3 year old seems depressed and is not eating

[Anonymous]

Child is 3.5. He's always been a picky eater, but it's pretty extreme lately. Yesterday, for example, he had a few bites of cantaloupe, a few slices of red pepper, and half a muffin. He also had some milk. He just got over a cold, so he has been sleeping more than usual. But - he just won't eat. Of course I'll give him whatever he wants, but he says he wants nothing and won't eat even his routine favorites. He also just seems depressed - subdued, weepy, somewhat lethargic (while in the house - if he goes outside, he will run around like normal), and clingy.

We did have a baby in August, so I guess this could be related to that? But he hasn't been aggressive to the baby, I make sure to snuggle with him all the time, he still sleeps with me (comes in around 1 am or so), and loves on the baby. I ask often how he's feeling, if it's hard to share Mommy, if he wants a break from the baby, etc, and he says that no, he loves the baby and is so glad to have a brother.

???

Should I take him in? I just feel like they will tell me it's a bug or a phase or something like that.

[Anonymous]

Probably a "growth lull" (as opposed to a "growth spurt") combined with getting over a cold. I would just keep an eye on it.

[Anonymous]

How long is "lately"? If it's more than two weeks, I might take him in.

When this happens to my kid, it's because he is a bit constipated. He eventually does a big BM and is ravenous, so maybe try prune juice? can't hurt!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How long is "lately"? If it's more than two weeks, I might take him in.

When this happens to my kid, it's because he is a bit constipated. He eventually does a big BM and is ravenous, so maybe try prune juice? can't hurt!

Gerber pear juice works as well as prune juice and tastes much better.

[Anonymous]

He's probably picked up another virus.
Stop quizzing him about his new sibling.

[Anonymous]

Please take him to the pediatrician. He could be low on iron or something else. Low energy seems logical if he is not eating and low iron as well as some other things suppress appetite

[Anonymous]

He is lethargic and weepy because he's sick and/or not getting enough food. Please see a doctor if this has been going on longer than a few days.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried taking him out for his favorite fast food? Just you and him. McDonalds fries and a shake have brought my kid out of an eating rut on a couple occasions.

[Anonymous]

My kid is a picky eater and has always eaten very little when sick. If he gets a cold (even a fairly minor one), his food intake will drop pretty significantly for a week or so -- then go up again. It might be that he's just feeling sick. As long as he's drinking and eating some, I wouldn't worry about dehydration, and he'll probably snap out of it in a few days. If it keeps going, though, and his energy is really down, etc., take him in. It won't hurt. Could be an ear infection or something you aren't realizing is there.

I wouldn't think it's likely to be "depression," as you said it.

[Anonymous]

Probably physical, not psychological.

[jjconcern]

It would seem that the cold has set him back and it might make sense to take him in regarding his health. He might be developing an ear infection or other complication of his cold. I wouldn't be thinking of depression as most very young children act out their feelings of loss rather than appearing sad. He is expressing attachment to the baby so I wouldn't keep bringing up the subject with him. Are you experiencing any PPD? He may be tired and experiencing fears at night as you describe him as waking up and coming into your room each night.