Help for Picky Eaters

Hello C.. I can certainly agree with the other moms. I have 3 kids. They were all picky eaters also. Now my oldest and my middle child eat a little better, but I continue to struggle with my youngest. There is hope. Just like the other mothers recommend - continue to introduce new foods until you find the right one for him. I know it can be frustrating, but just hang in there, it will work out.

Hi C., I totally understand what you're going through. What I use to do with my son, was to stick with the foods he like and combine it with a new table food something like a tester side dish, this will let you know what he likes and dislikes and also it would help break him into different types of foods.

will he eat cheerios or puffs?
if he'll eat cheerios, I would crush some up inot fine crumbs and slowly add them to his beechnut to get his used to different textures....
I would do this very very slowly- like just a few crumbs for a few days, then more, then more, until it's thick with the crumbs- then I'd try other foods, too...

or you could try mixing the beechnut w/ rice or noodles & just put the blob on his tray and see what he does? will he touch the food? squish it in his hands? this is a start...

Hi Chrishine, i'm so sorry but there doesn't seem to be any solution to this kind of problem. I have a 19 month old and i introduced solids to her at about 4 mths and to this day she has never eaten solids. I thought she had a problem with swallowing or textures so i took her to see a gastroenterologist and he ordered speech therapy, which was a total waste. She is living on pediasure, water and chips.I feel your pain but the reality of it all is, these picky kids will begin eating when they decide to, which i hope is sooner than later. As long as he is healthy do not stress yourself about it, i did a lot of stressing and crying to the point that i started working nights to feed her during the day myself, nothing helped so i have given up, she's fine.Don't worry too much now, he'll eat when he's ready, or so i hope.

Hi C.,

I really don't have too much to add as the other moms have made some great suggestions. As the other mother wrote, some picky eaters must be introduced to new foods many, many times before they will try them or even take a liking to them. I know it is frustrating for you but don't give up.

With the kids that I have worked with, I have often advised mothers to introduce a food perhaps for a snack and if the child does not eat it, do not give any more food. They won't starve!! Then, try it again for lunch and so on. Sometimes the old saying that they will eat when they are hungry is true.

Also, do you eat at the same time as your child? That might spark his interest.

Good luck!!

Hi there C....

It could be worse, he could be like some toddlers and only want hot dogs and noodles (my 19 month old went through that phase!) Atleast you know he's getting nutrients and vitamins!
All the books and articles say to keep introducing new foods--it may take more than 20 times with the same food before he tries it!!
This age is surely challenging in all aspects, hang it there, this too will pass!
There are tons of "kid friendly" recipies on the PARENTING magazine web site!
Good Luck:)

My doctor said that it is normal for them. it is part of the growing process. they are picky about food, because technically its the only thing they can really control at this time of their lives. Imagine, we tell them what to do, not to do, what to say, not to say. This is the only thing they have control over. my 17mos old loves mac n cheese and chicken nuggets...mostly hand held foods. and now she'll stop eating if i'm feeding her because she wants to feed herself. ends up being more food on the floor than in her belly, i think. all i'm looking for right now is quick healthy foods that she can eat with only 6 teeth!! all the kids recipes out there aren't so toddler friendly. good ideas for those with teeth.

My two year old still prefers baby food to table food any day. The only table food he gets excited about is Mac n Cheese and rice. Other than that he wants baby food. I still try and combine table foods with his baby food, this doesn't always work, but when it does I feel it is a victory. I also have him on really good vitamins, so that I am sure he is getting the nutrients his body needs. I used to get frustrated, but he is healthy and that is all that matters. I'm sure it'll just be a matter of time. Hang in there!!