My son is about to be 17 months old. He used to LOVE everything on his plate. Randomly about a week and a half ago he decided he wanted to be on a chicken nugget with chocolate milk phase, or strawberries/bananas with juice phase. It is the SAME thing everyday. We got him to eat pizza once. It's so frustrating. It wasn't like he was getting chicken nuggets often, or even getting chocolate milk often. Then one day he decided he would pitch a fit until he got what he wanted. We were out to eat yesterday and the day before, both times he threw a fit because there wasnt any chicken nuggets.
Ive talked to a couple Mom's and I've gotten two suggestions: 1) Give him what you know he will eat 2) Don't substitute, give it to him and if he doesn't eat it, he will eat when he is hungry.
Two opposite answers on both ends of the spectrum. So I am at a loss. Most of me wants to do option #2 but I don't like being wasteful! A little bit of me wants to do option #1 just so he gets FOOD and like I said, don't waste. I am probably going to call his doctor and ask her today... Advice please? Thank you!
I called the Doctor and she wants us to come in to talk about the situation. I guess we will see what she says and hopefully we break this phase!
It may be a sensory issue. The book Just Take a Bite may be helpful if his behavior is a sensory issue.
Hi S.,
I have two children, ages 10 & 5, who both went through this phase. It is completely normal and not to be worried about. My advice would be to only offer the food you have prepared and that everybody else is eating. If it is refused, allow him to leave the table, but don't give in by giving him something different. Hearing our children cry or pitch a screaming fit is hard on us, but by giving in, we are teaching them what to do when they want something they don't get. This will bleed over into other areas (I speak from experience), and then it will be REALLY hard to break that habit. He will eat when he gets hungry, and it won't always be a struggle. This is just a transition period (of which, there will be many) to the other side of this issue. Hang in there!!
Dear S.,
I have 2 boys 5 and 13 and both of them went through this phase. I catered to the first one and it went on for weeks. The 2 nd I took the hard line and told him fine, you may starve. It lasted about a day and a half. My mother in law told me once that toddlers are generals without armies. I completely agree. Don't think your 17 month old can't manipulate you because they can and will. This picky eater phase is all about control. His. Be strong Mama!
maybe you can do a mix of both? For lunch let him choose and then for dinner whatever you cook is what he eats. That way you know he is getting at least one good meal a day. I have a picky kid as well she is now 7 and did pretty good with this method. She is still picky but knows what I cook is what for dinner (as long as she can cover it in ketchup she is good). I usually let her pick once a week what we eat for dinner.
I'd do a combo of the 2. Serve him what you're having, but make sure something on the plate is what he enjoys. I always take into consideration likes and dislikes of my family when preparing a meal. In my opinion, it's not fair to force a child to eat what everyone else likes without taking in to consideration what their preferences are. I wouldn't serve my husband dishes that all contained onions because he doesn't care for them and I respect my children's tastes the same. I have always focused more on having a pleasant family meal rather than on what everyone is eating or not eating. Developing a healthy attitude toward meal times and food is important, just like eating healthy. Just my opinions.
Have you tried the veggie nuggets?
Don't give in to him. He is showing you his indenpendance. Put what you make for dinner in front of him and if he doesn't eat...that is his choice and he has to live with the consequences.
Take Care!
As long as he's eating healthy choices, I wouldn't worry about it at lunch. If all he wants is PB&J, get whole-grain bread and natural peanut butter (just peanuts, no added anything) and a natural fruit spread or natural apple butter (instead of jelly/jam that is LOADED with sugar).
I would continue to offer healthy dinner choices and if he doesn't want to eat, then sobeit, he'll be hungry by breakfast.
But I'd stay away from letting him have things like a lot of juice and chocolate milk. There's SO much sugar in both:(
Do number 2 it is important to put the veggies and fruit in front of them. I have a home day care and the food pyramid is what we need. If you give in to anything because you think you are avoiding tempertantrums he has you wrapped around his fingers. God Bless, he will be 2 soon and it is a control issue he wants. Give two choices but make sure it is healthy. Fast foods is the worst and why so many kids are obese. G. W
I would do a combo of the two. Once or twice a week offer him what he wants, or combine the two- like strawberries/bananas with chicken nuggets. The rest of the time offer a healthy alternative that you know he likes, and if he doesn't eat then he doesn't eat. That way you know he's eating some, but he's not completely getting catered to (which could lead to eating issues in the future about not trying new foods, or using food as a way to control, etc.) My second son has done the same thing- where he ate pretty well then hit a picky phase and refused to even try things that he previously loved. I just let it go; he would always eat a huge breakfast, and lunch was hit or miss. I don't think he ate dinner for 6 months. He still grew and gained weight just fine, and now he's starting to try things again and eating better. Good luck, I know it can be frustrating!
