My 4 year old Just won't eat

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I have a 4 year old son who just went to the doctor. I had to have them fill out a paper for preschool. The form has something called HCT/HGB and instead of checking normal or abonormal he checked Refer?? Whatever that means. He also said he has slow growth acceleration and ordered some blood work. My question is...how in the world do you get a 4 year old who has always been stubborn to eat? He will only eat ceral or milk. I never had this problem with ANY of my other kids and they all eat anything and everything and love fruits and vegetables. Even as a baby I had problems and my doctor said..oh he'll outgrow it..just let him drink lots of milk. So I have followed what they have told me and there has been no improvement at all and i'm seriously worreid for his health. its not like I dont offer these foods. He literally WILL let himself starve too. They say oh they won't let themselves starve but i've been down that road and offered him what we were all eating  and nothing else cutting out the milk and cereal and he let himself go 4 days without eating and I had to intervein and brake down and give him the milk and cereal. 4 days though! I just am at my wits end on how to get this child to eat for proper growth. I'm really lost on this whole ordeal and really need some help. I feel like i'm not getting it anywhere. He's the most strong minded, stubborn child ever as well and there is no breaking this. What do I do????

[ajf214]

I wish I had better advise to offer you, but I am in a similar situation.  My daughter eats a slightly greater variety of foods, but she would absolutely starve herself if not getting preferred foods.  Keep searching for answers

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

First, pay close attention to what the lab work indicates. The HCT/HGB (hematocrit and hemoglobin) refer to aspects of the blood work that the dcotor ordered. If all is well medically, you needn't worry. Of course, as a parent you are going to be concerned if your child does not eat in the manner you expect he should. But it's important not to struggle about this. Mother Nature, so to speak, will take care of this. Assuming he gets a clean bill of health from his doctor, just present the food, don't cater to him, and he will be fine.