Toddler Not Eating

I know I'm a little late in responding, but I just thought I'd add one thing to what everyone else has said - my 4 year old daughter has always had eating issues. I have found that giving her a children's multi-vitamin everyday helps stimulate her appetite. If I forget to give it to her, I notice that she's not as likely to eat as much. So, give it a try...

Don't worry about the food issue. What she is eating is good stuff. This is not an uncommon phase for kids to go through.

If her behavior is doing a 180 degree change from the norm. There may be something going on. Have some quiet time with her and talk about why she won't sleep alone. Maybe the issues with your 12you are affecting her.

Be happy the food she wlll still eat are healthy. My friends daughter did this, except she would only eat macaroni and cheese and hotdogs. Not exactly the best diet. My son also started refusing a lot of foods at two that he used to love. You also have to remember that their growth slows down a lot at around two. The first two years they are growing so fast, but at two, most kids slow way down, which also means that they don't need as many calories as they used to. It is normal for their eating to slow down too. With my son we just kept offering him everything at every meal, but did try to include a small portion of the things we knew he would eat at every meal. My kids have been eating the same things for dinner as us since before they were one, so he knew I wasn't going to cook anything special just for him. We would just have fruit for dessert if he didn't eat much or sometimes even a bowl of cereal or oatmeal. He is four now, and still is picky about certain foods, but it has gotten a lot better. Keep in mind too that if she sees a friend refuse a food, that around that age they start copying, so they may say they don't like it too. They can be very stubborn at this age, we just didn't make a big deal about it and it seemed to get better pretty quickly. We always encouraged my son to try things, but didn't force the issue. I didn't want a power struggle. He is a pretty good eater of most things now, just has a few vegetables that he claims he doesn't like, but I always put them on his plate and sometimes he forgets and eats them anyway. Also with my son, he prefers certain vegetables raw over cooked, so I will sometimes offer them raw at dinner and he eats them right up. Don't let your frustration with her diet show, and it will surely pass quickly. And like I said, the foods she likes are pretty good for her, so you shouldn't be too worried. Just offer a variety of fruits in lots of different colors ans she should be getting a variety of nutrients. Good luck.

My boy did the same thing but he was just a little over 2 years. He would eat fruit, Cherrios, Milk and Yogurt. I think it is a phase they go through because he is now 3 years and he is eating different foods. Of course, he is back to baby food when he sees his baby brother eating it. I look at it this way, he is getting his veggies this way. They out grow it soon. It takes time. Get the liquid vitamins, if the doctor says it is OK, and put it in her milk or what she drinks. That is what I did for a few months.

Hi J.,

I am in the same position as you- my son is 2. I asked the doctor on friday what I can do about it. She said to offer food several times a day, and also place the food in their path- my son is too busy for food these days- so I just make several meals and snacks and offer it to him throughout the day in addition to 3 meals where he has to sit down. Hope this helps.

Molly

Hi J.,
Children go through stages when they won't eat anything except . . . (fill in the blank). Since the things she eats are healthy (don't forget that cereal has a lot of added nutrients) she should be fine. It won't last forever. When my children did that my pediatrician said not to worry, not to add vitamins, just let it ride itself out. Good luck!

Distraction usually works for me. Get her to look at a book, play with her favorite toys or watch a dvd and she might not notice you are feeding her. Good luck!

About two years of age, children's tastes seem to change. They can get very picky, after being very agreeable previously. Your pediatrician will probably encourage you to try a daily children's vitamin and to be sure you don't make an issue out of eating. Offer healthy, tasty, diverse foods each day and see what your daughter is willing to try. Some children have few dislikes (my daughter) while others seem to like only a very few foods for a few years (my nephew). Best wishes.

My 23 month old little girl is going through the same thing... every once in a while she'll devour a big dinner of Chicken, pasta and veggies but mostly only wants cereal, fruit, yogurt and milk also! With the heat of summer and the busy play schedule... I figure she'll eat if she's hungry. Definitely be glad it's good foods. I give my daughter vitamins w/flouride (prescibed by her pediatrician) and Omega-3 orange flavored vitamins (Whole Foods) daily- those she loves to eat!