Concerned about weight and development

[WhiteHorse]

Over the past year I have been struggling with my son's weight. He turned 2 in Nov. He has NO interest in food. None. I have literally tried everything and every tactic to entice him to eat but he is gradually getting skinnier and skinnier. I am not saying "this week he has no interest in food" I mean, he NEVER has an interest in over a year (since we started with cheerios). If I just didn't feed him all day, he would be perfectly fine with that. He eats bites here and there but the volume is so small he never gets enough. I am still bf to help get more calories into him and also because he is allergic to all dairy. I have been careful to not make food a power struggle, but I am starting to get really concerned. He is skin and bones!! He appears to have a speech delay, he only says a handful of words. And compared to his peers he is physically much weaker and low energy. He is very smart so I dont think it's a mental thing. I have not yet had him evaluated by a specialist because of insurance, but that is changing now with the new year. The doc says "when he's hungry he'll eat," but apparently that is not working. I leave food out for him to graze on and he might eat 2 bites the whole day. We also have regular meals where he sits in his seat to a meal. Sometimes he eats, sometimes not. What if anything can I do to get more into him?

[HarperRose]

Have you considered a metabolic disorder? You might also cross post this in the SN forum. A BUNCH of those mamas will know just what to tell you.

[Kailey's mom]

Originally Posted by WhiteHorse

Over the past year I have been struggling with my son's weight. He turned 2 in Nov. He has NO interest in food. None. I have literally tried everything and every tactic to entice him to eat but he is gradually getting skinnier and skinnier. I am not saying "this week he has no interest in food" I mean, he NEVER has an interest in over a year (since we started with cheerios). If I just didn't feed him all day, he would be perfectly fine with that. He eats bites here and there but the volume is so small he never gets enough. I am still bf to help get more calories into him and also because he is allergic to all dairy. I have been careful to not make food a power struggle, but I am starting to get really concerned. He is skin and bones!! He appears to have a speech delay, he only says a handful of words. And compared to his peers he is physically much weaker and low energy. He is very smart so I dont think it's a mental thing. I have not yet had him evaluated by a specialist because of insurance, but that is changing now with the new year. The doc says "when he's hungry he'll eat," but apparently that is not working. I leave food out for him to graze on and he might eat 2 bites the whole day. We also have regular meals where he sits in his seat to a meal. Sometimes he eats, sometimes not. What if anything can I do to get more into him?

Get him evaled for S.T. he could have some significant texture issues. S.T. addresses that. It helped my dd ALOT. She was the same. Also, I would get into an allergist to find out if he's allergic to more than just the dairy. He's not old enought to express GI complaints, at least my dd didn't.. so if none of the above works, a referrel to a ped GI wouldnt hurt to rule out problems there. Don't stop breastfeeding, because you may end up having to resort to a very expensive formula ( like we do) Turns out dd has eosinophilic colitis. Hugs!

[K-Mom3]

I agree with pp, could be sensory. I had a friend who saw a Occupational Therapist for her 1 yr old's eating difficulties.

Is he willing to get calories through other liquids? Like juice? Or I know they have drinks for toddlers that have extra vitamins and calories...I had a friend who put her child on Pediasure to gain weight...it was recommended by the pediatrician. ETA: I'm sure sure if there are non-dairy drinks like this but it is worth asking

[Katie T]

Also is he drinking tons of liquids? My husbands aunt has a ds who drank juice all. the. time & was tiny. When the saw a specialist she had the cut the juice intake way down & he got his appitite back & things went fine from there. Just a thought.