I am starting to feel concerned for my 2yr old. His eating has tapered of since Saturday and I can't get him to eat at all now. Saturday he only ate 1/2 his mac & cheese (usually eats it all). He refused a snack and only picked at dinner. Sunday he ate maybe a handful of cheerios (instead of his usual 3 small bowls throughout the morning). He refused lunch and his snack again and only ate a handful of crackers at dinner. He ate 1/2 a yogurt Monday morning for breakfast and nothing since then. I've offered 2 different types of cereal, hot dogs (his fav), corn and broccoli (both of which he's never refused before) Mac & cheese, pancakes, pretzles, animal crackers....all refused. Usually if he sees me eating when he isn't, he beggs bites..but not lately. He is still drinking fluids and soiling diapers. I know he is working on his 2yr molars because he is drooling more, chewing toys more, has a slightly runny nose and from time to time is cranky, but a dose of tylenol clears that up...and that has been going on for the last couple months. Teething has never affected his appetite before. I've asked him several times if he is hungry for lunch and he shows no intrest whatsoever. He is still active and playing and chattering, not at all lethargic. I am confused. My boy is a regular vacuum when it comes to food, and not eating for nearly 2 days now is worrying me.
My POOR boy. I got a good look at his mouth today when he let loose for a temper tantrum. He's got half a molar hanging out of his bottom left, the tips of another (with those awful red bloody spots) on the top left and shadows of a third on the bottom right. (I couldn't get a look at the top right). It's no wonder he's only had a few bites of things here and there. Thursday we were at my moms for the holiday and it was clear he wanted to eat, but he refused everything that was offered. I think there is a touch of Toddler Control mixed in there too as my mom finally got him to eat some yogurt burst cheerios, but he would only eat the pink ones. Now that we are home, we are right back at it this morning. He keeps asking to eat (I think he is asking for pretzles) but then has a tantrum when I offer a breakfast food (haven't got any yogurt burst cherrios)... oh those toddlers. sigh. At least I know WHY and that is a huge help. Thanks, everyone for all your support!
My now 8yr old did the same thing, she had me so worried that I took her to the doc. he told me that she won't let herself go to hungry, and after a while she went back to her old self
Char
I wouldn't worry too much about this. All three of my children have gone on a food strike every now and then. It ususally lasts about a week and then they start eating like crazy again. As long as he's drinking and soiling and mostly happy just relax and go with the flow. Keep offering the food, when he's hungry he'll eat. Hope this is helpful, Happy Thanksgiving!!
As long as your little guy is drinking lots and doing business in his diapers he's probabbly alright. My 22 month old is going through the finiky stage on and off as well and he's normally a good eater. If his behavior changes such as not wanting to play or he becomes lethargic or does things he doesn't normally do you should call the pediatrician immediately. This past June my little one got a stomach virus and became lethargic one morning, so we took him to the emergency room. He was dehydrated. Apparently even though he was drinking lots of fluid it couldn't keep up with the diarrhea. They had to pump him full of fluids with an IV. Needless to say I felt horrible but the doctor said sometimes it just cannot be helped especially with little ones.
hi C.
i to would say it was he teeth .is he in day care?my friends child was doing the same thing and it turned out not to be herteeth but to be something call hand foot and mouth wich just has to run it corse .i guess if it still going on come friday i would call his doc hope it halp in someway let me know.ps if in day care ask of they have had any case they know of it ok that all good luck
My 2 1/2 year old goes through that every few months. If he is not dehydrated, no fever, no vomiting and still playing I wouldn't worry too much. He'll probably be eating again in a few days. If it goes on more than 7-10 days then maybe a trip to the doctor is warranted.
I wouldn't worry too much. I had the same problem with my daughter when she was around the age of 2. The doctor's told me as long as she was still active and keeping down fluids, not to worry, that when she's ready to eat she will. So while you may want to bring it up at the next check-up, I would try not to worry about it, unless you notice any other problems. I hope I could help a little.
I wouldn't worry, unless it goes on for weeks. all toddlers go through this phase! all of mine have! my 2 1/2 yr old girl is doing the same thing, one day she'll eat the house and the next practically nothing! not even her favorites! she also will only eat ablout 6 things anyways, mac-n-cheese, hot dogs, chicken noodle(with out the chicken):) Kielbasa(?) and mandarin oranges!! so, u r not alone, just HANG IN THERE and if u need a little peace of mind, visit or call ur pediatrician! Good Luck
I feel confident it's the teething. My son (soon to be 3 yrs) was the same way. Teething never really affected him until his 2yr molars where coming it. He had a lost of appatight and a low-grade fever. It took me a couple of days to realize that it was his teeth and not a bug. It was very painful for him.
The biggest thing is making sure he's getting enough fluids. He'll eat when he gets hungery. You may consider giving him pediasure and ensure. These will keep him hydrated. The ensure will ensure that he's getting the necessary vitamins his body needs. Also, soft foods like soup, apple sauce, pop cycles, etc. where there's little to no chewing involved.
Good luck!
nk
I have a 13 month old, and we are going through exactly the same thing. He could never get enough food, and then refused everything! I actually just took him to the doctor, and he said that it is normal... Only worry if he isn't soiling his diapers, and having normal bm's. Good Luck, I know it is hard not to stress but they should come around.
You are right to be concerned but I would not get to uptight about it. If there is no fever or any other sign of illness and he is teething then he will eat when he is hungry. Just try and remember do you eat the same amount ever day or some days more and some days less. All my kids have done this. But if you are still worried take him to the ped.
Best of Mothering
M.
I wouldn't worry to much. My son 2 is also a human garbage disposal (most of the time) It sounds like a combo of teeth, 2 year molars are horrible it took my son almost a year to get them all in fully:(, and maybe he has just gone through a growth spirt so it really seems like he hasn't been eating. He will definity tell you when he is hungry he wont let himself starve, he's not like us adults where we just eat to eat not because we are just hungry (wish I could be like that!!!) I wouldn't worry to much about it until he starts to show signs of dehydration or being lethargic then I would call the doctor. By the way if he is learning to count or the ABC's leap frog makes great videos my son learned the ABC's in less then a week and to count in about the same time. Good luck!!
Hi C.,
I wouldn't worry about it as long as he is hydrated. He might have a touch of a cold or something and doesn't want to eat. My son who is three does that to. Some days he eats alot and others he barely eats. I would make sure what he is eating is healthy though. Good luck.
Chris
Check his mouth for sores. If you see sores take him to the doctor. If you don't see anything I wouldn't worry to much if he is drinking and staying hydrated. If he doesn't start eating in a day or two I would take him to the doctor.
Good luck.
Just to let you know don't worry to much as long as he is eating a little bit. I have 4 children ranging from 3 to 15 years old. I can say that my youngest went though that for a while. I tried everything I could think of to get her to eat. Even now she will go for a few days and hardly eat anything. I went as far as talking to her doctor. She suggested getting some of those nutrious drinks they sell. They have a few different ones out. My daughter at first didn't like them but now she will dink them. You could try them. my daughters doctor said as long as she was eating a little bit and still drinking and having wet and dirty diapers that I should get to worried.
