I've done a couple of things which have helped a bit. Firstly the chiro looked at her palate as she had a pretty strong gag reflex. On the two occasions she had it adjusted I noticed a massive difference in her gagging and as a result she will now eat some foods that she would point blank refuse previously. Secondly, we have done some texture therapy - not related to eating, so gradually persuading her she really didn't need socks on all the time, stroking her face with fabrics and talking about the feel, mixing cakes with her hands, putting her feet into bowls of dried lentils, rice etc. Thirdly, we go through this 'game' with her eating - 'can you touch the beef with your finger, well done... Can you pick it up in your hand, wow you're so clever, can you touch your lip with it, well done, can you lick it?' At this point, nine times out of ten she now takes a bite, chews and swallows and gets a huge cheer. Recently she's started doing this process herself without prompting and giving herself a cheer. Not how I particularly want to parent but I never envisaged ever having a kid who is fussy over food and certainly not who has suffered some fairly severe health issues because of it so I'm happy to do it for the results.
It's been a slow old game, and frustrating often, but I am noticing small results over time... baby steps. I'm not sure if this will help all of you, but if you're considering sensory issues maybe it will. Just wanted to post and say that I feel your pain though.
I had a look at sensory issues on line, and I dont think that is it as he will happily eat when he wants to.. offer him chicken nuggets (real not processed) or crumbed fish he will devour it. He did finally eat a sausage on the weekend too.
I tried the bed without dinner option last night and it didnt work... and honestly it doesnt sit well with me. We got him involved in dinner again and he was all excited.. sat down at the big table with DF and I and the first thing he did was push the plate away! He flat out refused to even taste it, so he got down, got back up looked at it pushed it away again. We explained to him that was his dinner and he wouldnt be given anything else... we then played a bit of a game where he would tell me what veggie I had and then I would eat it... still nothing.
About 30 minutes later he wanted yoghurt, so I got out his dinner from the fridge and he LOST it! I said yes to yoghurt (instead of just saying no) but he would have to have some dinner first.. nope nothing just tears.
Another 10 minutes later he was saying he was hungry and was again upset, so DF gave him some toast and yoghurt.. Refusing him food just doesnt seem right for me. Maybe I am just trying to many new things at once...
I just dont know how to handle this situation. He is also now refusing lunch at c/c so he cant not eat at dinner as well.
thanks Gigi.. maybe thats an idea, cc is closer to work (about 20 minutes from home) so I could probably pack a lunch box, but the things I would pack for lunch are the things he would probably happily eat at home - sandwiches, fruit etc. Maybe I could try some veggie muffins or slice. Hopefully me working fulltime wont be for long.. it really isnt working for us very well at all.
swoop - thanks for the suggestions.. I think I will give that a go tonight, getting him to touch and play with food. I did try it last night and he wouldnt play along, but he was also pretty cranky by that stage.
Kmn - doesnt seem to work, even the try it line doesnt work.. or the just have one bite, nope stubborn little man!
PacRak - its so frustrating, but I am trying so hard to not make meal times a drama.. as I know that isnt going to help either!!
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