Re: Re: My 2 1/2 year olds diet

[Guest guest]

Hi Madonna

You know Adam is very much like that. He will eat when it suits him. Small

frequent meals are what works best. I have heard it all--especially from his

father who refuses him food (!) if its within 3 hours of dinner (don't want

to spoil the dinner!!) but I look at it two ways:

1) our kids have smaller stomaches. Not sure if you've done a bone age on

yet to know but for one only 14 months old (say he is delayed by even

7 months); a 7 month old is still having around 6 " meals " a day (whether

pablum, baby food or bottles or of course breast milk). The reason the

babies eat so frequently is that their little tummies are so small they

can't handle a large meal that is expected to last several hours. I believe

the same thing applies to our guys. Adam is 8 (3 weeks away) and is the size

of a 3 1/2 year old. Now 3 year olds are generally on a 3 day a meal regime

with snacks inbetween. But the physical and mental demands of school and

life of an 8 year old probably use up so much more energy than his tummy can

accumulate. So if you start to get those lectures.....give the " family " that

story.

2) I still believe any food is better than no food. If Adam wants a ketchup

sandwich on whole wheat bread.....who am I to say no?? If he wants to eat,

and something is attracting him, I will go to great lengths to get it for

him. Now my dinner meals are a set routine for food. My 11 year old daughter

is the most pickiest eater on the face of the earth. So I generally cook

meals that I know both kids like (and will change the side dishes eg.

Colette can have coleslaw and Adam can have noodles--each hates the other

food) that does not take too much extra time. But I still maintain you must

eat what is infront of you. I save experimenting with new foods for a snack

time (ie. non dinner hour so I am not stuck making a brand new dinner from

scratch when one or the other turns up their nose). So no, Adam does not

have complete " run " of the meal times but I give him as much leeway as

possible.

It sounds like you have tried all the ideas I had thought of. I haven't had

a chance to look back in my notes yet to see what foods Adam fancied around

14 months (again he had only one front tooth then). You're lucky that

's teeth came in so early.

I usually try to not offer people explanations on our eating routines

because I know the lectures will be astounding!! But I don't mind sharing

them here....food and eating are so important to our guys I really think the

answer for any persistent " well wishers " with their advice is to say " it

works for us and and that is all that counts! " And leave it at that.

I have never heard a doctor (and I've been to many) question when, what and

where are you eating.....hey they eat......who cares about the rest.

Glad I could be of help and I'll try to get into my notes tomorrow and email

you with some food suggestions. It's a common problem all parents have

(normal or not) as to how to introduce and get the kids to eat healthy

" regular " food.

One thing about Adam he loves broccoli and cauliflower. He'd eat the whole

entire head of each if I cooked it all in one shot for him. As long as he

has his ketchup on it--he just shovels it in.

Keep up the great work.

Talk to you soon.

Debby

PS You may have read the post someone put out a few weeks ago (it may have

been Jodi) that hypoglycemic kids should not have any " sugar " foods within

2-3 hours of a main meal. So those snacks I usually go for cheese, peanut

butter, popcorn or salty things like chips. It does seem to make his

appetite bigger for his meal. I haven't not let him eat, I just stay away

from cookies, cakes and such from 3 o'clock on. I think you are looking into

whether or not is hypo-g (if memory serves me) but even if he

isn't....I would try that advice and see if it makes a difference.

mec72799@... wrote:

>

> ---Debra,

> Here is the low down. didn't have all of his teeth pulled

> just the two front ones. Get this, he has all of his teeth that he

> isn't even suppose to have til he turns about 2. So he is only

> missing his front two. He did get baby food, but wasn't crazy about

> it, mostly I gave it to him through one of the food feeding bottles.

> (have you ever seen one of them they are neat) but as he progressed

> to more age appropiate (sp) foods he could no longer use the bottle,

> and I think he was getting tired of the bland foods. I do give him

> cheerios, and Veggie crackers, that is about the only thing he likes,

> and will eat those every day, but how good is that for him. He has

> the cool little container that he carries them around in, but I am

> concerned that he needs other things, and will not get the nutrition

> he needs. I have tried setting foods out but he will not touch

> them. I am with everyone else, Who cares where they eat as long as

> they eat. I have had people tell me that I am doing more harm than

> good by letting him " snack all day on cheerios and such " and that if

> I would make him eat at specific times he would be hungry, they claim

> the reason he will not eat is cause I am not letting him get hungry.

> When decides he is hungry he will eat anything, the other day

> I had him eating Chicken with rice and cooked with that was Bell

> peppers, (red greeen and yellow) peas carrots, and get this

> BROCCOLI!! he loved it but that was when he was ready to eat. That

> was the only good meal he got all week the rest was pediasure and

> snacks. So any more suggestions are welcomed.

