My little grandson, who is 7, has Down's Syndrome. He and his Mom are staying with us temporarily
while she finds a little place of their own. She was divorced recently, but her and her ex have a
good relationship with each other and with my grandson. Almost every morning, before he goes off
to kindergarten, Mom tries to get him to eat breakfast.....a banana, some cereal, yogurt...whatever.
I need to add that he has just in the past 8 months stopped eating babyfood...a very big step....he
has trouble with textures in his mouth, so she is starting out slowly....anyway, she is concerned
because he doesn't always want to eat and gets moody about it. She wants him to have a good start
for the day and feels he needs to get some nourishment in him, but most days, he pouts and does not
want anything but his juice. I thought that would be enough because everyone cannot eat when they
first get up and maybe he is that way on some days. He is pretty good about lunch and dinner, although there are times when he won't eat then either. Otherwise, he is a beautiful child, loving,
etc. Can someone help that maybe has experienced this eating issue with a Downs child? Thanks and
God bless. L.
My son doesn't have Down's but doesn't always like to eat first thing in the morning either. Is there a possibilty he could eat something when he gets to school. That helped my son and then we didn't have to battle with getting him to eat before he left for school.
I would also recommend occupational therapy. My son has always had issues eating. He mainly wanted just carbs, frozen waffles, pancakes, etc. He has had somes issues and with OT it has gotten better, not fixed. I am sure that your daughter could get OT for free through his medical insurance or through your local IU.
Another recommendation would be like a feeding program. It is an intensive rpogram but heard it has great success. I believe that there is a good one in Hershey if I remember correctly. I was considering taking my son there but his isn't as severe as your grandson. I think your grandson could really benefit from a program like that.
Good Luck!!
I have kids, not with Downs, but dont like eating in the morning, especially early mornings. They like Carnation instant breakfasts, alot of good vitamins. Also smoothies with bananas. milkshakes with yogurt and fruits. milk and cereal bars.
Hi L., My name is Nicole. I was curious, does your grandson receive occupational therapy? I am an occupational therapist that works with children and this is something that a trained therapist can help you with! I am not sure what area you are from but there are many outpatient clinics around that I am sure you could find one. I could talk more later about OT if you are interested in finding out more information.
My kids don't like many different foods either, but why not just let him have the baby cereal if that's what he likes. It's good for him and at least he's having something in the morning.
Might not be the right answer, but couldn't hurt....could it?
I have a 5 year old son, and although he is a "typical" kid, he does NOT like to eat breakfast in the morning. I find he will eat Go-gurt yogurt tube, a slice of fried ham and often things that are not typical breakfast foods. I guess I have had to get over what I think are "appropriate" breakfast foods, and if he wants to eat cheese and crackers or something, at least I feel that it's something--anything, in his bely to start the day. If there are things he DOES like to eat, maybe let him eat them in the morning......hope this helps. Wishing you, your daughter and your grandson the best of luck!
check out the books "deceptively declicious" and "the sneaky chef", you can find them at the library if you don't want to buy them. They have great ideas for breakfast foods, like breakfast cookies and breakfast ice cream. You raise the nourishment in the foods by hiding purees of veggies and fruits in them. I tried to make the purees myself, but it was too big a mess for me, so I just buy the beech nut baby foods and use those. I'm not sure how this would work for a child with Downs but most children find it fun to eat "ice cream" or "cookies" for breakfast. Hope this helps.
While I don't have the Down's Syndrome to contend with (and I'm sure that can make it a lot more difficult at times), I do understand the worries over a child not eating enough. The best advice I was given was that they will eat when they get hungry enough. However, I still worried over their vitamin intake. My suggestion hinges on whether or not he would actually drink either of the following... Pediasure (which can be a little expensive) and/or Carnation Instant Breakfast. If he will drink flavored milk in the morning, he will probably drink one of the flavors of Carnation Instand Breakfast which is loaded with necessary vitamins and minerals as well as having the calories he would need in the morning. And you never know, sometimes getting those calories in over the course of a few days can start a person to want to eat in the morning.
It can't hurt to try. If he is lactose intolerant, try adding it to Soy Milk instead or the Pediasure. My kids like the taste of the Carnation Instant Breakfast, though. Best of luck.
I would try contacting the pediatrician. They probably would have some insight on what you can do. Best of luck to your daughter in finding a new home in today's ecconomy too.
Hi -
Try yogurt shakes as a back up if breakfast doesn't work - they have about 150-200 calories (I use yobaby) and are easy to drink and good nurtition for a kid with texture issues.
Good Luck
L.
would he tolerate a drink? like that pediasure supplement thing that is supposed to be like a milkshake. or maybe a real milkshake. He might like to help make it. Just an idea.
Dry getting him to drink a "milkshake" every morning and get the Pediasure drinks. Then he gets the nutrition, but thinks it's not really breakfast but a treat instead.
Good morning L.,
maybe try fruit smoothies. you may be able to "trick" him into having breakfast by offering him something to drink as opposed to eat and they are quite healthy. you can make them yourself (tons of recipes online) or buy yogurt drinks. otherwise, he just sounds like a typical child in the respect that there are mornings (and afternoons and evenings) that he just simply doesn't want to eat. good luck!
