Anxiety over solid foods...

skiboo · 08-23-2004, 01:43 PM

Alex's transition has been extremely smooth and he seems to have formed a good bond with us... we are the ones he comes to for comfort and hugs, he is affectionate, etc... he has excellent sleep habits (7 pm to 7 am, and then 2 naps per day of 90 minutes each) and is a happy little guy who plays interactively or independently.

Our only issue is that he seems to get anxious at meal times. He loves his bottle and gobbles it right up... but solid food seems to cause him anxiety. He has a hard time even taking the first bite of anything we offer him -- he rocks for a bit, tugs at his hair, rubs his face and then finally lets us put a small bit on his tongue... this is always followed by what I call his "bitter beer face"... it does not matter what is on the spoon (fruit, yogurt, veggies, etc) he hates the first bite... also, he is really resisting taking finger foods or even chunkier baby food like stage 3...

I am getting really scared that he has eating issues due to the fact that they fed him so much cabbage stew and other inapproriate solids starting at 5 months of age that he associates food with excessive gas problems (he had such a gas issue from all the cabbage when we first got him)... also, they used to feed him by sitting them on their lap, pinning his arms to his side and shoveling it in...

All in all, his intro to solids was not a good one... has anyone else experienced this? I get upset when he starts to rock and won't open his mouth, even though I know he must be hungry as he hasn't eaten in hours.

Sorry to be so long in describing this... I just wanted to explain it fully...

Pamela · 08-23-2004, 02:21 PM

No advice--sorry. Just wanted to send support.

I agree with you that he may have issues stemming from how he was fed before.

I think I would just go slow, be very encouraging and maybe make it fun!!!
Pam

stormspirit · 08-23-2004, 03:32 PM

{{{{{Hugs Janie}}}}} I agree with what Pam said. I would make it as fun as possible. I think that based on him pretty much being force fed before if he acts anxious about it I wouldn't try to hard to force the issue. Let him do it at his own pace. I read somewhere, and I have no idea where now, that if you baby doesn't take to solids right away to put a small amount on the high chair and let them play with it. It puts them in control and they also get used to the texture and such. While they are playing try feeding them by putting some in your finger instead of the spoon. I don't know if it will help, but it's worth a shot. If nothing else he'll get to have fun getting all dirty so Mommy can give him a bath.

jen-duck · 08-24-2004, 02:14 AM

how many teeth does he have? could they be bothering him?
ok- and my opinion on stage 3 foods- CAN YOU SAY GROSS..
who would want to eat it- our international ped. told us- skip stage 3 food- go to table foods-(joel never ate the stage 3- refused- and this kid eats anything- even desitin cream!!)

10 months old?- have you just tried cheerios- i would say- take a step back from the big solids too- go to the basics- milk- juices, stage 2 foods- scrambled eggs (or egg beaters) zoybeck (sp?) toasts- to naw on- slowly re- introduce solids- softer- like the yogurt-

put it on his tray- and let him feed himself - even with his hands- let him get dirty- and experiment with the foods.. touch- smell-sounds- sight- and taste... (as long as he's getting his milk- and some stage two (even stage one again) he'll be fine...

make meal time fun- sing- act silly- play around...

enjoy your little one!
jennifer

Pamela · 08-24-2004, 12:29 PM

Good Idea Jen--Kind of like starting from scratch on the food thing. I think it could work for the little guy!!!!
Good luck skiboo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pam

skiboo · 08-24-2004, 01:22 PM

Thanks for the words of support everyone... and the helpful advice. I was thinking along the same lines of what to do. I found an article that talked about introducing food to children who seem reluctant to eat and it recommended some of the same stuff. He is such a bright, active and happy little guy most of the time and he really is doing well... it is just the food thing. Later today when I have time, I will post a link to the article I found (it has great tips for feeding) and pic of Alex getting fed in Russia so you will see what I mean about how they fed him and what they fed him.

Pamela · 08-24-2004, 01:26 PM

Skiboo--please keep us posted on his progress and how you succeed in feeding him!!!! If you don't mind. I know I am interested in how he progress!

Pam

skiboo · 08-25-2004, 04:49 PM

Here is a picture of Alex getting fed -- he was 6 months old in this picture... his one arm is pinned behind the caregivers back and then she would hold his other arm down while she put the spoon in... his one arm is waving around a bit in this photo as she is posing for me...

skiboo · 08-25-2004, 05:03 PM

Here is Ed feeding Alex when he is 9 months old... they expected him to eat this whole bowl of cabbage stew for lunch! The only way for him to get it down was with lots of sweet tea... Ed kept getting scolded by the workers as he wasn't holding Alex tight enough and he was feeding him too slow... *sigh*

skiboo · 08-25-2004, 05:05 PM

Tea Time... when Ed couldn't get the cabbage in to Alex, the caregiver took over and gave him lots of sweet tea to get it down...

kok1922 · 08-25-2004, 05:20 PM

A different issue but might work?

My nephew is having problems growing (long story) and needs to take in as many calories as possible. He gets bored at traditional food times and wants "down" (He's a year), so now they sorta feed him on the "go".

Not how they raised their older daughter and they try to keep in contained to the kitchen or play room w/ wood floors - but they put crackers and cheese out on his play table or put pieces of fruit on a plate next to where he is playing. He munches as he goes b/c he feels less "forced" to eat.

Just a thought that maybe you could introduce some food while he's not in the high chair. As he becomes more comfortable, you could introduce the chair again.

Kelly

surprise · 08-25-2004, 06:22 PM

Oh Skiboo. I can't bear to look. How sad at what he must have gone through. My heart is breaking.

After seeing those pictures I would probably just give him as many bottles as he wants and not even try food. (I know that isn't realistic).

And think, how many others are going through that too. Somewhere in some fashion.

Pamela · 08-25-2004, 08:02 PM

Oh MY!!! I am in tears here.

Cabage stew for a 9 month old?

He looked so sad in those pictures.
Use whatever method you need to get him to enjoy his food.
Poor little guy. I'm glad you are his mommy!!!!!!!!!!!
Let us know how it's going.
Pam