Extremely picky eaters, how do you manage?

My son turned 2 in February and was diagnosed level 2 a month ago. He used to eat everything offered up until about 15 months, it has slowly gotten worse and worse and now he will barely touch any of his safe foods. I continue to offer small portions of safe food and new food, don’t pressure or force, sit down with him, limit distractions, try to make it fun. I’m not sure what else I can do. The last week or so I have only been able to get him to eat French fries, French toast, banana and yogurt. He won’t drink milk (not even chocolate or strawberry) and will only sip a protein shake. Sometimes will eat a pb&j. He loves watching food shows, playing with pretend food, pretending to eat and feed animals. He’ll tell me he’s hungry, exactly what he wants, I prepare it and he’ll bring it near his mouth, then say “No!” Or pretend to eat it. Same with drinks. What do I do? He wakes up hungry every night pretty much for the last year and wants a snack. I can hear his stomach growling. But now he’ll say I’m hungry, we come out for a snack and won’t eat a thing. Luckily today he ate two bites of a waffle. I’m really struggling with this and I also have a 2 month old waking up at night for feeds so it would be amazing if I could get him to eat and sleep through the night. Any and all advice welcomed. Thank you in advance for reading, I know this is long. ♥️

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You are not alone momma. I wish I had advice for you besides keep trying. You are doing all the right things. My daughter reliable eats mozzarella cheese, popcorn, and carnation breakfast essentials. Everything else she just picks at or refuses.

Omg this was me three years ago. Keep doing what you’re doing and ask your doctor for a referral to feeding therapy. It’s literally the only thing that worked for us to get safe foods back in his rotation. My son had a texture and consistency need. He only likes foods with certain textures. And he has a hard time with foods that are inconsistent with flavor. Message me if you want to talk more about this cause my son had so many of the same habits.

I have been hearing ads for EllaOlla vitamin powder you can sneak in food but it's over a $1 a day. My son is on liquid vitamins to fill the gap I can't get him to eat anything green and he has a set menu lots of hamburgers and ketchup. Hang in there you will find a way keep trying. My friends daughter had to do feeding therapy she wouldn't eat either now she is and she is about to turn 7

@Madeline thank you so much. I’m grateful I’m not alone and can confide in this group ♥️

@Megan I will definitely ask for this, I need the referral asap. I would love to chat sometime, I will message you. Thank you so much ♥️

@Isabel thank you so much, I will look into this

I also heard there is a condition called AFRID has to do with texture and smell that inhibits eating. My Henry can't eat small pieces of nuts, fruit, like coconut bits he spits out the food

My son does that all the time when gee does eat. I will read about this too

It’s super possible that getting him more involved in the process of preparing & cooking the foods would make the eating the foods aspect less daunting to him! (I have afrid, and watching how things are made or knowing everything that went into it/ what to expect out of it really does help)

@Parker 又 I did just get him a tall stool to help me in the kitchen and I have noticed it helped him. But only once so far with a pb &j and strawberries. But I’ll take what I can get! Thanks for the advice

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