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Jenn Sal
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| Posted: Sept 10 2008 at 7:58am | IP Logged
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My 4yo is extreemly difficult and inconsistant eater. I blew my top this morning when I actually saw him gagging when I asked him to eat a small portion of scrambled eggs, which he has had no problem with in the past. I'm at the computer now trying to calm down. I really don't know what to do. If it was up to him, he would eat cerial and yogurt all the time. Not to mention any cookies or ice cream he could see. I have foods around the home that are healthy and we eat very well. I don't know what to do, but I need to do something, because I obviously am botherd by it and don't want to get upset with him again because then....I worry he'll have an eating disorder because I yelled! 
Any suggestion?
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Jennifer, Texas
Wife to Mark, Mom to Cora 13,Kade 10, Sarah in Heaven 12/05, Colette 7, Corin 5, & Kieran 2
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folklaur
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| Posted: Sept 10 2008 at 12:30pm | IP Logged
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Is it possible he could have sensory issues?
I really don't think he could "make himself" gag. It is an unpleasant, horrible feeling (and throwing up is no fun either.) So I am not inclined to think a 4yo would be doing it on purpose.
But I know how frustrating it is, especially when they have had the same foods before with no incident.
Don't beat yourself up, we all lose it sometimes...
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mellyrose
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| Posted: Sept 10 2008 at 1:10pm | IP Logged
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My oldest is a picky eater and I admit that I have lost it with him at times as well. He won't eat anything mixed together, food can't be touching, he refuses to eat leftovers . . . the list goes on and on. His brother and sister will eat pretty much anything and everything.
I do my best to let it go. I really don't think your 4yo would intentionally gag. My sister has a TON of food allergies, but when she was small the assumption was that she was a picky eater. My mom is now so glad she didn't push her about foods she didn't want to eat bc the consequences could have been horrible. (she's allergic to citrus, apples, bananas, strawberries glycerin, latex, etc. etc. etc. and she wasn't diagnosed until she was 7 or 8)
If whatever I'm serving is horrible to him, he can eat peanut butter and jelly or a cheese sandwich, which he makes himself (but he's almost 8). He has to try at least one bite, and often lately I have him eat 7 bites (his age) I try and remember to look at what he's eating over the course of a couple days to ensure he's getting enough protein, nutrients, etc. And, if he doesn't eat what is served, there are no sweets/treats allowed until after the next meal that he does eat.
I also try to be sympathetic. This child LOVES mac & cheese. It's the one thing I know he will eat and he's loved it since he started eating solids. The other day, my mom made it and threw in chopped up ham with the mac & cheese (ham is his favorite meat) and he literally gagged at the table. My other 2 ate it up with relish. I know he wasn't intentionally being obnoxious, it just really turned him off. It's just who he is.
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Jenn Sal
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| Posted: Sept 10 2008 at 1:24pm | IP Logged
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Thank you ladies. I wanted to make it clear, I didn't think he "made himself gag". I know he's incapable of that. I was just surprised at how he would eat them one day no problem and the next he's gagging. I'm pretty consistant with what makes me gag! 
He is a sensitive little guy and I know that. I'm thinking of just taking the idea of offering an almond butter and jelly sandwich or something quick and easy I know he likes to offer after he refuses to eat something I've made. This way, I can stay calm and respect him at the same time.
As you can tell, I'm much calmer now.  This morning wasn't all about him and I know that. I need to get past the worry....
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Jennifer, Texas
Wife to Mark, Mom to Cora 13,Kade 10, Sarah in Heaven 12/05, Colette 7, Corin 5, & Kieran 2
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Sept 10 2008 at 1:35pm | IP Logged
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Ummm don't think all children can't make themselves gag.. I can and have been able to for as long as I can remember.. it just takes thinking/self talk that it's horrible/awful/terrible and it's going to make you sick.. and it will. Really.
And I have gotten right in one child's face for doing exactly that.. and I told him to stop doing it, I knew he was doing it and he was to stop it right now. It pretty much did stop. That doesn't mean he's the best eater but he no longer thinks himself into feeling sick/gagging.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: picky eater
