Beginning to eat less

Norma W

LO has been a great eater for us for the last two years that we've cared for her.  Just in the last couple of weeks I've noticed she's not eating all of her meals.

She's also started to pick apart her food or play with it, much like a two year old.

Then, just a few minutes later, she'll announce she hasn't eaten all day and will wander off into the kitchen going through the cabinets or fridge.

Anyone have experience with this?

Rescue mom

I assume she has a dementia. Yes, this is all common. They play with food, may not be able to get it to mouth, or may not “see” it on their plate (or realize what or where the food is on the plate). They lose track of when or what they ate. Caregivers have to take more control of what food is available when.

Some people have problems with the LO eating way too much, or filling up on sweets/wrong things, etc. Many put child-proof “locks” or special guards on fridge and cabinet doors, and/or hide some food, of course leaving some things out for snacks and making sure they have enough food. 

At some point, you just need to get calories in them; it doesn’t much matter what. But sounds like you are not yet at that point.