>

> On another note, we saw the ped endo today! he was great. He tested

> s blood sugar today ( we will get the results on Monday) His

> attitude was, OK we know has RSS now lets work as a team and

> conquer each obstical as best we can, together. The blood sugar was

> the biggest concern today, as we don't want to overwhelm him with a

> lot of test in one day. Future concerns are a shoe lift, bone age,

> diet reccomendations, and in December we are going to test growth

> hormone levels. That will be a long day, I have been told. He did

> not go into detail about the test so anyone who has done this and

> will explain it to me go right ahead. So that is it in a nutshell.

> Thanks

> Madonna

>

> In RSS-Supportegroups, Debra Baillargeon <debbbail@e...> wrote:

> > Hey Madonna

> >

> > That's tough. I feel for you. My God, nothing is worse than knowing

> that

> > your child should be eating and you can't get it into them!!

> >

> > What kinds of things have you tried? I'm sure you've run the gamet

> but can I

> > offer a few ideas on the off chance you haven't tried them?

> >

> > I'll make the assumption that is walking (or at least

> somewhat mobile

> > at this age). You could try leaving out on the coffee table or if

> you have a

> > little table and chairs for him (those ones kids play on) a few

> bits of food

> > (a cracker--even the Farley biscuits or a graham cracker for now);

> perhaps

> > some cheese cut into little chunks--I know you said he had problems

> with his

> > teeth--which might be the larger issue. I'm sorry I don't remember

> > exactly--did he have them all pulled?

> > Anyway, if the teeth are the problem, try shredded cheese, or bits

> of banana

> > on a plate.

> >

> > Of course I don't mean to litter the tables and floors with 5

> course meals

> > (LOL) but once in awhile just nonchalantly put out a bowl of

> cherrios or

> > lucky charms (seems to be a kid favorite) and don't make a deal of

> it. He'll

> > be exploring and come across it and when you least expect it--he

> may try

> > some.

> >

> > I firmly believe in NO DINNER BATTLES. It totally turns kids off

> food and

> > even getting to the table can become a battle (hence the resistence

> to the

> > high chair). I know you are trying....and I did the same things so

> I talk

> > from experience. Stop battling. Who says kids have to eat at the

> table??

> > Does it really matter where they eat as long as they eat?

> >

> > You could try the little snacky things in cute little containers

> that are

> > appealing to him to try and open and fiddle around with whats

> inside. Again,

> > dry cereal works well here (again assuming he has teeth).

> >

> > Final question....have you ever found when he did attempt to

> eat " solid "

> > food that he gagged? My nephew (considered " normal " ) has a horrible

> gag

> > reflex and at almost 1 year of age my sister has not been able to

> get him on

> > table food (even the chunky baby food he spits back up). I have

> told her a

> > million times....so? If he'll eat the baby food.....give it to him.

> Who says

> > you have to stop baby food at 9 months?

> >

> > Whatever works for you and is what you should do. Did he

> ever eat

> > baby food?

> >

> > I have a neighbour down the street (we other " moms " think she's

> crackers)

> > but her son just turned two and he has never had baby food or table

> food.

> > The kid is the size of a horse (he's bigger than Adam who is 3

> weeks short

> > of 8 years) and all he has ever had is breastmilk.

> >

> > Now I don't want to start a huge debate on breastmilk. But I think

> two years

> > is a long time (I breastfed Colette for 11 months and Adam's

> sucking reflex

> > was weak--or so they told me--maybe it was the RSS--but he was

> bottle fed

> > because the nurses couldn't " see " how much breastmilk he got. He'd

> only

> > suckle for a few seconds and go back to sleep, but he did the same

> with the

> > bottle. Anyway I breast pumped for 3 months to supplement the

> formula

> > feedings). So I am certainly not against breastfeeding but I think

> she is

> > doing her son a disservice by refusing to allow him to try " food " .

> When is

> > he supposed to learn how to eat and chew?? Strange eh.

> >

> > I probably could give you absolutely a ton more ideas. If you are

> > interested, reply to this letter (so I'll remember what I said

> already and

> > can give you some more ideas....but I need to know how he was with

> baby food

> > and how many teeth he has (ie. are the molars there??--Adam's teeth

> came in

> > really late--his first one was at 14 months--so I kept a record

> of " table "

> > foods I gave him then that were soft.

> > So like I said, if this advice can be of assistance to you.....get

> back to

> > me and I'll look up my notes and give you some help.

> >

> > Good luck and you are doing a great job.....never forget that!!

