Hungry Bird

I wrote on my headache finding the right formula milk for Razin back then. I switched to multiple brands to suit his growing needs and discarded so much along the way. When he hit 3 years old, I decided to switch again. This time not mainly for dietary purposes, but more towards convenience.

I remember when we traveled overseas, I had to make a rough calculation on how many bottles he might consume the whole trip. Diapers and cans of milk powder took space of a one big bag. Imagine carrying kids and a few heavy bags around - tiring. The only good thing was when the trip came to an end, I had extra space to put my loots.

Since Razin has passed toddlerhood, I want to get rid of the dependency on formula milk. I prefer fresh milk in the small boxes, which are pretty much ubiquitous, but he didn't like it. So the next best thing is powdered milk from the generic brands. So far, he doesn't seem to mind the taste of different brands, as long as it is 'plain'. It is a big relief. At least whenever we plan to travel locally or abroad, I don't have to worry about his milk supply.

Now one dilemma is solved, I thought I can put my legs up and relax a bit.

Boy, here comes another challenge. If having a picky eater is already wearing me out, how about a picky eater who just doesn't want to eat anything? Well, except milk, if that can be considered as food.

I was born with a bad relationship with food. I hate so many things back then - milk, cheese, butter, pizza, basically all the heavy, fattening stuffs. When I entered boarding school, I had no choice but to like some of the things that I used to averse to. I discovered that corn puddings are quite tasty desserts and crispy fried fish are heaven-sent when coupled with hot sambal belacan.

Though I became less picky, I wasn't blessed with big appetite. I easily turned off at the sight of a big bowl of rice. Recently I watched 'What's Eating You' series in #733 about anorexics who are getting professional help in dealing with their eating disorders. I found one similarity with them, I like everything in small portions.

I was selective when it comes to food, but I was never in denial that I am thin. In fact, it was no fun being underweight because you gonna be hit with blatant remarks by insensitive people all the time.

So when Razin shows signs of being picky eater, how could I blame him? It's in the blood.

But what concerned me more that he just doesn't have the interest in food. The paed asked me to be creative. I've squeezed my right brain dry for ideas, but if he refused to open his mouth, what else can I do?

It is a rare occassion that he eats. He usually drinks 7 0z milk (which is diluted because he doesn't like it being too thick) almost every hour. Sometimes, 2 bottles. If he's in a good mood (not because he's hungry), he will ask me for a toast with Nutella/peanut butter.

The only food that he likes, besides chocolates and ice-creams, is the Nyonya Fried Rice at Sri Melaka. Now with Tutty Fruity just a few steps away from that restaurant, it is even harder to cajole him for a few spoonful of rice. Like any mother would do, I normally make a pact with him - he eats rice, he gets ice-cream. Success factor varies anyhow.


Some would convince me it's okay as long as he drinks milk. I would love to think the same, but as the saying goes, 'a hungry man is an angry man'. He loses his temper very quick and vented out his anger by screaming and crying hysterically. Sometime his innocent sister Rizqin would come nearby at the wrong time and get a kick in her face.


Yesterday I bought Pediasure and mixed 1 scoop inside his current milk. He refused a bottle of all-Pediasure, so I guess that is the closest I can get into putting some necessary nutrients in his diet.

I feel like hitting the wall already. Ideas/solutions/stories would probably make feel a little bit better.