Mom to Mom

[Eileen in Virginia]

Prior to the pandemic, did she go to school (as opposed to being homeschooled)? If so, did anyone in the school's administration comment on her size and paleness? It's one thing for parents to avoid forcing children to eat foods they don't like. This situation is a completely different matter. Unless she's taking some serious vitamins, this little girl isn't getting the nutrients she needs to thrive. All mammals wean their young from the breast to a more varied diet to ensure they can grow into strong adults. I agree with the others who have recommended consulting another doctor. 

[rms1954]

When my sister was about 3 she would only drink milk from a ba-ba (as she called her bottle that) and Oreos.  My mother took the Oreos away from her and she ate nothing for a couple weeks and she got so weak she could barely stand.  My mother took her to the doctor and he said "give her the cookies."  So she did and eventually she got over it,  but her favorite things are still Oreos.  

[mom2four0418]

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@Duckncover wrote:

One of my cousin's granddaughters, who is 8 years old, refuses to eat anything except plain vanilla ice cream. She eats only small amounts of it.  She appears very thin and pale. My cousin said to give up and don't mention food. Her granddaughter gets upset if someone asks her to eat. This has been going on for several years. The parents don't seem concerned, just serve her ice cream three times a day when everyone else is eating regular food. Could she have an eating disorder at this age? They have taken her to the dr regularly and he says as long as she is growing she is fine. I worry. She seems too young for an eating disorder but I don't know much about them.

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No, she is not too young for an eating disorder. It is her parent's call whether or not to get a second medical opinion. If the parents are not concerned, who is asking her to eat? I feel as though there might be more information missing from this situation. 

[Duckncover]

She has two sisters and a brother who eat everything they need to eat to be healthy and grow. The 8 year old did too until a couple of years ago. Her pediatrician doesn't seem to be concerned. The blood work is a good idea.

[Duckncover]

I don't think she is on the spectrum but the little I know when I have been around her makes me think she probably is.

[Duckncover]

I would love to have her see another dr but the parents love the one that sees her so going elsewhere is no bueno to them.

[Duckncover]

I know her dr suggested protein drinks like Pedia-sure. She drank those willingly for awhile but no more.  My biggest concern is that she gets upset when food is even mentioned. That seems weird for a kid her age. Her brother, who is a year older,  eats everything.

[Mindy D]

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@Duckncover wrote:

One of my cousin's granddaughters, who is 8 years old, refuses to eat anything except plain vanilla ice cream. She eats only small amounts of it.  She appears very thin and pale. My cousin said to give up and don't mention food. Her granddaughter gets upset if someone asks her to eat. This has been going on for several years. The parents don't seem concerned, just serve her ice cream three times a day when everyone else is eating regular food. Could she have an eating disorder at this age? They have taken her to the dr regularly and he says as long as she is growing she is fine. I worry. She seems too young for an eating disorder but I don't know much about them.

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@Duckncover @I watched a documentary about children with a similar condition. There are specialist therapists that help children overcome this condition. The condition is coded in the diagnostic manual for American psychiatrists. You can view the documentary on YouTube. Just write the title into the YouTube search window or into the Google search window. You can forward the documentary to your cousin. It's called 

What is Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.

[Jersey Born]

@Duckncover - Your cousin's granddaughter is one tough, stubborn cookie, and there is likely a psychological issue underpinning her eating disorder that I hope will someday be addressed properly for the child's sake. Perhaps there is something going on with her either at school with her peers (bullying?), a dislike and resentment of school itself, or a problem related to her interaction or perceived competition with her siblings, or even some kind of body image problem.

Cravings are understandable, but eating only one processed and unhealthy "food" exclusively for several years, which would place the onset of her eating problem at preschool or kindergarten? Sounds like her parents are walking on eggshells around her hoping her problem will just go away, and I can understand why they would wish for that.  Doesn't seem likely she will get past this without help, though. I wish her and her parents the best with this difficult situation. I am sure they have sought out advice from their child's doctor. 

[ECBG]

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@SeaMaiden wrote:

I baby sat a little boy who would eat nothing but saltine crackers. NOTHING ELSE...for months. He got over it.... eventually....he survived.

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@SeaMaiden 

The young man may have survived eating crackers. 

You don't know about the strength of his bones and teeth, or any other quality of development other than he survived.