Major food refusal and getting thinner :(

[Hedgehog17]

Things have gone massively backwards with solids here  DS was never great at them, but now he's refusing almost everything and is getting thinner

All the finger foods he used to eat, including turkey and tuna, now get thrown straight to the floor. He will nibble at things if I hold them for him, but most of the time he spits out the pieces. He'll have a tiny amount of rice cracker that he holds but most of it he spits back out. He will eat raisins, but they just go straight through him judging by the nappies so no nutritional benefit there 

Spoon feeding is a battle. He cries and cries and pushes the spoon away. Then he'll take a little. Then cries and pushes the spoon away again. Then take a little. Then the spitting starts... Anything with even a bit of texture he doesn't want. He was eating mashed potato, mashed sweet potato, and scrambled eggs. Now it's all instantly refused.

He is happy to drink water from his sippy (in preference to eating), and is having most of his milk (from bottles) although he's drinking less than he used to. He will happily suck down the contents of a stage 1 fruit / veg pouch from the pouch, but not if it's spoon fed. His nappies are back to runny again (teething and too much fruit puree).

I tried finely grating some cooked turkey and mixed it with mashed sweet potato, but he wouldn't have it. I can only get milk into him for protein at the moment.

Is this all down to teething? He's only got 1 molar and 4 canines left to cut, and he's teething almost constantly as his teeth come in so rapidly. He's got very little energy and is sleeping a lot.

I don't know what to do anymore  HVs around here are useless and the GPs not much better.. and nobody knows how to deal with an MPI baby anyway, not even the ped 

DH says just keep giving him the fruit pouches as at least he's getting something, but I think it's not a good idea as it's giving him diarrhea which means he's not absorbing it anyway 

Something's wrong and I don't know what to do 

[Lolly]

Have you started weaning the reflux meds yet? My two refluxers both refused food of most kinds when their reflux was flaring. DS in particular would live off fresh air. He had a big flare up last Christmas which could have been caused by the H pylori bug and back on meds he really picked up on the eating.

Teething really makes things hard for them, canines and molars seem to be particularly bad and teething also causes the reflux to be worse. Depending where you are with the meds I wonder if it's worth an increase for a while to see if it helps.

Laura

[Hedgehog17]

Thanks Laura 

He's still on the max dose, I haven't tried a wean yet. I know his reflux has been flaring again recently as he's been getting hiccups 

I take him to be weighed once a month and he's not gained enough in the last 2 months to require an increase yet!

He failed a dairy trial on Saturday - 1/4 tsp plain yoghurt at lunchtime resulted in an eczema flare by evening 

I'm really worried that he isn't growing properly now due to lack of nutrition!

[Lolly]

What meds is he on now? How much does he weigh?

Laura

[Hedgehog17]

He's on 2.4ml of ranitidine 3 x per day, and weighed 9.3Kg (just over 20lbs) 2 weeks ago at last weighing.

He hasn't yet tripled his birth weight (3.4Kg) 

I was worried as he's started to fall away from the curve again, and he isn't growing much in length either (I think he's about 74cm but can't be totally accurate with a squirming baby and a tape measure...)

[Lolly]

I wonder if the ranitidine just isn't working for him now? It's quite common for them to get used to it and it doesn't work anymore. Would your Dr prescribe a PPI for him to try for a few weeks?

Laura

[Hedgehog17]

I doubt my GP knows what a PPI is!  I don't think reflux is the problem, he's only hiccuping very occasionally when the teeth are really bothering him and he's not obviously swallowing or coughing or anything.

Breakfast (small fruit pot mixed with 3tsp baby porridge) went down ok, but it took 45min and a lot of cuddling. He's still doing the eat for a bit, then start spitting and pushing the spoon away, then eat a bit more, repeat until finished..

I know mealtimes are taking too long, but if I let him down at first refusal he'll have eaten about 4 weaning spoons full at best 

He's recovering from yet another nursery cold, so he's a bit snotty and tired, but not that bad. I've got it very badly and am struggling - I've been ill most of the last 2 months with assorted viruses  I'm sure that's not helping but I struggle to be upbeat and chatty with him when I've got a fever, sore throat and lungs full of mucous 

[deb]

Natalie is ridiculously petite and when she went thru a food refusal phase - although not as serious as yours - we ended up giving her a daily drink of rice milk with protein powder to make sure she got SOME nutrients into her. Seriously, the kid had a breakfast shake every morning. We got her a sort of sports bottle with rice milk and a partial scoop of this stuff - http://www.rainbowlight.com/Categories.aspx?Category=5f3b5a56-22df-4199-8b9d-c276449ab643 (and it also comes in vanilla) - and shake the heck out of it and she chugged it down. Even now I use the stuff in my own breakfast smoothies when I have them.  

[Hedgehog17]

Thanks Deb!

