BabyWhispererForums.com
EAT => Eating For Toddlers => Topic started by: Canwi on January 04, 2011, 05:06:56 am
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Continued on from http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=71906.435
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M@rking
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Hi Karen! M.arking myself alongside with you! :)
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Had a better day today but still refusing all fruit other than apple slices. So weird since he used to INHALE blueberries, strawberries, bananas, etc. Hoping more fruits return as they start to come back in season in a few months...
Sarah - did you ever try the chicken noodle soup?
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Oh Karen..sorry he's not on the fruits yet. i'm hoping he will :-* Have you tried something he hasn't ever had for some time? watermelon...or mangoes? Mind you, I know it's not in season much right now.
I am lazy. I have to go and buy a whole chicken. That way I can use the neck, wings etc for the stock and then make the chicken soup! I'm excited to do it though bc I'm on a soup thing right now. I may add some barely or other stuff to make it a bit more healthier.
Were your los picky about the utensils/cups that they use? She would refuse yogurt but if I gave her another spoon she'll eat it. Or she won't drink her milk..but if I give her another cup that she hasn't seen for awhile, she'll drink from it ::) Seriously?
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Can't do watermelon - have to stay away from the whole gourd family (too bad since he did like cantaloupe before we discovered that). Never did like mangoes - he did like peaches but can't get those of course right now.
Mmmmm barley would be really yummy in it. Or lentils or even farro?
And YES on the utensils - though DD was more that way. Well actually she was more that way with the utensils - with her cups, milk HAD to be in the same one all the time (washed a lot with extras) and juice in one of two other cups. Crazy girl. Whereas DS doesn't care too much which spoon I use but will often drink better from a different cup.
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anyone elses kid addicted to pesto? He is on a phase of eating only risotto (mushroom) and carbonara with pesto and bacon. We can usually sneak some veggies in but he refuses to deviate. on day two of the hunger strike. I made fish pie and even tried mixing it with pesto and he refused to even try it.
Do I give in or keep trying?
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Pesto is a good one though - you can usually sneak kale or spinach in with the greens - no? I might have to try that, though my picky eater is currently on a pasta strike...
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hey irishprettykitty. You could keep trying. I'm not that persistent bc of wastefulness..
It's so hard putting food in this girl. I'm not sure if she's picky or just uninterested in food *shrug*
I still haven't made the chicken soup - can you imagine?? I need to still get my chicken order from the butcher ;D
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Sarah - we are at an all time low here. Started a new post actually a few minutes ago. Doesn't help that he's sick AGAIN. Hugs to you...
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I an usually get brocolli into him and sometimes spinach.Maybe even peas and green beans at a push but right now its mushroom risotto and bacon... thats it! today he refused his porridge, toast, fruit, yoghurt, fish pie EVERYTHING except of course chocolate. Amazing how he can always try chocolate no matter what wrapper its in.
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Hi Ladies! Can I join? I have a "selective" eater these days! I'm unsure whether it's the whole 18month wonky thing or it's just this way now?
B Generally ref all fruit and veg on it's own and can sometimes ref meat and carbs too.
There's no consistancy to his likes or dislikes...
One day he'll eat a healthy chicken casserole with mashed carrot and sweet potato, the next day will spit it out! Who knows! The only way I manage real fruit is to mash up strawberries and mix it in with strawberry flavoured yogurt, then there's the "artificial" stuff in the yogurt any way! Does that deplete the real strawberry
anyway?
I think my boy's "thing" is more texture than taste? He enjoys pastries ie spinich fetta pastry roll or Mini quiche's or toasted cheese, avocado and tomato SW's. Yet won't eat an omelete or spinich and fetta mix on it's own or eat tomato on it's own?
He also doesn't eat in crowds, new peoples places or in his high chair
or at our dinner table- Yet he'll eat next to me on the floor or coffee table?
Another thing is he eats breakfast in the car which is usually a musli bar or 2 plus water and juice! If I offer this in his chair or while I eat my breakfast he refs it!
Tonight he ate a healthy dinner with chicken and veggies yay! Who knows what tomorrow will bring? He used to eat quite well and tried new tastes now if I offer a new taste and he doesn't like it he flips!!! Hmmmm.
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we are up to toast and yoghurts! its a small improvement but hurray! progress.
He also ate a granola bar yesterday. Wish me luck for dinner tonight. its chicken, mushroom and brocolli pie! can be hot or miss
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Hello Ladies (and gentlemen? hmmm)
Can I join this thread please? Me and DH are in a state of despair at our 2 year old's eating. Today he ate: Nothing. Actually nothing at all. I even tried to give him a chocolate bar in the end in desperation, but he didn't want that. Admittedly he's just getting over the flu, but this is just a continuation of what was happening when he was well. And he's a diddy little thing as it is. I'm really worried it's because of something we've done ie associated dinner time with the wrong behaviour etc, but I don't think so. We always try and eat together and eat the same thing but at the moment nothing makes any difference. But maybe our silent stress is permeating the meal...?? (although maybe me rhythmically banging my head into the dining table isn't such a good idea :o)
Brock's mummy - my DS sounds very like your DS - totally inconsistent with his likes and dislikes which is unlike most picky eater I know (my friends DS will only eat cheese and apples which she's despairing at also but I think that's nice and healthy, as well as quite a discerning choice, as opposed to NOTHING).
Anyway I was just looking for a place of solidarity with other mums - nice to electronically meet you all!
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Hi Dankas!
my DS sounds very like your DS - totally inconsistent with his likes and dislikes which is unlike most picky eater I know (my friends DS will only eat cheese and apples which she's despairing at also but I think that's nice and healthy, as well as quite a discerning choice, as opposed to NOTHING).
This is true! At least he eats - but everything has to be 100% right, the situation, and the temp of the meal, the meal itself! I remember once his spinach roll was a nice warm temp (so I thought) but he flipped out... He knew what it was and was excited about it! Then bang! 'No' he said. 1/2 an hour mins later he ate the whole thing COLD! How am I so posed to know sometimes he likes cold food! It is a hit and a miss. He's always been touchy/spirited but seems to be getting touchier as he grows.
We have had days where he has only had milk and water... Which worries me.
Apparently I was a "selective eater" but I'm small so maybe my body type didn't "need" it??
My boy is really Big (as far as the charts go) and eats 1/2 as much as toddlers his age yet continues to put weight on and grow! I would've thought he needs more due to his size?
Who knows? But if B was tiny I would worry myself sick, I know my mum did with me, I worry a lot – everyone thinks I’m mad and says he’s fine. It’s still hard though.
So I guess I have nothing to "complain" about?
Hugs to all those mums of picky eaters xxx
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AHHHHHHHH! am back down to toast. Tried making him a smoothie today, he took one sip handed it back and just kept saying please until I gave him plain watered down juice.
Refused his tea and yoghurts yesterday but then had some bacon and risotto.
today he had toast and half a bowl of porridge with some homemade damson jam.
Then his daddy was bold and gave him chocolate buttons so that was lunch out the window.
Will keep fingers crossed for dinner but DAMN this is hard
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Irish pretty kitty - Oh... At least he ate some risotto? Plus the porridge, it's great you keep offering!
I don't know if this helps... But I find once I actually discover a food he'll eat i stick with it! Even this can be a hit and a miss, but I feel better knowing that he does like this food and if he were hungry he'd eat it? Maybe ??? At the same time I know we are so posed to keep offering a range of foods - which I do from time to time once he starts to "tire" of the food I offer, but the new one is the second option and I don't push it. Just a thought :-\
I'm not sure if someone else has already suggested this? I'm still reading the older posts... ::)
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we usually do offer the same thing but just try to include an extra new veggie.
Dinner was a big miss. Was baked cod with carrots peas and roasted potatoes. Was yummy or so I thought but no Finn wouldnt even try it.
Ah onto tomorrow.
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Bummer :(
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No dinner, no brekkie.. just rice crackers?? This child is on some kind of hunger strike!!
Amazing how he can have so much energy on so little food!!
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Same basic boat here. Still fighting a cold and still way cranky and barely eating. But then gets starving and cranky and screams until he eats something. Being WAY picky. NOT fun.
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hugs ladies :( I gave her a spoonfulof almond butter bc she didn't want it smeared on bread ::)
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Same here... Hardly any breakfast, played with lunch and no dinner last night either!
I'm giving him a multi vitamin...
I agree! I have no idea how he keeps going.
He did eat some sliced cheese and rice biscuits after his nap.
Just a Q... Is any one still giving milk? If so when and how much? I'm wondering if I'm offering too much and he's waiting for it?
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Finn gave up milk just after he turned one. Can not get it into him for love nor money. Not even in milkshakes
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Matthew's barely been eating BUT hungry and cranky. In a super picky phase. I do still give milk - he has about 4 ounces (sometimes a little less) in the morning and 7-8 at night.
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Ok thanks :)
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Not sure things could get much worse.... :'(
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OH no Karen! Hugs xx
Have you guys heard of that multi vitamin product that not only ensures they get their daily vitamin intake but apparently it increases appetite? I've forgotten the name (I'll check next time I'm in the chemist). I'm switching to it once B finishes the multi vitamin I'm giving him now.
Has any one tried constant snacks? I was watching the health channel and a program came on where 2 British women (forget the name of the show). But they suggested to one mum with her toddler to keep offering healthy yummy snacks literally all day! On the run, in the car, at the shops, while playing. Even in the bath!!!
She was suggesting things like thin slices of Colby cheese, strawberries, rice/rye crackers with spread, healthy home baked cakes (banana and walnut), shredded chicken mini quiches, mini pastries with yummy fillings, sandwiches cut into funny shapes (she used a cookie cutter).
She said although ultimately we want them to have 3 main meals and 2 snacks - she said with fussy eaters to try and get as much into them when possible no matter what they are doing at the time. And to stay happy no matter whether they take the food or not, but to make a big deal if they do take it. Sometimes the way in which the food is offered may be a turn off and LO’s feeling hungry all the time and almost get used to the feeling so don’t really recognise the hunger pang. She said once you start to get a flow of food into them you can slowly stretch out snacks over a long period of time so they are eventually full meals.
Another thing they tried was with one 2 year old boy they had a 4 year old girl eat next to him on a baby table, low and behold the 2 yo started to eat what the 4 yo was eating!!! Pretty amazing! The 4yo was just enjoying her fruit salad and saying things like yum strawberries, I love strawberries etc etc.
This has all probably been mentioned before but seeings I only saw the show last night I thought I'd relay the info!
I only just started offering food on the run it seems to def helped B with breakfast, he eats his breaky in the car seat (thank god this is working and i hope it continues!)
HTH xx
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have heard that about the snacks as well. That fussy eaters might be better grazing all day rather than the three meals.
Finn tried turkey slices today for me and didnt spit them out!! HURRAY! If we can try one new food ever once in a while I still think there is hope
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Hi Ladies
Can i join you ? Ty is 14 months and is a terrible eater. he just shakes his head at everything. Today he has had a few shreddies, bits of strawberries and a yoghurt. Lunch was 2 carrot stick crisps and a yoghurt. He's had 2 bottles so far today (after food), no idea what to try for tea as everything just gets left or thrown around.
Sarah
x
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Sarah - two bottles already today (before tea) is quite a bit at 14 months. How much milk and yogurt is he having? He might be filling up on dairy and not hungry for food?
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Hi
He had a 7oz bottle to go back to bed this morning (after his brekkie), he had a yoghurt as part of breakfast. Another one then after lunch to go to bed again. Yoghurt is the only thing he will eat at the moment as he has 6 teeth (including molars) on the way. I dont know what else to try with him as he just shakes his head and puts his fingers in his mouth.
Sarah
x
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So how many ounces of milk is he getting a day, not counting the yogurt? I'd cut the milk/bottles back to 16 ounces a day tops - preferably less if he's getting two yogurts a day also. Are you trying to medicate before meals?
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Hi
Thanks for the response, he had calpol before lunch today. He also has a bottle through the night which I need to stop (waiting for a week off to tackle that one).
One a 1 nap day he has 2 x 7oz bottles through the day (and one through the night), on 2 nap days he has 1 more. He's on toddler milk.
Sarah
x
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That's really a lot of dairy, Sarah. If he knows he's going to get that much he'll certainly hold out of that. And toddler milk/formula is really filling - why is he on that instead of regular milk?
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Hi
Health visitor suggested it as his diet wasn't that great and for the extra iron. I would love to get him on full fat cows, but not sure how to make the transition.
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He has no incentive to eat well though if he's filling up on a lot of toddler milk plus yogurt. IMO you'd be better off limiting him to say 12 ounces full-fat milk plus 1 yogurt a day. When I switched DS (and back when DD) from formula to milk I did it pretty quickly - one bottle at a time just switched over. Others mix the formula and milk and slowly make it more milk/less formula.
If you're concerned with his iron intake or other nutrients a multi vitamin might be better...
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Hi
Thanks, will try half and half to start with for a week and then cut it out completely. He has multi vitamins every day aswell.
x
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This message goes out to all those mothers who want to tear out their hair because their child won't eat.
My dd was the pickiest eater ever. I mean ever. I had to mix pureed fruit in her veggies when she was an infant. She used to vomit after almost every meal because of texture. I had to soak cheerios in milk in order for her to eat them. It took many months before she could eat a cheerio.
We have come a long way. She is gonna be 5yrs old in May. She tried cashew nuts for the first time on our very recent vacation. She loved them.
So to all those mommies who are about to loose it. I say don't. They will get over it. It takes lots of patience. We still have our moments but my dd does eat. and yes they live on air...LOL !!!
(((HUGS )))
Dree ;)
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Mine is living on ricecakes at the moment! Tearing my hair out is an understatement
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Thanks Dree! And I agree with PP! Tearing hair out is def an understatement!
Hi Sarah, I found DS eats more on regular milk rather than formula. I'm
not sure in ounces but my DS has 250-300mls of full fat milk perday plus yogurt or cheese or custard. but when he was 14mos he was having 1/2 full fat milk 1/2 formula
around 450mls perday.
Thinly sliced Colby cheese is working well here!
So is eating on the run - litterally! He's been doing well as long as he is doing something while eating! He's still fussy but if I get the right foods on the run he actually eats!!!
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In order to keep my sanity. I introduced vitamens when dd turned 4yrs old because I was convinced that she was not eating a balanced diet. According to her ped she is doing great. But the ped also advised me that is was completely okay to give her vitamens. She does the same with her own kids.
So, I introduced the princess gummi bears vitamens. She loves them and asks for them every night. I keep them on a very high shelf because I read a child can get very sick if they eat alot of them by accident.
So, I say introduce vitamens to your LO's...if your ped agrees.
Dree ;)
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Hi
Well I finally bit the bullet and stopped his middle of the night feed, if he wakes he just has bait of water. And the same to go down for naps. This has made him eat more for brekkie, but have found he eats next to nothing for lunch and then has a big tea !!!
Sarah
x
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Great news Sarah! It may take a few days to really kick in? My DS will "generally" have either lunch or dinner, not both ::) unless he wants to suprise me!
I'm also giving multivitamins- I used to only give it for 2 weeks following illness due to
him not eating much. Back then he ate really well loads of fruit, vegies, meat you name it he ate it! Not now??? Any way I also offer MV at night. I'm going to the chemist today so I will check the name of the multivitamin that also in so posed to increase appetite? Just on case anyone is interested?
This eating on the run is going well but it's a bit of a pain! Better than stressing about not eating though...
I've been mixing in fresh berries in to his yogurt and I missed a blueberry skin, oops he spat it out and has been on a yogurt strike for 1 week! I tried today and he ate the yogurt reluctantly...
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I give up. :( Morning sickness is so bad that I can barley cook anything and Finn is refusing to eat anything. HELP!!! How can I get my LO to eat healthily when I can't eat at all. Am so close to giving up except I refuse to let him end up like his cousins. (they only eat chips with gravy and toasted pancakes and icecream)
How can I get good food into both of us (well three of us) right now?
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Oh hugs sweetie xxxx what a hard situation :-\
I looked into that multi vitamin and it doesn't increase appetite, it was labelled "when your child won't eat" sorry I was wrong... Bummer.
I know your probably not up for it but have you tried homeopathy... For both of you? Xxx
or if he's really eating nothing a visit to the dr? Get his belly checked or referal to a paed? I'm not sure how little your DS eats or how long it's been going on for? Hugs Hun xxx
Re food and MS... That's a tough one. I couldn't cook for a long time, DH made his own dinner for some time until I was ok with the smell.
I can only give you my DS menu if that helps?
Generally he'll refuse breakfast but wil eat in the car either a muesili bar (it took some time to find a few ones he likes) or vegemite sw.
He'll eat spinich and cheese pastry (which I buy from the local baker) because it's small it's relatively inexpensive, or melted cheese with either avocado or cream cheese spread with tiny diced tomato. I started with just melted cheese on toast then ever so slowly added avo (in tiny amounts) then tomato in tiny amounts. I also alternate with spoonfuls of flavoured yogurt and really mashed either strawberries or blue berries.
With his pm snack I offer dry rye crackers with shaved Colby cheese.
For dinner he basically eats the same thing everynight (if he eats ) I freeze lamb chops or cutlets- I cook one in a small pan with paprika, garlic and olive oil. I boil up either pasta spirals/shells or 2 min noodles with a tiny piece of brocoli. I drain then add cooking cream and mush in the broc so it's just tiny flecks - almost looks like herbs. I chop up the meat and mix it in all together. Sometimes it's hit or miss... But atleast he'll usually eat half. If he eats atleast half I offer custard with mashed banana (really mashed).
I found all these foods can be either frozen or eaten by the whole family or stored in the cupboard or fridge. Once I have all the ingedients it's not a huge effort to prepare - like u I was so over offering food that he would refuse. So I just decided to
stick to the same diet. I do offer new food but only what I've already cooked for us. He wil
eat a honey mustard chicken with mash carrot and sweet potato-which I cook for the family once a week. Some might say his diet is unblanced but it's the healthiest option right now...
If you're really concerned take him to the dr sweetie xxx I wouldn't eat much as a toddler and young child. I was a "silent"reflux baby and had my appendix removed when I was a young child.
Sorry you're so stressed xxx
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Am joining on too. I have a fussy DS (13mo). I seem to be following your threads Alice...
I also read somewhere about 6 meals a day, so that is what I try to do. Am trying not to stress about how little he eats each meal, and try to get him to snack more during the day.
I do still BF him 1-2 times during the night - chicken or the egg though, as he doesnt eat much more on days he has slept through the night. I often wonder whether he is a bit hungry during the night due to eating less during the day.
For us, its porridge every morning. We were having weetbix too, but off that now. It seems he now hates the texture of scrambled egg too. He only eats a small amount.
Snack - usually yoghurt or cheese/crackers.
Lunch - at the moment, we have gone off avocado/cheese, and its peanut butter only.
We used to LOVE pears, but have completely gone off these, he will really only eat blueberries and strawberries (of course, the most expensive fruit at the shops).
Dinner - seems to be more than happy having pasta and veges, and i try to get some protein in there too. Used to love omelettes, but off them too.
Am just hoping the total food each day is enough...he hasnt dropped below the lowest weight percentile (yet), so guessing he must be putting on weight still..
Will be interested to follow this thread to see what everyone else does for their fussy kids.
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Hi Rizzo!
Ohhh stressful hey???!!!
B had a crappy day yesterday but it seems that he's been ok
today. Vegemite on toast and his milk with daddy for BReakfast, oat sultana and honey bar for snack and 2 mini quiches for lunch! A great start!
We're having lamb roast for dinner so we'll see how that
goes down?
I've learnt With B introducing a new food texture has to be right or he'll spit it out and not even eat the rest of a meal which he would normally like. He doesn't like watery textures ie watermealon or skin textures ie grapes or the skin of sausage but will eat sausage with no skin?
So it's hard to offer new foods if I know he'll hate it and I know it'll put him off his meal. So I have to tread lightly. Even if he's hungry out of pure moodiness he'll ref to eat. So he'll be cranky from hunger!!! I thought if they were hungry they would eat? Ohhh IDK!!!
He hates fruit so I offer it at snack times always the same 'arghrrrr' noise followed by spitting it out!
I think he's a bit of the attitude ' I'll eat when Im ready' even if he's hungry. He's such a critter that way!
It's only food for goodness sakes!
Lol
I found that acting like it's no big deal if he says no or doesn't eat, offering new meals off my plate or offering new individual tastes at snack time and food on the run the nest way to*deal* with it. Plus the back up of a good quality multi Vitamin! I read somewhere the other day... 'the egg and the milk in a pancake is just as good as the milk and egg on it's own.' So true!!!
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Many of you have probably seen my monstrous recent thread on this board: HELP! Need ideas to get Toddler to eat Again.... The ladies have been SO wonderful on there and I'm hoping they join me here too! But since it's SO long and outdated (DS is now "eating" just super picky and limited still) I thought I'd start a new one.
For background, DS is 21 months. He was a good eater until 13 months, at which point he became more limited (but still decent). Then worse still around 15 months and much worse around 17-18 months (at which point he also had an ear infection and nasty virus). He is the type of guy that gets hungry pretty often but only eats small amounts (sort of like his momma) but it's complicated cause he's so limited! He will spoon feed himself yogurt or applesauce (or we take turns) and I can give him soup on a spoon (chicken noodle or french onion only) but he won't use a fork himself NOR allow me to feed him with one (though he used to do both till about 15 months). So, if he doesn't like the way it looks and feels to his hands it doesn't get eaten or even tried.
He currently eats: yogurt, applesauce, oatmeal, silver dollar pancakes (at diner or IHOP only, not at home), challah french toast (rarely), dry cereal (cheerios or Kashi heart to heart, sometimes Puffins), toasted whole wheat bagels with butter, grilled cheese (rarely), chicken noodle soup, french onion soup, chicken nuggets (baked white meat ones with wholemeal breading), sweet potato fries, alphabet fries, cereal cookies (homemade with crushed Total, ricotta cheese, etc), goldfish crackers, pizza (either takeout regular or homemade with chopped spinach and orange veggies blended into the sauce) and pasta (only penne noodles or pinwheels) - with cheese sauce, butter or bolognese.
ONCE he also ate a Larabar (which would be great but he's refused since). He tried PBJ once but didn't like it (though would really like to try that again, get that in rotation). And he still likes the Ella's kitchen or Plum Baby organic fruit or fruit/veg pouches - he often has at least one a day. For "juice" I blend up fruit with apple juice and water and he drinks that.
He USED to eat (but now refuses): strawberries, blueberries, grapes, apple slices, bananas (recently out - only as of 2-3 weeks ago), homemade granola bars, broccoli potato pancakes, scrambled eggs (with cheese and sometimes spinach), homemade meat patties (beef or turkey), meatballs and vegetable lasagna, as well as bites of chicken marsala and the like from my spoon.
Some other things
- He's not filling up too much on milk - only drinks about 12 ounces a day plus usually has one 4-ounce yogurt
- He's allergic to/intolerant of the gourd family (squash, melons, etc), as well as pineapple and coconut
Any ideas on how to move forward here? I've tried offering small amounts of new things or previously accepted things along with his favorites - but he will either ignore the new/previous thing, smush it or at most feel it and then drop it. Even if he skips a meal and is super hungry he won't try those things... TIA!
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Ok, marking my spot for my fussy little man. Will be back to contribute and catch up.
We've had a really bad 2 days - yesterday, no food entered my LO since his lunch at midday (which was ok) and today he ate ok at nursery but then when I tried his readybrek b4 bed he took one mouthful and refluxed everything in his stomach back up (including all his tea). Am distraught and just want to give up, walk through the door and go away. So tired of this eating situation, had 12 months of undiagnosed intolerances causing reflux and now we are into picky eating territory - how do you all cope?
:'(
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((((HUG)))) Lisa. The reflux can be a BIG issue with eating problems - happened with my DD (who is now a fantabulous eater, even if painfully slow sometimes). Is he on reflux meds?
Wish I could have kept my thread open - as I LOVE all the ladies here but I'm not sure how many people check this thread. DS was SUPER hungry come dinner time but refused his chicken noodle soup and the challah french toast. Had most of a pouch of spinach/peas/pears and was still hungry. Finally gave him a toasted whole wheat cinnamon raisin bagel with butter at about 6:20 and he ate about MAYBE 1/4 of that, or less, and then drank his milk (of course). Expecting another hungry EW tomorrow.
As for how we cope, I'm NOT, at least not very well LOL. Thought I was through and done with this back with DD - and in many ways, DS is now harder (and I wasn't prepared since he started out eating so well). Sigh.
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HI Karen!
Harry was on reflux meds but been off them since we discovered the dairy, soy and egg intolerances and he had been doing ok on the 'puke' front and occasionally gets into bother now - just unfortunate given he had had such a good eating day at nursery. I think he was so tired after being awake since 12:30 (it was 6pm when he had the incident), that his sensitive gag reflex made the situation a whole lot worse than it might have been.
