My daughter, who will in fact be 2 in May has been refusing to eat for the last couple of days. All she wants is milk, juice, corn, and/or of course, candy. Yesterday I gave in to giving her milk and juice and figured she'll eat eventually, but today she has refused to eat breakfast and lunch. I'm getting concerned because although I ALWAYS have a problem with her eating, eventually she'll get hungry and even eat double portions. This is day 2 and aside from my frustration, I'm growing more and more concerned. As I said, I've had a lot of trouble getting her to eat since she started growing out of solids, but this is the worst that it's been. So, if anybody has any advice or insight on this, please let me know.
Thanks!
Just wanted to throw in my two cents.....my two year old had an ice cream sandwich for dinner the other night...I just REFUSE to fight with her about food. (ice cream has milk in it, right!?!)
Point being...in the grand scheme of things, and with all the foods she eats on a whole, did that ice cream hurt her? No.
My Pedi once pointed out to me to look at what she eats in a week, not in a day.
Margaret :)
Does she have all her teeth? My otherwise very good eater goes on a food strike when she is teething. She was 11 months before she got her first tooth and is just getting in her canines now.
She is also really weird about textures right now. It used to be all about cheese...now I couldn't starve her into eating it.
Unless you really feel like she needs the calories, I would avoid giving into too much juice--try at least to get her to eat fruit so she has the whole fruit benefits. Try greek yogurt (we like honey flavor) it is sweet and nutritious and a nice texture.
If she is otherwise active and behaving normally, I wouldn't worry too much about it. It isn't the last time you will have this challenge.
If I were you, I'd probably make an appointment with your pediatrician. It's probably not something to freak out about, but it's probably a good idea to get her checked out and make sure nothing is wrong. You might could just call them, though and see what they say. They might be able to give you some advice over the phone, or they might tell you to bring her in.
I think as mothers we worry too much about food. We feel like kids should always be ready to eat at set times, or naturally be adventurous with food.
This not wanting to eat is very common. I do not think your child is trying to be manipulative, I just thinks some kids are sometimes, not that hungry. Children will not starve. Just serve her healthy foods. Give her smaller portions and if she wants more, give a little bit more.
Watch her to make sure she is not coming down with something and do not make a big deal out of. Just offer her what you normally would at the normal times. If she misses a few meals or snacks that is fine, just do not give her anything in between as a bribe food. That can start bad habits.
Check out the post on Mon. Mar. 02, 2009 by Sarah R, same exact thing was happening with her child.. Since I have been on mamasource, this comes up almost every other month.
You know I have the same problem with my 2 year old, she going on 3 in June. There are some days that she eats well enough and other days that she'd rather has juice that anything solid. And yeah I get upset, one time I even made her stay at the table and wasn't able to get up until she ate. Well she stuck to her guns and didn't eat. I've learned to be patient with her and I've been told that children that age go through a period that they just don't eat. My mother suggested that I put my daughter on vitamins that that with make her hungry, sometimes it works sometimes it won't. I just make sure she has enough water and milk in her system, I even give her that pedisure that they sell for kids with like toast even crackers. I know its not healthy enough but its something. But my daughter has always been like that. You can try giving her more fruit, even yorgurt, try those pediasures for kids, at least you'll know that she has some nutrients and vitamins in her system. But by all means also set up an appointment with her doctor, she might give you some advice and whats wrong with her. But you know when she doesn't wanna eat give her water, when she wants candy give her a fruit instead, don't give in is what I'm trying to say. Don't get discouraged, like I said talk to her doctor even relatives I'm sure they have there own remedies to getting a child to eat. Hope this helps.
