My son is 9 and hardly eats. He has never been one to eat much, not even as a baby. He wasn't started on solid foods until he was 5 months old (per dr order) and until he was about 4 my mom would give him a bottle (against my wishes) rather than feeding him. This past week he came home from school with his stomach hurting and vomiting on two days. He did eat some during dinner during the week (and felt better). Yesterday, he complained of stomach pain and vomiting. He was dehyrated and wasn't eating lunch at school. I don't think it's a stomach bug, no one else has gotten it and he was feeling better mid week, then sick again yesterday and feeling better today. Last night I made him drink some broth and eat some chicken noodle soup. His appereance improved right after and was able to stand up straight.
While eating he will make himself gag (always has even as a toddler) or vomit. He has always been under the 5 percentile in weight for his age. He has lost some weight due to not eating. No one in my house makes fun of anyone about weight or talks about starving oneself. I was told that it was a phase and would pass and for awhile he did eat quite well. I've asked about school and the kids - he says there's no problem. He's very active and loves school. I'm concerned that it could be something medical instead of just a "phase" and at my wit's end. I do not have this problem with my other two children, they love to eat and are at a healthy weight.
Is there a certain Dr. that I can talk to? I've talked to his pediatrician, but even she has said it's a phase.
The dr changed my son's allergy meds to one that should stimulate his appetite and he goes to the dr this week for blood work. The dr is concerned that it could be juvenile diabetes. Will edit once we know the results.
ETA: The results came back neg. No diabetes or anything else. So far he has been eating. I have talked with the counselor at his school and alerted his teachers. They are keeping an eye on him without drawing attention to his eating. There has only been a couple of days where he has only picked at his food or complained of a stomach ache. I do not think his allergy meds are helping and will probably have to switch, I am unsure if the meds are what's helping him eat or if it was just nerves from school. Thanks for all the suggestions and help.
This recent bout of stomach pain and vomiting could be a stomach bug. But if he generally doesn't eat much and is losing weight, he should be given a proper work-up. I would seek out a new pediatrician. If he's been making himself gag and vomit, and hasn't been eating well since he was a toddler, this is not just a phase...Go with your mother's instinct and be his advocate! Best wishes!
we going through something similar with my son now who is 6. He has a very small appetiete, and has not gained weight in 18 months. since age 3 he has fallen from the 50th % to under the 5....
we kept getting told it is ok... he is just "skinny".... well we finally pushed and pushed and went to a GI doc. Initally dx was an ulcer... and now we are going for a scope to see what else is going on.
Be his advocate. if your insurance requires referrals make your ped give you one. If not, just make your own appointment. OUr GI doc was shocked we were not referred earlier....
If he's 9, it's not a phase. The vomiting concerns me. It could be medical, it could be psychological.
I work in nutrition and there are some simple things you can do to increase hydration and absorption of nutrients by supplementing effectively. Not regular over-the-counter vitamins but something more scientific and research-based. If you want more info, PM me and I'll be happy to help.
There are true swallowing disorders. I'm amazed that your ped has not referred your son to a specialist way before age 9.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/difficulty-swallowing/DS...
Please talk with a doctor about seeing a medical professional who specializes in feeding and swallowing disorders.
Could be sensory issues, celiac disease, or allergies - at 9 he should be seen by a specialist. Pediatricians are useless unless he has strep throat.
This sounds like a medical issue, not a behavioral/parenting issue. It might be a sensory issue or a swallowing issue or something else. You could try a different pediatrician/family practice doctor for a second opinion or a pediatric gastroenterologist (GI) doctor
I would take him to a pediatric gi doctor. I would be very concerned that something medically is going on. Based on what you said, it would not be overreacting at all to make an appointment. Especially since your pediatrician is obviously not taking it seriously. GI doctors will be able to give you more appropriate intervention. Good luck and I hope you get some answers.