Anyway, we will cope and we do cope but we don't like it at times, some times are worse than others.....this phase WILL pass. That is what I tell myself.
Right, I'm gonna try sandwiches at lunch today and push lunch a little later (although Ive read not to push the time between food too much as it will lead to reduced appetite over time).
Fingers crossed....I'm heading into independant eating training to see if this helps.
Why dont you pm the ladies on the old thread and invite them over here....?? It took me a while to find this and I was getting confused about the lock down on the earlier thread but pesevered as you guys are my sanity checks!
x
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Hope things are going well for you Lisa! Not good here. Has had nothing all day but 1.5 pieces of bacon this morning and 4 ounces milk. Fun. Oh well - keep plugging along...
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Hi, we are hit and miss still here, but having more success with finger foods so sausage rolls (yuk) are featuring in the meal plan now but not complaining as full of fat and protein from meat.... I'm also finding the first spoonful is vehemently refused! Once I sneak it in or smear food on his lips to taste (a battle in itself) he will usually eat a decent amount. Hate the force feed of the inital spoon but only way right now. Training him up in spoon and fork use on fruits that he loves..... Sorry I font have any help for you Karen. How us it going? I had a complete emotional fit on my dp yesterday and he said I should go the docs as my resilience is zero and that isn't right......I'm wondering if pnd is returning for me. X
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If you think PND is returning it certainly couldn't hurt to check in with the doctor. Maybe chat with the ladies over on that board?
Not going well here eating wise but am trying not to stress about it anymore. Might take him to a holistic allergist soon to see if some of his many food sensitivities might still be bothering him and causing any of these eating issues...
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Hi all. I am new and joining in. Went to ds1 3 year dr. appt this morning. He has lost 2 lbs since his 2 year appt and now only weighs 25lbs. Dr. said to try and increase his fat (he said put butter on everything :) He also said to try a picky eaters book, so of course I thought of BW! :)
He is pretty picky, but generally just doesn't want to eat :(
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Welcome oe (have seen you on the menu planning thread too!). Your boy sounds pretty similar to mine (though mine not even 2 until June) - mine is rather picky and has a rather low appetite. One thing that was suggested to me was to have his iron levels checked - as often low iron can lead to decreased appetite.
What does your boy like to eat? Maybe we can think of ideas for you to get some food into him/weight on him.
Does he drink milk? You can always add a bit of half/half to his milk to get more fat in there, use cream on cereal instead of milk, etc.
((((HUGS)))) it's really hard.
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thanks Karen - he rarely drinks milk (I buy a 1L every 2 weeks.) He likes chocolate milk but doesn't even drink that that much. As for cereal, he likes it dry. Although he likes fruit loops (not the healthiest) but I think I am going to buy it so he will eat it with some whole milk at least. He is your typical kid, chicken fingers, fries, not a lot of veggies or fruit. He does like meat and occasionally pasta. He just doesn't want to eat. He of course likes junk food - chips, cookies, popcorn, but he only gets that for special occasions or potty training, although doesn't even finish that. The dr suggested smoothies. I am going to try that this week and put some fruit in it and yogurt with whole milk. I just hope I don't like it too much :)
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Does he like peanut butter? Of course you can put it on toast, but also in smoothies. I also make "breakfast cookies" for DD and DS with whole milk ricotta, egg, etc - VERY healthy and they quite like them - happy to post recipe.
My DS often prefers to drink too! I blend fresh fruit for him with apple juice and water..
Well basically no food today. Breakfast was an Ella's kitchen fruit pouch and some dry all natural peanut butter cereal (healthy at least), as well as some diluted fresh fruit smoothie. Lunch was a very small portion of oatmeal (with a bit of cinnamon and brown sugar). Snack was half of one of the aforementioned breakfast cookies and some more of the diluted fruit smoothie. Dinner was only 2/3 of a yogurt. Refused the homemade fish fingers, roasted potatoes, sweet potato fries (wouldn't try any of the above) and broccoli. For bedtime snack will offer challah french toast but am sure he'll refuse that too. Not sure how he has so much energy on no food!
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He does like PB but again, just doesn't eat much. I would love the recipe for the cookies. I bought some peidsure today. I know it is a ripoff, but I will try anything once. He did have some spaghetti for dinner (only cause I bribed him with leftover bday cake), which he actually didn't eat that much of. Thanks.
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Hi girls xxx I haven't posted for a while hugs to all (I've hady own belly issues going on)...
B is doing *ok* in the eating department, it could be sooo much better though! I'm convinced he's taken after his mummy and had underlying intolerances of some sort...
Lisa~ if it helps my DS only started eating Mashed styled food over the last 2 months? He's nearly 20mos! He also *had a strong gag refex and had horrible reflux.
Any one try probiotics? B is constantly going from constipated to loose poos. I feel the probiotics help.
We too live off cracker styled biscuits of all sorts, the crunchier the better! So I'm the queen of healthy crackers! I've spent many *hours scruitinizing the packets for ingrediants to try and get the healthiest options. Otherwise I just keep trying...
B will eat best in front of the tv! ::) In the car and in the pram... I know bad habbits but I feel if he's eating that's the main thing.
Any one tried spinich, cheese rolls? They are covered in pastry, he gets most of his veg intake from them, they are puff pastry on the outside and he loves the crunchy outside.
Hugs to all xxx
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Alice - sorry to hear of your tummy troubles. Hope you're feeling better soon!
I too think DS has many food intolerances - some we know (pumpkin, squash, pineapple, coconut) and others we don't. I am very close to paying out of pocket for a holistic allergist that specializes in things like this. Two of my friends have now used her for their sons (though for different reasons) and rave about her.
Things are rather horrible. DS is barely eating at all. Then he is hungry and cries. I'm at a loss and it's taking over our lives as he cries much of the day then and it affects DD too. I will/do let DS eat in the car and stroller (though lately he doesn't want to) but not in front of the TV. I should try spinach/cheese rolls (spanikopita?) - I personally love them myself!
About to try dinner. Am assuming I'll be screamed at.
Hugs back at you all.
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Ok- we are having some success with finger foods - crumpets seem to be universally accepted in the morning at the moment, sausage rolls and brocolli for lunch and it is 'tea' that I'm struggling with finger food ideas - might go for sweet potato chips, brocolli and not sure what else (as a sausage roll at lunch is plenty of protein)....... I think my LO is definately just rejecting me feeding him from a spoon and he is only sure of a few finger foods and pretty much rejects anything new I might offer on his plate.....I guess I just have to keep exposing him to new things and one day he will get the message?
Saw my Health Visitor today for a weigh in and she looked horrified when I said I was still feeding Harry with a spoon and said she wasnt' suprised I was battling with him at meals because at his age (infact much earlier) they want to be indepedant eaters etc etc so I had to drop using the spoon entirely and let him feed himself. I looked horrified as I admitted that he wouldn't eat as much this way but she assured me that he would get the hang of things pretty quickly.
So, spoons are now only for Harry (altho I might spoon in the odd bit of food to start with as I'm sure he'll get frustrated until he picks up the skills himself).........
Anyone, got any views on this?
Thanks for your words of support Brocks Mummy!
Oh Karen, I do feel for you and I'd be seeking external help of some sort if I was you, so totally understand where you are coming from as it is plain horrid when they are so miserable because of lack of eating. Big huge hugs. x
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*hugs* Karen..it must be so hard.
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Hugs Karen! Oh I'm not sure about that bit of advice? What personality type is DS? B wasn't soley self feeding at 16mos! Even now he is helped with all meals. I'm
not saying your HV is wrong but if you * feel uncomfortable don't do it! Ie B will eat a whole spinich and cheese roll if it's cut up into tiny pieces and in a paper bag where he can hold the bag with one hand and eat with the other... Go figure? So yes he *can self feed but will eat more if I sit with him and help feed him. B will self feed maybe 1/4-1/2 the meal and I help with the rest.
I do praise him with 'good eating baby' 'all by yourself! YAY!'
so to me if he couldn't self feed as a baby but now will try or self feed some of the meal that * is progress YKWIM?
I remember B went through a stage that he wouldn't accept food on a fork or spoon it had to be with my hands! Very messy when feeding a caserole! So again he's fine with spoons and forks now...
Unless I'm on the same level as a medical person I take their advice, think about it and may not use it. BW has been a god send for B! If I did everything I had been advised I would have a non eating LO, plus if I didn't push it he would have gone undiagnosed reflux, not to add the advice to CC!!! Plus ignoring tantrums that are obviously emotions out of control.
I'm gratful for Bs health nurse and GP and paed, they are good at their jobs but unfortunately B doesn't fit into their text book YKWIM?
Hugs sweetie xxx when he's 7 I'm sure he'll be eating on his own xx
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Jake will be 3 on Saturday... he often asks for "help" , ie for me to feed him. I am sure it is party cause he seems me feed O, but if he's eating, I don't really care. I just want him to eat, something.
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Actually, it's Lisa that had the self feeding issue. My LO does self feed. When he eats at all, that is. I only help with applesauce, yogurt and soup. But I think all kids are different on that front - my DD is 5.5 and still asks for help "stabbing bites" of certain things sometimes!
DS ate slightly more today - though still mostly refused. At least he didn't scream as much about it. Calling that holistic allergist tomorrow though to get the ball rolling on that front.
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Can I join in?
My DD is 11.5 months old and wreaks havoc on my emotional state most meals.
She started off really well with great enthusiasm and what first seemed like a fairly healthy appetite. Now though every meal is a bit of a battle.
One meal she insists on self-feeding (the one which is yogurt or soup!!), then the next meal she wants to be hand-fed!
Our latest thing is the huge buffet of food options, and she turning her nose up at all of them (if I'm lucky she'll at least take a taste of some of the offerings). What gives?! I'm heading back to work in just a few days and freaking out!
Oh, and did I mention the hunger strikes at daycare? Arg!
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Sorry I meant Lisa!!! Xxx
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First appointment I can get with the aforementioned doctor is April 5th. Sigh.
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Karen, 5th April, bit of a way off but at least you have it booked in now which is a milestone to aim for. I sincerely hope you get some useful output from this.
Alice and OE - thanks for sharing your views. And you know what......my gut instinct is that the advice from the HV wasn't right for my little one. His personality, not sure but he has been Textbook/Angel but I think I need to revisit the 'quiz' as he is so different from his baby months now that he is a toddler IYSWIM. I'm going to put the bowl of food in front of him and give him a spoon and also have some finger food that I know he likes, and I'll spoon feed him too - see how that goes but I expect the head shaking to commence as soon as I come near him with the spoon! Interestingly nursery also back your views as they told me today that many LOs aren't self feeding with utenstils for quite some time yet - what was that HVisitor on about????? So glad for this forum, thank you ladies.
Enidsmamma - welcome. I haven't much advice to give you but this is a great place to talk to others for support and ideas. :-)
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Endismama, hugs and welcome xxx
Sweetie she's still so young honey! So hopefully it's just a "stage thing"??
My only advice would be to *try your best to be positive about her eating. One mistake I made was I openly showed my frustration (unintentionally) in front of DS which I found to contribute to his negativity towards food. Also maybe offer a food you know she'll eat then offer her the new options, praise her even if she eats one mouthful and say something like, 'oh mummy can see you're not hungry'. I've heard offering too many options can be somewhat overwhelming for some LOs?
Also I believe they slow off their food intake around 11-13 mos- I belive it's due to the fact their growth really slows right down, then they perk up again after this stage. Is she a big baby? This could mean she'd eat even less!
Also... How much milk and fluids is she having? This could also contribute to the appetite drop. Constipation plays a roll too. Now this is quite *text book* advice...
Ok so I'm def no expert but after months of worry, seeking help from health professionals, BW boards and threads, reading numerous books and watching programs on the health channel I am slowly learning and ticking the boxes in how to *deal with my DS eating issues. Hugs Hun xxx she's still a baby sweetie!
Also** If she's a touchy or grumpy or inverted spirited type she may not like to eat in company! I know if we go out for dinner DS will rarely eat, so could that be the case at daycare?
Lisa I was going to add to my post but I forgot (sorry)... I was going to say that I offer B finger foods I know he'll eat and *help him with the rest if he hasn't finished it all up.He's probably the best at Breakfast time re self feeding. Prob because it's usually toast or healthy crackers and spread or sultana filled bran puffs. It's all food he'll eat and self feed so we*are getting there!
My huge concern is his lack of *real food like fruit and veg! If I offer vegies more than 3 times a week with dinner he starts to refuse it. Gosh this picky eating is a science!!!
I think because i eat loads of fruit and veg it appears as he eats hardly any * real YKWIM? It's hard when you see his little mates snacking on fruit and he's eating a cracker!!!
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No lunch whatsoever so DS wanted a whole yogurt and a "breakfast cookie" after his nap (totally healthy - I make them with crushed Total cereal, ricotta, etc). Course that was almost 3pm. Then he totally refused dinner (pasta with meat sauce). Had maybe half or less a pouch of spinach/peas/pears and that was it. Sigh.
Alice - I'd be thrilled with veggies at dinner 2-3 times a week!
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Oh bummer Karen! We also booked in to see a natropath who specializing in children and food intolerence. I belive he's also titled a 'nutritionist allergist'... Sigh...
I hope your vist sheds some light on your LOs pickyness.
I think because I eat a healthy diet - and have done for years, Bs looks so unhealthy... YKWIM?
It's not like he's allowed "junk" food at all. It's just seems so packaged, this kid lives off crackers! His latest love is corn cruscuit crackers. All they contain is corn/maize and small amount of salt. I add organic butter and vegemite and he'll eat um all up and ask for more. Yet I put some yummy fruit or yogurt he'll say no and be irritable for hours until I give in and offer a type of cracker.
He's a little moster though! I tried for 1 week to only offer wholesome snacks inbetween main meals ie fruit/homous dip/carrot sticks etc and he didn't eat any of it. Just spat it out had a cry then held out until the next meal.
So If he is gluten or wheat or soy intolerant that will be hard because the food he does like contains all 3!!
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When is your appointment Alice?
My DS used to LIVE off fruit. Blueberries, strawberries, grapes, bananas, cut up peaches or apples, didn't matter loved them all. Now won't touch any. He will sometimes do the fruit pouches and freeze dried fruit.
He did end up having oatmeal last night before bed.
Definitely make the breakfast cookies - here is the link - though I use half the amount of canola oil listed (and then use same amount unsweetened applesauce) and I bake them for more like 15 minutes, not 18-20. I need to make up a new batch today - both kiddos like them and at least it's a good source of vitamins (I use Total for the crushed cereal) and protein from the ricotta! http://www.cooksrecipes.com/articles/lapine_sneaky_chef_breakfast_cookies_1.html
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Ohhh thanks for the recipe Karen xxx
our app isn't for another 5weeks!!! He works at different health food shop locations in Brisbane city and is generally booked out 2 months in advance at our local shop (as he only visits once a month.) It's a long wait! There are similar specialists around but aparently he's great with children and very good at finding the intolerance.
We had a good eating day yesterday! Thank god! I think it's because he didn't have any morning or afternoon tea?? One dinner meal that's always a winner with this kid is honey mustard chicken with carrot and sweet pot mash. It's a god send! But... The chicken has to be cut into tiny pieces and he has to have lots of the creamy sauce on his veg. ::)
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Glad for the good eating day Alice. NOT good here - completely refused dinner again. Thank goodness for bedtime oatmeal...
Hope Brock likes the breakfast cookies - they are quite the godsend here. I make 18 cookies from that recipe and each one (with my change to half oil/half applesauce) has just over 80 calories with a nice amount of protein, calcium, Vit C and iron.
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Hi ladies, not been able to get on here for a few days! I'm making dairy, egg and soy free bluberry muffins today. Most proud of myself altho they ain't that healthy. Will follow the link to the cookie recipe as that sounds like a great source of healthy useful things. We had good eating day yesterday, lots of known finger foods and for dinner I simply didn't take no for an answer with the chicken curry and after one spoonful harry let me feed him an ok amount more. I hate the inital battle over first spoonfull but he has to eat and enjoys it after initial spoon - how wierd us that.
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Yay for the good eating day Lisa! Wish could say the same. I'm throwing in the towel...
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Ah Karen - hugs to you. x
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me too... :'(
Its so disheartening, I just dont know what to do. he has so much energy but on very little fuel, he also has multivits and back on formula as cow milk was giving him bad constipation (although he has it again now, so maybe that not to blame). This morning he had
breakfast: half slice of toasted fruit loaf with nutella, cheerios (dry) and some blueberries
snack: quavers (bad mummy)
lunch: grapes, toasted tea cake (not much)
snack: yoghurt (half)
dinner: offered lamb (chewed on a bit), sweetcorn (bits, potato alphabet (ate 4)
supper: readibrek, and dry cheerios
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Well... After much thought I'm "trying" a new approach. I decided or we (DH) decided on this as we discovered B is a very switched on little monster.
I realised by literally following him around all day trying to feed him I'm
not really teaching him to eat. It's like he's eating but not willingly YK?
I'll let you guys know how it goes...
Basically he has fairly good set sleep times so I've decided to slot in meal times and put him at the table and eat with him.
Now he's eating but not much at all! He wriggles and plays with his food. DH said to him at dinner last night 'oh well you're not hungry, dinner time is over' and he got up
took my plate, his plate and Bs away!!! My stomach turned! B was fine he just wanted to get down to play. By bed time B wasasking for food. I told him he missed dinner and we need to eat at the table now. I made him a BT bottle which I weaned months ago! He guzzled it down!
So my goal is to "teach" him meals are at the table and snacks are at the table/sitting down in the car or pram. I'm also controlling his sizes at snack times in hope he'll be hungry at meal times...
Sighhhh... Fingers crossed. I hope I'm doing more good than damage? One positive is last night he ate apple!!! I had an apple after dinner and he wanted some so I put him back at the dinner table and he shared a small apple!!! I was so shocked??!!
So I'm thinking to offer the same meal 10/15 mins after he's knocked it back? Giving him a 2nd chance. WDYT girls? He's 14kgs so this is why I'm doing it. If he was low in weight I wouldn't chance it and I'd keep up the way I was doing it.
I'm going to get baking soon too. He loves crunchy things so if I made fresh/organic baked goods I'm hoping this will add to his nutrition intake.
WDYT???
He has only eaten bread, cheese, vegemite, crackers, milk and s few bites of apple!!! Not very healthy...
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I definitely think that's a better way to go Alice. As frustrating as it is to have them not eat and worry about them I think it might only compound issues to follow them around with food and pressure them too much (unless like you said they were seriously low weight or something).
I'm scared to say anything but we've had a couple successes lately. All seem to be resulting from the fact that I finally took his bottle away a few days ago. He was only drinking 4 ounces from it AM and 5-7 PM but it must have really been filling him up. He takes much less milk from the cup now but is eating a little better! He added challah french toast back in, had a homemade multigrain waffle with butter this morning (first time), added whole wheat raisin toast back in and just actually ate a baby carrot! Can only hope this continues... Now if we can only get fresh fruit and non-dairy protein back...
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Hey Karen, so pleased to hear things have picked up for you guys :-)
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Thanks Lisa - really hoping it continues! Maybe even that amount of milk before was filling him up too much, even though it wasn't really a lot? Or maybe he's actually milk sensitive? Not sure (but should know more with food sensitivities by end of April). He's also back to eating my homemade granola bars, which are chock full of protein and good fats. Expecting he'll reject veggie lasagna tonight (used to be one of his favorites) but we'll see...
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Great Karen Woohoo!
We had 2 really good efforts yesterday... Breakfast wasn't much but ate a mini homemade meatpie and 1/2 mini spinich and cheese pastry plus 6 yoghurt apricot balls. (they're tiny) but he actually sat in his chair and ate!!!!!!! Then for his pm snack he sat quite happily and ate at the table.
Last night was inconsistant unfortunately as we went out for dinner. He sat at the table 3 different times. He played on the floor while we finished our meals... Hmmm... I guess the main thing is he ate at the table, although it wasn't much he had garlic cheese bread, some steak with sauce.
It feels great not to run around and feed him while he plays or have to go for a drive just so he'll eat! (he seems to eats in his car seat). ::)
I'm after a veg and chicken pie recipe? Anyone?
Hugs all xxx
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Well no dinner other than half a Plum Baby pouch of blueberry/pear/purple carrot - but i was expecting that as we had a late afternoon playdate so Matthew had a small granola bar at 2:45 AND one of those breakfast cookies at 4! But at least both of those are super healthy and full of protein and good fats and in latter, protein (ricotta). Will offer yogurt before bed but not expecting he'll want that either.
Sounds great Alice!
What about chicken pot pie with lots of veggies?
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Hey Karen, just thinking, are you not sure if your LO is dairy intolerant? I ask because my son is and we recently tried to reintroduce a bit of dairy (my mum gave him ice-cream!) he then had a real setback with vomiting overnight and general lack of appetite. You might just be on to something. Hey, are we not in April too, so your allergist appointment is closer, I bet it feels like not that long since you got that booked in now that it is closer. REally hope you get some answers. It does feel so much better if you can at least explain some stuff. We are doing much better on eating at the moment, I find that if I put the bowl in front of Harry and he has his spoon, he is much better at accepting food from me if he is hungry. We do still get the occasional persistant refusal but I think that is to be expected incase he doesn't like what Im feeding him or he has snacked too much in the day (which I'm sometimes guilty of doing because I get so excited when he enjoys his food, so overindulge him sometimes). WE are back on non diary, soy and egg strictly at the moment, but will try an egg challenge soon.....
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Hi Alice, I hope your new approach continues to pay dividends. I appreciate how hard that must be, feeling like you are being tough to be ultimately kind IYKWIM. Stay strong with it. Lisa
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Lisa, I'm really starting to wonder that with dairy - or at least straight milk (as opposed to yogurt/cheese). I NEVER would have thought so since he was even on regular formula as a baby. And he never had reflux or vomiting. BUT these last couple days with very little straight milk he has eaten better, seemed happier and slept better - almost 11.5 hours straight last night, which is unheard of for him. Allergist is next Tuesday - but takes 2-3 weeks (closer to 3) to get blood test results.
Great with Harry eating well!
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Yes, Harry really struggles with straight dairy (is ice cream straight dairy?).....the signal to us is his nappy being loose and when it builds up, he then gets onto vomiting. Silent reflux is so difficult to diagnose (this is when there is no vomit to tip you off). We give Harry Oat milk with calogen added (extra fats), have done since he turned one and things got really, really bad by switching onto toddler milk. It is a minefield tho! Good luck and if you have any questions, please pm or something.
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Thanks Lisa, it is tough but I really think it's paying off. We had a good eating day yesterday at the table!!! 2 mini home made meat pies for lunch plus an oat bar and 6 apricot yogurt balls, he skipped his pm snack because he had a 3 hour nap. We had chicken and veg caserole and I made some Plain puff pastry minis and put the caserole in it and he ate nearly all of it. He ate half then said 'no' and pushed it away. I offered him water and he drank some and then pulled his plate back and continued to eat. I know this may sound OTT to some but I know you girls understand( I nearly cried!!) I was just so happy he was sitting gown and actually enjoying his food! Loads of chicken and veg!
I was always doing that with snacks!!! Only recently I stopped, I completely get you with being just so happy they are not only eating but enjoying it! Xx
Karen ~ about pot pie Is that when you use the pie mix and put it in a dish and cover with pastry?
Milk!!! Oh once such a great thing! Lol well... I believe this is why B doest eat much breakfast. I want him to have it for a while longer as it goes towards his dairy intake (hoping he's not intolerant... Oops).
But what a great indicator that M may indeed need a dairy free/milk free diet! Fingers crossed this is what it is.
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So we had the appointment on Tuesday and it went well but of course we won't have results from the blood or stool tests back for 2-3 weeks. She's suspecting there may be some level of dairy sensitivity, possibly wheat but not sure. And we'll know with the pumpkin/squash/coconut, etc as well. In the meantime I'm still giving him yogurt and cheese to eat (he doesn't do straight cheese but in pizza, grilled cheese, etc) but rice milk to drink (though he barely drinks any since took the bottle away) and to make oatmeal with.
Just wish could get results back sooner! In the meantime, eating is going OK. Still very picky but at least eating 1-2 meals a day and at the table for the most part.
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Hi, great news on the eating still going ok. Do you get any vomiting or runny stools? Also have you tried oat milk ad it tastes much nicer than rice milk and I find it better in cooking. Just another option if the rice milk isn't favoured. Plus u can get enriched with vitamins and minerals oat milk. Just something to think about if you haven't already. Keep us posted. How did the tests take place, what happened ifvyou don't mind me asking?
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No vomiting. Runny stools sometimes. Way too many mushy stools. Better without milk but used to sometimes be 3-4 times a day (now more like 2). I did buy oat milk as well and will try that. He just really doesn't seem to like any milk in a cup though and I'm not going back to bottles!