I'll find a UK equivalent and give it a try 

[MommaBrooke]

We are having lots of troubles with solids as well...and it is definitely molar related...L is working on 2 molars right now   I had to buy some jarred food because she's just not eating much of anything these days.  She's been somehow surviving on applesauce and formula...and all her solid foods come out just the way they went in because she isn't chewing her food up so well.  I'm finding that keeping purees handy in the fridge has helped because she's more likely to eat them if they are cold, I just pull a jar out if she's having a bad meal. 

I think I mentioned in the birth club that I have been relying on formula a lot during these phases.  If L refuses to eat and I know she's hungry I will get a bottle warming up right away...just to get some food into her.  I generally go by her cues at meal times, if she's refusing there's a reason, so I just give her an extra formula feed instead (she's been back up to 6 bottle days during some of these teething times). 

I also find she prefers snacking while teething, so I try not to expect her to eat any big meals, and just keep offering little things through the day (sometimes she surprises me and chows down a whole container of yogurt).  She stops the snacking once her mouth feels better again, so I don't worry too much about turning her into a snacker. 

That said...if you think it is something other than teeth I would definitely bring him in to the doc.  We had the same solid refusal with L when she had the Roseola virus and a throat infection.  She also had a fever, so that was a big hint to us that it wasn't just teeth...I would say if you have a gut feeling that this is something else then it's worth a visit to the doctor.


Hopefully things start to get better soon, and hopefully he'll get a bit of a break once his last molar comes in...until then just know you are not alone in this battle    

[EllenS]

Have you tried very cold things?  When my toddlers were teething, they would eat frozen veg (or fruit but you dont' need that) because it soothed their mouth - peas, chunks of winter squash, I suppose you could even make your own foodsickles if it helps.

Also, does he do the spoon himself?  I found that my dd1 would refuse to eat unless she was in complete control of the process (can you say firstborn control issues?) 

How long has it been going on? Any chance of a virus like cocksackie?  I had no idea for days that dd1 had blisters in her throat, and it took her a good 2 weeks to come around with eating again.

This may sound simpleminded, sorry, but I figured it was worth a shot.

[Hedgehog17]

Thank you Brooke and Ellen 

Things have slowly started to improve - today he ate some boiled rice at lunch (I was having some too) although it only got eaten if I finger fed it to him  After that a box of raisins and dried apple pieces went down pretty fast (he picked them up and stuffed them in)  So no fruit puree thank goodness! No protein either  but if he's willing to do textures again I'll see if he'll take some scrambled egg tomorrow...

I'm wondering if a lot of this is developmental.. he's trying to assert his authority, and refusing food is a great way to do that when you're 12mo 

He will not feed himself with a spoon, to him a spoon in his hand is a chew toy, then it gets flung on the floor. Bowls are for tipping upside down. I tried to get him to dip the spoon and put it in his mouth (my hand over his) but he didn't like it after a couple of tries and the wriggling started...

He's never been keen on cold things for teething, and won't eat chilled food. Everything he gets is at room temperature (food, milk, water, medicine, toothpaste).

Heath wise he's ok, slightly runny nose still, very occasional mild cough, but no sore throat or earache or fever. I'd rather not take him to the GP as they really are clueless 

I think I'll just have to keep a careful eye on him, and ride this out. He's due to be weighed again just after he turns 13mo so I'll see how he's going.. DH and I think he may feel a bit heavier.. fingers crossed X

Thanks again for all your support, it really means a lot and it does help 

[Smurfette]

Hugs hun!

Can you get him into see a specialist if things don't improve? I am by no means an expert, but this seems like more to me than just teething.
It must be very stressful for you!

What is his temperment during the day when he's playing? How is his energy level?
When did he start to refuse to eat the foods that he used to eat, like the tuna and turkey you mentioned?

If you put him in a stroller and go for a walk and give snacks in the tray, will he eat them? Ie does being distracted help?

[Hedgehog17]

Thanks Smurfette 

He's not going to eat while on the move - there are far too many interesting things for him to look at (mostly cars - he's a boy!) and food flung out of the pushchair would have to remain on the ground. At home I pick it up quickly and wipe the floor underneath where he eats several times a day so it's pretty clean.

He is continuing to improve, and genuinely was hungry for breakfast today, and chowed the lot down with no complaints 

I have some steamed turkey strips for his lunch so I'll see if he'll eat those later...

He went off his usual finger foods about a couple of weeks ago, when he had 2 molars coming through at once. Last night he was up crying his head off from 1am to 1.45 (we gave meds and water) but DH thinks it may have been growing pains as there's no sign of any more teeth this morning... 

I'm still thinking this has been developmental - he's made a few leaps in communication, movement and co-ordination in the last few days 

[Smurfette]

He is continuing to improve, and genuinely was hungry for breakfast today, and chowed the lot down with no complaints

Awesome!

[Hedgehog17]

And he ate some of the turkey 

Yay!!

[Smurfette]

Double awesome!!!!!! 

[MommaBrooke]

YAY!!!

[Hedgehog17]

Just a quick update - I've contacted a pediatric nutritionist for help, as I'm struggling to work out what to give him and he's still not eating much. I really hope she can help us!

