The following posts concern feeding problems in young children with ROP. The ROP list was moderated by Dr. Scott Richards until August, 2002. The list has closed now. For more information about lists of interest to people with visual impairments, please visit the email list index.
Date: March 28, 1999
From: Suzanne
"I would start with food that offers the greatest amount of success such as mashed potatoes, applesauce, and other foods with a thicker consistency so that once John gets it on a spoon, it will stay there."
We used refried beans with melted cheese and some cream (so it wouldn't be so sticky) and sometimes with some rice. That sticks well to spoons and is nutritious. (And John Henry would eat it!)
If the child doesn't turn their wrist toward their mouth easily yet, there are spoons that have curved handles -- where the spoon part is curved toward the mouth when they pick it up, to help compensate. They're available at most stores that sell baby/toddler accessories.
Date: January 5, 2000
From: Penny M.
Chandler is a blind micro-preemie, born at 23 weeks. Prematurity and sight impairment make it a double wammy. We started with small amounts like you are doing and just didn't give up. I even went so far as to hold her mouth closed and made her swallow. I know that sounds terrible, but we had to bite that bullet. She eats great now even table food and not only is she eating well,we also only had to do that a handful of times. It worked for us. If that sounds to drastic for yu try OT.. I know they work on feeding problems, also. Good luck.
Date: January 7, 2000
From: Jody Ianuzzi
With all these comments about feeding problems, I think it is interesting that as an adult, I still can't stand some foods just because of their texture. I don't eat oatmeal and I can't imagine eating raw clams.
JODY
Date: January 7, 2000
From: Angela Brady
Hi Group:
As for the regional foods- what do your little ones seem to like? Colin has his share of feeding challenges (for which we are subbed to another list), but I'm always searching for new things for him to try. Some OT's and ST's feel that micropreemies tend to go for things with salty, spicy and really distinct flavors (this is Colin to the "t"). Any ideas?
Date: January 7, 2000
From: Sarah J. Blake
Hi, Jody.
I have the same experience as you. My dad and I made a chart of foods I don't like, and it all boils down to texture. I cannot stand cantaloupe. Neither can I stand watermelon. Guess what. It's like cantaloupe. Nearly all the foods I don't like fell into categories like this, and yes, some foods still make me gag (like cherries, cheese, and sour cream). Some of them I can deal with if there are other things mixed in to counter the taste or texture. But others there is no way I can deal with them.
Date: January 7, 2000
From: Lari Steed
That's interesting Angela. Even though I've never heard that about micropreemies, I have often been perplexed as to why Zane hates mashed potatoes, but he'll gobble up chips with hot salsa. He also likes pizza and hot and sour soup. Thanks for that tip. I think I've been going about this all wrong!
Lari
Date: January 7, 2000
From: Jody Ianuzzi
Add old fashioned cranberry sauce, (with berry pieces) cottage cheese and creamed corn (I love corn on the cob) to the list of yucky textures. The neat thing about being an adult is you don't have to eat stuff your mom made you eat when you were a kid.
I would only eat blank food as a kid, but now I like spicy food too. Everybody in my family loves hot food, so I am acquiring a taste to that too.
There is a tendency for some parents to make their kids eat only 'healthy snacks' like carrots and celery. I don't see anything wrong with cupcakes and cookies. These 'healthy' kids all seem to be over weight too. They feel like they are doing something wrong if they eat sweets. Too bad.
Date: January 7, 2000
From: Susan
Angela,
I think you have hit upon something! My son seems to eat things that are "tasty." He gobbles up crazy stuff that we might not have considered trying. For example just after he got into regular foods he would eat Shepherds Pie, which is mashed potatoes spread on top of a mixture of ground beef, and vegetables (usually carrots, peas and corn) in gravy. Yet he wouldn't eat any of those things alone in the mix he liked the taste. I had a freezer full of the stuff. His favourites are things like spaghetti and he will even eat Indian food. I cook a lot now using sauces and gravy...we called him the casserole boy for a while. I don't think we Canadians have many "traditional" foods other than stuff like Maple Syrup.... I will have to think on that one.
Susan
Date: January 7, 2000
From: Sarah J. Blake
Hi, Lari.
Ok, for the mashed potato problem, here are a couple of thoughts.
1. This could be a texture thing. I wonder if he likes pudding or yogurt. These are probably the closest textures to good mashed potatoes.
2. If you've ruled out texture, try this. There is something in the store in the spice section called Mrs. Dash. At least, we have it here. I bought some recently because it sounded good. It's some kind of mixture of basil, oregano, peppers, etc. Very yummy on potatoes. Try sprinkling it on and mixing it into his mashed potatoes and see if he likes them better. I can't stand carrots most of the time, but if they have butter or gravy on them I like them.
Date: January 7, 2000
From: Jody Ianuzzi
If he won't eat mashed potatoes but he will eat yogurt and pudding, then why not put a little yogurt or pudding in the mashed potatoes to add some taste. Sounds gross, but it may work.