They drew three vials of blood and will be testing for limited IgE allergies (since he gets hives as well as tummy pains from pumpkin, squash, coconut and pineapple) and a full panel of IgG reactions (see more info here - http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/home/eng/food_allergy_igg.asp), as well as checking for celiac and his levels of D, iron, etc. I also had to bring home a stool kit and did that/sent it out for analysis also.
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Glad to hear you got some lab work taken, Karen to get some definitive answers one way or another about your DS. The "dunno" factor has to be so hard for you with this whole issue.
Also glad to see that he is taking in some nutrition more regularly than he had been. That must be a bit of a relief for you. :D
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Thanks Deb
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:-* Just wish it would keep getting better for all you Mamas.
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Me too Deb. Waiting for results here - should likely know about celiac or IgE allergies by end of this week but not with food intolerances for another 1.5-2 weeks. Meanwhile have been trying to work in some gluten free items just in case but he won't even try them. And he's looking so skinny...
Spent a good part of his nap cutting sweet potatoes into 1/3-1/2 inch slices and then using cookie cutters to shape them into letters. Later will coat with olive oil and kosher salt and then dust with cornmeal and bake - trying to recreate the Ian's alphatots which he loves but using sweet potatoes for extra nutrition...
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Oh Karen! Hugs to you and M xxx what a brave little man having bloods taken. Like PP said - it's good you're going to get some answers soon.
I really feel for you going through this. Fingers crossed for you both. I'm sorry I have no advice to give :(
That sweet potato sounds great BTW...
Our eating is so up and down! Re appetite or type of food! But he is eating so I'm happy about that or "relieved" is more the word.
Our HUGE one is he's finally eating fruit! Apple! It has to be cut and sliced very thin and peeled.
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Haven't been around in awhile - computer issues. will check everyone's posts later, but as for us, I hate to even admit it, but I found something that Jake will eat, so I have been buying them... yogurt tubes, such a child's marketing gimic, but he will eat it, so I buy it. I am still having a really hard time getting him to drink milk. I am lucky if he drinks a 1L every 2 weeks!! Any thoughts.
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Dont' apologise, oe. I buy those too. They are just the same yogurt as in the containers (I still read labels - throwback to my days as a MPI Mama! ::) ).
I'm pretty sure that if he is getting a decent amount of dairy products, or other products high in calcium and fats that the lack of milk is not a big deal. But that's just my opinion.
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I agree with Deb. My daughter likes those squeezable yogurts and there's nothing wrong with them. DS still prefer yogurt in a "regular" container. I'm trying to transition him to Greek yogurt, actually, as there is more protein in it. But he only wants yogurt in the yo-baby container so I am currently doing half yo-baby and half Greek yogurt mixed together in the yo-baby/yo-toddler container. Also agree on other sources of calcium being fine. My DS has stopped drinking milk for the most part (other than an occasional ounce or two here or there but that's rare even) since we took his bottle away 2 weeks ago...
Alice- he wouldn't even touch, much less try, the sweet potato letters!
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thanks guys. He doesn't eat a ton of dairy, but I do give him a mutlivitamin. He eats cheese, occassionally and now the yogurt tubes.
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Found out today that DS does have quite low iron (mildly anemic) - upping iron in food but that's hard since he's picky so also starting this supplement when it comes in next week: http://www.kirkmanlabs.com/ViewProductDetails@Product_ID@122@Product_Group_ID@1.aspx
Apparently low appetite/picky eating is also sometimes a symptom of low iron so will be interested to see if he improves at all when his iron levels go up.
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Karen- I hope the iron sup helps xxx
Shame about sweet pot letters, I'm huge fan of sweet potato (my mum being Peruvian) she fed us lots of it growing up.
I was thinking she used to make us fried thinly sliced sweet potato- it's really yummy - I haven't had it in years. I'm going home next W/E so I'll ask her to make it for DS - and me!
Re yogurt... Well B also loves the pouches - the ones with Cars printed on the packet. I found the same brand and flavour but in tubs so he eats the tubs at home and pouches when we're out.
Oh we had a horrible mix up yesterday. I ordered a regular steak pie (meat pie) from my baker and when we got home I served it out and gave some to B, well... 3 mouthfuls later he was screaming, gagging and scratching his tongue. They gave us a chilli pie!!!
Poor B, after 5 mins of this he calmed with water cheese and crackers.
I'm so upset because he finally started to really eat... He ref dinner last night.
I haven't read the link yet Karen but low iron = low appetite would make sense to me! Last week B has been eating really well it's like the more he ate the more he wanted and actually enjoyed!
Whe he stops eating that's it, he just eats crakers... Hmmm
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Hi ladies! I'm officially making it known that DS is a picky eater. Wow, that felt a little like AA :P
DH and I are so frustrated: he's more picky now than he was a few months ago...and never as open to new things as he was when he was an infant. If it's a sandwich (grilled cheese, pb&j), kolache, pasta, chicken nuggets/french fries, fruit, or any kind of pastry, he will eat it. And now that he's so verbal, if he doesn't want something he will proudly declare, "Nope!" ::) And as for trying new things, no way.
I. just. want. to. bang. my. head. against. the. wall. Sure you all understand.
I'm going to have a look back through this thread for some more ideas. Might try sweet potato fries since he likes the idea of french fries so much (yet won't eat a baked potato).
*hugs* to you all!
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Welcome Sara! Hey - at least your guy eats PB and fruit I guess. It is SO hard. I had hopes when DS was like 10-13 months of him being my good eater. NOT. AT. ALL.
Ack on the chili pie Alice!
So if it weren't for challah french toast and fruit/veg pouches lately DS would be totally starving. He's getting his second canine (top left) and all he's had today is dry cereal (Kashi) and half a banana for breakfast, oatmeal made with rice milk for lunch, freeze dried strawberries for snack and a small piece of challah french toast and most of a pouch of spinach/peas/pears for dinner (after refusing hamburger, letter fries and yogurt). And for him that's a good day! He doesn't even do yogurt anymore!
Still waiting for intolerance results (hopefully tomorrow or Thursday). Started iron supplement this past Friday.
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Ty is now refusing all veg and will just eat fruit, should i be worried about this i wonder ? He used to love sweetcorn and peas but now gone off them. He's abit hit and miss at the moment and will generally have very little for brekkie and lunch and then maybe abit more for dinner. Its sooooo frustrating though and he's started waking at night, yet I cant get anymore food into him. I dont know whether to give an extra bottle in the day (he has 4oz in the morning and 8oz before bed) until his apetite improves but am reluctant to do this as it might upset the little he already eats !!
:-\
Sarah
x
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at least your guy eats PB and fruit I guess
Yes, at least there's that. We just reintroduced pb since he used to get rashes on his bottom from it when he was younger. It's not much protein, but it's something!
Have you guys tried Apple & Eve's Fruitables? It's a juice made with vegetables/fruit and it doesn't have any HFCS in it. Aaron gets one every other day, apple juice the rest of the days at breakfast only (I still water it down). Won't do milk at all!
Sarah...do you think he might be teething?
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I give those juice boxes to DD - even though she DOES eat her veggies! But I can't give them to DS - I think they have butternut squash in them (causes BAD hives and tummy cramps) and fruit juice concentrates give him tummy cramps. But I do make his "juice" with apple juice, water, fresh fruits and either spinach or avocado added.
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Hi
Not sure about the teething, I think his canines are on the way down but dont know for definite. He's never been a good eater, tonight for example all he had for tea was one and a half fish fingers and dry cheerios for tea. Refused potato wedges and vegetables.
Sarah
x
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Once again plugging the breakfast cookies I make. I fudged around with the recipe some more today and like them more - a little sweeter and better texture but still super healthy with lots of protein, Vit C, calcium and iron as well as some B vitamins and manganese. Matthew just had most of one for a snack!
2 cups Total cereal, crushed
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
3/4 cup ricotta cheese (I use full-fat)
6 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp maple syrup
1/4 cup canola oil (or grapeseed oil)
2 large eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
sugar (white and/or cinnamon sugar)
In large bowl mix the first 7 ingredients. In separate bowl mix together everything else except the white sugar/cinnamon sugar. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix till combined/wet but don't overmix. Drop by heavy tablespoonful onto greased baking tin (I use Pam baking spray). Flatten with back of fork, then sprinkle with white sugar and/or cinnamon sugar (I use a bit of each) and bake at 400 for 18-20 minutes, checking after 15-16 minutes.
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karen - about how many cookies does that make? I would like to try it, but don't want to make a ton, esp if Jake won't eat them. he doesn't like most cookies... I know... weird.
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That makes 18 cookies. But it's easily halved to make just 9!
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I'd easily eat any of the cookies Aaron doesn't want. I know, so self-sacrificing :P ;)
I'm going to give those a try, Karen (you always have such yummy recipes)!
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hi, Hope I can join you mummies. My DS is 3 yo and extremely fussy. He has been fussy since 1 yo even though I did baby led weaning with him.
His diet is as follows :
Breakfast- dry cornflakes or rice krispies or oatmeal
Lunch and dinner- rice porridge ( I am Chinese and we cook it the Asian style- rice simmered in chicken or pork stock, with vegetables and recently some fish in it. The rice and vegetables become quite soft and mushy). This has been his staple for the last 2 years. I still have to feed him this main meal as he refuses to eat by himself. However he can eat a fairly large bowl of this most meals. Other than this sometimes its plain noodles in soup or homemade cream style soup (cream of chicken, cream of pumpkin, cream of brocolli). He can eat 2-3 bowls of the soup.
Fruits that he takes- only red grapes and since 2 days ago rockmelon.
Snacks- Goghurt brand of yoghurt in tubes, grated natural shredded cheese, peanuts, sunflower seeds, certain brands of biscuits.
Other things he takes are (junk food)- french fries, crisps, ice cream and chocolates
He has refused to try any other food than the above. If there is any other food in his high chair tray he will cry immediately. His phobia is bread- he can gag even if he sees bread and if anyone eats bread near him, he will cry.
He drinks quite a fair amount of milk too - about 20-25oz a day half of it at bedtime. He loves milk! He is of a good size about 35 lbs.
His diet is quite healthy and complete food groups and he is growing well. Should I be worried and stressed out that the variety of food is so small?
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I wouldn't stress since he is getting some protein with the rice porridge and some fruit and veggies too. But I might try to cut back on the milk - they really don't need more than 16 ounces day/total at this age (and that includes yogurt too) - more than that could affect his appetite and make him less likely to try other foods. Great that he's a good size - my DS is a skinny-minny!
Sara - hope you/Aaron like the cookies. DD and DS like them pretty well - DD is bringing one to school for snack today in fact!
Good day here yesterday. Maybe the iron supplement is helping? Breakfast was a few bites of multigrain waffle and few bits of Kashi cereal at home, then some blueberry bagel and a fruit/veg pouch in shopping car at grocery store; lunch was half a grilled cheese sandwich and a lot of a fruit juice smoothie I made with apple juice, water, strawberries, banana and avocado; snack was most of one of those cookies and some freeze-dried strawberries and more smoothie and dinner was a nice helping of penne with crushed meatball on top/inside the pasta!
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Hi Ladies,
Can I join along? DS will be 13 months in a few days, so I am not sure if it is too early to qualify him as a picky eater, but I see the writing on the wall. :) There are a few things he likes to eat, but my biggest problem is that he will not try anything. I always offer many different options, but he always sticks to what he already likes - things like scrambled egg, cheese, chicken nuggets, yogurt, fruit puree, and mac n cheese puree. A few other things are hit or miss. Often times he will not even try to put something new in his mouth and when he does, he will spit out immediately. I keep trying.
He won't even eat cookies -- imagine that!
Thanks for letting me follow along.
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welcome joho and samsmommy!
one of the things I have been doing is giving jake 'baby rice", infant cereal. I am giving it to O, as he is a baby and jake wanted to try. I figure it is filled with vitamins and iron, so why not. He usually has a small bowl at lunch time...sometimes that is all he eats. I often wonder when O will surpass J in weight. O is 7.5months and 20lbs and J is 3 and 25lbs.
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Thanks, Karen...will have to try them this weekend when I can go to the grocery store.
Well, we had an interesting dinner last night. It was pizza, for crying out loud, and that's all Aaron DID at dinnertime. He ate only 3-5 bites, drank some water, and that was that. Ugh...I'm hoping it's molars or some kind of illness that's making him feel a bit off; otherwise, I'm just stumped! He wouldn't eat pizza ::) I don't know anymore...
samsmommy3312010--Welcome! The fact that DS is only 13 mo is a great asset, believe me! Keep introducing those foods, even if it feels wasteful that he doesn't eat them. Even if all he will do is put it in his mouth and spit it out, who knows? He might eventually like it :) Time is on your side. I wish I had tried harder, myself. If nothing, you can rest assured that you've tried, given his tastebuds time to get used to new flavors. He might surprise you here and there, as I've seen firsthand how tastes can change literally overnight. DS did this with cold cheese. Wouldn't touch the stuff until he was about 19 mo, now he loves it! *hugs* It is so hard!
Wow...Aaron sounds huge :( He's 27/28 lbs at 23 mo. He looks skinny, though, and has lost all baby fat. My MIL thinks he's TOO skinny :(
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Sara, Matthew normally LOVES pizza. Takout, homemade (with chopped veggies and/or meat added) doesn't matter. But if he's teething badly or has a sore throat he does what you said - has a few bites and then just cries.
Samsmommy - I agree with Sara. Just keep trying!
Matthew is 22.5 months and on the tall side and barely 24 pounds. NO baby fat and skinny arms and legs, but broad chest/shoulders (relatively speaking).
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jake is 3 and only 25lbs. Sara - I wouldn't be worried about his weight, as long as your dr isn't.
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Sara - I wouldn't be worried about his weight, as long as your dr isn't.
LOL, no I'm not really concerned. The kid just has a big head. ;) Seriously, though, I think he's just fine. He's almost 3 feet tall, so is obviously growing well; though he has slowed down a bit. Haven't had a growth spurt in quite a while.
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Matthew has a big head too!
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Hi ladies,
Karen! Wow great to hear the iron sup is working? I'm planning to make your cookies... I bought the ingrediants last week but we've been away over Easter.
Re bigheads! B def has a big head! B weighs 14kgs, can't remember his hieght? I do know he's bigger than some 24-26mos? So I guess he *is getting enough food?
We've been up and down with eating - I guess if I add up what he eats in 1 week it
seems more than if I look at what he eats in 1 day.
B isn't eating dinner ATM... I'm not sure why either?
Hugs all xx
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LOL - my DS's head growth is outpacing his body as well. Last checkup he was 50th% for both height and weight and 75th% for head circumference! DH thinks this is hilarious because he has always made fun of me because he thinks that my head is a little oversized and is now convinced that DS has inherited it from me! :)
We had a difficult day with eating today. Here's to tomorrow!
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I just had to comment on the headsize thing cause it is too funny!
DS1 actually has a small head, 10th percentile (but full of course) as do I. I wear a kids sized hat. DH always makes fun of me too!! I think DS2 has a small head too if I remember correctly....
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Lol re big heads! Atleast we can laugh about *something* even if it's at the expense of our picky eating big head toddlers! Or in oe's case - small headed toddler!
Lol
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Yesterday went much better: he ate 1.5 pancakes and 1/2 banana for breakfast. Then most of a pb&j with some pretzels for lunch. Dinner was chicken nuggets (Tyson 100%...not too bad for the frozen stuff), a few french fries, then grapes and pineapple. Had a couple of snacks in the mix, too.
Atleast we can laugh about *something* even if it's at the expense of our picky eating big head toddlers! Or in oe's case - small headed toddler!
ROFL! That's one of the nice things about this age: they really do turn into little humor-boxes! If it weren't for those moments and the more frequent snuggles...well, let's just say I can understand why animals sometimes eat their young :P ;)
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So I just got back the email results for Matthew's food intolerances (IgG - not IgE allergies). He tested quite high for whey and almonds and moderate for cheeses (except mozzarella tested ok) and peanuts. Have a phone appointment with the doctor at 2:30 tomorrow afternoon to discuss and get her treatment plan.
Meanwhile have had a rough day here after a rough night last night. He'd had pizza for dinner AND drank more milk than usual since taking his bottle away. Was up a lot of the night and SUPER tired today. Had a very small breakfast and NO lunch before his nap - from which he woke early crying. Fun...
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I'm sorry Karen...that stinks (both the results and the rough day) :( Were the results what you were thinking they would be?
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I was suspecting dairy intolerance, so yes. And I'm SUPER glad that his wheat #s (and other grains) were fine/super low so don't have to worry about bread and all. Just have to try to find dairy free cheese and melts well for pizza and grilled cheese. Bought a few to start experimenting with. I just hope cutting dairy out helps - cause DH is going to be hard to get on board... But if it helps him be more comfortable (when he gets a flare he is so upset and uncomfortable) it's worth it!
Today he ate:
B: few bites challah french toast, few bites blueberry bagel, lots of homemade fruit shake with apple juice, water, fresh strawberries, banana and avocado
L: nothing - just more above shake
S: oatmeal made with rice milk and added PB (oops)
D: 2.5 chicken nuggets, 4 sweet potato fries, pouch of spinach/peas/pear
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Yes, I can only imagine how difficult a gluten-free diet would be. Hopefully those cheeses work out! And it sounds like he had a decent day :)
Aaron's done pretty well today. Lunch was a miss for us, too. Dinner was fab, though! Then again, we had tortellinis (which he LOOOOVES!!!!), and then he ate a whole banana. I tried to get him to just try some green beans. They were sliced, from frozen, so they had a really nice taste. He just pushed them around in the pasta sauce ::) I would just love him to just touch it to his tongue! Just once! Oh, well. Maybe some other day.
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Just keep trying with the green beans Sara!
Good day here (well for us anyway):
breakfast was a whole wheat pancake with Earth Balance vegan spread and a LOT of a Naked blue machine smoothie watered down and with avocado blended in. Lunch was only raisin toast with Earth balance spread (he refused the soy grilled cheese - can't blame him) and more smoothie. Snack was veggie straws and dinner was a LOT of penne pasta with veggie sauce and sheep's milk Pecorino Romano cheese melted in, as well as half a pouch of spinach/peas/pears. Turns out that he "should" be ok with goat's milk and sheep's milk products. He tested REALLY low/well for them so I'm going to try making a pizza this weekend with Trader Joe's shredded goat's milk mozzarella...
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what are veggie straws, Kar?
We're just trudging along. She's so picky. I don't even know if it's called picky or she's just not into eating. *shrug*
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*hugs* Sarah!
We're still same ol', same ol' here. I feel less stressed than I did just a few days ago bc DH and I have decided to do one recipe a week that's just for us...and if Aaron tries it, great. If not, no biggie. LOL, I think this will work...I'm just tired of being stressed out over this all the time.
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Veggie straws are basically "healthy" chips/snacks made from veggie powders and potatoes. Really yummy but not much nutritional value!
Sarah - could she have any other food intolerances that are affecting her eating and/or appetite? Have her iron levels been checked? HUGS
Sara - I think that's a great idea - keep us posted!
BAD teething here. Top left eye tooth almost through and bottom right close behind. Totally affecting his eating. But still better than it had been for the most part. I too have stopped stressing about it as much. It still bothers me but I'n hoping one day it changes...
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oh! Those are yummy! I had some at my ILs place and my daughter inhaled a whole bowl of them.
I don't know of any other intolerances that she may have. She's usually happy for the most part and her poos aren't stringy....
can't wait until she talks ;)
teething vibes for you dear..
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I too am trying not to stress about the eating as much. I can't anymore because I am driving myself crazy. FX that our picky eater get more adventurous sometime soon!
Karen - sorry about the teething. We're in the same boat over here. Ugh!
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Teething really does STINK! But on an amusing (and healthy) note, Matthew is currently enjoying some roasted/lightly salted pistachio nuts with me. First time he's had them and keeps yumming them and wanting more. Good thing it's almonds he is intolerant of (and somewhat with peanuts too) - pistachios were fine on that test for him!
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*tiptoeing in* Can I join you? F is officially a toddler, and I think he is officially picky. ::) He has never been one to eat a lot, but at least previously he would eat something. Now it's almost nothing. He just throws it all at me. :P I thought if I cut back on his milk he'd eat more solids, but that hasn't been the case and now I am tempted to give him milk just so he is getting something, kwim?
This is new territory for me. T was not particularly picky. He wasn't one to eat with gusto, but at least he ate.
Actually they are both picky at the moment. :( *sigh* I've never been one to stress out about my LO's eating habits as I knew that they were eating healthy stuff even if it was in small amounts, and over the course of a week they were doing pretty good. But now it's just ridiculous.
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welcome Martina..
ah the world of toddler eating :( Nothing stresses me more (has to be something!)..I'm definitely not one to suggest anything bc I'm still clueless. My daughter is falling further below the average curve..she doesn't even hit it. :'( I think I just agree with the saying they'll eat when they're hungry..I am guilty of making a couple of things for lunch just so she eats something. As long as they're eating well throughout the week..I wouldn't worry?
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Welcome Martina (though sorry you have to be here)! My Matthew started getting really picky right about F's age - before then he would eat pretty well and it was so nice! Then things got worse around 13 months, even worse around 15-18 months and have slooowwwwwlllllyyyyy started getting better (though it's still MILES from respectable).
Does F have any food intolerances? Low iron? Both of those things were at play for us and cutting dairy out of his diet and adding an iron supplement (he was mildly anemic) have helped some (low iron can lead to low appetite). But almost every night I have to make him a separate meal from us, or at least something modified.
What foods does he like? Does it help at all if he sees his brother eating something?
HUGS
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(((Hugs)))), Martina. I feel your pain! I have gone through the whole should I give him more milk (well he's on formula because he has had a little trouble digesting cow's milk at the moment) to compensate. I too tried cutting back so that he'd eat more solids and it has helped a little bit, but not always. It doesn't help with what he will actually try. He eats the same foods almost every day and it has driven me nuts.
I was so ecstatic over the weekend because he tried a few new things and liked them. And he actually picked up some pieces of fruit and put them in his mouth. He spit them right out, but I was happy that he even tried it. Come Monday, however, the foods that he tried over the weekend and liked, were disgusting to him LOL.
I have noticed that he is more willing to try new things when we are out to eat. So I told DH we need to start eating out like 3 meals a day LOL. I think it is because he is more distracted and will just pick things up and put them in his mouth and isn't really paying attention.
I'm not much help because I haven't made much progress on the pickiness, but I will tell you that there will come a point that you will just say whatever and not stress about it. I got to that point about 2 weeks ago when DS decided that the ONLY thing he would eat was cheese. He would hold out, throw his food, and yell until I gave it to him. He got over it in a few days, but at that point I decided there is nothing I can do but offer him healthy options. (And I thought I was very close to losing my mind!) I never thought I would stop stressing about what he eats, but I did (more or less). I've told the doctor what he eats and he doesn't seem concerned, so I am trying not to be.
Sarah - I am guilty of making a few things at mealtimes too- just to make sure there is something that he likes. My ped told me absolutely not to do that (as well as not to offer a few different purees if he's rejected one he usually likes), but I still do. I've gotten better with not offering him a different puree if he rejects one, but I do still put quite a few different things on his tray and cross my fingers.. :)
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I'm not sure where F sits weight wise at the moment (will find out on Friday), but I know he is pretty tiny. T is tiny too though, as am I. I offer him different things too but still nothing. I thought maybe he was tired of the same old stuff, but it doesn't seem to really matter what I make, and I'm running out of ideas anyway.
We thought F was mildly MPI when he was younger and I eliminated dairy from my diet. He did seem to outgrow that around 9mos and now eats food with dairy in it with no problems that I can see. We have been trying a bit of cow's milk recently, again I can't say there have been any problems with it but I decided to stop it for now since we have also been dealing with teething and reflux med weaning, and that was just too much going on at once. :P
I'm sure he is teething which probably contributes to the pickiness. :P
He seems like like chicken fingers, like the frozen store bought ones, but I don't like to offer them too much. I was all excited a few weeks ago because he was going nuts for scrambled eggs, but now he is throwing those too. ::) There are some things he will munch on, but not enough to make a meal out of. For example he will happily eat a piece of cheese or two, but that's it. He used to eat some vegetables but doesn't seem to want any these days. He doesn't like pasta. Sometimes he'll eat a bit of chicken but not beef. He doesn't really care for bread. He will eat some fruit at least.
I'm tired of having food thrown at me!!
T likes all sorts of things but just isn't eating much atm. :-\
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Hello! Does anyone know if Tracy had any advice on this whole picky-eating toddler situation? I don't remember her mentioning it in her books. I offer a variety of foods at each meal and the result is DD will eat the starches (pasta, rice, bread) and leave the rest. She'd rather starve than eat something other than a starch. I'm at a total loss.
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*hugs* Martina...like Karen said: welcome, but wish you didn't have to be here, too. It sounds like you're offering F a lot of variety, so I'd just keep offering it and one day (fingers crossed) it will go into the mouth instead of across the room at you. I don't think you're NOT doing something that would make it all work, iykwim.
