Ways to increase appetite?

[maggie2]

I had the hardest time trying to figure out where to put this..  thought this would be the best place for people struggling with appetite issues..

anyway, I'm looking for ways to increase my lo's appetite, or reasons (vitamin deficiencies, etc???) she may have a very very poor appetite.

We are seeing specialists and she does have other things going on as well, but I'm realizing that she really is just not freaking that hungry!  She is 15 months and now (finally!) will take a few spoonfuls of food with enthusiasm, but then is just 'done'.  So we now know she can physically eat from a spoon, and even that she likes it, but she just doesn't eat enough.

Again, she is 15 months and still basically exclusively breastfed with an occasional supplement of elemental formula through a feeding tube (she won't drink, either )

She's got some major food restrictions, so her diet is limited, but I really am thinking there's an issue with her appetite.  She does nurse, but I think more for the snuggling, and the milk just comes along with it.

Any ideas?  I've seen some stuff about herbal remedies "kiddie florish' or something like that?

[hemz80]

Sounds interesting... tagging along for the ride x

[firsttimemummy]

also interested to see how you get on over time ... my initial thought was that she may be getting a lot more milk from you than you realise and that is filling her up. I never thought DS took much milk from me but I lost a stone in weight over his first year - and now he is 20 months I realise what a big appetite he has - so he must have been taking lots of milk from me!!

Lots of hugs - my friend's LO doesn't always like eating and I know how frustrating they find it.  How does your LO do with solids such as rice cakes and breadsticks?  Remember, that if she is having breastmilk she is getting liquid that way.  It's only recently that DS actually drinks quite a lot of water - when he was b/fed he hardly drank any, as he was getting what he needed from me.

[maggie2]

It's long and complicated, but she is not allowed any grains at all, along with no dairy products, and many other foods   She's got something called FPIES.  She also has some oral aversions we're working on, so she won't take any finger foods.  Only purees at this point.  And yes, she's 15 months 

anyway, she is also 'failure to thrive' (what a HORRID label!), so desperately needs extra calories.   She was receiving these extra calories with one feeding per day of an elemental formula, but since she still does not drink from a cup or bottle, this had to be administered via and ng tube (feeding tube through the nose into the tummy).  She also only eats very small amounts of puree (we're working with therapists for this and her cup aversion).  Most of her calories come from my milk.  Some days, that is her only source of calories.

But I've noticed that she sometimes very enthusiastically eats from the spoon - but she will only eat a few bites, and then is 'all done'.  My intuition tells me that she just doesn't have a big appetite, but she really needs to put on weight.  We're doing a trial off the feeding tube.  It's been a week, and she has lost a small amount of weight, which is okay.  I just want her to gain it back without the tube if possible

[firsttimemummy]

Lots of hugs - I hope you are getting lots of professional support too.  It sounds like you are doing the right thing, giving her little bits of food and not trying to force her to eat more.  Give her lots of opportunities to explore food too, even if you put some food on her table just to play with and let her just pick it up, with no expectations of her eating it.  I worked in a nursery where we filled a baby bath with jelly (jell-o, in n america) and let them play with the texture in their fingers, but letting them eat it is they wanted!!).

Good luck without the ng tube - at least you know if she did keep losing a lot of weight it is there as a back up for future.  I used to work with children with special needs who had a gastro tube (into stomach) but they also got to taste food just the experience, even if just a little dribble of something on a cotton bud, rubbed onto their tongue.  It takes 15 or so times for a new flavour to be liked in many cases ... Her tummy will get bigger over time and she will be able to eat more soon ....

I agree with you that failure to thrive is a horrible term- my friends daughter was labelled with it too   It is a difficult time but you will get there with your little princess x

[sethiira]

i am just giving you tips of increasing calories ...please see if it helps you.
1. adding olive oil, butter to whatever she eats
2. give full fat milk , yogurt ,
3. make smoothies with full fat milk , yogurt with bananas ..
4. give her more bananas , avocado
5. cream cheese or any time of cheese
6 mashed potatoes with lots of butter and cream ..

these are tips i can remember now ..i hope your child gets well soon ..

[hemz80]

Our son was MPI and it was difficult to add these things when they're can't have dairy.  I always felt that maybe Ethan wasn't absorbing properly because of his allergies.  No hard facts on that but i just had that feeling, having had a second child who grew much better.  I also read about flax seed/ flax seed oils.. high in calories.  He still has a poor appetite but no longer any allergies.  I limit liquids until after foods and try and get them active to build up an appetite.  It's frustrating....

[hemz80]

Did you try kiddie flourish?  Do you think it works?

[maggie2]

Thanks everyone for your encouragement and tips!

Yes - it's very limiting when you can't give dairy (which we can't) - I do try to use high calorie foods, though - mostly coconut oil and coconut butter, avocado...  using a lot of coconut these days - thankfully she's finally acquired a taste for it when I mix a bit in with some fruit.  My next oil to trial was going to be flax or olive.

I haven't tried the kiddie flourish yet - I'm nervous because or her intolerances, but I might get brave and try it anyway.  If they have it at the store today when I go, I'll pick it up and give it a go...

[hemz80]

i'm thinking of giving it a go myself (with ds)... it has some good reviews

[kikoz]

Hi,
You think if you offer something to distract her during feedngs, your lo would want to take in more spoons?

I notice that when mine stops after few spoons, entertaining her is very helpful. and I am NOT saying sneaking in the spoons, because she will be willingly opening her mouth.

what I do, is very simple, like giving her a spoon to play with, a drink water in between every few spoons, or maybe give a book with baby faces on it or anything that grabs her attention in the kitchen.
I noticed that she gets bored very quickly on her high chair and this gets her entertained... make it fun for her, thats all...

also i give a fruit or juice with Vitamin C after her lunch for better iron absortion.
One last idea, you could always offer, fruits when you feel she is really done with her meal... youd be surprised that she would actually take it!.

HTH and BIG hugs for you XXXX

[maggie2]

thanks kikoz!

I actually do think part of it is that she needs something more to keep her attention and keep her happy in the high chair.  I've done this a little bit before, but and going to kick it up a notch now - thanks for the reminder!   And doing a little fruit at the end is also a good idea - will try that, too!

So the kiddie flourish is in the mail.  I'm going to try it - will let you all know how it goes!

[hemz80]

So the kiddie flourish is in the mail.  I'm going to try it - will let you all know how it goes!

Mine too... going to give it a try, tbh... we have nothing to lose here!  Ds is almost 4 and i get a bit fed up of taking away full plates of food.  Sometimes he'll offer his sister his leftovers... and she eats them... LOL!