Our world today is so different from how things were twenty years ago.
We seem to face more childhood illness in forms of depression and emotional issues than measles or chicken pox now.

One of the most heart wrenching disorders that I have observed parents going through with younger children these days are Eating Disorders.

One young couple has two children. One is very healthy and doing great on his growth scale. The other is almost 3 and at the bottom of the growth scale. He will not eat. Some of the advice they have been given is:

1.) Ignore it the child will eat when he is hungry.
2.) Take away all milk and juices until he eats solid food.
3.) Sit him in a high chair and make him eat. Leave him there until he does eat.
4.) Force food down him.
5.) Give him whatever he wants.

I have observed this couple try all of the above helpful advice that has been offered by doctors and social workers.

In the mean time nothing has worked. The child is pale and very thin. His mother had anorexia prior to her pregnancy with him and I feel that maybe this also carried on during part of the pregnancy also.

So can this be a learned behavior? Is it genetic?
I offered some advice also. To slowly take back the milk and try him on baby food. His stomach can not hold solid food. He just throws it up within minutes of eating it. If they can in fact get him to take a bite.

He needs to be on pedia sure and vitamins. He also needs to be supervised by a doctor. It is getting to the point where he may in fact need to be hospitalized if he continues this behavior.

There are just as many children out there that are at the other end of this issue. They are consuming to many calories and growing larger by the day. Parents are finding themselves with obese toddlers.

This is why a good nutrition program and a good schedule of eating habits is needed from the time of birth.

It is also good to see the new choices for children in fast food. Now a Happy Meal from McDonalds can include fresh fruit instead of french fries. Milk and Jucie are offered instead of colas for the drink.

Fresh vegetables are always a good nutritious snack option and very easy to keep on hand. Children love baby carrots and they love making celery and peanut butter snacks. If they are raised on these choices instead of candy and cup cakes they will enjoy the healthy choices as life goes on.

It does not matter if your child is obese or if your child is anorexic. There are methods of help out there. It may mean the whole family may have to make healthier eating choices but in the long run that is a much healthier option than allowing
your child to suffer.

If anyone else has had issues with getting small children to eat. This couple could use any good advice you may have to offer. Please feel free to leave a comment and I will make sure the advice is passed on.

When is it time to seek medical help if a child will not eat? Is it child neglect to not get immediate attention if your child will not eat and you have tried all the advice others have offered?
Is force feeding abuse? Is feeding your child every time they cry abuse?

There are several good questions that all need to be answered around this sensitive subject.