I've gone back and forth over the whole "Do I make him something else if he won't eat?" And my thought is, "Yes." For now, anyways, until he's old enough that we can negotiate. Like, please eat one bite of x (would love it to be a veggie), and then you can have some more of y (whatever he really likes at that meal, never with a dessert type item). He's not there yet, so, I continue to offer different things. May not be very BWer of me, but it's not a battle I'm picking right now. Will be changing my tune in the future, I'm sure ;) But, he's not even 2...almost...and there's a lot of ground to cover in the meantime.
I was looking at his height/weight...he's 90%ile for height, below 50%ile for weight. His weight gain has REALLY slowed down lately, as he used to be close to 75th. He's really skinny and has no baby fat left on him. I guess that's okay? His 2-yr wellness check-up is in a couple of weeks, so DH will talk to the ped about it all then.
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Hello! Does anyone know if Tracy had any advice on this whole picky-eating toddler situation? I don't remember her mentioning it in her books.
I'll check TBWSAYP, but I can't remember...it's been a while since I've read the books. I think what you're doing is great, just keep offering. DS won't eat any veggies, but we always put them on his plate and tell him it's yummy.
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Keira, ITA with Sara!
Martina - my DS went off scrambled eggs at that time and sadly hasn't added them back in (though my SIL had success at that age by stabbing bites of them on a toddler fork and letting her LO self feed that way). I only get eggs in DS by making challah french toast with double egg - he LOVES that! As for the chicken fingers, you can make them super healthy at home - cut up boneless skinless chicken breasts (maybe pound them first so thinner and softer?) and dip first in flour seasoned with salt and pepper, then egg then crushed cornflakes (or breadcrumbs) and then pan fry and/or bake.
Sara - I too offer my DS something else but usually only one other option and then I stop there.
Have to dash but thought it might be helpful in terms of ideas if we all post what our LOs DO like to eat? I can come back with that later!
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Sara - I too offer my DS something else but usually only one other option and then I stop there.
Yes, I'll only do one alternative, too.
I found a really yummy version of homemade chicken nuggets, and they're healthy, too! They're baked and sound a lot like Karen's. Will see if I can find the recipe...
Karen--will have to come back with what he'll eat later, too :)
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Keira, I bet you can find some picky toddler help in the BW Toddler book. I read it, but I can't remember what it said! :P ::)
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DS won't eat any veggies, but we always put them on his plate and tell him it's yummy.
We put them on his tray and then eat a few pieces off it ourselves, all while making a big production of swallowing, rubbing our stomachs, and telling him how good it is. We are a little bit nutty (and desperate) over here :). This typically does not work LOL.
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Well bad night here. Chalking it up to teeth (PLEASE let him not be getting sick again) - he had half a small chicken nugget (homemade), two sweet potato fries and maybe two bites of raisin toast with dairy free "butter". Thankfully he also had a Plum Baby pouch of blueberry, pear and purple carrot. We were going to take DD out for ice cream tonight (usually I bring along some cookies for DS since we don't give him dairy) but think I'll just send DD and DH - no dessert for him!
Here's our food list:
- waffles (whole grain, all natural) toasted with Earth Balance spread
- pancakes
- dry cereal (Kashi heart to heart is a favorite)
- toasted whole wheat bagels with margarine
- challah french toast
- grilled cheese (goat's cheese) on enriched bread
- pizza (homemade with goat's milk mozzarella and lots of chopped veggies under the cheese)
- pasta (penne is a big favorite - he likes it with red sauce or bolognese shoved inside the noodles)
- chicken nuggets (healthy ones and only sometimes accepted)
- cereal bars (Trader Joe's ones - only sometimes likes)
- sweet potato fries (sometimes)
- freeze fried bananas or strawberries
- homemade fruit smoothie with lots of fresh fruit blended with diluted juice and either tofu or avocado (he drinks a lot of this every day)
- applesauce
- pistachio nuts
- Ella's kitchen or Plum Baby pouches (I buy the fruit/veg mixed one - he has one most days)
- chicken noodle soup (sometimes)
- raisin toast with margarine (sometimes)
- oatmeal (rarely)
- bananas (sometimes, not the norm)
- apple slices (sometimes, not the norm)
- baby carrots (will eat one or two occasionally)
- goldfish crackers
- animal crackers
- chocolate chip cookies (once in a while treat)
He used to do yogurt before he went dairy free but the soy stuff is pretty nasty and he doesn't like it. Doesn't really drink any "milk" anymore either since we took his bottle away about 5-6 weeks ago.
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OK just felt his mouth and the two eye teeth he's been working on for a while (top left and bottom right) have poked through. So no wonder he didn't really eat dinner. 15 teeth down, 5 to go...
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Have to dash but thought it might be helpful in terms of ideas if we all post what our LOs DO like to eat? I can come back with that later!
Here's our list:
-bread
-rice
-pasta
-soya yoghurt
-mango
-cauliflower
-spaghetti sauce and meatballs
-tofu
That's it. Everything else won't be touched, or if it is, it's spit right back out. Grrr.
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Meatballs are a GREAT one! You can make all kinds of "sneaky" ones like adding sweet potato puree and/or carrot puree, chopped spinach, etc. Same with spaghetti sauce - all kinds of chopped or pureed veggies can go in there. Fruit or veg purees can also be mixed in with yogurt.
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Well, both boys actually ate some dinner tonight which was a pleasant surprise. We had cabbage rolls, which is not new but for some reason tonight they both decided it was a good meal, lol.
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Here's our list:
-Veggies: broccoli or carrots if they're really soft and mushed up into a casserole; will do veggies if they're blended up in a smoothie/fruit juice (so masked by sweet)
-Fruits: pretty much anything except cantaloupe or watermelon (though he likes to pretend he eats it ???); apple is hit or miss; and he won't eat everything all the time, it comes and goes.
-Grains: Any, be it pasta, bread, pastries, pancakes--he eats pancakes for breakfast more times/week than anything else. We just give them to him plain. Won't do cereal that much any more, and does not like oatmeal/wet cereal.
-Meat: Sometimes some chicken, but only mushed up in a casserole, or in the chicken nugget variety. Will eat ham if it's in a kolache...sometimes.
-Other Protein: Will only eat egg if in french toast or in a kolache. Will eat peanut butter (always liked it, but he used to break out if we gave him any). Haven't tried nuts with him yet.
-Dairy: Will eat cold or melted cheese, but only that with milder flavor (mild cheddar, monterrey jack, colby, mozz.); will sometimes do string cheese; sometimes will do yogurt. He LOOOOVES the Gerber Yogurt Bites...it's his favorite snack. Doesn't drink milk at all anymore.
Writing it down like that, it looks like he eats a wide variety; our thing is he eats very simple food, save for a couple of casseroles here and there. He is just very set in his likes and will not try new things. We get a solid "Nope!!" when we ask if he would like a bit of whatever. So, yeah, simple, straightforward foods for us. DH and I joke that he should live in Italy when he's older bc he asks for pasta all the time!
Anyways, I was reading up on picky eaters in TPWSAYP. She has a lot to say, and breaks it up into 6-12mo issues, 1-2yr issues and 2-3yr issues. It's chapter 4 if you have the book. It's a really good chapter, lots to think about. I won't write out everything, but here's are some excerpts I found interesting re: the last 2 groups:
From the 1-2yr section:
"Sometimes the problem is not all solids but a particular kind of food--say, peaches. If your toddler isn't very adventurous about trying new foods or seems "picky" at this point, and rejects certain foods, it's because children now start showing distinct preferences for certain foods. It also might mean that he just needs a little more time to get used to the new flavors and sensations in his mouth, and that you have to be persistent (but relaxed) about offering unfamiliar foods to him.
Some children are, in face, picky eaters--they don't like a big variety of foods at this stage and they never will. And some also require less food than other kids. What may seem "normal" for one child is too little or too much for another. If a child doesn't want to eat all his food, allow him. Otherwise he can't learn when he's full. In my experience, if a baby is on a good routine, he'll eat. A picky eater will even try new solids. Just try two teaspoons of a new food--that way, you're at least introducing it to him.
My rule of thumb is to give a new food four days in a row. If your child doesn't eat it, give it a rest and try a week later. If your child doesn't like a huge variety of foods (see "fad foods," page 166), don't worry about it--some adults don't either." (pages 155-156)
From the 2-3yr section:
"Young children are particularly prone to food fads, both in the behavioral sense and also in their selection of foods. They will select a certain food of a few preferred foods and eat them for a long time, refusing to eat anything else." (page 166). Here Tracy mentions that her daughter Sophie was/still is a fad fooder, and that Tracy herself felt she was, too.
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Interesting Sara. And what's a kolache?
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I have been wondering about the kolaches too from your avatar. ;)
I'm pretty sure F's list is short:
Veggies - will munch on a few here and there but it's always different. It's not that he seems to not like them, he just doesn't want to eat most of the time! ::)
Fruits - does pretty good in this department although does get bored easily.
Meats - only really eats chicken, maybe a bit of pork on occasion or ground meat. Again, depends on his mood.
Grains - not a big fan. Doesn't care for pasta or bread. Will nibble but usually just throws. ::)
Dairy - likes mild cheese, not melted though. Won't eat yogurt because he will not let me feed him, and he can't do it himself yet.
I bought him a proper straw sippy and am so excited that he is drinking smoothie that way. I kept trying with an open cup and it was hit or miss. Sometimes he'd drink it but most of the time he would smack it away. He is so rude when he refuses! :P
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ok thought I would join the list:
veg - only peas and corn.
fruit - only strawberries apples and only sometimes (He did have an orange phase, but thats over)
meat - hotdogs (is that meat) some chicken depending on how its cooked, hamburgers and sometimes steak (this is probably his best dept)
grain - sometimes bread, lots of cherrios, sometimes pasta but only plain, although once in a while with spag sauce
cheese - only in a grilled cheese. He will only eat yogurt tubes (and now "baby yogurt", the brand I give O.)
as I look, he isn't that great, but I always give him whatever we are eating for dinner and he has to eat something cause I don't do separate meals, he usually does.
as for milk, we have to bribe him... drink your milk and you can have dessert... so bad, but it works, and he is starting to ask for milk now, so maybe it is working? He is more particular about the prepartion, nothing can touch, the spices, cutting of the food etc. I think that is normal?
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Kolaches are, well, in short...amazing ;) There's lots of different kinds, though I think the Texas (probably American as a whole) version is different than the actual Czech version (where the originated). It's mainly a Texas thing, I've found, since there is a huge Czech influence here. So, for us, it's a thick bread stuffed with all sorts of savory things, like sausage, eggs, cheese, BBQ beef, bacon, ham, etc. Lots of combos. Here's a link to my favorite chain (makes my mouth water just thinking about it!):
http://www.kolachefactory.com/
Sometimes he'd drink it but most of the time he would smack it away. He is so rude when he refuses!
I giggled a bit here...just the kind of thing where you want to chuckle and strangle them at the same time. Their personalities are pretty cute at this age. Good luck with the straw cups! My nephew will only use those, too. *fingers crossed*
oe--If you have TBWSAYP, Tracy talks about little quirks with food not touching other food, etc. Maybe it could help you out? That's good about the milk, though...personally, I see no harm done.
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Kolaches sound delicious!! :)
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I'm a little late with this, but this our list:
Fruit - will not eat anything cut up. Has just started to even pick up things like blueberries and strawberries (sadly, I consider this a mini success). They're out on his tray once a day so I'm hoping that eventually he will just start. He will eat pretty much any fruit puree though.
Vegetables - same deal as above, except refuses most veggie purees
Meat - chicken nuggets, sometimes regular cooked chicken, was loving meatballs for awhile, but won't touch them anymore, ate a few pieces of hotdog the other day, but hasn't tried it again
Dairy - LOVES yogurt, LOVES cheese
Grain - LOVES cheerios, sometimes bread, multigrain rice cakes, pancakes, french toast
LOVES scrambled egg, potato and cheese bites, french fries (health(ier) ones)
Not working with a lot here! Sadly (again), I was so happy the other day when he reached into a chip bowl and ate a Dorito-like chip. Obviously there is no nutritional content from that, but he doesn't like so many things that most kids like so I was happy. Sigh!
Oh - for anyone in the same situation as me with a child who really only eats chicken nuggets and only eats other meats here and there -- I have been buying the Perdue Whole Grain Baked Chicken Nuggets (they also make them in cutlets and fingers). There are no fillers and at least they are coated in whole grain breadcrumbs and are baked, so I feel a little better. They are actually pretty good!
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We had a couple successes today in that DS ate a few raw apple slices (he used to eat them all the time but had stopped) and roasted chickpeas. Made this recipe as is but added salt in with the cinnamon and he and DD LOVED them. Great healthy snack! http://weelicious.com/2011/05/10/roasted-honey-cinnamon-chickpeas/
Meals still not great though. Chicken noodle soup has been on the outs lately, as have chicken nuggets, sweet potato fries and oatmeal. He wants to live on pizza (luckily he loves my homemade one with LOTS of veggies) and pasta (at least he'll do various sauces, including bolognese).
Today he had:
B: a medium whole wheat pancake with Earth Balance spread, some of a fruit smoothie with avocado blended in
L: small piece challah french toast, roasted chickpeas, more smoothie
S: apple slices, more smoothie
D: maybe 1/4 a grilled cheese sandwich (goat's milk cheese), 3/4 a pouch of spinach/peas/pear
For us, sadly, that's a pretty good day! Hopefully we'll get some protein in there tomorrow with bacon at the diner.
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Karen, that would be a good day here too! Thanks for that chickpea snack recipe, I am going to try that as I am looking for more healthy snack ideas!
Actually, F ate pretty good today for a change! We were busy this morning and didn't really do a mid morning snack, so I wonder if that's why both boys actually ate some lunch.
Today they had:
Breakfast - some whole wheat croissant, and some cinnamon raisin toast, a few strawberries (they both seem to be off strawberries atm which is usually something they can't get enough of :P)
Lunch - cheese, crackers, carrots sticks, turkey sandwich, leftover strawberries. F ate a bunch of cheese which was great, and some crackers, but threw the strawberries. ::) T ate about 4 bites of the turkey sandwich (yay!), a bunch of cheese and crackers, and some strawberries. Neither of them really ate any carrots. ::) They're not keen on raw ones.
Snack - some raisins, and some dry cereal
Dinner - slow cooker beef with potatoes and carrots. T only really ate carrots, but F actually had a few pieces of beef, a few bites of potatoes, and several carrots.
T then had some raisin toast before bed. ::)
I've got some new ideas to try this week to see if I can get them eating better. We were at the doctor yesterday and F weighs less than I thought he would. :( He is not even 19 lbs at 12.5mos, but at least is in the 50th % for height so I guess he is probably growing up and not out. He also walks so much so that is also why he is not packing on the pounds. I put T on the scale while there and he weighs less than I thought too, only about 25 lbs (fully clothed) at 32mos. :( Again I think he is growing taller but not gaining weight.
I know they are fine, but must focus on getting more food into them! :P
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S had a bad eating day yesterday. Our day went like this:
Breakfast: a piece of French Toast, refused fruit puree, some Cheerios
Lunch: scrambled egg
Snack: pear puree
Dinner: cheese cubes and Cheerios
Cheese cubes and Cheerios! I think that his bottom canines are cutting (and perhaps the last top first yr molar), so I am pretty sure that is what is doing it. Still frustrating nonetheless.
And he must know that I want him to eat because he will put a bite of food near his mouth, not put it in, and drop it in his chair and make me think he's eaten it. He started pretend chewing yesterday. I don't know how/if this is possible, but jeez!
I would love to do smoothies with him, but he refuses the sippy cup and I am trying to just give him his milk in the bottle atm. Anything else goes in the sippy cup ie juice (even if he won't drink it - he likes juice, but almost always throws the sippy on the floor, only occasionally will take a few sips from it) until we start a serious wean from the bottle. Should I try a smoothie in his bottle or wait until he starts to take the sippy?
Karen and Martina - sounds like some good eating going on over by you! FX it continues.
Karen - thanks for posting the recipe. I am going to try it.
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Last few days DS eats decent (for him) for two out of three meals and completely refuses the other. Yesterday he had a good breakfast (4 silver dollar pancakes and half a piece of bacon) and good dinner (pasta bolognese) but no lunch. Healthy snacks though.
Due to lack of any form of milk since we took away his bottles and subsequently discovered a dairy intolerance, DS definitely does not get enough calcium or Vit D. Definitely going to be ordering a supplement today! Protein is lower than I'd like to - he used to do stuff like roasted meats but dropped those some time ago. If it weren't for his juice smoothie we'd be in big trouble!
Samsmommy, I'd not use the bottle for smoothie or juice, but that's just me!
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Sounds like he's doing well at the moment Karen, hopefully it continues!
F is doing pretty good too, he is eating more. T, well he's eating a little bit more than he was but still not much. :P
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Karen, that was a great day for eating! I'd be over the moon if Z ate like that :)
Sadly, Z has been not eating well the last couple of days. Argh it's so hard not to worry!
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Yes, he's doing quite well lately, in his own limited way. He's TOTALLY carb boy - but I try to make them as healthy as possible. Like this morning he had an entire multigrain toaster waffle (Trader Joe's - inexpensive but healthy and all natural) with Earth Balance spread at home. And then at the grocery store he chomped through 1/3 of a pumpernickel bagel in the shopping cart. And on the way home had an entire sippy cup full of Naked blue smoothie diluted with water and with avocado and blackstrap molasses blended in. I'm sure he won't eat lunch. And the rest of us are doing deli sandwiches tonight so probably will offer DS extra eggy challah french toast. I'll focus on apple slices and pistachio nuts for snacks probably.
Sarah, sorry Z isn't eating well. Did you ever have her iron levels checked to see if that's a factor in her low appetite?
Martina, yay for the boys and hope it continues/increases!
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OK so I just made a new batch of those breakfast cookies I've posted here before - but instead of ricotta I used tofu (to make them dairy free) and instead of crushed Total cereal (cause I was out of it) I used crushed Trader Joe's toasted oatmeal cereal. Like them even better this way! Hopefully DS likes them/has one after his nap.
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Where did you post that recipe Karen?
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On this thread, a few pages back. But probably easier if I just post again. I halved the recipe here (which then made 10 cookies), but still used one full egg. And like I said above, this time I subbed in tofu (same amount) for the ricotta and used the crushed toasted oatmeal flakes cereal instead of Total. I also used half brown sugar, half maple syrup. Otherwise I did as is, though was relatively generous with the cinnamon sugar on top!
http://www.cooksrecipes.com/articles/lapine_sneaky_chef_breakfast_cookies_1.html
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Awesome, thanks! I'm going to try those this week!
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Hey gals! Well, we're still plugging away over here...still exposing him to new foods...still trying to get him to at least try new things...to no avail. Oh well. He's eating pretty well, amount-wise, so I can't complain.
Karen, Aaron is SUCH a carb baby, too. He's been asking for bread with every meal lately. ::)
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Hope they go over well there Martina. Matthew just happily ate 1.75 of them for snack now! He thinks he is getting cookies, I know he is getting tofu and wheat germ and all.
Sara - let me know if you figure out anything with the carb issue!
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I hope they work too. Everytime I've made healthier cookies for the boys, they don't eat them! How is it that they know the difference between homemade and that store bought cr@p?!? ::)
Today has been ok. I got this organic corn puff type cereal that F seemed to really like for breakfast. T ate some and played with the rest. ::) They both had some smoothie and some mango. Not much of a snack for them this morning, I offered some milk and cereal bar but they just kinda nibbled. Fair enough.
Lunch, T did really well for a change. He actually ate almost an entire ham sandwich! I think it's because I made it on a whole wheat croissant instead of bread. Will have to remember to pick up more croissants! He ate a bunch of pear too.
F only really nibbled on some cheese and crackers. ::) I cut up some red pepper but neither of them touched it. *sigh*
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He thinks he is getting cookies, I know he is getting tofu and wheat germ and all.
Mwahahahaaa!
Sara - let me know if you figure out anything with the carb issue!
I'm not too worried...I like bread a lot, too and would/could eat it with every meal. He just takes after his mama ;)
Martina, glad things were a bit better today! T has good taste: croissant! Yum!
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Yea, I have NO problem at all with Matthew wanting so much bread either BUT I wish he'd eat some protein with it!
Now I'm craving croissants....
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my newest find for protein...edamame, Jake LOVES them and they are so healthy. Sometimes if I need a quick dinner, just give him a ton of those and a yogurt. He can`t get enough (sometimes I wonder if maybe it is too much, is that possible)
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Returning to sulk on here with you ::). I have been here many times before with DS, but Megan isn't doing so well these days either ::). Although i suspect Megan meets essential nutrients - she is a meat and fruit junkie - not keen on carbs really (odd, hey?!). But is still on 2-3 bottles and is a VERY determined spoon refuser. Veggies are pretty difficult.
DS is very picky and always has been. Is developing a very sweet tooth and I am losing a lot pf previously eaten foods again. Mainly fruit which is sad.
Hoping to get some new ideas on here. Both of mine are 'dry food' kids too.
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Liz, Megan sounds a bit like Sam although he doesn't like fruit (except in a puree when he is not refusing it) and has warmed up to carbs a bit. He is a chicken (nuggets specifically) and cheese addict. Veggies have been very difficult for us lately. He had been taking some in a puree, but is refusing it now, so that is not helping. Does she like yogurt? If so, YoBaby makes yogurts with fruit and veggie puree at the bottom (but if she is refusing the spoon now that might not help). Sam is refusing the spoon for the most part, but usually can't resist yogurt :). Will she eat scrambled eggs? I sometimes put some cauliflower puree or butternut squash in them to get some veggies into him. You could try that if she eats them. Also, if you make her breaded chicken, if you coat it in egg first, you could add some veggie puree to that. Even when I do that, I still offer cut up fruits and veggies on their own in hopes that he will just try them. Strongly believe it's a texture thing for him.
We are in the same boat where we have very little variety in Sam's diet and certain categories of food that he just will not eat (ie veggies). Sadly, I feel like it's a mini victory if he just picks up a blueberry or a carrot LOL. One thing I have noticed, however, is that he is more willing to try new things when we are out or even when we are not in an "eating setting". I was eating a multigrain rice cake the other day while he was playing and he came over and was staring at it, so I offered some to him. He ate quite a bit of it. (I put the same rice cake on his high chair tray the next day and he wouldn't touch it). So, I think I might try offering him some new foods when he is not sitting in his highchair for a meal or snack. Who knows if it will work, but I'll just keep trying.
The other day DH told me that he feels very badly for me because I try so hard with Sam's meals and he just won't budge and that I look so defeated. It's very true!
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Liz, while I don't like seeing you on threads like this, I do love crossing paths with you! ;D
It's funny how they have their little food groups they do like. T is more of a carbs man, but F hardly touches them. ::)
So last night for dinner I made homemade mac n cheese and threw in some carrots, brocoli, asparagus, and celery. It was a hit with T, he ate a bunch which was nice to see! But F barely touched it. ::) F loves plain, medium cheddar but seems to shun cheese in any other form. :P
This morning we had some whole wheat blueberry pancakes and strawberries. Barely touched by either of them. sigh
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Day starting poorly here - seems like teeth bugging him (two eye teeth still coming through/moving down) and he keeps acting hungry gut then shoving too much in his mouth and then crying and pulling it out and not eating. He did it so far with waffle and pancake and part of a bagel. Just gave Tylenol - will try for an early lunch today.
Hi Liz! Does M like cantaloupe? Fruit but a GREAT source of Vitamin A (like veggies are). Will she do homemade pizza? That's how I get lots of veggies into DS. Veggies can also be finely chopped or pureed and added to meatballs or meatloaf since she's a meat lover...
Sorry for the rough morning Martina!
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thought I would share an actual good moment...today jake had a small bowl of cereal with milk, about 5-6 strawberries, a couple of blueberries, yogurt tube, 2 eggs with cheese, half a piece of toast, and some milk/chocolate milk... still haven't had dinner! so happy today! (If i could get him to eat some veggies... but not complaining.. still a good day.)
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Woohoo! That's great, oe :) It's the little things, isn't it?
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WTG!
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That is great, oe!!
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I haven't gone through this yet but it looks interesting! http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/recipe-collections-favorites/family-friendly-recipes-00000000023901/index.html
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I added that link to my favorites so I can go back and check it out later. ;)
So last night I made those breakfast cookies. DH and I thought they were yummy. ;) F scarfed his down this morning, T took one bite and asked for a chocolate cookie! ::) I think that all cookies will have to go, healthy or unhealthy, because as long as he sees cookie he wants the bad ones! :P Well, I'll keep offering. He might eat one as a snack or before bed. At least F (and DH and I) like them so they will get eated.
