4 year old starving himself?

11/10/2010 admin 8 comments

I recently got custody of my 4 year old nephew. So far he’s had a very difficult life and I am trying to make things secure for him and break some bad behaviors he’s developed under other peoples care. I know he has some psych problems, and I am trying to be as patient as I can…. but I’m beginning to get hopeless.

He has lost weight, and he’s an average sized child. He literally will not eat ANYTHING. Unless it’s candy. He lived with my drug addicted mother for a year before he came to me and she feed him pancakes and bread with mayo EVERYDAY, He’s not been introduced to real food and real meals.

What I am doing is making him meals, if he doesn’t eat them…. which he never does no matter how hungry he is…. I will not give him anything else. No snacks, no deserts…. I am not breaking. But the bad thing about it is neither is he. He’s losing weight. No matter how long he’s gone with out food, he will not eat. I’m very worried.

I have two children of my own and when they are real hungry, they eat what’s in front of them…. no matter if they like it or not. But not him.

Literally for the past two days he’s had two small bowls of cereal and a mouthful of mashed potatoes I forced him to eat….

What do I do… I need help. ????????????????

SON'S DRUG ABUSE QUESTIONS himself, starving, year

Comments

Written by Joshua about 2 years ago.

Trust me, if he was really hungry he will eat anything you put on the table, including every vegetable you can think of. Be a parent first, a friend second. Not the other way around.
Written by Rosey55 D about 2 years ago.

Maybe you could involve him in what you cook. make 2 different choices of vegies that he could choose from.
Maybe you could have him help you make the foods that you would like him to eat. You DN might have some sensory issues like my son does and will not eat a lot of food.
Written by M about 2 years ago.

my daughter has soem eating issues, and her dr. said i could try something like ‘counseling’ for that..not like a shrink, but like ways to help eat or somehting. i never tried it tho since she got better but there are resources out there like that that your dr. can point you to. Sounds strange, but especialy in his situaion, a regular counselor might be needed too. Maybe he just needs more time too, since u just got him recently. a talk with the dr. would be good. if you are real worried, maybe he will drink Pediasure chocolate drinks to help fill in the nutrition he is missing. its pricey but very helpful.
Written by parental unit about 2 years ago.

Clearly your method is not working, it’s time to stop the strong arm tactics and try a different method. Offer him a small plate of new foods, whatever you are having for dinner, and tell him to at least taste everything. If he likes something he can have more, if he hates it don’t push or force him to eat, just let him set the pace. If he eats nothing, give him a bowl of cereal, nothing fun or fancy, just cheerios or cornflakes. That way he eats, but doesn’t really get his way.

If he does try new food, reward him! For every bite of new food he gets a star, 10 stars gets a small treat (sugar free popsicle, small cookie, what ever motivates him). Take him shopping and let him see what foods there are, he may be more interested in trying new things if he is the one choosing them.

You are going to have a lot of patience. Yes, he is a stubborn 4 yr old, but this problem is not his fault, and he should not be punished for the mistakes of his former caregivers. Not feeding him is just as bad as feeding him junk, and will cause some major trust issues.
Written by favorite_aunt24 about 2 years ago.

my nephew is 3 and he is a picky eater and my sister did what you are doing until he lost so much weight his dr was concerned.

What his dr suggested was if all he wants is pancakes in the morning make him some.

For lunch and dinner he said to make what every one else is having and place it in front of him. if he chooses not to eat get some ensure for kids and have him drink that.

For getting him to eat other things my nephews dr said bribe him with something if he eats.

Rewards we use are if you eat 1/2 of your meat you get a cookie.

If you eat 1/2 of your veggies you get a $1

The goal is to have him try new things.
Written by Krystal about 2 years ago.

i would try to make eating fun like making it into a game like the airplane game or something good luck
Written by Jenna about 2 years ago.

if he is really hunger, he will eat. put food out and see what happens.
Written by awommack about 2 years ago.

try fish try jello

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4 year old starving himself?

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