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easqw`s problem · Apr 2, 2006, 09:12 AM

My 7 year old won't at all he eats when he feels like it and I have to almost force food in his mouth to eat it please help me I just don't knowe what to do any more

Fr_Chuck · Apr 2, 2006, 09:42 AM

Of course you need to be sure there is nothing physcial wrong that would make him not eat, I will assume he is eating fine just not at meals, he wants to eat at 11 pm, not 6 pm and so on, and I will assueme you are then just letting him eat when he wants to, sort of like a cow grassing

Well if you don't let him eat when "he feels like it" and only give him the chance to eat when you serve your meals. No snacks at all, no "ohhh" he must be hungry let him eat. You set a fast rule that he only eats at meals.
Give it a day, he will start eating at meals when he gets hungry enough

s_cianci · Apr 2, 2006, 07:22 PM

A lot of children that age are like that. I wouldn't force him to eat as that could lead to weight problems later in life. Just be sure that when he does eat it's healthful food and not "junk." You could also try a chewable children's vitamin supplement to ensure that he's getting adequate nutrition.

weda_7526 · Apr 3, 2006, 01:59 PM

My son went through a phase of only eating noodles for a month. I talked to his dr. and WIC. They said to start worrying when he won't eat at all. It wouldn't hurt to take him in for a check - up.

fredg · Apr 4, 2006, 07:41 AM

Hi,
I agree with the answer about taking your son to a Doctor for a checkup. Find out if anything is wrong; may not be, but it put your mind "at ease" about anything like that.
Children will not starve themselves to death, on purpose!
Many of today's children (as company to many, many years ago) are used to eating McDonalds, or french fries, or potato chips, or other what I call "junk foods". Anything fast has become the "normal" feeding of many children.
If a baby, when old enough to eat solid foods, is sitting at a table with many different foods, like meats, veggies, etc, they will chose foods for themselves and eat it.
Your child eats when he feels like it? So that means he has some kind of food available to him, anytime, day or night.
As another answer said, limit his food to breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
He will eventually eat what you give him; unless of course, there is another problem only a Doctor would know about.
My daughter went through a phase where she would only eat grilled cheese sandwiches, and plain hot dogs! So that's what she ate, but only during normal lunch times, etc.
I do wish you the best, and hang in there. It's common.

Starman · Apr 5, 2006, 06:24 AM

My one-year-old son had an eating problem as well. He refused to swallow and spat out almost everything we tried to feed him and grimaced as if the taste was awful. This included ice-cream, honey, and other foods which children usually enjoy. After struggling to get him to eat for some time we finally took him to the doctor. It was found that things tasted differently to him than they did to the majority o children. We were given instructions on how to gradually overcome this and it took a lot of time patience and effort to get him over this difficulty. So yes, I agree, taking your child to see a pediatrician is the wise thing to do.

pab · Apr 11, 2006, 02:23 PM

Maybe he doesn't like what you are feeding him. Take him to fast food and see if he'll eat a burger. Or a milk shake. If he doesn't eat that, then inquire further. I think kids grow in spurts and eat in spurts. If he's eating some food, don't worry about it. If you are real concerened, ask your doctor.