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niapamom · May 14, 2007, 08:19 PM

I can't figure it out, it has gotten too the point where now I will try to feed him and he will chew his food but he will not swallow. What should I do?

tawnynkids · May 14, 2007, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by niapamom

i can't figure it out, it has gotten too the point ...

Maybe you could elaborate a little on when this started and how often it happens?

whiteladybug2002 · May 14, 2007, 08:40 PM

Kids are strange creatures! Lol

Kids go through phases in eating! Sometimes you can't stop them and sometimes you can't make them. They will eat when they are hungery, so I wouldn't really worry about that too much.

BUT
I would take him to the doctor if he isn't eating by tomorrow to make sure there isn't anything medically wrong.

Good Luck and God Loves You!

LuvMyMaltipoo · May 14, 2007, 08:43 PM

How long has it been? Is he drinking water? Does he have any other symptoms?

We do need more details.

You also can't make a big deal out of it. If he thinks he's getting a lot of attention out of the deal he might just be trying to drive you crazy.

Tell us how long it's been though, like hours... days?

niapamom · May 14, 2007, 09:21 PM

Well its been about three weeks, yes he's drinking water and liquids. He kind of had a scare when a small piece of a hotdog made him choke, but now he won't swallow. How can I help him and myself? Should I worry or is this just a phase?

LuvMyMaltipoo · May 14, 2007, 09:29 PM

He hasn't eaten ANYTHING in 3 weeks?? I really hope that's not what you meant.

The choking incident probably scared him a lot. My daughter almost choked on and orange slice once and now she will not touch an orange. Try to figure out what he WILL eat. Try fixing him mashed potatoes or even baby food... that way he knows it will easily go down. Hopefully, he will forget about it sooner or later.

But if he really hasn't eaten anything in 3 weeks, you need to get him to the doctor! That is NOT healthy!

niapamom · May 14, 2007, 09:34 PM

Well he will eat toast crackers so long as he dips it in liquid to make it mushy but to me that's not enough, I know kids are funny like that but when do you figure out when enough is enough I thought he would never eat hotdogs again but now toast and crackers is basically all he eats and even still he eats it very slow and with caution

LuvMyMaltipoo · May 14, 2007, 09:43 PM

Find out what else he will eat. Crackers are definitely not enough, and not very nutritious. Take him to the grocery store with you tomorrow. Let him pick out stuff he would like to eat (of course not just cookies and candy). I know as a parent you don't want to cave in with your kids but at this point you don't really have any other choice. He is traumitized by the hot dog incident and just needs a little time so he can forget how frightening that incident was... but until then you need to keep him healthy. Since he likescrackers maybe he will eat a Lunchable or something.

Hope I could help!

nadine aspland · May 14, 2007, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by niapamom

i can't figure it out, it has gotten too the point where now i will try to feed him and he will chew his food but he will not swallow. whta should i do?

Hi. I have a 2 year old and this has happened to me. Being 5 years have you asked if anything is happening at school? If you are unsure you can ask their teacher to keep an eye out a lot of children don't eat if they are getting bullied or teased at school. You could try and make their food fun. Cutting food into shapes. Use food colouring to colour spaghetti etc. You could also try. Have you ckecked his teeth?

bobbydoll · May 14, 2007, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by niapamom

i can't figure it out, it has gotten too the point where now i will try to feed him and he will chew his food but he will not swallow. whta should i do?

... Is he refusing to eat all food, even his one time favorite's? This can potential lead to real problems, my Goddaughter went through this, and had to be sent to a specialist. I think if it continues for sa few more days, tell him, he will need to see a Doctor, that might make him start again. If not

tawnynkids · May 14, 2007, 10:13 PM

Poor little thing! Yes, I agree with Luv anything at this point with any sort of nutritional value. I wouldn't say it has to be spectacular that can come with his confidence in eating again. Try some chewable vitamins in the meantime. Maybe things like just peanut butter and jelly sandwich, spaghetti, maybe Chef Boy Ardee pastas, mac & cheese, applesauce, scrambled eggs. Those should all be pretty soft. I know those aren't the most nutritious but they can help him to get eating again and that's the point right now. And they aren't the worst either. But those would give him more than crackers at least. (A little meat, pasta, cheese, protein) He can get his veggies in fruit juices if he refuses those. V8 Fusion makes a very yummy fruit & vegetable juice kids really like. I hope that might give you some ideas anyway.