Last night we had spaghetti, neither boy touched it but T ate a bunch of cucumber. :P
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Thanks ladies - tried cantaloupe - she flung it ::). She is a big food thrower as well ATM, I know it is just a phase, but god it is a PITA. I'm sure she will eat it if she is given it often enough though - she really is a complete fruit junkie :P.
Flung most of her snack, flung most of her lunch, but then ate a load of my left over pea risotto off a fork :o. I suspect she needs a wider range of wider flavours, but DS is such a plain dry kid that i tend to cook in that direction rather than end up making 3000 different meals.
She will nibble pizza, DS won't touch it ::).
Managed to get J through the morning without getting any rubbish off anyone. That in itself is a feat - I try to make sure snacks are healthy but he often gets stuff off DH or my parents - and I'm not going to go getting mad at them about it at the moment as I depend on them too much for support to go doing that.
Megan does like pancakes - I must make her some - DS doesn't like them so I tend to forget ::). Good idea ;D.
Potatoes, chicken, carrots and gravy tonight. Wish us luck :P.
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Well I'm glad you and DH and F liked them and maybe T will go for it next time!
Going to try a grilled cheese (goat's cheese) with a bit of turkey ham added at lunch today. We'll see what happens!
Good luck Liz!
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Good luck, Liz! :-* That's amazing that Megan ate your risotto! Act on it and fast, lol! Oh, and fwiw, Aaron loves fruit, too, but does not like cantalope in the least. Nor watermelon. At least he likes bananas, strawberries, and blueberries (I consider them like the trifecta of super-fruits). :)
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F is a really bad food flinger too. Everything gets flung. Seriously I'm going to start letting him just eat off the floor. :P
F seems to like rice and risotto, just tricky because he has to eat it with his hands. But hey, whatever works! ;)
Today for lunch T ate two pieces of cheese, half a croissant, and a few bites of homemade beef and vegetable soup. F ate a piece of cheese, threw his croissant, but he did have a good amount of veg and pasta from the soup, and he had some oranges. Not too bad.
I'm going to try and make those chickpea snacks today! :)
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Good lunch for your boys Martina! Matthew had a good one too - most of a small grilled goat's cheese sandwich with a tiny bit of turkey ham added. And sucked on a baby carrot LOL.
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i think I missed something...what is this chickpea snack? Jake LOVES
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My son is 13 months old and will only take certain foods from a spoon - yogurt, fruit purees, and mac and cheese puree -- and not even these sometimes. Therefore, I haven't been able to try giving him certain other foods because he won't even open his mouth for them. I'd like to be able to give him things like soup, pastina, etc at some point -- do I just have to wait until he starts feeding himself or is there some trick to getting him to open up for these new things. I'm guessing no, but I always hold out hope. :)
Should I try putting things like spaghetti or rice on his tray and see if he'll eat it with his hands?
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oops... i meant to type LOVES chickpeas... I just cook them. how do I make a snack? I think I missed some posts. Please fill me in. thanks.
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Karen posted this chickpea recipe earlier: http://weelicious.com/2011/05/10/roasted-honey-cinnamon-chickpeas/ Haven't made them yet but plan on it!!
F WILL NOT let me put a spoon anywhere near his mouth for anything. :P So things that need a spoon will just have to wait until he can do it. I have been giving him one to practice, and he seems keen on trying to scoop food but not so keen on putting it into his mouth. ::) Oh well, what can you do.
I do my best letting him try to eat everything with his fingers, even runnier foods. Though he is just a disaster and the mess is epic. I could handle the mess if it meant he would eat some too, but I don't like having to clean up mess after he has refused everything!
You can try giving him 'dippers' for runnier foods, like fruit and veg sticks, or toast or breadsticks, things to dip in sauces and yogurt.
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Today we had an unexpected success with salmon fishcakes, he was completely filling his mouth with it !!! ;D
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Awesome with the salmon fishcakes - how did you make/serve them?
Matthew will only "sometimes" let me feed him with a spoon IF it's soup, applesauce or yogurt (goat's milk yogurt) but only sometimes.
He happily scarfed down one of DD's fruit roll ups today (100% fruit) and loved it LOL
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Ok so on a whim... just made the chickpeas, they are currently roasting in the oven. I don't know if I will make them again, you have to peel the skins off of each pea... that took... forever! will report how they turned out.
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Yes peeling the skin off takes time BUT is well worth it - both my kids love them and they are a great healthy snack! I find it helps to rub them well between layers of paper towel - loosens the skins and makes them easier to peel.
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Strangely good eating day here. Course that's cause dinner was penne pasta - his favorite thing by far
B: multigrain waffle (Trader Joe's) toasted with Earth Balance spread, fair amount Naked blue smoothie with avocado and blackstrap molasses blended in
L: most of a small grilled cheese sandwich with turkey ham added, sucked on a baby carrot, more smoothie
S: pistachio nuts, pouch of banana/beet/blueberry, 100% fruit roll-up, more smoothie
D: penne bolognese
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so first of all, the roasted chickpeas made my house smell amazing!!! second... they were really good and Jake asked for more... I might try and roast them with the skin on next time and just see.... it was really tedious.
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DS ate his dinner, including some bananas and custard for desert ;D. Megan flung hers ::). This will be a recurring theme though!
She did eat some tiny pieces of chilli cashew nuts out of my snack bowl as well. Crazy girl :o.
Megan just SO wants to be a big girl. She NEVER let's me feed her so the risotto was a real shock! You should see her with a carton of fruit smoothie - just sucking the straw like a grown up. But she squeezes and makes SUCH a mess, so now I save the almost empty ones that DS has finished with to save the mess.
Chick pea snack *might* be something J would eat as he does like to eat 'nuts like mummy'. I get these whole food snack pots and he does eat stuff out of them sometimes, like chili maize, nuts, dried mango. I even caught him eating wasabai peas a few days ago! Not the best snack - but great proof that so much of this is just control and nonsense!! It is mummies so he will eat it ::) ::).
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ok, I'm addicted! Both J and I have been snacking on them constantly... we can't put them down!!!!!
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Good to know they are a hit! I've got some in the oven right now. But yes, peeling them was tedious. :P If they are popular I will have to make a bigger batch next time, despite not wanting to have to peel them again!
So we had a good dinner here! F ate a lot of chicken, a green bean (yes only one and I am happy!), and a bit of rice. T wasn't looking like he was going to eat a thing, instead he was trying to feed his dinner to his truck. ::) But then DH convinced him that in order for the truck to get energy to go, T had to eat the food to 'pass on' the fuel to the truck. It worked! So he had a pretty decent dinner as well. :)
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Wow, seems like everyone had pretty decent days all around! Woohoo! The planets must have aligned or something ;)
Aaron ate OK yesterday, nothing really to complain about. He's been on a banana kick lately, and he's eating nearly the whole thing! It's funny to see his little tummy sticking out afterwards. :)
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too cute sara - J is on a strawberry kick. I bought 2 lbs on Monday and they were all gone by wednesday! (I only had a few and DH doesn't eat them... so it was all J!)
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J is on a strawberry kick.
Smart boy, 'tis the season after all. Personally, I can't wait until cherries become available (and not at $8/lb). Last year Aaron really liked them, but who knows this year!
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Eating hasn't been great over here (teething always messes mealtimes up), although S did eat some corn muffin (something he's never had before) for his snack this morning so that was good.
Last night I made turkey nuggets for him and he wouldn't touch them (he wouldn't touch anything even regular chicken nuggets -- only cheese -- so I'm not convinced that he won't eat these yet). Anyway, they really look just like the chicken nuggets you buy in the store and they are really easy to make. DH and I ate them for dinner too - we dipped them in bbq sauce and honey mustard sauce. We thought they were really good. I think S will eat them once he stops being so agitated from his teeth. Here's the recipe:
1 lb of ground turkey
salt, pepper, parsley, onion powder (any other spice you want to add)
1-2 eggs
flour
whole wheat bread crumbs
Preheat oven to 350. Combine turkey with salt, pepper, parsley, onion powder. Put flour in one small bowl, bread crumbs in another small bowl, and eggs in yet another small bowl. Roll ground turkey into balls. Coat each one with flour first, then dip in the egg, and then coat with the breadcrumbs. Place on a greased baking sheet (I used cooking spray). Use a fork to press down on each ball to create the look of a nugget. Bake for 10 minutes, flip them over and bake for another 10 minutes.
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Those do sound yummy...and easy (Which I really like)! I agree...don't give up on them yet. Silly teeth :(
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Thanks for the recipe!
Not looking like a good day here. Short night of sleep last night (only 9.5 hours) and EW (5:10 am) tends to do that. Had OK breakfast with another multigrain waffle (he's an addict) toasted with earth balance spread and some of his smoothie (today's is apple juice, water, strawberries, banana and avocado) but no lunch other than literally two noodles from some chicken noodle soup and a bit more smoothie. Will see how snack and dinner go but not hopeful since it's not penne pasta and that's all he wants anymore!
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mm speaking of strawberries. I made strawberry vanilla breakfast cookies which was pretty good. Z had one cookie.
She really just eats well one day of the week. Yesterday she was starving and ate pretty decent meals. She was crying in the car when my MIL and I got some bbq chicken and fries..she was crying "fries? fries? friiiies!!!" <insert wail>
Thanks Karen! Sounds yummy. I made ground chicken kebabs with oatmeal rather than breadcrumbs but she didn't like them ::) I hope his teeth come out...poor guy.
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Mmmmm Sarah, how did you make the strawberry vanilla breakfast cookies?
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Strange eating day here. After the non-lunch DS had two of the small breakfast cookies (with the tofu) for snack. And more of his smoothie. Then for dinner he refused the challah french toast (DH is at a work dinner and DD was eating hot dog, carrots and applesauce but had a whole pouch of blueberries/pears/purple carrot and then decided he wanted some of the roasted chickpeas and ate a fair amount. Seems like teeth bugging him though. Just so tired of him screaming at dinner time if it's basically not penne pasta or pizza!
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Karen! It's from Sneaky Chef's book...Strawberry Vanilla Breakfast cookies..
I can type out the recipe tomorrow :)
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So......I made the roasted chickpeas. They are so yummy! However.
I decided to give some to DS in a non-high chair/eating setting since he tends to be more willing to new eat things that way. I put two in my palm and he took them. (Started to get happy.) He put them on the floor and started rolling them around. He is obsessed with bouncing and rolling balls back and forth and omg I think he thinks these are just really tiny ones! Seriously?! He puts every toy he owns in his mouth. WHY NOT THE CHICKPEAS?! Sigh.
Oh well. We'll try again! Got to stay positive, right? :)
Hope everyone's day is going well!
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ladies..such an awful day :(
She had a strawberry breakfast cookie and a bite of egg for breakfast. For lunch she had a few bites of pasta and a few bites of grilled cheese on bread..
for lunch she wanted nothing. Had a few bites of chicken and then put some cream cheese on bread and she ate most of it.
Here's the recipe for the cookies
makes about 4 dozen cookies
ingredients:
6 tablespoons of butter
1 cup of flour blend
1 tsp of baking soda
1/2 tsp of salt
3 cups of old fashioned rolled oats
2 large eggs
2 tsps pure vanilla extract
1 cup strawberry puree
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/4 cup of strawberry jam
preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Melt butter
In a large bowl, whisk together flour blend, baking soda, salt and oats. set aside.
In another large bowl, whisk together eggs, vanilla, strawberry puree, sugar and the melted butter.
Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until the dry ingredients are just moistened. Drop single tbsp onto the baking sheet, leaving an inch bw cookies. Make a small indent with your finger on each cookie and fill with about 1/2 teaspoon of jam, if using.
Bake for 25-28 (I did 15 minutes and it was fine) or until golden brown.
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Sorry you had a bad eating day, Sarah. :( Thanks for posting the breakfast cookie recipe. I will try this one for sure.
Have a question for you all:
So it sounds like most of you offer your LOs something you know that they like along with new things at mealtime. Something I read on here, though, made me think that maybe I'm doing the wrong thing. I think someone said that they offer something their LO likes, but it is not always an absolute favorite. Since DS's likes are limited, at dinner, for example, I always offer chicken nuggets and cheese -- two things he will almost always eat. He loves them. However, I wonder if I am just sabotaging my efforts to get him to try new things.
Yesterday, for example, I put out a piece of a beef shish kabob (tried and liked beef a very long time ago, now does not), pepper from that shish kabob (new), french fries (he will eat these from time to time), steamed broccoli (put this out quite often, he won't try).... I waited for a bit and he wouldn't touch it. I was able to put a little beef in his mouth, but he spit it out. He yelled at me until I put some chicken nugget on his tray and proceeded to eat 1 1/2 of them.
I am kind of stuck between not wanting him to go without dinner, but not knowing if I'm screwing everything up by always offering chicken nuggets at dinner time. He is teething and has been for a long time, and I know that it is interfering with his willingness to try new foods, so maybe I should just give him favorites and wait it out, but wanted to see what else you ladies do.
Thanks!
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In our house we all eat the same thing, unless it is sushi or something very spicy... Jake has to at last try it. He is 3 so he can tell me if he doesn't like it and then I will determine whether or not I will give him something else. Usually he eats a little bit at least. Before I found he was just eating toast everyday... now, he is getting better and although sometimes doesn't eat as much as I want him too, he is at least trying new foods. I was also stuck with that whole not eating dinner thing too, but now for some reason, I don't worry about it as much and he is eating so much better.
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I think what you're doing is fine. It's difficult though bc you want to expose to a lot of different foods. I think sometimes picky eaters as children don't necessarily turn into picky eaters later. I mean there are days when Z eats whatever I put in front of her and then there are days when her favourites are just not accepted.
I think it's okay that they're eating a certain type of food for a few days or weeks or whatever..it's not going to last and it'll probably get played out. Sometimes I'm just in the frame of mind of thinking "I-just-want-her-to-eat-anything!" and if it's healthy and nutritious that's fine.
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samsmommy3312010, your LO is 13/14 months old, right (I'm trying to remember)? :) If so, I would say to keep offering the foods that you are. Most of us currently chatting on this thread have LOs who are 2+ (though Martina has Finn). There's a lot of time in between, so I hope you're not stressing from our stress, iyswim :-* Again, just keep offering him bites of whatever you're eating.
Speaking personally, yes, I do make things that Aaron will eat; but that's only because it's taken me a while to figure all of that out and get it pretty consistent (and to expand his palate so I'm not eating the same thing every night, lol!). When he was younger, it was still a lot of trial and error for us, too. *hugs* What I did then and what I do even now as a back-up, is to make sure that I had one thing he would eat in addition to whatever new food we wanted him to just *try*; it was usually a side dish or some fruit. Like Sarah said, if he won't eat the new food, at least whatever he's eating is nutritious and will get him through until the next meal ::)
Oh, And if your little guy is older than I'm remembering then my *hugs* anyways!
I posted an excerpt from TBWSAYP a page or so ago that talked about fad foods...Tracy said it's normal for some kids to do that, and that they usually grow past it.
Some good news for us: Aaron tried a pickle tonight! He sucked on it for a little bit and then put it down. But I was just so happy that he tried something new. I care less about him being picky if he at least TRIES the stuff instead of being instantly met with a "Nope!"
Hope y'all are doing well!
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that's great, sara! mm love dill pickles..garlic flavour is probably my favourite!
Better eating day! A lot of carbs. Annie's is a company I discovered when I went to Hawaii, and I found out they make a bunny mac and cheese! Made that for Z today and she had a good serving. Also made her peanut butter-banana with carrot puree muffins which she had a couple of!! ;D ;D Even if she had one out of the whole batch, it would still make making it worthwhile ::) :P :)
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Hi ladies, i'm jumping on board again as my LO is back to being picky! hoping it is just teeth but never sure....gosh,why does this phase have to occur, tis a real pain........glum....
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Thanks, ladies. I tend to stress myself out quite a bit when it comes to Sam's eating. I had gotten better and had let go a little bit, but started getting crazy about it again. My need to get him to try more foods is coinciding with him being very difficult with eating (and in general) because of his teeth and I know this is the time when it's most important not to get stressed about it, so I'm going to try. :)
Sara - great memory - yes he's 13.5 months! :) I am going to add that to my signature. I didn't realize that everyone's LOs were mostly older than Sam so that makes me feel better (not feel better that you ladies are dealing with picky eaters, but better that maybe there is still some hope for expanding his palette as the years go on :))
Sara and Sarah - glad you both saw some better eating yesterday! Sarah, I love Annies myself.
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Nicole, it's hard..my daughter's two and we've been battling these food fussiness for nearly a year. ::) I'm sure it gets better as they get older, more active, speak more etc..
Welcome Lisa :)
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Hi ladies! We are away at the moment so haven't been keeping up. :P
The boys are doing pretty good while we've been out, though it's so hard to keep up with healthy food while out and about so they have been getting more junk than usual. ::) But they're eating and having fun, so that's good.
Will try to get properly caught up when I get home. :)
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Hi everyone!
Nicole, like Sarah's LO, my DS is almost two (two weeks from today!) and we've been having food issues since 13-15 months. DS almost never eats what we are having, though I offer it to him. Nights we are having pasta WITH our meal he eats that and maybe something with it like a fruit/veg puree pouch.
Lisa - welcome back, though sorry you are having troubles again.
Sara - awesome on the pickle! I've heard that with fad foods too. And Matthew's latest food food is pasta. Penne pasta in particular. With red sauce (can be marinara or bolognese or whatever). He'd live on that and waffles if he could.
Martina - glad the boys are eating and having fun. Have a great trip!
Sarah, Annie's is a really great company. I haven't made those PB/banana muffins in ages (I had used cauliflower puree when I did). Maybe I'll try those again this week though with sun-nut butter since DS is moderately intolerant to peanut butter.
As for us, we are going to try to cut out more trace amounts of dairy too. DS tested quite highly intolerant of cow's milk (whey in particular) and while our practitioner thought he'd likely be OK with stuff like waffles made with some milk in the whole batch, I think he's still reacting to it. He eats that stuff a LOT (like a waffle 4-5 mornings a week) and I think it just adds up to too much - he's still having more digestive issues, frequent colds/congestion and bad sleep than he should be.
OK, I'm exhausted so I'm off to clean the kitchen and lay down. I really "should be" organizing DD's 8,000 papers/artwork, etc and trying to organize family photos but I'm too tired!
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how are you guys doing? Karen, any luck with cutting out milk traces?
I made broccoli nuggets and lentil soup today..she had one nugget and a few small sips of lentil soup ::) I really think they tasted good. I'm not sure their pickiness is based on taste? Hmm..
I find with dinner, she doesn't like to eat from her highchair and likes to eat on my chair beside the window looking out. Anyone finding they're outgrowing their high chair?
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Hi Sarah! Yes, I think it IS helping. Today was the second full day of absolutely no cow's milk products/ingredients (goat's milk is OK). He's still way picky but less congested, slept better last night and BMs are smaller. And mood better. Hoping it keeps up!
Matthew started refusing high chair or booster about a month ago. I officially gave up about two weeks ago and moved them downstairs. At home he just sits at the table in a regular chair. We might get a kids table as well. Sometimes in a restaurant I can get him to use the high chair still.
As for the pickiness, I definitely think taste is only a small factor. It's as much look, feel, smell and a sense of control.
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T was out of his booster before he was two. He has always been pretty good about sitting on a chair.
F is back to being super picky. ::) It's not about taste with him, he just doesn't want to eat. I think the molars are really bothering him so that must be it. But the throwing is driving me crazy! He literally hurls everything, and will look straight at me and throw something! It's so frustrating.
Things are hit and miss with both of them, but at least T ate a pretty decent dinner tonight.
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As for the pickiness, I definitely think taste is only a small factor. It's as much look, feel, smell and a sense of control.
I'm thinking this is the case for us, too. I remember my own tastes changing as I got older, so I try to be respectful when Aaron says he doesn't like something. But I just wish he would try the stuff first ::)
I find with dinner, she doesn't like to eat from her highchair and likes to eat on my chair beside the window looking out. Anyone finding they're outgrowing their high chair?
I was thinking about this just today, too!! For us, him sitting in his highchair just makes it easier to feed him. I think he'd really like a booster chair soon, though.
Today was a hit-miss-hit day! He had a good breakfast, but then a bad lunch (shots at the doctor's, then fell and scraped his knee outside), but then ate a fabulous dinner! I don't know if we're turning a page here, but he ate raw carrots with ranch dressing (just a little) and SWALLOWED them!!!! I was so proud of him :)
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aaargh! my daughter!!!!!
:( i feel like I'm eating more to compensate for her NOT eating.
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Ahhh Sarah, hugs!!
Mine aren't faring too much better either. :P It comes and goes, but really even when they do eat it's not like it's fantastic. ::)
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HUGS Sarah. I totally understand.
Not doing well here either. Plus DS is sick (again) so that makes eating even worse.
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Hugs to everyone! Same boat over here. We have had a few good meals here and there (mainly breakfast), but otherwise, the second something goes on his tray, he throws it off. And he looks at me straight in the eye which makes it worse!! LOL
Karen - hope DS feels better soon! :(
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Thanks Nicole. Bringing him in to the doctor in an hour or so - he's getting this same viral thing way too often - like 2-3 times a month!
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*hugs* Sarah and Karen :(
We're still kind of hit or miss here. He's doing this thing lately where he brings his food up to his tongue, tastes it first and then will eat it or not. And then, if it manages to make it into his mouth, if he doesn't like it, doesn't like the texture, or (most frustratingly) even if he DOES like it but he sees something else he wants more, he will spit out his food. Grr! Just swallow it already. Sheesh ::) On a high note for the weekend, he tried and ate 1/3-1/2 of a hot dog...so a small triumph bc he tried something new. LOL, doesn't mean he'll eat it again though, right?
*hugs* for you all!
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Hey, hugs to you ladies. Karen, so sorry that your son is sick..it's been a hard run for him this year :(
With Z..I don't know what it is. She's okay eating the textures and things new. I just don't know what it is. She had breakfast before 9. One banana french toast ..then I just gave her a few carrots, a slice of apple, and a box of raisins but that was all bw 9 and 12. 3 hours! And then no lunch..until finally at 12:30ish she ate two of those mini muffins that I mentioned that I made. Whatever..she ate something. I have honestly relaxed so much since she's started all these shenanigans but it would be so nice if she just ATE. lol. Just eat! *shakes her head*
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Good luck at the doctor Karen.
I don't know why F doesn't eat either. It doesn't seem to be about taste or texture with him. He's just never hungry or something. The throwing is what really gets to me though. I mean if you don't want something fine, but don't hurl it at me! ::) I would so love to give him a plate or a bowl of something and some cutlery and just let him go at it, but I don't because everytime I try he picks up the whole dish and tosses it over the side. I know it's a learning thing but I am so over cleaning food up off the floor! I give him cutlery, that usually ends up on the ground too. ::)
Today though he surprised me and ate some oatmeal with his hands. I've tried before and he wouldn't eat it, I assumed maybe it was too slimy. Today he shoved a whole bunch in, so that was promising at least!
And T....we'll he's just an almost 3yo. We'll just leave it at that, lol.
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What if you cut back the snack (maybe take out the raisins)? Would she eat more?
Back from doctor... coxsackie
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Oh no Karen!! More (((hugs))) for M!!
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I try that but i think her blood sugar gets really low mid morning and she gets really whiny. I've reverted to trying to really get her active before lunch and such. :)
But yes, very minimal snacks. That works most times!
She had a good dinner this evening, thankfully. She doesn't like sitting in her highchair. Our kitchen table is pushed against a window ledge so she walks, sits and takes bites while she walks on the chair that I share with her. ::) Honestly.
ETA:so sorry K!!!:(
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Minimal snacks here as well or else they just don't eat at meals. ::)
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Thanks guys. My poor little man tried to eat some pasta (the rest of us were having honey-mustard chicken, pasta and salad) but only had four bites before deciding to stop (perhaps the sauce was too acidic on the mouth sores)? Anyway, after the ibuprofen kicked in he ate two of my homemade pancakes (half whole wheat flour, goat's milk) so that was good at least. Meals are painful though - he is so uncomfortable!
Sarah - what if you move up lunch instead? So if she's hungry around 11 just do an early lunch? I do that sometimes! But otherwise, no worries - her snacks sound super healthy anyway!
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Sorry to hear your DS is so uncomfortable, Karen :(. Many hugs to you and him.
What kind of snacks (and snack sizes) do you recommend for a 14 month old? I have been struggling with that a bit. Because he has been so picky lately, I had tried to really cut out snacks unless he ate nothing at a meal, but, funny you're mentioning the low blood sugar thing because I read that that could be a cause of fussiness mid-morning and late afternoon and thought it may be what's going on here. He has been really crabby lately, and I've been attributing it to his teeth, but the increased level of crabbiness coincided with him starting to walk and I think it's because he is low on energy at certain points in the day. So I'm doing snacks again (and it's helping quite a bit with the fussiness), but I don't want to affect his meals. I know it's a silly question, but any thoughts?
Thanks!
