How do I get my child to eat?

amother

OP ↓

Wed, Sep 11 2024, 9:35 pm

He didnt grow enough this past year and so hes short with thin arms and legs
I think its because he doesnt eat/sleep enough. he has a hard time falling asleep sometimes and he has a hard time finishing his supper. I think its because he gets distracted by any surrounding distractions. I can tell him a hundred times to eat and sometimes hell listen and sometimes he wont.
I tried the method of not saying anything and if hes hungry then hell eat but that doesnt work as most times he just wont eat.

Any ideas how to get him to eat so he can grow and look his age? Hes 5

amother

Hyacinth ↓

Wed, Sep 11 2024, 9:39 pm

amother OP wrote:

I have no idea if that is or isn't the issue, but if you think it is, then wouldn't the best first step be to change the environment he's eating in? Create a calm and quiet space without stimulation and distraction for as many meals as possible? At least for a few days as a test to see if it makes a difference?

amother

Moccasin

Wed, Sep 11 2024, 9:43 pm

You need to rule out physical issues for the growth and eating issues. Maybe start with an endocrinologist to check that there is no issue.

amother

Lightgreen

Wed, Sep 11 2024, 9:47 pm

The short answer is you can't make a kid eat.
Try and work out why he isn't eating.
Could be so many things.
I would start with a pediatrician for a full workout including blood tests to rule out anemia.
If the physical is all good, evaluate for ADHD, he sounds very distractable.
Take it from there.

amother

Goldenrod

Wed, Sep 11 2024, 11:43 pm

amother OP wrote:

If I feed him he eats. Also he talks a lot about what he wants to eat and then he doesn't touch it...

You just answered your own question. If you feed him he eats. So then you can feed him if you want him to eat.

amother

↑ OP

Thu, Sep 12 2024, 12:19 am

amother Goldenrod wrote:

You just answered your own question. If you feed him he eats. So then you can feed him if you want him to eat.

but hes 5 and I have other kids I cant be busy feeding him. how do I get him to eat on his own?

oneofakind

Thu, Sep 12 2024, 3:20 am

He needs peace and quiet to eat. Can you serve him before the other kids?
Can you make sure he eats during the rest of the day, not just supper?
Can you figure out why he doesn't sleep well?
Is he a nervous child in general?

salt

Thu, Sep 12 2024, 8:04 am

amother Navyblue wrote:

Let him eat fattening things he likes. Ice cream Cake…

better still, if he likes healthy fattening things - avocado, peanut butter, tehina, cheese, yoghurts.

amother

↑ Hyacinth

Thu, Sep 12 2024, 6:08 pm

amother OP wrote:

but hes 5 and I have other kids I cant be busy feeding him. how do I get him to eat on his own?

I wonder if he has created a way to get the attention he desperately needs from you.

amother

Oldlace ↓

Thu, Sep 12 2024, 6:14 pm

I can think of so many reasons for a kid to be a poor eater, and how to address it will depend on the cause obviously. Among them:

Reflux
(Hidden) Allergies or intolerances
Poor oral motor skills or strength
Tongue tie or other structural issues
Poor digestion
Celiac
Poor appetite (usually a gut health issue or mineral deficiency)
Distractibility
Oral defensiveness
Sensory issues
Ocd/anxiety around food and swallowing

Among others

amother

Mustard

Sun, Sep 15 2024, 4:44 am

amother Oldlace wrote:

You can look into micro biome testing
Find a medical dr who does it. Many of the things mentioned above can be greatly lessoned by balancing the gut.
Hidden intolerance, sensory. Distractibility, Poor digestive. It's a very balanced approach.
I hope you road to helping your son goes smoothly. (Remember it's a road)

amother

Turquoise

Sun, Sep 15 2024, 6:42 am

If your goal is to up his calories the quickest way to get more calories is through drinking.
Maybe pediasure between meals is needed.

Rabbit613 ↓

Sun, Sep 15 2024, 12:38 pm

amother Navyblue wrote:

Let him eat fattening things he likes. Ice cream Cake…

If she does that he will never eat healthy food. I would do the opposite have no unhealthy food for him to fill up on a d when he is hungry he will have to eat food.

amother

Mintgreen

Sun, Sep 15 2024, 12:43 pm

salt wrote:

better still, if he likes healthy fattening things - avocado, peanut butter, tehina, cheese, yoghurts.

This. You can try to up the calories he eats.

I do believe he would eat if he's hungry. My 3yo is very distracted & rarely eats much at dinner however I leave his food on the table & usually I find it empty later. This is a kid that likes to eat. Some kids just don't like to eat much.

amother

Daphne

Sun, Sep 15 2024, 10:25 pm

What’s micro biome testing? And how do you know if a kid has poor oral motor skills? Come to think of it, my baby doesn’t drink bottle I think she doesn’t even know what to do with it.

amother

↑ Oldlace

Tue, Sep 17 2024, 9:42 am

amother Daphne wrote:

What’s micro biome testing? And how do you know if a kid has poor oral motor skills? Come to think of it, my baby doesn’t drink bottle I think she doesn’t even know what to do with it.

Does she breastfeed? Has she been having trouble transitioning to solids?