Light Eater!

J., My son was a picky-eater too. It seemed that sometimes I could hardly get a thing into him. He had certain things he liked and that was all he'd eat. He also liked whole milk and wanted it all day. The pediatrician told me to give him plenty of the things that he would eat and let him have lots of milk. Eventually he would begin to accept other things. I worried too, but the doctor was right. I just kept offering new things to him every day, and he did begin to eat many different things. He's two-and a-half, and he eats sushi rolls at the Chinese buffet! Just give it time, and keep offering him the good stuff.

J.,

My son, who is now 5, has always been a light and finicky eater. I've found that it is easiest to let him eat what he wants, when he wants it...he doesn't eat a lot of junk food, so this has never been a problem for me. Since he loves things like chicken nuggets, and carrot and cucumber sticks, I try to always have a few on hand in the fridge, cut up and ready to go when he announces he *is* hungry. He's pretty normal for both height and weight, and our pediatrician says that as long as he's eating healthy foods, it's okay for him to snack often. It is actually supposed to be helpful for young children with small tummies to eat several small meals, because it teaches them to recognize when they are hungry and when they aren't. I'd say as long as your son seems happy and healthy, don't worry about it!

Alot of kids go through this. As long as his pediatrician says he's healthy and isn't concerned, don't worry! Just continue as you are. Try to get him to drink water; it really is better for him than juice and most kids don't drink enough. Juice can irritate his bladder, and it has alot of sugar.

My son is 20 months & has always been a picky eater. Some days it seems like he doesn't eat anything & then other days he will eat lots (this is very normal for toddlers). I noticed he eats more at mealtime if I give him very small snacks or none at all, depending on his energy level that day. He loves water & prune juice, but hates his vitamin drops, so I add the vitamin drops to his drink in the AM. He will only eat pancakes, most chicken nuggets & recently discovered he likes chicken straws from Burger King. He also eats graham crackers, whole grain pretzels with flax seed & hoeny, homemade oatmeal/raisin or peanut butter cookies, triscuits, sausage links, fried zucchini, banana directly from the peel (won't eat it if I remove from the peel or chop it up), whole apple or pineapple chunks. I noticed if he is allowed to eat it at his own pace & the way he wants to (with fork, hands or in a certain order) then he eats much more. I guess it is the independant phase. I always offer him a little bit of everything we eat for meals, but he usually refuses it. Hope this helps or gives some ideas on other foods to try. Just keep trying to give new foods & eventually you will find foods your child likes. It takes about 15 tries to get your child to even try & possibly like a new food. -S.-

My son picks at most meals. He is growing fine and drinks only milk and water. He LOVES milk. My ped said to just make sure he is taking a multivitamin and continue offering him healthy foods.

It sounds like he is eating like a normal toddler. A lot of people worry about how toddlers eat, but keep in mind their stomachs are small making intake at meals small and therefor snacks very important. You should look at his diet more as 6 mini meals and make them all balanced- a small bit of cheese or meat, a little bread, pasta, rice, or cereal, and a fruit or veg. Trust him to stop when he's had enough. A good book on the subject is Secrets of Feeding a Healthy Family by Ellen Sattler- she has 2 other books on the subject, any are good.

Reduced eating after 1 year is very normal. You will probably notice ups and downs as he's going through growth spurts. Just offer a variety of healthy foods and he'll get what he needs. After 1 year they are growing at a much slower rate so they don't need as many calories. Don't worry about him not drinking juice either. Most toddlers drink too much. It would be better to offer him lots of different kinds of fruits. Juice is full of the sugars but lacks the healthy fiber. Ideally they should not drink more than 4 ounces of juice a day anyways. Count yourself lucky on that count. You may want to encourage him to drink water though occasionally instead of milk if you think he's getting too much milk. Maybe let him have milk at the table or when snuggling with you. Otherwise, allow him to have a sippy of water available while playing and in the car and such in case he gets thirsty. You won't have to worry about spills or drinks getting hidden and becoming nasty after a few hours/days.

J.,

I have a son that is almost 3 and he is still that way except for we could not get him to drink milk until about a week ago. He is also a very picky eater. The other issue that I have is that he is with me half a week and his dad the other half, so the back and forth does not help either. I asked my pediatrician what I should do and her statement was this....If he is hungry he will eat, and don't fight him on what he wants to eat, if he wants hot dogs for breakfast, let him and eventually he will start to eat regular meals. Before I follwed her advice he was the exact weight he was a year ago, and I started what she told me and in three months he has gained three pounds. It just takes time and eventually you learn to choose your battles. I hope the advice helps you like it helped me.

V.

I think that you are doing just fine with him.....if he wasn't eating or drinking then I would be worried. As long as he's not eating junk then I really wouldn't worry.......I have a picky son too......I just try to make sure there is lil junk food in the house cause he will eat that. He does like to eat chicken, hot dogs and Ramen noodles.....I try to offer different things and I always say at least try it You might like it

Your son and my daughter would be the best of friends!! She is the same way, won't eat, only wants milk. I have just tried to be patient and give her food at meal times, not too many snacks. When she is hungry, she lets me know and I try to give her something healthy when she asks. My doc told me as long as she is getting fluids and I am trying to feed her, she will get over it and eat soon. My daughter is 19 months old, I think it is just a phase they are going through. Keep trying and don't worry too much. He will eat when he is hungry! Hope that helps!!

T. :)

I have found that if I give my daughter snacks, she will not eat her dinner at all or maybe just a little.If I do not give her snacks, she will eat her dinner.I offer her, her soy milk after breakfast/lunch/dinner(that way she doesnt get full from her milk), andin between meals, I give her water.My daughter will not drink juice or sweetned drinks(Horray).I offer a varity of foods at each meal, and let her go to town.

My 23 month old has been this way since 11 months. She used to eat everything. Then discovered "snacks" from Gerber. (the flavored stars) That was all that she would eat. Now she will only eat jelly sandwiches, chicken nuggets, fish sticks (b/c she thinks they are chicken nuggets), french fries,yogurt, sometimes celery and carrot sticks, cucumber slices, snacks, chips, and all the fruit you put in front of her. But alot of the time it all depends on her mood. I can not get her to try ANYTHING new. Whether it be a vegetable or cake, she will not try it. She has been below the 5% for weight, but her height is above 75%. I just figured she will learn to eat eventually. I don't want to fight her or push her to eat. She does love milk, has it all day, but does not drink it all day. If that makes any sense at all. She usually drinks it with breakfast and when she is tired.

Don't worry, your child is completely normal and will eventually learn to eat well. Good luck!

Is your son growing and passing his bowels? My son is three and is KING of picky eaters. Not since he was in jar food has he eatin a veggie. He is off the charts with his height and weight just jumped to 75%.
I would give nurta pals as a supplement and he's on a multi vitamin but don't worry your are doing just fine. I was psycho mom at first (my first child) and now I have other chanllenges for a three year old. Hang in there

The whole milk is probably filling his belly up. Maybe try to cut down on the milk slowly. Offer him water or juice. He will probably start to eat more.

On another note, my daughter, who is 4, sometimes doesn't eat anything, and other days, is eating everything she can get her hands on.