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I really struggle with thinking of healthy snacks that aren't too filling! :P Fruit is usually a good one, but they already eat so much fruit at breakfast and lunch. They don't like raw veggies. I usually settle for a healthy cereal bar, some dried fruit, or some dry cereal.
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Fruit is usually a good one, but they already eat so much fruit at breakfast and lunch. They don't like raw veggies. I usually settle for a healthy cereal bar, some dried fruit, or some dry cereal.
Same here! Goldfish, Gerber's yogurt bites, pieces of cheese, yogurt, crackers (with peanut butter if he can tolerate it)...really, I just use whatever I have laying around. Aaron only gets 1 snack time--it's after his nap, to tide him over until dinner; so I let him eat a bit more.
Sarah, we don't do a snack in the AM either. His lunch is ~11:30 (with breakfast between 7:30-8). If he DOES ask for an AM snack and is just ravenous, we'll give it to him earlier, like ~9:30 or 10. IT might push lunch back to ~12.
Karen, I'm so sorry hear about M :( Poor guy :(
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Sara! Wow, really? He's okay with that gap? I just figured it's a good opportunity to give her fruits or veggies as I don't give them to her during her meals..unless it's veggies in the meal and fruits are best before a meal, but she would fill up on that. Hmm I'll try limiting that..
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Well that was horrible. I realize he's sick but come on... This morning he screamed at the square waffle (I'm trying to switch him over from round ones cause I want to buy a four-slice square waffle iron and start making them at home) and would only eat the usual multigrain (dairy free) round one. And of course had a lot of his smoothie. Then no lunch before his nap. After his nap he had only 3 bites of his veggie pizza and only wanted pistachio nuts (and more smoothie). Refused dinner completely. Fish burger (which I knew he wouldn't eat), sweet potato fries and raisin toast all refused. Offer a pre-bedtime option of oatmeal or yogurt, both refused. He asked for a waffle, I told him no and he went to bed with a totally empty stomach. Sigh.
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Hugs Karen, I hate knowing they went to bed after hardly eating anything. :(
Can you make square waffles in your waffle iron but then cut them into round ones maybe?
Meh day here. One day they will eat me out of the house and I'll be complaining about the grocery bill! ;)
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I'm worried if I cut them they'd be too tiny then? I'm going to try with the frozen multigrain (Van's) square waffles I bought tomorrow and if I can get him accepting those I'll switch to homemade in a week or so. I'm hoping he's hungry after no dinner and next to no lunch so he'll go for it?
I'd be happy to complain about the grocery bill! Dinner is so upsetting here lately. He just screams basically. And then the whole night is shot...
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Oh Karen. I feel so bad complaining about Z's eating when you've got so so so much on your plate. It's so hard when Z eats so little..
It's hard with no dairy too...:(
BIG BIG hugs Karen. Really. You're a superstar.
lol Martina..I think she's already eating me out of the house. the things I buy sometimes just to get her to eat ::) Fruits..veggies..frozen salmon cakes..frozen broccoli nuggets. sigh. Just so much easier to get them frozen than to make them on my own bc I'd have to make her stuff AND our dinner. She did dinner today while sitting near me on the window again.
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Sarah, don't feel badly at all! We are all here to listen and vent and try to help each other.
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Karen, that stinks :( I hate when they go to bed without having eaten much at dinner, too. Hopefully the pickiness is just being amplified bc he's not feeling well. Maybe he likes the smoothie bc it soothes his mouth/throat?? At least you can pack that full of healthy stuff. What do you treat coxsackie with?
Sarah, yes, he normally does just fine with that gap. Obviously, it's not a hard rule or anything. He normally eats a fairly big breakfast and a fairly large lunch. Yesterday he ate 3 pancakes for breakfast!!! But then he only ate about 3/4 of a PBJ sandwich...had a smallish snack post-nap and a smallish dinner (~2.5-3 chicken nuggets and some mandarin oranges).
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OMG - 3/4 of a PB sandwich and 2.5-3 nuggets and oranges would be considered a FEAST here!
Nothing really to treat coxsackie since it's viral. Rest, fluids, pain meds as needed.
He did have the square waffle this morning, so at least there's that!
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OMG - 3/4 of a PB sandwich and 2.5-3 nuggets and oranges would be considered a FEAST here!
LOL, see...that's where I think differences in what makes a picky eater is highlighted: Our problem has never been quantity, just that he won't try new things. With the exception of pickles ::) I think there are multiple kinds of these kiddos.
Woohoo, Matty, for having a square waffle today :D Hopefully today will be better for him, sweet boy :( And you, too!
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Ah, I totally get it. Unfortunately, our problem is with both issues!
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Am I remembering this correctly, Karen: I thought you had mentioned once that Marisa used to be a picky eater but that she does fine now. If that's the case, what did you do to help her with that, and what age did she start eating more of the foods that you and DH eat?
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Yup! Marisa was picky until about age two, when she slowly started getting better. But hers was mainly a texture issue - she had bad reflux and associated eating with it. So for some time she'd only eat grilled cheese (cut into small bites), dried fruit and chicken nuggets and that was IT. By 3 she was eating most things we were minus the veggies and by four the veggies too. And she started adding in fresh fruits around that age. What helped with her was that she really wanted to eat what we were eating - especially what DH was eating. And distraction. We'd let her have small books in her booster seat while she was eating (then we slowly weaned the books away around 3 or so). Plus she's a health nut and really interested in eating foods that are good for her. Sadly, none of the above works with DS! She does still dislike certain textures - especially mashed potatoes!
No lunch here. We'll see what happens after nap.
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lol that would be a feast here too. 3 pancakes would be worth celebrating for!
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lol that would be a feast here too. 3 pancakes would be worth celebrating for!
He's never eaten that many before, normally he maxes at 1-1.5. I don't know if he was just more in touch with his inner chimpmunk yesterday and felt compelled to store away or what!
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3 pancakes, I'm thrilled if either of my boys eats 1/2 of one! :P Seriously though, what do I have to do to get them to eat? T hardly ate breakfast, F at least had about 6 bites of omlette. For lunch all they ate was grapes. I managed to get T to eat a few bites of pasta and chicken only by telling him his monster truck wanted him to eat it, but it was over the course of like an hour. ::)
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aw, hugs Martina. Does he like a particular fruit? could you mash them into a cereal or oatmeal or pancake?
would he like his food arranged in a funny way? smiley face etc?
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Food presentation doesn't seem to make a difference with these boys. ::) I have tried adding fruits that they like to cereal, etc. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. There is no rhyme or reason! Maybe they just hate my cooking! :P
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I feel that way too...::) I don't think it's that though...
Different types of pasta? Variety? I sometimes rotate bw wagon wheels, farfelle, spaghetti, etc etc.
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We tend to do rotini, penne, or spaghetti, and occasionally shells or macaroni. With F I just don't think the kid likes to eat! It's not even like he thinks about it sometimes, it's either "alright I'm a bit hungry so I'll eat some of this" or "nope, don't feel like eating today, I would rather throw it at you". :P At lunch he took ONE look at the food I put on his tray, yelled at me and threw it!
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HUGS - food presentation doesn't work here either (well DD loves it but DS couldn't care less). And I often feel like Matthew doesn't like to eat either! And with him getting sick so often he eats even less.
Pasta wise, he likes penne or mini-wheels the best.
Does F eat any better on the go? Or in a different setting? Occasionally if Matthew hasn't had breakfast he'll eat a piece of challah french toast or the like in his stroller on our morning walk to the bus and for exercise. Or sometimes when he refuses lunch he'll eat a bit of it as a sort of picnic on the play table in the family room.
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Sometimes...sometimes not. :P He doesn't eat in the stroller, just sits there and holds it. Eating in different places is hit or miss. Yesterday I packed a lunch to take to the Early Years Centre with us and he really didn't eat much while we were there. But then when we got home I just put all the same food outside in the backyard, and they picked most of it clean while playing. A few days ago I did lunch outside as well and it was a disaster! There are so many variables! lol
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aah..these children. Wonder what they're thinking when they see food. "Food bad. Must throw at mommy."
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LOL Sarah.
So not too bad here. He's still not himself and quite tired and tires easily but he did play some and eat some. After the square waffle (with Earth Balance spread) for breakfast he totally refused lunch but did have two of those breakfast cookies (I made them with crushed Kashi Heart-to-Heart cereal and Sheep's yogurt this time) for snack. And a LOT of his smoothie. Then for dinner he had a small but fair portion of pasta with meat sauce (I made his with mini-wheels this time), half a pouch of spinach/peas/pears and then some pistachio nuts. And more smoothie.
His holistic doctor today recommended we start giving him Sambucol (echinacea/elderberry syrup) for two weeks on/one off and astragalus daily to build up his immune system. We'll see if it helps!
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My cousin swears by elderberry syrup, so I hope it does M some good, too! Looks like he did have a pretty decent day yesterday, all things considered. *Whew* Must be a relief!
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Yup Sara, just hope he can stay healthy for a little while this time. And for sure at least through his birthday party Sunday! I didn't take him to his gym class this morning to be safe...
Something bothered his stomach last night though, he was up a LOT - the way he is with tummy cramps. Thinking either the elderberry or the cookies since I used sheep's yogurt this time (usually I use tofu or goat's yogurt).
So far today he had another square waffle with EB spread this morning, some freeze dried pears, some smoothie and a few bites of plain bagel (they have him one for free at the store this morning when I bought our challah). Guessing he'll refuse lunch after all that but plan to offer goat's yogurt or kosher mini pigs in a blanket. Not the healthiest but a good source of protein. And dairy free. He's always refused in the past but nodded at the box when I showed him in the freezer so we'll see.
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He actually ate one pig in a blanket! Only one but still! He seemed to like it but probably wasn't all that hungry after what for him was a huge breakfast.
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*high five* Way to go, buddy! :)
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that's so great, Karen!! Yay!
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Yay, that's great Karen!
Still plugging along here. F has been eating decently today. T has been kinda off, he hasn't been feeling well. So that considered, he at least did eat a bit so better than nothing. :P
Breakfast: T - some strawberries, a few bites of oatmeal, a few sips of smoothie; F - same
Lunch: T - about 2 bites of a PBJ, 1/2 pint of raspberries; F - same but he also ate about 5 brussel sprouts, yay!
Dinner: T - 1/2 hotdog (we tried those new natural ones with no preservatives so I didn't feel too guilty, lol), 1/2 corn on the cob, handful of sweet potato fries; F - about the same but a little less in quantity, plus a piece of cheese and a few crackers
Wow, it's so sad that I don't think that's too bad. :P
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That's awesome, Karen! And Martina, that sounds like a good day to me!
We didn't have a great day yesterday, but DS was kind of funny. At breakfast, he immediately threw his carrot french toast on the floor (not so funny), but ate his eggs (with pureed cauliflower). As soon as I took him out of his highchair, he started walking around and I handed him a bite of french toast and he ate it! He continued to eat a fair amount of it as he was walking around. I love that I have to follow him around handing him pieces of food to get him to eat sometimes!
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oh martina that would be a GREAT day for us!
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That would be an over the moon good day for us too Martina!
So I'm now going to be adding zinc to our growing supplement list. Ionic zinc - 7-8 mg daily. Apparently zinc deficiencies can lead to both picky eating/loss of appetite AND chronic illness - both of which afflict Matthew.
BUT in the meantime we are hanging in there. He definitely likes eating at the kids table better so for now we've moved the art table from the family room into the kitchen and will look for a folding kids table this weekend.
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Zinc deficiencies eh? Interesting.
Pretty cr@p all around today so far. :P A bit of oatmeal and some blueberries for breakfast (F ate maybe 4 blueberries and that's it). For lunch I made grilled cheese, and even used a cookie cutter to make T's into a star shape. Did he eat it? Not one.single.bite. ::) They both ate a handful of grape tomatoes and that was about it. :p
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Yup apparently not enough zinc can make one not only have less appetite but have a reduced sense of taste and smell.
At least what the boys ate was healthy I guess? We had a decent day here. Multigrain (dairy free) waffle for breakfast with EB spread, half a blueberry muffin Larabar for snack, no lunch, 4 ounces or so of goat's milk yogurt for snack and then dinner he had a good amount of chicken noodle soup (with carrots and celery) and half a pouch of spinach/peas/pears (after refusing the fish and homemade fries the rest of us were having along with salad).
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That's the thing though, I feel like I'm slipping more and more into easier and less healthy foods because I'm getting discouraged by how little they eat. :( I'm literally running out of ideas and often I feel like my options are they starve, or I offer something sweet and unhealthy just to get something in them. :'(
T is frustrating because he USED to eat well. Always ate something if not huge quantities, liked a variety of things, and was willing to try new things.
F is frustrating because he just looks at it and throws it. I'm getting really upset by it now. :(
Today was awful. T ate NOTHING for dinner. After his bath DH offered him some cereal bar (this is what I mean by resorting to less healthy things to fill him up) and some yogurt. F had maybe two bites of dinner before tossing the rest overboard. >:(
And the other thing is, these children are big poopers. I swear they poop out more than they eat in a day. Surely that's not healthy?
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that's not so bad...sounds delicious and wholesome and good for you!
Z had an okay day. Has a decent, nothing spectacular breakfast and lunch..usually smaller dinners here!
Oh martina. Please don't be so hard on yourself. Even whatever you think is "unhealthy" is by far healthy!!!! You're trying and you're doing amazing. It's hard making things for them only for them to turn their noses at it. So much easier to grab something from the freezer. Sometimes when I have those moments I bake some frozen broccoli nuggets or salmon cakes. OR you could always freeze ones that you make and take them out? Or you could make some sweeter things like muffins..or cookies...
:( I feel for you.
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Oh, Martina. I can totally sympathize with you. It sounds like F and S are long lost brothers. In fact, DH is currently using the dustbuster to vacuum all of the crumbs on the floor from all of the thrown food from earlier in the evening. The rapid-fire throwing while staring me down is what really gets me. Why! When I go to take his tray away, he practically fights me for it and goes to grab any last piece he can get. If he clears his tray before I take it away, he will pick up miniscule crumbs and throw them. Argh!!!
We work so hard to present our LOs with balanced meals...we wrack our brains to find foods they may like...sheesh. A little appreciation, please! :) Plus, I really love to cook and I have a picky eater in DH. Now I have two of them!! (I can tolerate DS's pickiness a little more though since he's a baby ;) ).
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Yes, and my favorite is when he just goes nuts and uses his whole hand or arm to send the entire contents of his tray flying in every which direction. He does this with a madman laugh and look in his eyes. ::)
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Hugs Martina. I totally get it.
As for the poop - I don't think it's normal. DS used to be like that before we discovered his dairy intolerance and eliminated all cow's milk (even small amounts in pancakes, etc). He went down from massive mushy BMs 3+ times a day to now twice a day (usually) and smaller and better formed amounts (sorry TMI). Also, when we tested his stool (before) he was VERY low in good bacteria (namely lactobacillus) and higher than he should have been in bad bacteria (though nothing pathological). Though he's still FAR from a good eater and way picky, it's better than it was before we starting treating him (both by eliminating dairy and supplementing with Culturelle, iron and more). Then yesterday at the diner he ate "regular" silver dollar pancakes and was back to pooping like 5 times!
More hugs...
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I don't think they would do testing like that here in Canada for us...on poop, I mean.
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My insurance didn't cover it but it was well worth it to get to the root of some of the problems. It was a test our holistic practitioner ran through Genova Diagnostics.
My boy ate four homemade silver dollar pancakes this morning. Made with goat's milk in batter and half whole wheat pastry flour, half AP. Yay!
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Interesting. Both of them have been having these kinds of poops for the past few days, usually they are normal.....
They have both always been frequent and efficient poopers though. Just very loose the last few days.
F is still BF but he gets about a cup of goat's milk a day, plus a bit of yogurt in his smoothie and some cheese. T has been drinking cow's milk with no problems since he was 1.
I put probiotics in their smoothies every day.
So I don't think it is milk related, but I'll keep it in mind. Even just two days ago F's poops were still well formed. Something to keep an eye on!
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Which probiotic, Martina? My ND is a HUGE fan of Culturelle as it's one of the few to survive in the digestive tract and actually be most beneficial (especially for digestive issues). Floraster is her second fave.
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Natural factors I think. I really like Genestra probiotics but they are expensive and I just haven't gotten around to getting any lately. ::) I keep thinking it's time to go talk to our ND about their eating but I'm just too depressed about it! :P Maybe I will email her today. She is on mat leave but hopefully she'll make an exception and see us.
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When I go to take his tray away, he practically fights me for it and goes to grab any last piece he can get. If he clears his tray before I take it away, he will pick up miniscule crumbs and throw them. Argh!!!
Yes, and my favorite is when he just goes nuts and uses his whole hand or arm to send the entire contents of his tray flying in every which direction.
Yup and yup! We have that, too. Thankfully not as often as it used to be. Last night, we had pasta with marinara sauce and I put a little bit of shredded mozz on top of mine (no parm :(). A asked for some, so I put some on his pasta. For a few bites, it was great. Then, he would pick it off and throw it onto the floor. We've been really consistent with him, which is the only reason I think he doesn't do this as much any more (especially the whole arm thing, which we still get, trust me). We tell him to put the food he doesn't want on his tray, i.e. we acknowledge he doesn't want it on his plate; if he keeps throwing it, we assume he's done and the food goes away. Since F and S are much younger, I'd just keep at trying to stay as calm as possible about it (maybe leave the room and then scream to the heavens when he can't see you--yeah, BTDT!).
Martina, I wonder if T is acting the way he does because he sees how F eats?
Karen, hooray on the silver dollar pancakes!!!
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Martina, I wonder if T is acting the way he does because he sees how F eats?
I don't think so, it doesn't seem that way. But it's hard to know really.
We always did the same with T and throwing food, and he has been really good about it. With F, as soon as food starts flying I put him down. I just don't see the point in keeping him in there. The thing is, at least it used to be he'd sit and eat for a bit first before throwing. Now it starts pretty much right away. :( He doesn't give anything a chance, just picks it up and hurls it. I don't know where else to feed him.
Today has been awful! For lunch I made a platter with a variety of things, I thought they would nibble at least a little bit. Nothing! I even peeled and cooked a bunch of beets last night which used to be one of T's favs, but he hasn't touched them. He hasn't even eaten the crackers! It's getting out of hand really. They don't eat the fruit anymore either. WTH?
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Could they be getting sick? More HUGS
Good day (for us) so far. Those homemade silver dollar pancakes this morning plus some dry Kashi (heart to heart) cereal. LOTS of smoothie with TONS of fresh fruit and avocado blended in and then one of those breakfast cookies and some freeze dried pear (and more smoothie) at the park. Not even going to try for lunch - will just try for goat's milk yogurt after his nap. Dinner tonight should be disastrous though as the rest of us are having stir fry...
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I think F's issue at least in part is teeth. The molars are so close to cutting. Seriously though the kid better start eating SOMETHING because I have a feeling molars and canines will be back to back so we're looking at an awfully long run of teething!
T seemed to be coming down with something last week but it didn't progress. Just feverish and grumpy for a day, then nothing?? I have wondered if they caught some little tummy bug due to the fact that they have both had loose stools. Still their behaviour doesn't indicate anything, they are both fine. I am so confused!
Yay for the good day so far Karen!
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Ho hum. I feel like we're here now. The other night DH made salmon skewers and he used to wind them down. Now he's all like 'no like it fish, Finley done' push plate away and that's that.
Anyone know some decent brands of ready made meals? Anything organic or mainly additive free? Seriously that's what it is coming down to. I'm already less than enthusiastic about cooking and to cook to have someone spit it in the bin or try to hand me a mushed up whatever he doesn't like 'here mommy, here you go' he says lol I'm just not into it. It's becoming eggs, cheese toast, and sandwiches for dinner nearly every night now. Meh.
How bad are Eggo waffles on a scale of 1 to 10? :-\ ::) :P
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Wendy, I'm sure if you scour the health section at Loblaws or supertore there would some pretty healthy ready made stuff. I also head to the fresh ready made section as opposed to the frozen stuff.
Not that my kids eat any of it anyway. :P
Not sure about the eggos though, but even those they don't eat so no help there! :P
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Wendy, I'm sorry that Finn is being more picky later. But he's been such a good eater for now that I'd guess it's a phase and will come back around? At least he only pushes it away - Matthew takes a look and screams and screams cause he's hungry but doesn't want whatever it is...
As for ready made meals, I'm a BIG fan of Kidfresh frozen meals. All natural, no preservatives or additives, have hidden veggies in them and they taste pretty good! See here: http://www.kidfresh.com/our-products/
I also like Amy's organics frozen meals (they have some specifically for kids or Marisa will sometimes eat a small portion of one of the adult dishes). Watch out for sodium though.
As for waffles, Van's makes really yummy healthy ones that look a lot like Eggo waffles but "better" for you. DS loves the multigrain ones toasted with Earth Balance spread (he can't have butter). It's his breakfast 4-5 days out of 7. I did recently switch him to square waffles instead of round ones though so I can make them at home (a friend is selling me her four-slice square waffle iron on the cheap) and be even more comfortable with the ingredients.
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I'm sure it's just a phase (please let it be please let it be lol) he has actually screamed a few times, and we find ourselves caving a bit which we don't want to do. But who has the energy?
I'll look for healthy waffles lol I put maple syrup on his...guess I should nip that in the bud too huh?
He has been a pretty good eater, mind you we don't try anything over the top in our house anyway, we're boring so that helps to start lol
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I think pure maple syrup is good, but that cheaper stuff is full of cr@p really. Or you can put agave on his waffles, it has the same sweetness and consistency.
Ugh, now I feel like I need to try harder but feeling a little burnt out as well. :P
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I would think Van's would be available in Canada? If not and if you have a waffle maker I can send you a yummy, healthy, easy recipe that you can make lots of, freeze and then have toaster waffles on the cheap! I would try to cut out the syrup if possible. We DO put a drop (literally) of pure maple syrup on pancakes here but it's only a tiny bit. None on waffles. Earth Balance spread, apple butter (YUM) sometimes - that sort of thing.
Tonight DH, DD and I are having stir fry. Yummy and easy - chicken, cashews, veggies over short grained rice with a yummy sauce. He won't touch it and will scream when he sees it. I'll offer him a choice of oatmeal or English muffin or something boring-ish but it won't be fun. Pretty much unless it's pasta or pizza at dinner time he screams. Mind you the pasta is whole grain and can have bolognese on it and the pizza is homemade and has spinach on it. But still. I'm definitely burnt out as well...
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Yup. I don't even cook really and I'm burnt out lol We're doing a lot of grilling these days but that's even hit or miss. Just meat and a veg on the side. I can barely get him to eat 2 carrots out of 4 that I put on his plate. Maybe I'll just start serving him cheese at every single meal until he's sick of it lol
Problem in my house is that DH is happy to just have sandwiches. Marmite every day please. That's how he lives. So meals to him have no meaning and I'm stuck with all the planning and stressing and shopping for them.
We're not doing many carbs these days so I haven't made any pasta in months!
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I put maple syrup on his...guess I should nip that in the bud too huh?
Applesauce is really good with pancakes/waffles :) Especially if Finn likes to dip.
So meals to him have no meaning and I'm stuck with all the planning and stressing and shopping for them.
Sounds like us! Except DH knows he'd better chime in bc he has to cook Mon-Thurs nights (mwahahahahaaa)!
Wendy--a bit OT--but I've been thinking about you guys lots lately, knowing how you want to cook more stuff at home but want to get your feet wet first. I've been really into a couple of things lately that have really helped give me ideas and helped me to realize that homemade cooking is much less daunting that I thought:
1) http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/kelseys-essentials/index.html --Seriously, her recipes are so simple and use basic, common ingredients. I usually only have time for them on the weekends, but it's a start.
2) http://www.melskitchencafe.com/ --This is a mom of 4 boys whose cooking philosophy is that anyone can make yummy food with everyday ingredients and tools (read the About section and you'll see what I mean).
Ok...back on topic :)
Karen--yay for getting the waffle iron! That's exciting to be able to make M's waffles at home and exactly how he needs.
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As expected, NOT a fun dinner. Of course he screamed at the stir fry. I had an alternative of challah french toast or multigrain English muffin with goat cheese (both already made). After a lot of yelling he tried the english muffin (first time!) and did have 2-3 small bites but didn't seem to really like it. Then he yelled more, realized it wasn't working (LOL) and had maybe 1/3 a slice of challah french toast (I use extra egg). Then more yelling until he settled on his pouch of blueberry/purple carrot/pear pouch and had 3/4 of that. He's still hungry and wants pistachio nuts but I don't want to give him any because he had a lot of roasted chickpeas at PM snack and the combo would likely upset his stomach...
Sara I have to check those sites out, thanks!
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Sometimes I wish Karen lived closer so I can just send my child to her ;) Just kidding. It IS exhausting cooking for picky eaters. So much effort to hide the veggies..bake things that you feel good about them eating..watching the salt, sugar..etc etc.
