Keegan's Food Update
Thanks to everyone who has been asking about Keegan's food issues and eating disorder. The last time I posted, he was seeing a therapist who had us feeding him meals every 2 hours and taking all pressure off. We saw some initial progress but then he learned how to take advantage of the system. He knew that he didn't have to eat much at any given meal because he'd be given another meal in a short time. So, he could just eat the dessert each meal if he wanted!
Since then, the therapist is no longer working with us. We can't complain since we weren't paying her, but she basically fell of the face of the earth. However, we were ready for the 'next step' of her program and now we'll never know what that was.
Keegan is in my hands now, poor thing. I'm not as 'soft' as the therapist. I'm more of a tough-love kind of mom. I'm reading a book called Poor Eaters: Helping Children Who Refuse To Eat.
The author definitely hits the nail on the head. He talks about the social deprivation that comes with a disorder like this, the stress it causes within the parent/child relationship, etc. It's like he knows us and has been in our home. Anyway, his approach is very different than the therapist's. So, that's where we are. I'm trying it.
I am basically 'making' Keegan taste new foods at most meals (I've tried this in the past but he was so young it never worked). No more custom meals. On Sunday he had to taste a bite of hot dog before getting down from the table. THREE HOURS later, he tasted it... and it was "good". Today was scrambled eggs. 2 1/2 hours went by before he ate the small bite of egg. I reward, I punish, I threaten, I ignore.... I do it all. This is a typical scenario. If he doesn't eat a good meal, it does impact his behavior due to hunger. I often 'give in' & feed him something he likes so that we can leave the house or do something social. I am dedicated to staying at home or being antisocial this summer if that's what it takes. We can sit all day at the table if we need to.
I'm also not letting him have milk until after he's eaten (he'll often chug a cup of milk to fill up if he doesn't like what's being offered). I'm giving him only very small snacks that have little to no calories so he can come to the table hungry.
The idea is that over time he would learn to take the bite sooner and be done with it. We improved by 30 minutes over the past few days so I see that as progress! Over time, we would hope to see him eating more variety of foods. Right now it's hard to leave the house or travel (I have to pack every bite of food for him)... and when he starts all-day school eventually, he simply must be able to eat the lunches they offer. So, the pressure is on.
Go, team, go.
Sorry for the boring post but thanks for everyone who has asked about it!!
Since then, the therapist is no longer working with us. We can't complain since we weren't paying her, but she basically fell of the face of the earth. However, we were ready for the 'next step' of her program and now we'll never know what that was.
Keegan is in my hands now, poor thing. I'm not as 'soft' as the therapist. I'm more of a tough-love kind of mom. I'm reading a book called Poor Eaters: Helping Children Who Refuse To Eat.
The author definitely hits the nail on the head. He talks about the social deprivation that comes with a disorder like this, the stress it causes within the parent/child relationship, etc. It's like he knows us and has been in our home. Anyway, his approach is very different than the therapist's. So, that's where we are. I'm trying it.
I am basically 'making' Keegan taste new foods at most meals (I've tried this in the past but he was so young it never worked). No more custom meals. On Sunday he had to taste a bite of hot dog before getting down from the table. THREE HOURS later, he tasted it... and it was "good". Today was scrambled eggs. 2 1/2 hours went by before he ate the small bite of egg. I reward, I punish, I threaten, I ignore.... I do it all. This is a typical scenario. If he doesn't eat a good meal, it does impact his behavior due to hunger. I often 'give in' & feed him something he likes so that we can leave the house or do something social. I am dedicated to staying at home or being antisocial this summer if that's what it takes. We can sit all day at the table if we need to.
I'm also not letting him have milk until after he's eaten (he'll often chug a cup of milk to fill up if he doesn't like what's being offered). I'm giving him only very small snacks that have little to no calories so he can come to the table hungry.
The idea is that over time he would learn to take the bite sooner and be done with it. We improved by 30 minutes over the past few days so I see that as progress! Over time, we would hope to see him eating more variety of foods. Right now it's hard to leave the house or travel (I have to pack every bite of food for him)... and when he starts all-day school eventually, he simply must be able to eat the lunches they offer. So, the pressure is on.
Go, team, go.
Sorry for the boring post but thanks for everyone who has asked about it!!
Comments