I'm On my iPhone so can't reply properly because I want to look back and reference what you've said, but until I get the chance I wanted to say thank you so much for all your kind words of encouragement and reassurance, I really appreciate them. And thank you also for all the terrific suggestions, there are definitely a few we can try here.
MS - yep, I totally think the fussy toddler period has kicked in at the same time as her illnesses. I've talked to others in my MG whose little ones have suddenly become very fussy too. We got fish and chips tonight (not a great choice, i know, but it's only an occasional treat) and she started shouting about chips as soon as she smelt them, but wouldn't even consider putting a piece of fish in her mouth, whereas not so long ago she loved fish. We do make a big fuss already about how lovely things are, but she's a stubborn little lady, and once she's made her mind up it's rare she'll budge. If i tell her to try something she will usually put it in her mouth but pull a face before it even hits her lips... I still tell her to try stuff though, on the odd occasion she goes back for a sneaky second bite, then a third... etc!
Starangelk, i tried exactly that making homemade sausage rolls a couple of weeks ago. She loves the ones from the bakery, but the ones at home didn't do it for her, I suspect it's the texture. I actually suspect a lot of her fussiness is related to food texture. I might try again and see what I can do to make the meat bit more mushy, if you know what I mean! She love love loves helping me cook, so I will definitely get her involved.
Barb, i do hope she does grow out of all these things. I know you're right about making meals fun and not having battles. That's what my instinct tells me, but then I start to worry and it all goes a bit wrong again!
Fleur, i totally agree - we have a freezer full of spag bol, and we eat it at least once a week if not more often. I pack it with so many veggies too so I know she's getting tonnes of good stuff when she eats that. Brocolli is always a good option for us, she usually loves it, although I've noticed less so recently, but still will usually eat some if it's on her plate. She won't even go near steak just pan fried, but I did make her a beef and beer casserole out of the BLS cookbook last winter a few times and she ate it then. I think I'll give that another go - thanks for jogging my memory on that one
Jackrose, so sorry to hear that you went through this same sort of scenario, it is so stressful! Thanks for the link about iron, I'm going to look through it. We were due to go to the allergy dietician at RPA a couple of weeks ago, but DD and I were both had awful colds when it came up. Given they'd only made contact the week before to book us in i assumed we would be moved back a couple of weeks or something, but when I finally managed to get through to them (had left a voicemail to reschedule because the lines were constantly engaged) the next appointment is in June and if we can't make that one it's next year! I am so so so frustrated that we let that opportunity pass - had no idea it was so hard to get an appointment with a dietician!! I love your bento box idea, it's brilliant! I'm going to go and buy one asap.
MadB - yep, I do meatballs every so often, but i find she will eat around the meat then, whereas when I use almost the same ingredients to make spag bol she had no choice but to eat it coz it's stuck to the pasta! I must try making ikea style meatballs at some time though, she vacuumed them up last time we were there!
Thanks again for all your input and encouragement, i really do appreciate it. Kepp 'em coming, I have had so much inspiration from this thread
My DD still only likes smooth soft things; smoked salmon, tofu, steamed carrot, rice.
She won't eat any meat!
I haven't got much advice, just suggesting that you research what other foods are high in iron and go down that path. Also remember that vitamin c is essential for absorbing iron, so always combine with oranges or something for dessert!
Hope things go better, and don't feel guilty about having to go down a different path. That's what makes you a good mum; you do what's ultimately best for your child.
I found also with a fussy with meat toddler is those cubes of frozen spinach are awesome to hide in sauces. It's also an extra source of veg with the bonus of iron. The fact that they're all portioned makes it easier to pop a few out and chuck in sauces/soups/casseroles/meat loaf etc. I also defrost them and whip them through omelettes and scrambled eggs. I'll send you a PM with a link for an awesome FB page with recipes that are easy and you can try with bubs. Quite a few have worked with Pixie!
Thanks turtleschell, glad to know we're not the only ones who have done bls but still have a little one with texture preferences!
Crazylady, i'm a spinach convert I have a bag of it in the fridge and constantly chop bits into things, as well as those cubes in the freezer. As long as i don't put too much in they work really well I'd love that fb page - thanks!
I just wanted to update on what's happening at the moment. This is becoming less about BLS and much more about health issues....
I took DD back to the paed yesterday. We started off well in that he is happy with her weight gain (she is still in 3-10th centile but is gaining at an expected rate so all's well there. In spite of tooth after tooth after tooth breaking through she's been eating loads recently, the meat etc is often being eaten through slightly sneaky tactics, but it is getting eaten a bit as well as broccoli, spinach etc. I think the losec/chiro is helping her so she is happier eating too. I am often astounded about how much she is eating and she keeps asking for more!
The allergies seem to be mounting up though - recent reactions include grapes, raisins, those Belamy's freeze dried apples and somethign this morning which may have been soy or dried cranberries, both of which she has eaten previously and neither of which have caused a problem before. She's getting a rash round her mouth from lots of foods. We've cut back severely on dairy and the paed has advised to continue like this. He's suggested not removing it entirely but definitely keeping it at a reduced rate as she seems happier like this. I'm finding that the dairy substitute foods aren't going down well with her though and instead I am gradually finding alternatives. We're going back to an allergist (a different one) who will likely do more tests than the first and will also give us a follow up plan this time.
The big blow though was that she still has problems with her chest/lungs and they are worsening. She has crackles in both lungs now as apposed to just one last time in spite of not having had a cold for a few weeks. She has aspiration and her breathing rate isn't great either. The paed was worried about her immunity (as am I) - she gets every single bug doing the rounds and takes 10 days to fight it off every time. She almost stops eating each time too. We have to take her for blood tests and xrays for numerous things (I can't read his writing on the forms and I can't remember each and every thing he mentioned - wish I'd taken a notepad and someone else with me so I still had the details now...) as well as a sweat test for Cystic Fibrosis We are, as you would imagine, pretty worried about this. I am trying to stay away from Dr Google, but it's so hard. I don't know enough about it to just leave it with the little knowledge I have. My mummy's instinct tells me there is something wrong, but I don't think it's as major as CF, although that isn't stopping me from worrying/wondering etc. We're waiting for the appointment to come through for the sweat test then we can have all the blood tests/xrays at the same time.
So that's where we're up to for now. If anyone has any experience with any of this and can put my mind at rest/let me know what to expect etc I'd love to hear from you.
For anyone I'm friends with on FB, please no mention on there atm - we've decided to keep it from our families and save their worry until we have some more info. I did tell me mum last night because DH was in meetings until really late and had forgotten his mobile phone (d'oh) and I just needed to tell someone.
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We are, as you would imagine, pretty worried about this. I am trying to stay away from Dr Google, but it's so hard. I don't know enough about it to just leave it with the little knowledge I have. My mummy's instinct tells me there is something wrong, but I don't think it's as major as CF, although that isn't stopping me from worrying/wondering etc. We're waiting for the appointment to come through for the sweat test then we can have all the blood tests/xrays at the same time.
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