Hey Wendy - sorry you're here :(
karen - lovely pic of you and M!
martina and sara - hugs just because :-* Hope you have better eating days..
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Wendy - welcome and sorry you have to join us! :(
Ladies - do you think the fact that I never pushed DS with Stage 3 baby food has impacted his finger food pickiness? After he had been eating Stage 2 for awhile, I tried to move to Stage 3, but he refused it because he didn't like the lumps. Since he wouldn't eat it, I stopped giving it to him, but was ok with that since he was eating different finger foods and I just assumed that he would get texture that way. Now that he seems to have an issue with texture (ie won't put cut up fruits/veggies in his mouth I think because he doesn't like the way it feels, seems to dislike the feeling on his hands of anything with a sauce or spread on it, etc), I'm wondering if I created this by not working more on Stage 3. I started trying again and he ate some yesterday (although it wasn't terribly lumpy, just maybe a little thicker), but had one spoon this morning (Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal) and then refused. Should I keep trying as it may help in the finger food variety department?
On a better note, this morning, S ate almost a whole piece of french toast coated in egg and carrot, and almost a whole scrambled egg with cauliflower puree mixed in. These aren't new foods, but I was quite pleased with the quantity! :)
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Nicole, will he spit out the cut up food if it's given to him on a spoon? So, like, if he doesn't have to touch it with his hands? DS didn't like messy foods for a while either, and even now will fuss if he has something on them ::) Congrats on the good morning!!
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Thanks for the sweet words Sarah!
Nicole - we never did Stage 3 type foods with either kid. I know a lot of people who don't.
Good day so far - breakfast was three more of those homemade silver dollar pancakes. Lunch was a full piece of his special pizza (homemade with tons of chopped spinach and goat's mozzarella). Lots of smoothie all day. Snack was pistachio nuts, one baby carrot (!) and a few slices of apple (!) which he hasn't had in a while. Apparently he likes granny smith more than red apples (as does his mama). We'll see how dinner goes. The rest of us are having pasta primavera (I make it VERY heavy on the veggies) - he can have his pasta with just sauce but will offer veggies on the side (which he won't eat).
Trying this pancake recipe tomorrow - will make as is except using EB instead of butter and chopping the apples super fine/thin. Will report back! http://www.meyenberg.com/index.php?page=kids-kitchen
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We went straight to BLW because of his reflux and he didn't like the spoon or textures, he'd grab it when you tried to put it in his mouth. So just chunks of regular food is where we started, and glad we did because that is what made him such a good eater for 2 years. Now at 2 his taste buds have peaked and it's been quite interesting trying to be creative with the minimal time I have. Can't wait until he can help with the food prep lol
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Dinner went well but that's not too surprising, since it was pasta LOL. He had a fair amount of Barilla plus penne with sauce, none of the veggies on the side but did also have a pouch of broccoli, peas and pears. The pancakes were a bust though - tasted WAY too much like dry corn/cornmeal. Was trying to make them in advance for tomorrow morning but looks like no pancakes tomorrow!
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Thanks, everyone.
Sara - unfortunately, he refuses the spoon for the most part and bats it away (unless he has deemed it edible with a sniff and quick taste -- usually only reserved for fruit purees and yogurt these days ::) ). I keep trying though. He doesn't seem to really care about putting the spoon in his mouth himself, so maybe I should let him practice more.
Wendy - I think that this is probably just a phase since he was a great eater for 2 yrs. Hang in there!
We had a lousy rest of the day, but it was mostly in part to our failed cow's milk wean :( This is the 2nd time we're trying it and he can't tolerate it. He woke up 40 minutes into his nap this afternoon screaming and was clearly in a lot of pain. He's also teething badly so at first I thought it was that, but when he wouldn't calm down and was writhing around in pain, I knew it was gas which has to be from the milk (last time we tried he got bad gas and diarrhea). After giving him Mylicon, he was better within 20 minutes so I know that's what it was. I was hoping to get to milk sooner rather than later since I figure it's less filling then the formula and might encourage him to eat more real food. We have our 15 month ped visit in about 3 weeks so I guess we'll broach the subject then and see if we should try soy or try the cow's milk again in a few months. :(
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Tonight's dinner was brought to you by pancakes with apple butter, applesauce, a handful of veggie chips and grapes. Yep running out of ideas lol
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Maybe try goat's milk? It's easier for many to digest/tolerate and we're doing well with it (and he does NOT do well with cow's milk).
LOL Wendy - sounds yummy to me!
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Nicole, we do goat's milk here with F as I'm pretty sure he can't tolerate cow's milk yet.
Not a great day but T has been sick (threw up the blueberries and smoothie he had for breakfast) and I have not been feeling well either, so I couldn't be bothered to put together any proper meals for them. :-[ What's the point when they don't eat it anyway?
T is being horrible though, he won't eat his meals but is demanding all sorts of snacks. But even if I give in and give him them, he STILL doesn't eat them. So frustrating.
At least this afternoon they each had almost a whole apple each for a snack.
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Tonight's dinner was brought to you by pancakes with apple butter, applesauce, a handful of veggie chips and grapes. Yep running out of ideas lol
Mmm, I love pancakes!! It's all I wanted when pg with A...lol, maybe that's why he likes them so much. If it makes you feel any better, he and I ate dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets and mac&cheese! Oh, yeah--we're fancy ;)
Nicole, bummer...it was an idea to keep his fingers clean. :( Poor little guy :( Maybe going ahead and giving goats milk or soy would be good?
I'm curious...does goat's milk taste different from cow's milk? Bc honestly, I've had goat cheese, and it literally tasted like a goat :P
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I'm not brave enough to try the goat's milk myself (though T has drank it and not seemed to know or be bothered by the difference). BUT I do love goat cheese!
F loves any milk (probably the only thing he does love ::). He loves his BFs, he loved cow's milk when we tried it, he loves goat's milk, and I've no doubt if I were to try any other kind he'd love that too. :P
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Bc honestly, I've had goat cheese, and it literally tasted like a goat Tongue
lol!
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I don't like goat's milk to drink. But then again, I don't like ANY milk to drink! I'm fine with goat's milk cooked in things (like the pancakes) or goat's cheese - well at least the goat's mozzarella on the pizza tastes fine. Matthew doesn't like it much to drink either. But he stopped drinking milk in any form once we took his bottle away.
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Multigrain (square) dairy free waffle for breakfast with EB and some dry Kashi cereal. Then one dairy free Newman-O cookie (cause I was at Dunkin Donuts buying for Marisa's class celebration and course he can't have something there). Refused lunch other than lots of his smoothie. After his nap had a fair amount of pistachios and more than half an organic sliced Granny smith apple (peel on) and more smoothie.
DH and I are having leftover homemade (spicy) turkey chili for dinner. It's SO good but neither kid wants it of course so I made DD (and by default DS) a special request of pigs in a blanket with applesauce and baby carrots on the side. At first DS refused all that but then he ate one pig in a blanket (out of three offered) and a small but fair amount applesauce then requested chicken noodle soup (which I make and always have on-hand) and had a small but fair portion of that too. Good day for us! Tomorrow should be interesting though - the rest of us are having sandwiches since DD has soccer practice from 5-6 and cooking and dinner logistics get tough.
I made a slightly revised version of those pancakes I had posted last night (with the chopped apples and goat's milk) - using whole wheat pastry flour in place of the cornmeal. Will offer them to both kiddos tomorrow morning!
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Karen, that sounds like a GREAT day!
Actually, despite the tummy bug going around in this house we have had a decent day too. Go figure, when I can't be bothered to cook they want to eat. ::) They both had a few bites of bagel and some pear for breakfast, then T requested toast and ate almost a whole piece with some jam. Lunch regrettably was all I could muster and not very healthy (I have been so ill), so they just munched on some crackers, peaches, beans, and grape tomatoes (who am I kidding, even if I had cooked something healthy this is all they would have eaten anyway :P). Dinner was great though. F had a bit of chicken, a few bites of broccoli, and some potatoes. T was a star though. He only ate a bite or two of chicken and a few bites of potatoes, but he polished off all his broccoli and mine, and went crazy for the artichokes. DH makes artichokes once in awhile and T goes nuts for them every time. The thing is, DH has to help him eat them because of the spikes, and T is so impatient, always saying "more more!" before DH can get him the next one! lol Geez, out of all the things to be obsessed with, the kid loves artichokes. After dinner he had some more crackers and asked for some ham (out of nowhere!), and had a bit of yogurt too. I hope this means his appetite has returned for good!
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Chicken burgers with organic BBQ sauce and peas on the side
He actually ate quite a bit! Although he pointed at the chicken first and said 'no like it' before he even tried it but we managed to talk him into it by trying to take it off his plate. That's almost one surefire way to get him to at least try it lol We say 'can mommy have that?' and he says 'no Finley's' and shoves it in his mouth.
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Wow!! High fives all around!!! :D I can hear sighs of relief all over the continent ;)
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Yahoo to us all! Wendy, I so wish that would work for us. Matthew just laughs if he try and hands us said food. That always worked with my niece though!
Martina - great for T! Wish I could get my man to eat veggies like that (thank god he'll still do the puree pouches or we'd be in trouble). LOL on the artichokes!
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Nice work, ladies!
We had a good day yesterday although it was much of the same stuff he usually eats. He did try one of those crispy noodles from a Chinese restaurant (not the really flat greasy ones (which as so so good), but the thinner, less greasy ones iykwim). He is hilarious because he watches to see if I'm watching and he'll hover it by his mouth and then will finally bite it if I look away for long enough.
Oh- it was also interesting yesterday because I was trying to get him to eat a cookie (I know, I know, how sad - "trying"). He seems to like to feed me and DH, so he held it up to DH's mouth. So DH took a bite and said Sam's turn. He kept trying to get DH to eat more and DH kept saying Sam's turn... then finally took a tiny bite himself! He offered it back to DH and then threw it on the floor ::). I may try this though with other things and see if it works.
Trying to get him to be more interested in using a spoon and fork. I think maybe (as Sara suggested) that he would be into it because he wouldn't get his hands messy (which he doesn't like). I just put them out last night at dinner for him and put his food in a suction plate. He was playing with them and I was showing him how to spear food, but he would just take it off of the fork with his fingers LOL. Should I just let him play with them at each meal and eventually he'll pick it up?
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Should I just let him play with them at each meal and eventually he'll pick it up?
Yeah, eventually he'll get it :) Although, even at 2, Aaron will still use his fingers after a while bc he just gets frustrated with how slow it takes to feed himself with a spoon or a fork. It's a process, lol!
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Matthew STILL won't use a fork! It's super annoying. He DID use one around 13-15 months (if I stabbed the pieces he'd feed himself with the fork) but then stopped and won't do it again. Frustrating since I think he'd eat more/better (at least to a degree) if he'd use it again!
He ate 2-2.5 of those new silver dollar pancakes this morning and had a fair amount smoothie. We have gym class from 10:15-11 and need to hit the grocery store after so he'll likely have a Larabar or bagel for "lunch" in the shopping cart, along with more smoothie. The rest of us are having homemade egg salad/tuna salad sandwiches tonight - probably will offer him grilled cheese and baby carrots and a pouch but not sure yet.
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My children are eating, my children are eating!! :D lol It's sad how excited that makes me. T seems to be back to himself, eating fair enough quantities of a variety of things. F is, well, F. ::) He is still throwing a lot, but he is eating some too which is a step in the right direction. Poos back to normal too. I wonder if they had the same tummy bug as me but somehow weren't as affected? But then again, they have been eating like garbage for weeks now. I don't know what changed, nor do I care. For now anyway, they are eating!
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Yay Martina!!!!! Long may it continue!
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awesome Martina!
We've been eating most of our meals by the window and her sitting beside me on the chair and it's been having her eat a bit more ::)
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Hooray Martina :)
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That is fantastic, Martina!!!
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Thanks, the good eating continues. We have been calling T the walking stomach because he just keeps asking for food, and eating it. Last night we went out for dinner and he had some chicken fingers and sweet potato fries, a spring roll, and some bread. Then when we got home he had a banana and some bagel. This morning he has been eating his eggs which he hasn't touched in ages. Last night F ate well too, and this morning he had some bagel, some dry cereal, cantaloupe, his smoothie, and a TON of eggs. They must be catching up, lol.
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That's great Martina, I'm jealous!! In good news here, DS ate a baby banana at the farmer's market today (he used to eat bananas all the time but stopped a few months ago) and ate a fair size piece of my homemade granola this afternoon (again something he used to love but had dropped). Meals still the problem. Thank goodness for my chicken noodle soup (was his dinner when he refused the lemon chicken, broccoli and homemade fries).
OK, here is the current list of foods my DS will eat. Any thoughts on how I can expand based on this would be much appreciated.
He used to eat chicken nuggets and sweet potato fries but has apparently dropped those and gets angry now when he sees them... He used to do scrambled egg but dropped that like 6-8 months ago, same with roasted meats (pot roast, brisket, etc).
Breakfast: bacon (only at the diner, we don't do pork in the house), waffles (multigrain toasted with earth balance spread), pancakes (homemade and half whole wheat), whole wheat bagels with EB spread, dry cereal (usually cheerios or kashi heart-to-heart).
Lunch/dinner: pasta (with marinara sauce or meat sauce), pizza (homemade and can/usually does have chopped veggies, grilled cheese (sometimes - always goat's milk cheese, same as the pizza), chicken noodle soup, sometimes challah french toast or oatmeal (but rarely), applesauce, Ella's kitchen or Plum Baby veg/fruit pouches NEED HELP HERE!!!!
Snacks: banana (?), apple slices, roasted chickpeas, pistachio nuts, granola bar, homemade breakfast cookies, occasional Italian ice, smoothies (I make for him with lots of fresh fruit, a bit of apple juice, water and avocado daily), dried fruit (freeze dried, no sugar added), baby carrots (very rarely)
Ideas?
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Karen, what if you did sweet potato 'chips' instead of fries? I made some last night and today the boys ate a bunch for lunch. I tried carrots too but they were too small once they shrunk. :P I think other root veggies would work too though, maybe parsnips or beets. Will he do omlette instead of scrambled egg? I'm just thinking variations of things he used to like, just done up 'differently' might be more appealing.
If he likes the chicken noodle soup, again can you try different variations? Maybe a beef stew-like soup? I often use leftover pot roast to make a beef and veggie soup with noodles that's so good. Other kinds of soups too?
I'm looking for new ideas too. Tomorrow I'm going to try making quesadillas for lunch with whole wheat tortillas, peppers, onions, and tomatoes. I could probably sneak some chicken in there too.
We had another good day and I'm hoping it lasts. It's amazing how less stressful it is when your kids are eating. Why can't they just cooperate and eat all the time? ::)
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Karen - I don't have any advice because my DS is younger and has shorter list of foods he will eat. Just wanted to tell you that I feel your pain with lunch and dinner - so few options!!
Martina - that is great that the boys are continuing to eat well. Out of curiosity, did F get any of his teeth in? Wondering if that was part of the problem and, if so, will just keep hanging on until S's finish coming in.
The throwing continues. I'm finding food in so many places now LOL! (DH is vacuuming again as I write). He does seem pretty interested in his fork and spoon though. He clearly has no intention of eating from them at this point in time, but at least he likes them. ;)
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Thanks Martina. How did you make the sweet potato chips? I can definitely try them, though so far he's not interested in chips... I've tried omelet as well but it just gets screamed at. How do you make the beef/veggie soup? I'm making brisket tomorrow and could use some of the leftover meat in soup if that would work? I hope your quesadillas go over well!
Sorry with the throwing Nicole!
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I just sliced them super thin, coated them in a bit of oil, and threw them in the oven at 350. Can't remember how long it took, I had to keep an eye on them and turn them. The hardest part is that the thinner ones will crispen up faster and possibly burn, where as thicker ones don't get as crispy. It's not hard though. They're not totally crispy like potato chips but I think they're more appealing if they're still a bit soft, at least to my boys they are!
For the soup, I use leftover pot roast usually. I use my slow cooker and just throw in whatever I have - carrots, potatoes, celery, onions, peas, peppers, corn - plus some seasonings. I will make it with water or home made broth. It takes quite a bit of seasoning for flavour if you're not using store bought broths, or I'm sure you can buy store bought soup seasoning mixes (we used a chicken soup one recently). Again, not rocket science, I usually kinda make it up as I go. I'm not much of a cook, lol. I also add pasta (already cooked), and I put the beef in towards the end (it's already cooked too). I like making chunky soups like this because I can just scoop out the chunky stuff for the boys and it's like a stew really.
The boys had an awesome breakfast, but the quesadillas were a bust. ::) Neither of them would even try it! Well, I thought it was tasty. ;) Didn't help that they were mooching crackers and cheerios off other kids at playgroup today. :P So for lunch they basically had crackers, peaches, and T had a banana. ::)
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Still eating well enough in his very limited way here. Really trying to figure out how to expand his diet though! He did hold grapes today and say yum, just not eat them (he used to LOVE grapes but hasn't eaten any in months).
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think i officially need to join in here. ds2 is eating reasonably well tho in small amounts, but i cant for the life of me get him to pick up and eat fruit and most vegetables (he will eat sweet potato, green beans and potato if it looks like a chip or mashed). often he does decide to pick up and try something new he will then refuse to eat the rest of his meal ::)
fortunately i am able to get away with putting veggies in a sauce or chopped finely and mixed with pasta or in an omelette, scrambled egg or mini quiches. he has a pretty limited range tho do to food intolerances (MSPI plus salicylates).
thought i would share a couple of successes i've had with veggies this week
- veggie chips: slice long strips with peeler of sweet potato and parsnip, mix with half tbs oil and lay on tray in single layer, bake. ds2 ate two of each, ds1 LOVED these.
- savoury pancake: i used ckn, leek, bacon, grated pumpkin and grated potato, both of them ate this and asked for more ;D
- cherry tomato and zucchini spaghetti - this was for ds1 who wont eat zucchini, but i peeled a zucchini, fried it up with a little garlic and halved cherry tomatoes which he loves and stirred it thru some warm spaghetti with some parmessan cheese. he had no idea zucchini was in there and you cant taste it with the cheese and garlic.
recently bought a waffle maker, am hoping to sneak some veggies in that way too.
mom to m&m - maybe a savoury pancake or waffle to hide some veggies? would he accept a small amount of grated carrot or zucchini in the meat sauce on pasta?
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Welcome, Huntermummy! (I was on your other thread too :) ).
I am going to try those veggie slices. S seems to love tortilla chips and crisp bacon ::), so I wonder if these will work. I have some nice zucchinis that I bought yesterday, so maybe I'll use them for that.
We had a mini success here. S tried a few bites of fish stick. He started spitting it out when he got too much fish, but that is a start I suppose.
I do think, however, that DH is going to have to become a SAHD. Last night, S was very agitated in his high chair and started throwing food immediately. DH was home early and when HE put the food on S's tray, he ate it! I am both happy and heartbroken! :) WTH I do everything for this child and DH comes swooping in and his mere presence convinces S to eat? LOL :) Now if DH can get S to eat some try some cut up fruits and veggies, then he will have to stay home from now on. No other choice. ;)
Hope everyone is having some good eating going on. S had a very long NW last night (teeth), so I am not hopeful for today's eating since teething makes him even pickier than usual.
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Welcome Kirry, sorry you have to be here with us! :P
The boys are continuing to do fairly well here, so no current complaints, though I know better to think that they won't go back to being picky again! ::)
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I'm curious to hear about how he's going to be eating at the new daycare. She likes to cook healthy foods - yay!
He ate well on the weekend but we did end dinner prematurely last night because of his constant rocking of his seat. Well we warned him lol
Actually scratch that - I just remembered other than pretzels he hardly ate on Saturday as we went to a BBQ lol. Then come to think of it he's now gone off breakfast. We really don't have time to cook BUT I did find Vans waffles (thanks Karen)
Hiya Kirry - I haven't seen you in ages. Welcome aboard! Sorry though :-(
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That's great with the new daycare lady Wendy, hopefully it goes well! And glad you were able to find the waffles.
Welcome Kirry, but sorry you need to be joining us.
Nicole - is your LO still eating for your DH? Martina - are the boys still doing well?
Same story here. No worse, no better.
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Fingers crossed F eats well at the new daycare Wendy!
My boys are eating machines right now. I don't get it! Hardly eat a thing for WEEKS, and now they don't stop eating! I think F had his largest dinner to date tonight - lots of chicken with balsamic sauce, about 6 or 7 cherry tomatoes, about 3 stalks of asparagus, and about 3 strips of red pepper. T did well too at dinner, and ate a ton at lunch. He ate all his 1/2 ham sandwich and asked for more ham afterwards, and he had his bowl of soup and asked for more soup afterwards too!
Needless to say I am thrilled, but I know it's only a matter of time before this good eating phase passes. ::)
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She couldn't believe how much he ate today. Bagel with cream cheese (entire bagel), yogurt for snack, ham & cheese toasted sandwiches with carrot sticks and celery, grapes, strawberries & banana bits for dessert, then choc chip banana muffin (she bakes!) and he even asked for more lol. So I'm guessing a lot of his refusal is behavioural here at home?!
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Many kids eat better at daycare. They are hungry from all the activity and then the whole peer pressure thing. Plus after eating like that he can't possibly be hungry for dinner!
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Oh well there's where you are wrong lol He raced around like a maniac (posting on my other threads about this later) and then devoured 4 Vans mini waffles (the mini ones were all I could find, is that right?) with cinnamon (cinmamin according to Finn lol) and a dot of maple syrup on each. Then asked for more! Growth spurt? Or just burned a lot of energy today?
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lol it sounds like boys just eat more than girls?? Sounds like a growth spurt..but perhaps he did have more activity today.
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Not my boy Sarah...
LOL Wendy - hungry boy there! I buy the regular size Van's multigrain waffles. Either the square (Belgian) or the round ones. They are dairy free, which is crucial here.
Our dinner was a small amount of penne bolognese, a pouch of blueberry/pear/purple carrot and then half a toasted whole wheat bagel with EB spread.
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Ah ok I found large gluten free blueberry ones for me, not sure if they have dairy or not. Will take a look. I just grabbed what they had lol They were on sale which was handy because they are expensive otherwise.
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Ah, I don't get gluten free ones, just multigrain ones that don't even say dairy free on them, but they are. And they are good! I can usually get a box of them for $3.49 each.
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Yep that's the sale price I paid here!
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Sounds like some good eating going on, ladies!
Karen - S has been so funny with eating the past few days (in a good way). Over the weekend, he started off by eating more if the food came from DH. Then, we were out to dinner on Saturday night and he would throw his food if either of us put it on his tray. At the same time, we noticed that he was picking up tiny, tiny crumbs off of his tray and eating them..so weird! So when he wasn't looking, I'd put tiny pieces of food on his tray and he would eat them! Once he got into it, he didn't care if one of us put it on his tray and he even ate chicken that was not in a chicken nugget coating! He then proceeded to drink half of his sippy cup of water (I think I've told you ladies that he has violently opposed the sippy in the past). Holy cow! DH thought I was going to cry from happiness. We had a great eating day today...he tried a few new things and even though he spit out a few of them, this is huge because most of the time new things never make it to his mouth!
Wendy - I wonder if S is having a growth spurt too because not only is he eating a few new things, but the quantity of food in general is unreal...also thought it could be that has just been more active lately.
Martina - I have the same feeling as you though -- waiting for the other shoe to drop ::)
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He had 3 bowls of spag bol for lunch, definitely a growth spurt lol
Tonight he ate steak, all of it, but tried my sauteed sweet potato mix but spit each and every one he tried out lol Then insisted they be removed from his plate. Sheesh.
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Wendy - be glad your boy eats meat/protein! Mine refuses that too. Tonight he screamed at the fish burgers I made (no surprise), as well as the broccoli potato pancake. Ended up eating a fair portion of chicken noodle soup and a pouch of spinach/peas/pears but it wasn't fun getting there...
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And good news Nicole - may it continue!
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Thought this was relevant and helps perspective:
http://youtu.be/EPhZoN4vaj4
I mean, extremes, but it shows how bad it can get.
DH was like that. He literally refused to eat, no matter what was placed in front of him. PB and Marmite is all he would eat...
So I thank our lucky stars that F eats what he does!
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DS is really bad too. He will SCREAM at food if it's not what he wants. I'm trying to slowly expand his diet, but it's not easy. But that is really extreme, yea!
On a good note, he did have two pigs in a blanket (yay protein) and most of a soy yogurt at lunch today. And for breakfast three of my homemade silver dollar pancakes (goat's milk and half whole wheat flour) and a piece of bacon.
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So I just made a lovely brisket for tomorrow night (brisket is better made in advance and reheated), plus will be tons of leftovers. I do make a mean one, if I say so myself. Anyway, back when DS was like one, he loved the stuff, couldn't get enough of it. But now, of course I'm sure he won't try it. Any suggestions? I'm sure he'd like it if only he'd try it! He's still much less verbal than most kids his age, so no help there...
