and eat and talk with us if we sit with them, but if we are busy or if say I decided not to eat that night then the kids don't like sitting at the table without the grownups. Rewarding good behavior works much better than punishing bad behavior. It takes time to change habits so go easy on yourself even if it seems to be taking a while to see the results. We also use a lot of charts for stuff cause kids love earning stickers for successes. So many stickers on the chart gets a reward. Also, if you limit the grazing about 2 hours before a meal then he should be hungry enough to want a full meal. If he is not used to eating a full meal at one sitting then it may take a while for his tummy to catch up and it may be necessary for him to eat several smaller meals until his belly catches up. Hope some of this helped, just don't give up!!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Samsmom]

Hi there. My daughter wasn's diagnosed until she was 12, but at age 5 she was underweight and the peds. were always on me to keep the calories coming. I was like you, let em graze as long as they are getting the calories, but there comes a time when they need to learn to have a meal like everyone else. Here are a few things that worked for us.... if your kid likes the pediasure type drinks get tons of them and offer them as a reward for eating at the table and for taking in predetermined portions. You can also use the shakes as supplements during the day as the grazing part. Also try to encourage eating at the table by making it a big family event. I have 3 kids and they will sit at the table and eat and talk with us if we sit with them, but if we are busy or if say I decided not to eat that night then the kids don't like sitting at the table without the grownups. Rewarding good behavior works much better than punishing bad behavior. It takes time to change habits so go easy on yourself even if it seems to be taking a while to see the results. We also use a lot of charts for stuff cause kids love earning stickers for successes. So many stickers on the chart gets a reward. Also, if you limit the grazing about 2 hours before a meal then he should be hungry enough to want a full meal. If he is not used to eating a full meal at one sitting then it may take a while for his tummy to catch up and it may be necessary for him to eat several smaller meals until his belly catches up. Hope some of this helped, just don't give up!!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[JazzysMom]

I NEVER had an issue with eating meals even if I did "graze". The first thing I thought of was all the commericals about having FAMILY DINNERS. So maybe "emphasizing" how big he is and that big boys eat dinner at the table with the family etc. Something to that affect. Pretty much what Jean said.......

 

[JazzysMom]

I NEVER had an issue with eating meals even if I did "graze". The first thing I thought of was all the commericals about having FAMILY DINNERS. So maybe "emphasizing" how big he is and that big boys eat dinner at the table with the family etc. Something to that affect. Pretty much what Jean said.......

 

[JazzysMom]

I NEVER had an issue with eating meals even if I did "graze". The first thing I thought of was all the commericals about having FAMILY DINNERS. So maybe "emphasizing" how big he is and that big boys eat dinner at the table with the family etc. Something to that affect. Pretty much what Jean said.......

 

[OperaMama]

Thanks, ladies, I do appreciate the input. I've been doing a combo. Most of his friends just don't eat at all right now! Snackers, I guess. Our Family Dinner time consists mostly of him monopolizing his daddy's attention (he's a real talker...), but we're moving in the right direction in phases. Steps...

 

[OperaMama]

Thanks, ladies, I do appreciate the input. I've been doing a combo. Most of his friends just don't eat at all right now! Snackers, I guess. Our Family Dinner time consists mostly of him monopolizing his daddy's attention (he's a real talker...), but we're moving in the right direction in phases. Steps...

 

[OperaMama]

Thanks, ladies, I do appreciate the input. I've been doing a combo. Most of his friends just don't eat at all right now! Snackers, I guess. Our Family Dinner time consists mostly of him monopolizing his daddy's attention (he's a real talker...), but we're moving in the right direction in phases. Steps...

 

[Foody]

I hear you...we all struggle to get the kids to slow down and take enough time to eat. I think what has helped is just consistently sitting as a family each meal. Maybe you can have some special time right before where he and daddy can go off and talk and read together to settle him abit. And then have him set the table to prepare him for it a little. I find the more I involve them in the preparing and cooking the more they are ready to eat it. Have him cut up veggies or tear lettuce for salads (even if he doesn't eat it). You may want to try smoothies after dinner or lunch to add calories...they can pick which fruits and you can sneak calories, healthy fats, and even greens (greens powders) into all kinds of flavors. Our kids like this one alot...they always drink the ones they make. More ideas on the site linked below if you're interested.

Warmly,

 

[Foody]

I hear you...we all struggle to get the kids to slow down and take enough time to eat. I think what has helped is just consistently sitting as a family each meal. Maybe you can have some special time right before where he and daddy can go off and talk and read together to settle him abit. And then have him set the table to prepare him for it a little. I find the more I involve them in the preparing and cooking the more they are ready to eat it. Have him cut up veggies or tear lettuce for salads (even if he doesn't eat it). You may want to try smoothies after dinner or lunch to add calories...they can pick which fruits and you can sneak calories, healthy fats, and even greens (greens powders) into all kinds of flavors. Our kids like this one alot...they always drink the ones they make. More ideas on the site linked below if you're interested.

Warmly,

 

[Foody]

I hear you...we all struggle to get the kids to slow down and take enough time to eat. I think what has helped is just consistently sitting as a family each meal. Maybe you can have some special time right before where he and daddy can go off and talk and read together to settle him abit. And then have him set the table to prepare him for it a little. I find the more I involve them in the preparing and cooking the more they are ready to eat it. Have him cut up veggies or tear lettuce for salads (even if he doesn't eat it). You may want to try smoothies after dinner or lunch to add calories...they can pick which fruits and you can sneak calories, healthy fats, and even greens (greens powders) into all kinds of flavors. Our kids like this one alot...they always drink the ones they make. More ideas on the site linked below if you're interested.

Warmly,

 

[jendonl]

We have a lot of problems getting our 31/2 yo to eat. We are seeing a psychologist as part of a nutritional study. She recommends no grazing or helping our dd to eat. During normal meal and snack times, she recommends that we provide positive attention when she eats or does anything that contributes to eating and to just ignore any behavior that does not contribute to eating. Also, we should provide incentives such as when she is talking to us instead of eating we say 'take another bite and we can talk about that.'

We still struggle to get enough calories in her, but these techniques have helped.

 

[jendonl]

We have a lot of problems getting our 31/2 yo to eat. We are seeing a psychologist as part of a nutritional study. She recommends no grazing or helping our dd to eat. During normal meal and snack times, she recommends that we provide positive attention when she eats or does anything that contributes to eating and to just ignore any behavior that does not contribute to eating. Also, we should provide incentives such as when she is talking to us instead of eating we say 'take another bite and we can talk about that.'

We still struggle to get enough calories in her, but these techniques have helped.

 

[jendonl]

We have a lot of problems getting our 31/2 yo to eat. We are seeing a psychologist as part of a nutritional study. She recommends no grazing or helping our dd to eat. During normal meal and snack times, she recommends that we provide positive attention when she eats or does anything that contributes to eating and to just ignore any behavior that does not contribute to eating. Also, we should provide incentives such as when she is talking to us instead of eating we say 'take another bite and we can talk about that.'

We still struggle to get enough calories in her, but these techniques have helped.

 

[OperaMama]

Thanks

He's actually gotten much beter-- just resistant to the idea of change until it was "his idea." I can get the broccoli in him best, though, when he's got a toy in hand...

 

[OperaMama]

Thanks

He's actually gotten much beter-- just resistant to the idea of change until it was "his idea." I can get the broccoli in him best, though, when he's got a toy in hand...