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Food

My GS won't eat at my place.

(7 Posts)
mygrannycanfly Wed 25-Sept-13 18:41:39

Oh yes Eloethan - feeding games. When my GD started to feed herself she used to "fly" her spoon through the air, making zooming noises and generally waving the nosh around the place, before popping it down the hatch.

So that's what I was doing wrong!

mygrannycanfly Wed 25-Sept-13 18:38:23

Jacee858 I am wondering whether this is separation anxiety. It doesn't always hit straight away. I had much the same experience except that other Grandparents don't help out, so it was just with me that GD didn't eat.

It was infuriating as I really wanted to make sure that GD had good diet on my days to help out (It must be hard for DD to produce a good quality meal after a day at work)

I think you are doing all the right things. You could try delaying evening meal until Mum/Dad arrives and then eating as an extended family to try and break the cycle - or don't bother doing an evening meal and instead make a meal for Mum/Dad to take home and feed.

My fussy autistic son went through a very worrying anorexic phase at 2 when I was heavily pregnant. I remember feeling quite despairing. We used to go to a self-service cafe with all the food on display. We would arrive and discuss that everyone was eating, then queue up and look at the food and the food that other people chose "Mmm that looks yummy...", make our choices and then sit down to eat, surrounded by other people doing the same. I think that was the first and last time he ever ate rhubarb crumble and custard LOL.

Tried it with GD at Ikea cafe. Ended up wearing horseballs. Not a success. [wine makes it better] emoticon

Nelliemoser Wed 25-Sept-13 17:39:32

Is he having too much milk so he is not too hungry? He has reached an age where he perhaps knows he can get attention by not eating; or just being a toddler!
The more attention he gets the more he will probably want to make a fuss. I have seen it happen.
Something that might help is if you make sure you don't show him you are concerned about it. Be cool and non committal if he doesn't eat what you know he likes. Don't try persuading him. He will not starve.

LizG Wed 25-Sept-13 17:20:04

My GS is 19 months and has started to be very difficult with his food. Fortunately everyone is having the problem with him so I don't feel it's just me. So far I have got around it with toddler meals, plenty of yogurt and cheese on toast but it will be really good when this phase is over. It seems to me - in my unknowlegeable way smile - you are doing everything right for your grandson jacee and as he is still drinking lots of milk he won't starve.

Good luck.

POGS Wed 25-Sept-13 16:51:01

How strange, I feel very sorry for you as I know I would be quite upset about it. Obviously the dear lad is too young to be able to say why.

Hope the problem is soon resolved for you. flowers

Eloethan Wed 25-Sept-13 16:40:05

Can you remember if he ate something at yours that he showed that he really didn't like (spitting it out, pulling a face) or that "went down the wrong way" and made him choke? Does he like a drink of water in between spoonfuls of food - my grandson often refuses to eat unless he has a mouthful of water now and again. Has his diet changed at home or is he sitting in a different chair there?

Have you asked his Mum and Dad if they've got any ideas about what is causing this change in behaviour? Have other people started playing "games" with him to encourage him to eat (pretending the spoon is an aeroplane, that sort of thing) and now he wants entertainment as well?

jacee858 Wed 25-Sept-13 15:58:18

My 1 year old GS used to happily eat whilst we cared for him 1 day a week, but for the past month or so he refuses. He will eat for his mum & dad and also for his other grandparents. I don't force him and leave the food in a bowl so that he can help himself. We've even taken to eating in front of him in the hope of stimulating his hunger. He has plenty of water & milk bottles but just won't eat. If we offer food to him he has started to heave which I don't like and am careful that he doesn't get too much of a problem. confused