OT: What would you do about a toddler who won't eat?

[GraysMom]

OP, you said your son got excited about seeing grapes in his storybook and then wanted to eat them. Do you have any books with food in them that you could read and then eat the corresponding foods? Or does the library have any books/videos with food in them? Do you think your son might like to help pick out foods in the grocery store with you (that you preselect for him)? Do you think he might eat more if he helps make the food (using a popsicle stick or plastic knife to spread butter/jelly/pb on bread/toast, "cut" a banana, spread pb on apple slices, spread cream cheese or pb on celery, etc)? Good luck!

 

[MSSANDRA]

First I will appoligize for laughing when I read your post. Not at you, BUT with you. OK, I know you are not laughing yet but you will. My DS was not even on the growth chart by two , but was like almost 20 lbs or something. That is also the age when he decided he liked NOTHING. He was a great eater till then even though he ate tiny amounts. This is now the kid that I told at dinner last night that 2 pork chops, two potatos plus his other stuff was enough food!!! He is 14 and one of the larger kids in class!!
Sounds like he is totaly healthy and normal. Nothing wrong with the 20% as long as his height and weight are both close to the same %.
I agree with some things posted but not all. I so agree to make every bite count. If he is hungry he will eat something so it should be healthy. My Ped did not agree with adding calorie dense foods just to up his weight. We however did not allow any junk type food at all because we knew that one bite of that and we could forget the good stuff. I do however agree that it is ok for his diet to be very limited right now as long as the limited foods are good ones. About that age DS got on a banana trend and that is about all he ate for a while. Ped said, fine, let it go but be sure to offer other choices each meal. I respectfuly disagree with the small table. I so belive that children need to be a part of the family dinner table and see others eating lots of different food and be part of the confersation.
Also remember that being sick can throw EVERYTHING off long after they are well again. They have your total attention while they are sick and do not want to give that up. Using food control is a great way to get mom's attention. Smart kid. Once after DS was sick, he started making himself throw up to get my attention. AGGG. Same great Ped. said to be sure and not give him any attention for it. Same principle. Keep eating low key as possible. He will not starve!!

Good Luck,
MsSandra

 

[Momof2princess]

Ohhhhh I feel your pain. Here's what helped in our home (though at 7 hes still not a good eater. Dont serve him anything special, just whatever you are giving the family. Make him take one "no thank you" bite (this works more as he gets older). No dessert or snacks unless he eats all his meal. He cant leave the table untl everyone else does. If he's hungry enough he'll eat. if he doesnt eat he will be hungry later and regret it.

I totally agree with the above. We have done this and it has helped a lot. My DD4 has always been a picky eater and when she does it seems like it is next to nothing. As my pedi told me she will not starve and she will eat when she is hungray

If you continue to worry about it, I would voice my concerns to the Pedi. and see what they have to say.

 

[pezpam]

It may not be a 'picky' thing, either. When my DD was about that age, she went from eating very well to eating almost nothing. When I saw her doctor, she said that kids do that at that age and not to worry. Their bodies go through cycles of growth spurt/relaxing - when they're in a growth spurt, you can't shovel it in fast enough sometimes, but when they're not, they can almost stop eating. Almost every mother I know has said they experienced the same thing and the kids were all fine and healthy.

Unless there is some other issue, I wouldn't worry too much.

Why doctors don't tell mothers this AHEAD OF TIME, I will never know......

 

[tiggger1]

my daughter was like that and sometimes still is. What worked for us was that we cut her food up and let her eat it with toothpicks and give her things to dip it in ( ketcup, yogurt, ranch dressing, mustard, peanut butter, ect..). She would eat her fruit and meat like that.. Then she went on strike and would only eat it if it was not cut...her favorite meal is a broccoli and cheese potato..