> > I mean look at us out here every night on the computer (I work, but

> even if

> > I didn't...it takes a long time to read, digest and help others but

> we are

> > truly involved with our kids and they are lucky to have us.)....I'm

> sure

> > many parents couldn't be bothered to give 5 minutes to their kids as

> > compared to the time we invest in research, doctors, and all these

> ideas " to

> > try " . So keep it up.... is lucky to have the greatest mom!

> >

> > Debby

> >

> > mec72799@y... wrote:

> >

> > >

> > > ---I wish I could respond to this steven wont eat he is now

> getting

> > > one or two meals (if you can call it that) per week, the only

> thing I

> > > can get him to take is pediasure, and that is through a bottle.

> He

> > > refuses to eat. What is a parent to do?? he is 14 months old he

> is

> > > old enough to eat but if I put food in front of him he closes his

> > > mouth as tight as he can and shakes his head NO NO NO back and

> > > forth. I can't force feed him. He is so strong willed about

> this he

> > > is even starting to cry if I put him in his high chair, and i mean

> > > throwing a fit!

> > > Madonna

> > >

> > > In RSS-Supportegroups, Debra Baillargeon <debbbail@e...>

> wrote:

> > > > Hello everyone

> > > >

> > > > Are we starting to see a pattern here with the diets?? Good

> > > question to ask (that

> > > > is, what do our children love to eat)

> > > >

> > > > I see peanut butter, cheese, water, pizza as a common thread.

> Also

> > > our kids don't

> > > > seem to go for milk, or sugary foods.

> > > >

> > > > So the question is......lots of protein and fat content type

> foods

> > > and the

> > > > water??? I always thought my son was from some other planet that

> > > his preferred

> > > > drink over anything is water (I mean how lucky can one be??)

> but it

> > > seems to be

> > > > prevailent. Perhaps a biological need to cleanse the body in

> some

> > > way?

> > > >

> > > > For those of us that have responded this way (sorry I can't

> > > remember all the

> > > > people...I tend to delete as I read) I'd be interested if these

> > > kids are on any

> > > > medication or not.

> > > >

> > > > For the record (I will start...since Adam seems to follow this

> > > craving pattern)

> > > >

> > > > He is mildly hypoglycemic and is on absolutely no medication.

> > > >

> > > > Others??

> > > >

> > > > We may find the pattern is a big indication of something

> lacking in

> > > our kids.

> > > >

> > > > Wow I feel like Columbus......let's explore.

> > > >

> > > > Debby

> > > >

> > > > Lequiz@a... wrote:

> > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > In a message dated 9/13/00 1:27:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

> > > > > pattie@s... writes:

> > > > >

> > > > > << Also, could some of you tell me what foods your kids crave

> > > (i.e.

> > > > > pretzels, bologna, etc.)? >>

> > > > >

> > > > > Hi Patti,

> > > > >

> > > > > My daughter is a decent eater for her size - I think. She

> likes

> > > what she

> > > > > likes and not a chance of getting anything else past those

> > > precious little

> > > > > lips. 's grocery list of likes include: Cheerio's,

> > > Hostess chocolate

> > > > > Chip mini-muffins, pancakes, peanut butter & jelly (her hands

> > > down favorite),

> > > > > pizza, grilled cheese, cheese (especially " lollipop fingers "

> made

> > > with

> > > > > American squirt cheese in the can), chicken nuggets, French

> > > fries, macaroni &

> > > > > cheese (another favorite), hot dogs, Pasta Roni white cheese

> > > shells, yogurt,

> > > > > bananas, ice cream (chocolate only), chocolate chip or Nutter

> > > Butter peanut

> > > > > butter cookies, lollipops, and she loves Ritz bits cheddar or

> > > peanut butter

> > > > > crackers. She will sip chocolate milk or apple juice now and

> > > then, but her

> > > > > must have favorite is WATER! She asks for water all day long.

> > > No calories

> > > > > but I swear I think that is keep her healthy.

> > > > > In short she eats straight from the " kids menu " ! The

> strange

> > > thing is

> > > > > that she doesn't vary from it at all. I spend so much each

> week

> > > on " let's

> > > > > try " foods, but the above is it! As for veggies, forget about

> > > it! I kid

> > > > > (but it is true) that the only thing green my daughter has

> had in

> > > her mouth

> > > > > in 2 1/2 years is a green lollipop! I do give her a Flinstone

> > > vitamin with

> > > > > extra C in it daily and so far she has been really healthy.

> > > > >

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

Madonna

I'm alway late in replying - all appologies...

