can anyone help my daughter is 16 months old and is terrible to feed.

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Permalink Reply by Lyndsy on January 3, 2010 at 23:23

I agree that it is probably psychological now - we are going through the same with our little man, he is 15 months - and like your little one, very small for his age.

We were seeing the feeding disorders clinic at the local childrens hospital for a while when he was 6 months. But we were told that his issues were physiological then (he would start puking while eating and gag on everything). Now it's different...he still won't toletate any kind of lump, and can make himself vomit if he doesn't want to eat. It's hard cos I feel like we are force feeding him all of the time.
TV, and toys - any kind of distraction works OK for us - doesn't stop him puking though.

The DR would probably have to refer you to a feeding clinic?

Hope she has been doing better over the holidays....

BTW my eldest (who is 4 and has no feeding issues at all) will often refuse to eat of he is constipated.

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Permalink Reply by ann taylor on January 4, 2010 at 10:20

thanks for your reply, very useful am going to ask him to refer us to an feeding clinic will let you know, i understand ow difficult it is it is a nightmare, thanks again really appreciate the response xxx

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Permalink Reply by Belinda on January 4, 2010 at 14:16

Have you ever looked into whether there is any intolarences to any thing,,, My daughter is neally 17 months old and am releved to say eats like a little pig, however this is due to the type of diet she is now on Dairy /wheat and gluten free.
At 5 months old she refused milk of any kind. Was not interested in yoghurts but would eat Fromage fraie (sorry for spelling). As she had had a Lactoes intolarents test done at around 5 wks old I kept being told there is nothing wrong just refusing.
Eventually the consultant agreed at 14 months old to try dairy free, after a problem with cheese.
May be barking up the wrong tree, but any thing to get them eating if it helps.
Dont know any feeding clinic's sorry, could you not be refrered to a dietition, my daughter is under one and they are really good.
Her reflux is pretty much under control.

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Permalink Reply by Jane2 on January 4, 2010 at 20:06

Hi I don't know if this will be any help but does she prefer to feed herself? My son is also 16 months, had reflux when he was younger, thankfully cleared up now. He doesn't like being spoon fed at all, will clamp his mouth shut, he likes to feed himself, it is very messy but easier than trying to feed him and generally he eats pretty well this way. We try a variety of foods that he can pick up himself with his hands, he likes to try with a small spoon and fork too.

Sometimes it is the texture of foods they don't like, rather than the taste.

I also find that he eats better in company with other children.

The intolerance thing is also worth considering - children sometimes refuse foods they are allergic too, so could be worth trying a food diary. With this in mind I've never forced my children to eat something they really don't like. As we know reflux can be linked to allergies. My son doesn't like milk that much either, or cheese or any dairy (except fromage frais!), and although I've not had him tested for allergies I've just trusted my instincts and followed his lead on this.

Can't help with the constipation I am afraid - my little one tends to have the opposite problem - too much fruit and it goes straight through....

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Permalink Reply by ann taylor on January 5, 2010 at 19:56

thanks for that she does hate being spoon fed, i have rang great ormand street feeding disorder clinic and they say she is a good candidate for their assessments, just get her pead to make a referral, which i have asked for and will try the self feeding again, you never know thats a lot take care

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