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Karen, can you come over and make us some brisket? lol We love it but it's not common here and hard to find the right cut of beef. More of an US thing I think, but DH being partly American knows all about it!
I find that F is more willing to try things if they are cut into tiny pieces. But he is much younger than your DS so not sure if that is an issue with you or not. I will gladly take his portion if he doesn't want it. ;)
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LOL Martina - come over anytime for brisket feast!
See that used to work with Matthew but not anymore. If anything he tends to like big pieces of things but only of things he wants/recognizes, etc. And he refuses to use a fork or let me feed him anything unless it's soup, yogurt or sometimes applesauce...
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What makes brisket 'brisket'? I don't think I even know what it is!
Anyone got a good applesauce recipe to share? I got some organic apples...now what lol I was buying the store brand but I figure it's got to be easy to make right? He likes applesauce and sometimes we have that in the mornings.
He ate well yesterday she said, although cried at lunch because he missed DH and I. But didn't seem to affect his appetite in the end!
I think we might be starting to come out the other side of this - he's doing so much better lately.
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What makes brisket 'brisket'? I don't think I even know what it is!
It's a particular cut of meat/beef from the chest area. It tends to be tougher (lots of connective tissue), which is why it's slow-roasted, smoked, moist cooked, etc. to break it all down and tenderize. Mmmm...it's so yummy, though!! :D
We're doing OK here. He hasn't wanted much for breakfast lately, which is weird for him. But otherwise, eating lots of a very select group of things ::) It's taco salad night tonight...we'll see how he does :P
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Brisket is a cut of meat from the breast or lower chest of beef. Very common in Jewish cuisine, also in BBQ I believe. It always involves slow and moist cooking methods to make it tender and is better made a day in advance and reheated. I tend to loosely follow this recipe, with a few adaptations. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/passover-brisket-recipe/index.html
Awesome with Finn's eating! Wish i could say the same... He seems hungry lately but not eating any better...
As for applesauce, I've made this one before - easy! http://www.food.com/recipe/quick-homemade-applesauce-no-sugar-added-201473
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(lots of connective tissue)
It's things like this sentence that make me want to become a vegetarian at times lol But you are right, yum! It sounds almost like pulled pork which I also love :-)
We just started sending breakfast to the new daycare. He eats all of it there and takes as much time as he needs. It's great! Otherwise we were lucky to get a yogurt into him.
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It's things like this sentence that make me want to become a vegetarian at times lol But you are right, yum! It sounds almost like pulled pork which I also love :-)
I know...I don't think about it all that much, but honestly, I don't mind. I LOVE pulled pork, too, though brisket doesn't have the same smooth texture. Found a pork shoulder recipe that I am dying to try. But A probably won't even try it. Ugh!
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I LOVE pulled pork, and I LOVE brisket!! LOL It's hard to find the right cut to make brisket here. DH is always complaining that he can never find it! Didn't know it was a Jewish thing though, maybe that is why DH likes it so much as he is part Jewish. lol
Wendy, glad things are improving!
I never used a particular recipe for applesauce. Would just cook up the apples and add a bunch of cinnamon and nutmeg, then just blend it up! But I don't like applesauce myself, only for the boys. :P
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I've never had pork shoulder!
Making these cookies with DD today - though omitting the coconut (don't have any in the house). At least can get some protein into DS and they have less sugar and all. Going to use sunflower butter instead though as PB makes him poop too much. http://www.dailyunadventuresincooking.com/recipe/healthy-peanut-butter-coconut-oatmeal/
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I think I have all those ingredients in the house, even the coconut! So might have to make those cookies too today since it's supposed to rain this afternoon. ;) Wish I had some chocolate chips to put in them though, but must remind myself they are for the kids and not me! LOL
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We're having farmers market chicken pot pie tonight. Yum!
Karen that recipe looks dead easy, thanks. Have you tried it? Would it work with lemon juice instead? I don't want to buy a whole lemon for two slices and then it not get used up!
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I'm sure it would work with lemon juice instead and yes, I've tried it and liked it!
The cookies are good! I halved it and still make 13 cookies. I also used only 1 tbsp white sugar (instead of two which would have been since I had halved the recipe). Only problem is I probably cooked them a minute too long but still good! We'll see if DS will eat one though...
Mmmmm... chicken pot pie... comfort food at its finest!
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Yep. We haven't had pie since March in the UK! Finn gobbled it up so here's hoping...
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reading all these threads makes me hungry. Of course I wish I could pass on my appetite. Z has been doing okay. Eating a variety of stuff if she feels like it. Made her a spinach pancake for lunch and she gobbled it up :) So thrilled!
Karen, you must have a huge pantry at home filled with the most interesting ingredients.
cookies look delicious :)
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Those cookies look awesome, Karen. Have a question - ped told us not to give nuts until S is 2...is that because of allergies or because nuts are easy to choke on? I know a lot of people who give peanut butter to their under 2 yr old child, so I'm wondering if I can use peanut butter in baking for him. He has started to eat arrowroot cookies now so I would love to make him these.
Martina - we have had some success with cutting up really small pieces too. I started doing it when I saw S throwing big pieces, but then picking up tiny crumbs and eating them. So crazy!
S is still eating quite a bit -- I think the switch from formula to milk is helping his appetite. He hasn't been trying as many foods the past few days, but still eating so I'm ok with that. I can't expect the child to go from literally trying nothing new to eating everything I want him to in a week's time!
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LOL Sarah! But little good it does me... DS wouldn't even try one of the cookies. DD had 1.5. Then at dinner he screamed for pasta (not on the menu tonight), finally ate one TEENY bite of brisket (cause I told him it was in sauce), one small roasted potato, then his pouch of blueberry/pear/purple carrot and a few spoonfuls of oatmeal. That's it. So tired of it lately...
Nicole - they say that both because of allergies and choking. But I started giving my kids nuts baked into things probably around 1.5 and DS started eating pistachio nuts (he LOVES them) about a month or more ago. I think as long as you don't have a family history of nut allergies you can try the PB in baking - just have Benadryl on hand in case.
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DH gave F PB at 6 mths - I was shocked. But luckily there are no food allergies in our families on either side.
Well he refused dinner, he refused to get up to the table despite repeated warnings that this was the only meal. DH tried the 'well we're going to eat your meal' and so he said no and came over and got in his seat then got angry and cried at the plate and refused to even try it, then yelled down. He then played until DH and I got up and cleaned the kitchen and then came over and asked to sit at the table. So DH put him up there and he cried for waffles and we told him again very nicely that there were no waffles and that unfortunately he missed dinner. So yes, we put him to bed with no dinner, just a cup of milk that he had from earlier.
Hope he chooses more wisely next time! It was perfectly lovely pie, full of chicken and pastry, what's not to like?
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Ah..these toddlers. Remember when we were worried only about sleep woes? ermm...I got THAT and other woes!
Z was just too excited to sit and eat dinner today. She ate some in her high chair and then placed the plate on our table with her fork and then said "sit!" and sat with me then raced down and went back and forth until I told her firmly to sit and eat some more.
Dinner is a hard meal to get into her ...
I tried peanut butter at one year..it was fine for some time and then I gave it to her one day and she got red hives around her mouth and she started putting something in her mouth and rubbing it back and forth in her mouth...gave it a break and then tried again after a few months and she's been fine. Weird. Never figured it out. She's not a nut fan but will eat peanut butter in baked goods and enjoys a few cashews.
aw wendy..*hugs* that must be tough
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Hugs Wendy. Maybe he was mostly full from another big lunch at the new daycare? At least he drinks milk before bed. Since we took away the bottle (and switched off cow's milk) a few months ago he doesn't drink ANY milk so we can't even fall back on that. Meant to ask you - you said your DH used to be crazy picky - I know you say he's still picky but he's not that bad anymore it seems - when did he start to get better? I need some hope!
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Karen, both my brother and I were fairly picky eaters and neither of us are anymore. But it probably wasn't closer until teen/adult years that we came around. Then again, my parents didn't really feed us all that healthily when we were growing up. I didn't even know what good food was until I met DH! He is the one that helped me overcome my pickiness.
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Thanks Martina. My brother was like you completely and now is a super healthy and varied eater but didn't start coming around to high school some and college/beyond more (he's now 32). Course he also found a bunch of food allergies (he's seriously allergic to dairy, nuts and fish) that he didn't know of until he was in college so that may have played a part in his pickiness too.
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Karen, both my brother and I were fairly picky eaters and neither of us are anymore. But it probably wasn't closer until teen/adult years that we came around. Then again, my parents didn't really feed us all that healthily when we were growing up. I didn't even know what good food was until I met DH! He is the one that helped me overcome my pickiness.
I started out eating anything and everything as a baby/toddler...then I got picky...then I kind of normalized once I hit my teenage years. I remember when I first started liking Chinese food: 15 yo, NYC, Chinatown. So, even those kiddos who start off not being picky can become picky, but then turn around again. Maybe there is hope for us all in the end, eh?
Well, dinner was a bust for us, but I kinda knew it would be: we had taco salad. Aaron ate a piece of cheese, some mandarin oranges, and some goldfish ::) He did take a bite of lettuce with some ranch on it, chewed it up for a while, then spat it out. Hey--he tried it!! I'll take it!!
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Well, neither my brother or I had any allergies growing up, but my brother developed some mild allergies later in life. But you know, my mom is not a very adventurous eater and I think it rubbed off on us, kwim? Like her range of foods was so limited and since she was the one influencing us and making our meals, we didn't get exposed to much. My dad on the other hand would eat anything, and he used to get SO frustrated with us for not trying new things. He would eat all three of our leftovers! So I think a lot of our pickiness was environmental really and we outgrew it when we started to move away from parental involvement. Your LOs will obviously have much more exposure to healthy foods and variety than we did!
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My DH is pretty picky and has only started to come around now (at 33) -- but that is due to me (patting myself of the back). His mother though NEVER explored new foods with him..never tried. She actually gets annoyed with me when I put new things on S's tray or hide purees in his food. Whatever. Anyway, when I met him when we were 17, he only ate mini hot dogs, pasta bolognese, and chicken and broccoli as main courses at dinner time (they went out to eat (Italian or Chinese food) pretty much every night! He now eats many more things even though I still want to pull my hair out sometimes. It is ironic that I love food and love to cook and I have two picky ones in my household.
My little brother was very picky too - down to recognizing the brand of canned corn he was eating and only wanting one particular one (I can't believe my mom let him get away with that). He now eats quite a bit more variety -- but that is due to his girlfriend (even though my mom did try when we were little)!
Thanks, everyone, re the advice about PB/nuts. I am going to try the cookies today and see what happens. At the very worst, DH and I can eat them. It's going to be ANOTHER rainy day here in NJ so eating cookies sounds like a good idea. :)
xx
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Wait, Nicole - you're in NJ? Where? So am I!
Thanks everyone for the stories about yourselves/DH's, etc as picky eaters...
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Omg, I can't believe I didn't notice that under your picture! I am in Middletown (Monmouth County)! Where are you??
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DH and I are both...selective...eaters. I'll admit I'm not a really adventurous person, but he is far worse than me. He did eat with his family but only the bare minimum to stop the nagging and really in the end they just knew he would fend for himself...enter PB and Marmite sandwiches. For school lunches, he took sandwiches. Dinner was sandwiches. If he even felt one stab of hunger, sandwiches. It's just how he is. To this day even. He got more adventurous in his 20's when colleagues at work coaxed him into trying new things like curry which led to him then trying more spicy food like chili. But that was it.
When I met him at 28, I started introducing him to other things, salads, fajitas, pasta dishes, meat on the grill, stuff like that. He is actually a decent eater now. But he does still have that phobia and will not try new things very easily. He will in fact really get upset and angry if you try to coax him at all. So the best thing for him, as with kids it seems, is exposure. I cook something, put it on his plate and he'll eat it. He might not like it very much (like sweet potatoes for example) but he'll now eat it to model for Finn. Last week I got him to put spinach in his lunch wraps. He loves it now!
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Hmmm...I'm not sure where Aaron gets his selectivity from. As mentioned before, I would eat pretty much everything at his age as would DH...who is still a VERY adventurous eater. Like, parts of the body I never knew could be eaten (head cheese or cow tongue anyone?). Ever seen the show 'Bizarre Food with Andrew Zimmern?' Yeah...that would be DH. Blech! :P
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LOL Sara! Interesting Wendy, thanks. It's just so hard since DH and I are such foodies (though he was rather picky until college too) and DD is a good eater too. He's SO limited... And now he's apparently getting sick again (though at least it's been three weeks healthy this time) so eating even less...
Nicole, I'm in Union County - Springfield. Guessing only about 45-60 minutes away! Do you know where the Short Hills Mall is? I'm about 7-10 minutes (closer to you) than that.
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I do know where the Short Hills Mall is -- I used to work in Morris County (East Hanover). I grew up in Bergen County (Paramus)!
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I have good friends in Morris County (Montville) and grew up in Bergen too (Wyckoff)! We should figure out a meet-up sometime!
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Karen, yes that would be great!!! Let's talk about it more after 4th of July!
I made the peanut butter cookies and they are delicious! S likes them too! It is good that the recipe makes so many because even if he eats them, there are many for me. :) They're so healthy that they're not realllllly considered cookies, right? I'll keep telling my waistline that. :)
Hope everyone is doing well and has a great weekend!
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Definitely Nicole! And so glad you liked the peanut butter cookies! They really are quite healthy - for cookies anyway!
Starting tonight am trying 5 nights in a row of sleep talk for picky eaters, following the script someone gave me from the book. Figure it certainly can't hurt!
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good luck, Karen. That sounds promising :) :) *hugs*
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I also made the cookies today. I halved the recipe. Jake already ate 2 and I might have had a couple :)
DH said he likes the other ones better, the ones with 1C of shortening!
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I didn't get around to making those cookies, but now am wishing I did!
Karen, good luck with the sleep talk! I am going to be trying it too, though not for eating. Let me know how it goes!
We are away and staying at my dad's this weekend. The boys ate well today. It's so hard to eat balanced meals when travelling, but we're doing ok. Lots of fruit to fall back onto!
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I will definitely let you know Martina. I did it last night. Of course then this morning I realized that we are going out tonight (babysitter right after DS goes to bed) so I won't be home to do it in time (supposed to be 1-2 hours after they fall asleep) so guess will really do 5 nights starting tomorrow night.
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You guys think I can make the breakfast cookies (that I've posted here before) using sunflower seed butter instead of the canola oil (or maybe instead of half of it)? I'd like to add more protein to them and DS won't even try the peanut butter cookies from the other day since they look different. from the breakfast cookies he likes and is used to...
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So I've been doing the sleep talk the past few days. And trying to be a bit stricter at dinner time in particular. I'm not yet even trying to get him to eat the same meal as the rest of us, just a reasonable alternative and sticking with that. So tonight I wasn't cooking dinner because DD is sick and DH and i want leftover chili. So I made them nuggets and applesauce and sweet potato fries. DS used to love all of that but starting dropping them all months ago. Though he did eat nuggets over the weekend. Tonight he screamed bloody murder at the dinner plate, yelling pasta!!! I calmly told him that was it and he could have that or the Plum Baby fruit/veg pouch that was out or a yogurt. He still cried and yelled and I just started folding their laundry and putting it away. While I was doing that he ate three small sweet potato fries and half his pouch. Then while I was putting dishes in the dishwasher he ate one nugget! That was it for the meal and it's not much but at least he ate it! Two nights ago was similar - he was screaming at the dinner (broccoli potato pancake and roasted potatoes - both he used to like) but after an hour or so he ended up eating one bite each of a few roasted potatoes. Tiny baby steps but I guess at least they are something!
Oddly enough lately he's been refusing the homemade veggie pizza that used to be his favorite. Today he ate: B - two multigrain waffles with earth balance spread, lots of fruit smoothie; L - breakfast cookie and more smoothie (refused pizza); S - pistachio nuts and more smoothie; D - one nuggets, three sweet potato fries and half a pouch of blueberry/pear/purple carrot
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That dinner sounds like a success in my books Karen! Sounds like being a bit strict is helping. :)
Still doing pretty good over here. Well, at least they are eating!
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Yes, actually I think it's a combination of being a little strict and also a little calm and not paying much attention that is helping. He threw a fit for a quite a bit, then calmed down, then slowly started eating, then actually ended up after that last post eating two more nuggets!
Glad your boys are eating!
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I find that approach works well with T too. We just don't make a big deal about it, and often he will go back and eat more after turning his nose up at the meal. I think with him especially, he just needs time. He is definitely more of a grazer.
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Glad your LOs are eating well, ladies!
Have a quick question - did any of you ever encounter this? During dinner tonight, S ate most of a chicken tender and then started throwing it and the other food on his tray that he didn't want, so I took it away. I then started feeding him his puree and he was ok for a few bites, but then was batting my hand away, but opening his mouth and crying. I thought maybe he wanted to do it himself, but he didn't. I really didn't know what to do, so I put the spoon in and when he got the food in his mouth he would stop crying for a second, swallow, and then scream again. I can see holes where his bottom two canines are and think that the last molar is currently cutting, so I *think* that was the problem. He has been fussy on and off the past few days, so I am pretty sure he is in pain, but just want to make sure that the thing while he was eating was probably teething related. Anyone every experience that? THanks!
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Nicole, sounds like the teeth are really bothering him. Poor guy!
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Definitely sounds like teeth to me - we'd often have exactly the same experience when teething (or when matthew gets one of his frequent sore throats). Hope those teeth give him some relief soon!
Good day here. Matty had 6 homemade silver dollar pancakes (multigrain, goat's milk) for breakfast - truly tiny silver dollar sized with a tiny bit of EB spread and a drop of pure maple syrup on each. Plus an entire cup of his smoothie. Then at his mini camp (first day - two hours) he had animal crackers and water. Lunch was more smoothie and a few bites challah french toast. Snack was pistachio nuts and apple slices and dinner was a nice amount of pasta with mushed up meatballs (stuck onto the pasta) and most of a pouch of spinach/peas/pears. Course tomorrow night won't be fine. The rest of us are having stir fry - which he's never liked/eaten. Will have to think of an alternative for him and stick to that..
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Thanks, ladies. I feel so bad for him.
Karen - that sounds like an AWESOME day. Hope the great eating continues today!!
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I hope so too and it's starting out well with a multigrain waffle BUT still really not sure with dinner. Pretty sure I'm going to make chicken/cashew/veggie stir fry (over brown rice) for the rest of us but he's NEVER liked/eaten that. Have to think of what I can offer him that won't seem like he's "winning" but will be something he's likely to eat.
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So maybe the sleep talk is helping! After him trying the roasted potatoes and eating nuggets this week (both of which he used to eat but had dropped), he's back to eating apple slices regularly and tonight at dinner almost ate blueberries (he used to LOVE LOVE LOVE them but stopped eating them like 6 months ago). He kissed them and licked them and fed them to me but didn't quite feed them to himself. But still something!
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Great news Karen! I hope it is working, and you see more improvement!
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Seems to be in limited ways anyway. Last night at a friend' BBQ he ate 3/4 of a grilled hot dog. He's always refused them before!
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sounds like great progress karen;D HUGE thankyou for the roasted chickpeas idea. i cant give ds2 honey or cinnamon so i just roasted them with a little spray oil and sprinkle of salt. both of my boys grab them by the handful and shovel them into their mouths.
K is eating better amounts at meals now. i think he has finally realised that i wont fix him something else so that's it. still not much luck on fruit and veg tho he did eat an apple slice yesterday and the day before and put a piece of carrot on his fork to try even tho he spat it out. and he is trying a couple of new foods over the last 2 weeks. small steps right.
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karen, how do you make challah french toast? k loves eggy toast so am looking for more ideas. (eggy toast is just bread cut and soaked in egg long enuf to get a whole egg, plus a little chopped chives or parsley).
sammysmummy, you mentioned carrot french toast a while back. how do you make that?
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I slice challah from our favorite kosher bakery into thick slices and soak them for a few seconds (each side) each a batter made from eggs, goat's milk (any sort of milk would work), vanilla, brown sugar (or honey or maple syrup instead) and pumpkin pie spice and then "fry" them in a griddle pan coated lightly with Earth Balance spread on low/med heat until golden brown on each side. I tend to use two eggs for three slices. You could also add carrot puree or sweet potato puree to the batter but I haven't tried that!
Glad they like the chickpeas!
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I had to share. J ate asparagus yesturday. This was a big deal as he doesn't ever eat veggies at all except peas in the pod occassionally. I didn't even care that he didn't eat the pasta. I was just soooo happy he eat something green! Yeah!!!
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Last night at a friend' BBQ he ate 3/4 of a grilled hot dog. He's always refused them before!
Same here! These LOs are weird ::)
We've had a really topsy-turvy weekend with moving...so I haven't been keeping tracking of what/how A's been eating. He did have about 1/3 of a hamburger yesterday and ate most of a ham & cheese sandwich on Sunday. That's pretty good for us as far as "adventurous" goes.
Congrats on the asparagus, Pam! That's a strong flavor :)
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Yea was happy about the hot dog, though it's not the healthiest. I'm going to buy some organic/nitrate free ones and try to broil one tomorrow (instead of boiling it) for lunch and see what happens. At least a source of protein!
Go Aaron!
We had an OK weekend but some animal crackers made his tummy upset and he had a bad night. I'm positive it was the animal crackers too because it happened once before after this particular brand. They are a natural oatmeal based one. No dairy so I know it wasn't that. Harumph.
Seriously on the asparagus, that rocks!
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My boys will eat tons of hot dog too, why does it have to be the less healthy stuff? ::) But I have found a preservative free kind which I am really excited about, so I don't feel so bad about letting them have it. The same brand has also come out with preservative free deli meats too, yay!
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martina - what brand! jake also loves hotdogs. i have been buying top dogs, but I don't think they are the greatest.
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Applegate Farms Martina? Love that one!
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They are Maple Leaf I think, called Natural Select or something like that. Never heard of Applegate Farms!
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are you talking about natural selections? I have seen them at the deli counter recently. ok, I will check it out next time. I hope my grocery store has it. I hate all the salt and other random things they put in hotdogs.
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Yep, Natural Selections. It does list sea salt in the ingredients but no preservatives. We buy it at Loblaws. :)
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ok good. I was going to ask if they carry it. We have Superstore... same chain. thanks!
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I think my kid is broken. He said 'I don't like it' to cheesecake!?!
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Mmmmmmm cheesecake.....
My boy won't eat any cake! DD didn't until she was older either and still prefers ice cream or cookies to cake.
Cashews were eaten today!
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meh. vaccination related fever and cold and goodness what else is is causing some feeding aversion :(
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I think my kid is broken. He said 'I don't like it' to cheesecake!?!
ROFL. DH is therefore 'broken,' too. He thinks it tastes like vomit. Ewwww. I don't think Aaron's ever tried it, but thankfully, if he does have sweets (like some ice cream or a cookie/piece of cake), he only takes a few bites and then is done.
We're still in a funk here, just because of the move. We've eaten out pretty much every night this week, so Aaron has been having lots of grilled cheese or pasta or chicken nuggets ::) I can't wait to cook my own food again...which I'm doing with a vengence this weekend. Who knows if the kiddo will eat it.
Lots of *hugs* Sarah...shots are cruel :(
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Oh no Sarah! Vaccines always set us back here and always did with DD's eating too.
Sara - does he eat your own food when you cook lately (before the move)? Hope you settle in soon!
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Yep, Natural Selections. It does list sea salt in the ingredients but no preservatives. We buy it at Loblaws. :)
Also at Safeway. I buy it all the time as it is the only sandwich meat that you can actually say the ingredients on the list ::) Quite the selection too.
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I think Applegate Farms must be like a US alternative? Not sure but sounds like the same deal. No antibiotics, no hormones, no nitrates/preservatives and can totally read the list of ingredients!
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Sara - does he eat your own food when you cook lately (before the move)? Hope you settle in soon!
He'll eat about 90% of what I make for dinner (bc I make what he will eat), but we were trying out some new recipes this weekend...so always some uncertainty there. He didn't eat either meal, btw ::) THe first was a french toast casserole...was super yummy but I think he got upset when he burned his tongue on it (DH accidentally forgot to check that it was all the way cooled first) and only ate 2 bites. Then we had a new pasta dish last night, which I thought he'd love since the sauce was a creamy/cheesy enchilada sauce. But nope! Sundays are hard bc he gets so little sleep; I think he was just too hungry and tired by the time dinner rolled around to want to try something new. He had a piece of cheese, a kashi fruit bar, and some oranges.
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May I have these delicious recipes Sara? :)
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Sure, here they are:
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=210959.msg2262048#msg2262048
and
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=210959.msg2266124#msg2266124
(I love that last website, across the board. Her stuff always looks so yummy!!) :)
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We have reached 30 pages so please continue to support each other in your journey with your picky eater children on this thread http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=213590.0