My first born is a magnificant eater, salad, fresh fruits and veggies loves it all and tries anything and everything once, so what is the problem? My second is providing me with a challenge. She has never liked fruits and veggies even when she was eating baby food. She loves meat, fish, cheese, and of course carbs but aside from the occasional canned mandarine oranges or wax beans fruits and veggies are out. I do V-8 fusion juice and chop up lots of veggies fine and disguise them in sauses and other things she does eat, but would like her to eat these foods without disguising them, any ideas? I keep trying but so far one fresh pear has been my only success. She seems to be verry texture sensative so if it doesn't feel right at the start she will spit it out, I have asked the doctor about this and he seems to think nothing of it so I just keep trying. Anyone else have trouble with textures? She also screams when I wash her hair or comb it or brush her teeth even if I am so gentle that I accomplished nothing. Is there a physical problem that would make her overly sensative?
My kid is like this too. All she likes is lasagna and spaghetti. Wierd. She's got issues with textures too, but I think this is normal. She hates it when I brush her hair. Come to think of it, 2 of my kids are this way. And teeth brushing is the dickens.
Kids will be kids...even if they're crazy!
Ask your doctor for a referral to have your daughter evaluated by an occupational therapist who specializes in sensory processing disorder. An occupational therapist can work with your daughter to better help her regulate her senses so that mealtime and grooming time is not so difficult.
My son also is super sensitive to a number of different foods and, I think because of it, he rejects most new foods (except for a handful and items) with even tasting it. It's an on going battle but here's what I do to get him past his defensiveness:
1. Put a little bit of the food on a fork or spoon and have him smell it. This is always greeted with a very loud, "It's yucky!"
2. After he smells it, next he has to kiss it (get a touch of it on his lips), after which he'll let out a second really lound, "Yucky!"
3. The final step is to have him taste a little bit of it. At this point he will either let out a 3rd and final "Yucky," at which point he's off the hook for that particular food item for that particular dinner. More often than not though, he will let out, "That's delicious!" and gobble the whole thing up.
4. If he rejects something, I just keep on reintroducing foods over and over again. I have learned that there are some foods that he just can't tolerate like bananas. He will gag at the smell of them so that is the one food that I won't put on his plate but he's okay with eating banana pancakes as long as I mask the smell with cinnamin and nutmeg.
Anyway, this is the trick I use. Also, with regard to eating fruits and vegetables, for both of my kids, they are more inclined to eat the healthy stuff if we make it fun for them. We call broccoli "little trees" and my husband and I will often joke around with our kids during dinner, "Cameron, No . . . Don't eat the trees!" all dramatic and silly like, while he starts chomping away at it, giggling at the same time. If you make dinnertime playful and fun, it becomes less like a chore and a battle ground.
Hope this helps.
go back to your pediatrician and don't let him or her blow it off. it is not typical - and there are healthcare professionals or therapists who can help you address your daughter's sensitivities.
Sensory issues for sure. Start working with an occupational therapist. A good one and one that is familiar with sensory processing disorder can help. My son is a problem feeder at 8. My fault for not dealing with this issue for him much earlier. He has autism so feeding wasn't my primary concern for many years. I regret I didn't address this sooner.
Most kids havesome sort of mild sensory issues. Is it impacting her life negatively? You can read up on it but honestly, it sounds like something you will have to be understanding of and she will grow out of. My son has some mild sensory processing issues but he also has a speech delay. He sees and occupational therapist 2 times a month through early intervention but it sounds like if you wanted to go that route, it would have to be private for you. You may want to find out it your insurance would help you but honestly, even if she does have a little issue, its nothing to be too worried about.