Met up with the other members of our pre-natal group, and feel very depressed and discouraged at how small DS looks compared to the rest of the babies (all born within weeks of each other). They are all looking or starting to look like toddlers, and DS is still very much a baby 

[Smurfette]

Hang in there. Good for you for getting extra help...when do you meet with her?

[Hedgehog17]

It'll be a telephone consultation initially, and hopefully within the next 2 weeks!

Breakfast was refused this morning, and by the time we got back from his 45 min activity session he was really tired and hungry  There wasn't time to re-offer breakfast, so he just got the 2nd half of his a.m. bottle and down to nap.

I'm going to see if he'll take scrambled egg for lunch, then it's up to nursery to get his bottle and his next meal into him!

We have to do a food diary for 4 days so I'll have to start that soon..

[Smurfette]

Hugs and Good luck! Please let us know how it goes! What did you try for breakfast?

[Jimbob]

How are things?

[my3girlsjde]

Many {{{hugs}}}

E was a 'failure to thrive' for a couple of months and it was heartbreaking to see all of the other lo's get so much bigger. So I get where you're at for sure.

How are things now? O know that E is pretty picky and our Dr has theorized that she's learned through multiple intolerances that a lot of foods make her feel icky. Teething is the worst because it triggers her reflux and although medicated, my gut tells me that her tummy is sensitive. Any chance of this here for you? Yesterday she ate two cookies and a quarter piece of homemade bread. That's it. So on those days I simply give her more bottles. She's on nutramigen, but if she were on milk, I'd probably put something in it to give it a boost. She did go through a 'anything bread or baked' kick so pureed chickpeas went into a lot of cookies.

I know at this age most lo's are taking more food and much less milk, but unfortunately E didn't get that memo . My Dr feels she'll pick it up later on, and just to ride this out by trying to keep food fun and non stressful. It's hard with the older two seeing her not have to eat what's set in front of her but it's keeping her happy.

My general rule is now: offer once. If refused, I ask if she wants it. If no, I try one other thing (usually have two items set out for food). If still refused, I let her down and try again in half an hour. If the same thing happens, she gets a bottle so I know she's getting 'something'. I'd never have done this with a kid that was simply a bit picky. But when major food refusal happens, it gets so stressful and I know she can read it all over me. I know she's now in no danger of losing weight again, but it was really scary when she was so I've really let go of the need for her to follow the guidline that all of my friends' lo's are doing. Some days now, she eats much better. But I know teething and food reaction days are tough and I do let it go. She's developed a love for anything called a cookie. So there's some interesting 'cookies' that she's eaten.

I hope this helps some, and I rally hope you're getting some guidance from some sort of medical professional. I can only imagine how frustrated I'd be in your shoes. I totally agree on pp's in regards to the ranitidine. PPI's have worked so much better in my house. Can you ask for another referral to a different ped? Just thinking aloud on that one.

Much love and support. I know it's hard when they don't eat.

[Hedgehog17]

Thanks lovely ladies 

It's now been a week since we made the changes suggested by the nurtitionist, and things are slowly improving  Just before we spoke to her I think we were having extra difficulties because DS was ill - he had a fever, didn't want to eat, was drinking loads of water, had a lot of runny mucousy poops and a spotty rash on his bottom and upper legs  I had no idea what it was but he got better fairly quickly and was back to normal within 5 days. Yesterday there was a notice up in the nursery saying they'd had a confirmed case of Hand, Foot & Mouth disease and when I looked up the symptoms that could have been what DS had - I never thought to look in his mouth or at his palms or soles when he was ill 

With his eating, the major change was to drop to 2 bottles and keep them well separated from solids. He now gets up at 8am, has a solids breakfast, then gets his first bottle at 10am before going down for his nap at 11. When he wakes he gets lunch, then nursery tea or a snack at home at 3.30pm, dinner at 6pm and his 2nd bottle at 6.45pm and down to sleep at 7pm.

He's not holding out for milk as much and is eating more at mealtimes  he's also started eating finger foods again so I'm hoping to get more variety introduced over the next few weeks. Yesterday he cheerfully munched parsnips roasted in sesame oil for the first time! His protein intake isn't what it needs to be yet, so I'm trying to get more into him. At least he's adapted well to the routine change 

He also seems to have grown over the the last week  He tends to do his GS late so I think that was his 12mo one he's just had!

As far as his reflux goes, I'm actually doing a meds wean because he's been a LOT better. Today is day 2 of just 1 dose of ranitidine and the previous 5 days he was fine on 2 doses (He was on 3 originally). I think having less milk and more solids is really helping here 

We had to pay for the nutritionist but it was money well spent, as we would not have got useful help or advice from the HVs or GP and I don't know how long the waiting list is for an NHS nutritionist, but I suspect very!

Feeling much more optimistic now and am hoping that DS will be happy to eat Christmas dinner with us - that's my goal 

Thanks again for all your support, this is the best place to be 

[my3girlsjde]

Wonderful!

Fingers crossed with you for a lovely Christmas dinner together.

[Jimbob]

So glad to hear things are improving 

Kelly x