bushg · May 22, 2007, 07:10 PM

Get him some pedi-sure to drink... also the yogurt drinks... also you could make him fruit smoothies in a blender with bran flakes wheat germ... etc... also I would not make a big deal out of it... I would not discuss it in front of him or with him... and see what happens. My son has a kidney disease.. and got malnourished as a result of all the meds,, giving him stomach ulcers... you would be surprised at how long the little things can go with out eating. Or barely eating... good luck

krystal1973 · May 22, 2007, 07:20 PM

If he won't eat at all, I would take him to the doctor.

katie9 · Jun 7, 2007, 06:15 AM

I am in the same predicament. My daughter( 6) saw her friend choke and is now closing her throat when eating. I am making her drink things and that does work so far. I was told yesterday to blend up the protein and make that her drink. And still put the real food in front of her until she gets her confidance back. If she doesn't eat it, just throw it awa, but say you have eto finish your drink. The feeling is that, eventually she shoud start again, but who knows. It scares me. But you are a nicer mom than I ( 3 weeks), it has been 4 days and I have no patience for this!:(

NowWhat · Jun 7, 2007, 10:16 AM

I would definitely invest in the nutritional drinks right now. Or make him the smoothies.
Don't stop offering him food. Fix him a plate at each meal. If he eats, great - if not, well...
I would still call the doctor. It has been to long. This would be driving me crazy! But, at least you know what this is steming from, which a lot of times that is half the battle.
Good Luck and keep us posted.

katie9 · Jun 8, 2007, 06:48 PM

I have been forcing my daughter to drink pedia care and drink juice. I tried the crackers you were having luck with but as soon as it gets going down she gags...

Have you done the nutriional drinks.. what does your pediatrician say.. mine was saying to ignore it for a few days... but I am having a hard time watching her tiny little frame wither away..

Tonight she asked for a popsicle , which was the FIRST thing she has asked for... and she ate it.. so I will take that as progress... is your son drinking?

Please let me know if you find a solution!
Katie

Lacey5765 · Jun 8, 2007, 08:07 PM

I agree with the posts here. I would keep using ensure or the like for nutrition and keep making meals for the family. I wouldn't make a big deal over it just offer and ignore. What has started as a scare can become a control issue if they see you making a big deal over it. Make some yummy deserts and just offer to everyone and see if they might take a chance on it. THe protein drinks are a great idea, easy way not to push but still getting some nutrition.

NowWhat · Jun 8, 2007, 10:30 PM

You should try the V8 Fusions. They have a variety of flavors. The kids have no idea that veggies are in them. So they are getting fruits and veggies. You could do peanut butter for protein. That is soft.
There is pediasure that has a lot of the nutrients - yogurt drinks for the calcium.
Have you tried soups that have the characters in them? Like Dora or Batman etc. I think it is chicken noodle.

My 6 year old will eat anything - so I would totally freak out if she stopped eating.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

katie9 · Jun 9, 2007, 03:41 AM

That last post had great new suggestions! My daughter loves peanut butter, so YES I will let her lick a spoonful... I have been so nervous it is often hard to see the obvious solutions. And I will buy that V8 today! I have been putting regular food down too, as I agree to try and not make it a huge control thing... I feel much better about this since reading these posts and seeing even a little bit of progress... she finally said," mom what can I eat, I am really hungry"... and she had a yogurt and icepop, it's a start.
Thank you!

newlablover · Jun 9, 2007, 09:44 AM

Why don't you just sit him down and have a talk with them. I have a5 year old a whenever I have a prob with her I can usually talk to her. Maybe lead by example, eat som e of the food and show them that it won't hurt you, so it won't hurt them.