force feeding?

Question

i force fed my son yesterday. he constantly refuses to eat and at 5 years old he is skinnier than any doctor we've seen recommends. i've tried telling him stories, i've not let him leave the table till he's done, rewarding him for every spoon, spanking him for not finishing. but yesterday i've had enough, put him in my lap and though he protested and cried, he did not leave the table till the last spoon was downed.

surprisingly enough, today he ate well! what do you all think about this method, cuz i'd like not to make a habbit of it, but as you can see i'm pretty desperate!

Answer 1

you have to do what you have to do children NEED to eat they need the nutrients to grow so if force feeding is the only way for you, go for it and also you said you've tried EVERYTHING so its good that you tried it that way and plus you said he started eating after you did it so looks like it worked so you might not have to do it again GOODLUCK

Answer 2

AM RIGHT BEHIND YOU ON THIS ONE!! I have been battling with my 5 year old since he just turned 2.. He is skinny, and when he takes his top off you can see his spine, ribs etc.. It's horrible! I have tried everything, and with the help of my health visitor i now give him his dinner, and set a timer for 30 minutes. This is ample time for him to eat a meal, and i tell him that whatever isn't eaten after that time is taken away and thrown in the bin. The only rule is that he does not whine and moan and put the whole family off their dinner! That way he is not forced to eat and he can leave what he likes and there are no arguments about it! (and no attention for him!).. I also put him on school dinners thinking that if he eats at school and not at home at least he has had one hot meal, and if he doesn't eat his school dinner, he will be starving at home for his evening meal... After a few weeks of enforcing the rules his eating has improved, and he even ate a salad the other day with lettuce, cucumber, salmon, boiled egg, cheese etc, all of which would have caused MAJOR disruption a week ago.. It is a long, slow process (and SO frustrating!), but you will get there in the end. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 3

I'd suggest something like pediasure or the Ensure drinks. It'll help you make sure he gets the nutrients his body needs. And I'm not big on bribery, but it has its place at the table. Buy a few desserts you know he loves, like cookies, pudding, jello, bananas. Then make sure he has small portions at dinner and tell him if he eats all, he gets to pick a dessert. It helps my kids finish off veggies they aren't thrilled with. I'd suggest you stop forcing him. I know you are scared about his health, that is why the nutrition drinks would help. But kids like control just like adults do. Forcing him just makes him not want to that much more. So give him a nutrition drink and tell him he has to take 2 bites of every different type of food on his plate. He'll eat if he's hungry and you'll be comforted with the fact that at least he's eating. If he doesn't finish lunch , don't give him a snack in the afternoon. It'll help him decide what he really wants, without you having to actually fight him. Good luck!

Answer 4

There are certain things only the child can control: When to go to the bathroom, when to sleep, and when to eat. These are things that cannot be forced. If you insist, he will resist.

It will only cause eating issues if you make him finish his meals, reward him, and spank him. These are not logical consequences. A logical consequence for not eating is hunger. He will not learn to respect you or learn to control his behavior. He will only learn that you are more powerful and you control him. Stop using this method if you do not want him to develop an eating disorder.

Remember that children cannot be expected to eat only three large meals a day. They need to eat 5 or 6 small meals (4 crackers, and 4 pieces of cheese. A small bowl and macaroni and cheese and a small salad. Half and apple and a few carrots.)

Try taking him to the market and offer him choice within your limits. "Should we have pasta or chicken for dinner? Should we have carrots or potatoes?" Have him help get the items and put them in the cart.

He can also help prepare the meals: Wash the potatoes, cut up carrots, make a sandwich, make a salad.

Have him start a fruit and vegetable garden. He can plant carrots, potatoes, corn, tomatoes, cucumber, beans...He can tend to this garden and you can have him "Go pick some potatoes for the salad."

I have taught preschool for 12 years and the children choose what to make for snack, prepare the snack, and tend to a garden. Their parents are always very surprised to see the food their child eats at school. Children who are given a choice and help prepare a meal are more inclined to eat. Good luck!

Answer 5

This is the best I can come up with (but I bet Supernanny would have come in handy!)
He knows he is getting attention if he refuses to eat. You have to rectify this somehow - otherwise he'll just get more and more power over you. don't make force feeding him a habit at all!!! He will get hungry - let him help himself. Perhaps you could try this: let him know where the food is and encourage him to go and get some for you too and eat together. Try not to let him know how he can manipulate you.

Answer 6

I'm a nutritionist

do not force feed your children they work on a hunger drive children will not starve they will eat when they are hungry

get a new doctor!! being skinny is a poor reason for your doctor to complain about your sons weight, however if he is losing weight suddenly that it completely different

at five the child is plenty old enough to know that food is given at meal times, give him his meal if he refuses to eat don't force him just take it away. don't give him anything but water till the next meal time (no slack no juice no sympathy meal) it will not harm your child and he will learn that he cannot graze or whine for better liked food

Answer 7

My son is 6 and only weighs 45 lbs. He is a very picky eater and has a very high metabolism. I wouldn't force him to eat anymore. When he is hungry he will eat. This is just a phase and he will get over it. You know you could also try pediasure. I give that to my son sometimes. He likes it and it gives him some nutrition.

Answer 8

You should never force feed a child!! Never! That's bad on so many levels.... emotional trauma, they could of choked, damaging the mother- child relationship, could lead to eating disorders, ect.

I've had my kids to go bed without eating at all before, long as they drink fluids, it's ok!! The next day they ate. They'll eat when they are hungry.

Haven't you ever missed a meal??

Answer 9

Good Job!
I agree with another comment left, it sounds like you have tried everything. I have never force fed my children because I was told by my doctor not to but they have never been under the average weight, height or health..it seems like a different situation here.
Your role as a parent is to give proper discipline and education- sounds like you did it.
Don't stress! :)

Answer 10

don't worry he will eat wen he gets hungry my son did the same wen small he was 49 lbs in 1 grade now he is a 145 pound football player in high school at the age 16 remember every kid grows at own rate he will grow just give him time if he eats a snack its ok just make it a healthy one good luck

Answer 11

I don't blame you my son was like that too. I should have force fed him. hey whatever works I know how stressful this can be but my son now is almost 7 and eats like a pig so they change good luck.