 

[mousefanmichelle]

My son was like that and still is and he is 10. It started out, I believe, when he was diagnosed with reflux at about 6 months. He threw up so much and so often that he didn't want to eat. I don't think that at 10 he is on the charts !- he is just not a huge food eater. I worried and cried and worried all the time from about 9 months on. I finally decided that he will let me know when he is hungry and as long as I gave him some choices we were ok. I tried the pedisure and he didn't like it. He eats a lot of cereal when I make something he doesn't like cause he is extremly picky - doesn't like cheese except on pizza so that means no mac n cheese, no grilled cheese - didn't like taco's until 1 month ago - it has taken 9 years to get him to like tacos!!! lol!! He isn't under nourished or anything and the dr. says he's fine! So what I am telling you is that they will eat when they are hungry and they will tell you when they are hungry - so don't make a huge deal out of it - have cereal in a cup, fruit in a cup, cheese cubes in a cup and leave them out so he can pick at them. Good luck I know it is frustrating!!!

Michelle

 

[rt2dz]

I haven't read past the first couple of posts, so sorry if this has already been mentioned...

There are two things you can't force a kid to do--potty train and eat. It is NOT your job to force your child to eat. It is your job to provide (healthy) food for your child to eat. If they eat it, great. If they don't, that's fine too. Toddlers are not going to starve themselves. Granted, there are exceptions--so if your child isn't using the bathroom properly (Peeing & pooping) or is loosing weight, check with your pedi. But other than that, you do not want your child learning they control the situation--because they shouldn't, YOU DO.

If you are really worried about it, supply a vitamin daily. Also, you can give a pedisure everyday to make sure proper nutrition is being ingested. And if your child drinks juice, switch to V-8 Fusion (100% juice) that is a combo between fruit & veggie juice; just still keep it limited.

Remeber, it can be very typical toddler behavior to eat that way too. Sometimes a flea couldn't survive on what they eat and other times they can out eat a linebacker for the NFL!

Good luck.

 

[katerkat]

Another thing - is he getting any teeth? Russ is currently getting his canines and he barely ate all weekend. His mouth just hurts too much, I guess. He's back to eating a bit more but no where near the usual. I still make him sit down for regular meals and try foods, but it is frustrating. Especially since he already has atrocious table manners and flipping plates is a regular occurrence.

I understand the worry - Russ is 21 pounds and barely on the charts. But I figure if he was really hungry, he'd manage to eat. And I offer him enough soft options to get by.

 

[wrldpossibility]

Thanks everyone! OP here. I just wanted to update that I've been having some luck in the last 24 hours by not offering him a drink with his meals. I noticed that he always drank his 6 oz of juice or milk and left the table. I give him drinks (watered down juice) between meals, but during meals, I skip it. He eats quite a bit more. Then I offer him his drink when he's finished. Maybe he was just filling up on milk and this is inspiring him to eat more. Here's hoping!

 

[minkydog]

I remember having kids with off days (many it seemed in a row) and my doctor said, 'as long as they are peeing and pooping, they are fine'. Kids' bodies know what they need. Obviously, if this goes on for a long time, then I would be concerned...

what did your dr say ?

I would be careful about 'breaking' the rules... because once he's figured out how he can eat wherever *he* wants to eat, then he will go on eating strikes until you let him break the rules.

I absolutely agree with this. Most parents don't realize how little a child needs to eat to remain healthy. I would suggest rather than continuing this food battle(and that's what this is, a war of wills) just offer him his food on a small plate. If he throws it, he's done. Let him get down and go play. Cut out the milk and juice altogether. THere is no reason for him to drink his calories. Offer water only and only healthy food.

I' know you're worried, but I'm telling you, he will eat. Start with small bits, only a teaspoonfull so it's not overwhelming. He can ask for mor if he wants, and he's not required to eat anything at all. If he refuses, let it go. Most kids need an in between meal snack--make sure it's a healthy one(cheese, fruit, meat, vegs) with water. If he eats one whole meal in a day, you're doing good. I promise your child will not starve for long(most kids will only go 3 days on this plan before they are licking the pattern off the plate.)

I have used this method on all three kids, including an 2 on the autism spectrum. There is not a more difficult child to feed than an autistic one. Getting out of the food fight was the best thing I ever did

 

[Harmony]

Havent' read any of the responses but I would talk to your pedi about checking him for silent reflux.