My Daughter Stopped Eating Food in Fear of Vomiting.

If she can eat nuts and crackers without fear of vomiting, then she can eat real food too. If she refuses all food, take her to the doctor. If she is willing to eat these snacks like crackers and nuts, she's playing you to get to eat snacks instead of meals.

"She's playing you"? "Make her more afraid of the feeding tube than of vomiting"? Wow, pretty harsh stuff to say about and inflict on a kid this young.

It is very typical for kids to associate one bad episode with whatever they THINK caused it and then to fear the supposed cause: She vomited after dinner, so she fears food; if she had had diarrhea after eating, say, yogurt, she would fear yogurt would "do that to me again" and would fear it. And so on. It is not rational but it is normal. I don't think she's playing you to get nuts and crackers -- because if she really were playing you she'd ask for something more interesting to eat. And as for scaring her about feeding tubes as someone suggested: Do you want her terrified and resistant next time she has to go to the doctor or the urgent care center? That's what could happen if you start talking blood draws and feeding tubes up the nose to a kid this age. That's what will be in her mind when she next hears the sentence, "You're going to the doctor."

I would go with the person who posted that you should cook a very fragrant meal (but a fairly bland one -- avoid fatty, heavy things like meats, for instance) and invite her to try a tiny portion. I also would no longer make those nuts and crackers available; tell her you ran out and are not getting any more this week, so now she can have bread today, for instance. Don't allow her to say what she'll eat, just quietly make certain things available to her and if she does not eat them, she eventually will. She will not let herself starve.

Don't make a big deal of this or talk about it over and over with her; if she brings it up, gently say, "I'm sorry you got sick, but you're all better now. When you're hungry we have things you can eat." And change the subject. She may be sensing your own anxiety over eating and that is making her even more anxious; it could be that the more you worry and want her to eat, the more she will worry and not want to eat.

Your idea of a little distraction is a good one, too, I think. While she is at the table eating, alk to her about something fun she's going to do right after the meal, but don't talk about the meal itself, or why it's so important that she eat.

I think this is pretty normal. I wouldn't try making a big fuss about it because it just puts more focus on it.

I became terribly ill with the flu one night after my mom had made home-made soup with rutabagas in it. Nothing could convince me it wasn't the rutabagas and I was afraid to eat anything or ANY kind of soup for a while after that.
Many kids are afraid to eat after throwing up but they eventually get over it.

Like I said, just keep offering her things. Don't focus on her fear or trying to get her to eat. Don't keep bringing it up, just give her time to forget about it and she'll go back to eating as usual.

My daughter was traumatized even if someone else in the family threw up. It freaks some kids out more than others. It's best just not to make a big deal of it.

Just my opinion and best wishes.

I wouldn't worry too much. A kid that age can not stare themselves. I would give it some more time since she is eating something before getting too worried.

We had the same problem with my daughter when she was about to turn 3 after she choked on food and vomited. It lasted several months - every meal turned into her crying and us begging her to eat. We believe it was a mental issue with her and a way to get attention (our son was less than a year old and she was still adjusting to having him with us). It sounds awful but when we stopped responding to her behavior then one day it stopped and she started eating again. Hang in there - it will get better!

My five year old daughter did that after this last flu she had a few weeks ago. She hated retching and was very ginger with what she ate. I let her live off of liquids for two days, indulging her but after seeing the sallow, haunted look about her and those dark circles under her eyes, I calmly explained in detail what a feeding tube was and that if she didn't start eating I'd have to take her to the doctor and they would shove a tube up her nose, down her throat and into her tummy and feed her that way.

She ate her dinner and had no problems after that. She ate less than usual, which was to be expected, but she ATE.

Just replace one stupid fear with a more real and eminent fear. She's afraid to vomit. Make her more afraid of the feeding tube than the vomit and she'll be back to her old self.

/EDIT - Just wanted to add that my kid is in the 9th percentile for weight so she's already a tiny little thing. She's a TALL bean pole with no extra reserves on her. No extra stores of fat for her body to fall back on. That's the only reason I pushed the issue. If my kid were a little rolly polly and had some fat stored up, I'd be less worried about her health if she decided to nibble her way through the next few days.

Will she drink? If she will drink make sure she is well hydrated and try to get her to drink juices - REAL juices from fruits/vegitables, if you do not have a juicer I like Bolthouse Farms brand. I would also call the pedi to discuss it with him.

I'd call her doctor first thing in the morning, explain just as you did here, and ask what they recommend you do and follow through on it.

I feel that way too after vomiting. I can't stand the taste and thought of the vomit and I fear it will happen again.

Explain to her exactly what will happen. She will lose nutrition and her body will start to shut down. Eventually she will have to go to the hospital and they will put a needle in her arm and feed her that way. Before that they will draw blood to see what her body is doing.

Hopefully she will be hungry enough to start eating on her own.

I hate scaring kids, but the reality of it is worse.

Just give her the foods she is willing to eat now. Slowly introduce the milk and yogurt etc. My daughter used to be very afraid of meeting new people or visiting new places. She would vomit in the car... very frustrating but she gain confidence and is much better now. Patience!

Sounds like food intolerances. I would consult a GI and allergist. Not saying there is anything super wrong but this sounds like eosinophilic disease. Let her eat right now what she wants there is a reason physically she is doing this. She will eat / drink the milk when she feels better. Please listen to your daughter and her symptoms.

I'd try cooking something that she really loves, something that smells good. If you peak her appetite and just give her a small portion and try not to get on the topic of vomit.... it might break her trend.

I can't eat foods that I've vomited before. I threw up cheetos when I was 7 and never ate them again until I was grown. I threw up pork ribs when I was 27 and I'm almost 30 and still can't even stand the smell of them! I can't stand pork chops anymore either b/c of the "pork" smell.
Try feeding her a very bland, milk-free diet for a bit. Tea, crackers, more diverse nuts, juice, fruit, veggies, etc. If she's just not eating at all, please take her to the doc.