My daughter sapphire is now 15 months and I can only give my own

experiences. Sapphire was on a high cal formula but I found that she wasn't

eating 'proper' food. After much deliberation I cut down her formula to

ordinary and she ate more 'proper' food. As that worked I cut down her milk

to one 4oz bottle for going to bed then juice during the night. Very

diluted juice as I understand that the juice can fill them up and really

water is the best between meals. Now when she wakes she has a good appetite

for breakfast. Because she eats a 'good' breakfast because she is hungry

she lasts longer before her next meal which cuts out the snacking. All this

has led us to 4-5 good meals a day. It doesn't work all the time but it has

really helped.

Some of the others on the list have agreed that our children have a certain

amount of calories they need in one day and they will only take that amount.

This may all come from the formula - so if they fill up on the formula they

have no need to eat as their calorific need has been met.

I can say this has worked with confidence but I was soooo wary to start it

at first. The possibility of losing any calories in the transitional stage

was scary but it all paid off in the long run.

Use your own judgement we all have our own different ways some work and some

don't but maybe it is worth thinking about.

Please let me know how you get on.

Kindness always

Just thinking there - it took me months to come up with this idea that I can

now write in 2 mins!!!

Re: My 2 1/2 year olds diet

>

> ---I wish I could respond to this steven wont eat he is now getting

> one or two meals (if you can call it that) per week, the only thing I

> can get him to take is pediasure, and that is through a bottle. He

> refuses to eat. What is a parent to do?? he is 14 months old he is

> old enough to eat but if I put food in front of him he closes his

> mouth as tight as he can and shakes his head NO NO NO back and

> forth. I can't force feed him. He is so strong willed about this he

> is even starting to cry if I put him in his high chair, and i mean

> throwing a fit!

> Madonna

>

> In RSS-Supportegroups, Debra Baillargeon <debbbail@e...> wrote:

> > Hello everyone

> >

> > Are we starting to see a pattern here with the diets?? Good

> question to ask (that

> > is, what do our children love to eat)

> >

> > I see peanut butter, cheese, water, pizza as a common thread. Also

> our kids don't

> > seem to go for milk, or sugary foods.

> >

> > So the question is......lots of protein and fat content type foods

> and the

> > water??? I always thought my son was from some other planet that

> his preferred

> > drink over anything is water (I mean how lucky can one be??) but it

> seems to be

> > prevailent. Perhaps a biological need to cleanse the body in some

> way?

> >

> > For those of us that have responded this way (sorry I can't

> remember all the

> > people...I tend to delete as I read) I'd be interested if these

> kids are on any

> > medication or not.

> >

> > For the record (I will start...since Adam seems to follow this

> craving pattern)

> >

> > He is mildly hypoglycemic and is on absolutely no medication.

> >

> > Others??

> >

> > We may find the pattern is a big indication of something lacking in

> our kids.

> >

> > Wow I feel like Columbus......let's explore.

> >

> > Debby

> >

> > Lequiz@a... wrote:

> >

> > >

> > > In a message dated 9/13/00 1:27:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

> > > pattie@s... writes:

> > >

> > > << Also, could some of you tell me what foods your kids crave

> (i.e.

> > > pretzels, bologna, etc.)? >>

> > >

> > > Hi Patti,

> > >

> > > My daughter is a decent eater for her size - I think. She likes

> what she

> > > likes and not a chance of getting anything else past those

> precious little

> > > lips. 's grocery list of likes include: Cheerio's,

> Hostess chocolate

> > > Chip mini-muffins, pancakes, peanut butter & jelly (her hands

> down favorite),

> > > pizza, grilled cheese, cheese (especially " lollipop fingers " made

> with

> > > American squirt cheese in the can), chicken nuggets, French

> fries, macaroni &

> > > cheese (another favorite), hot dogs, Pasta Roni white cheese

> shells, yogurt,

> > > bananas, ice cream (chocolate only), chocolate chip or Nutter

> Butter peanut

> > > butter cookies, lollipops, and she loves Ritz bits cheddar or

> peanut butter

> > > crackers. She will sip chocolate milk or apple juice now and

> then, but her

> > > must have favorite is WATER! She asks for water all day long.

> No calories

> > > but I swear I think that is keep her healthy.

> > > In short she eats straight from the " kids menu " ! The strange

> thing is

> > > that she doesn't vary from it at all. I spend so much each week

> on " let's

> > > try " foods, but the above is it! As for veggies, forget about

> it! I kid

> > > (but it is true) that the only thing green my daughter has had in

> her mouth

> > > in 2 1/2 years is a green lollipop! I do give her a Flinstone

> vitamin with

> > > extra C in it daily and so far she has been really healthy.

> > >

> > >

>

>

>

>

>