2 Yr Old Won't Eat

It's very unfortunate that this child is treated like such a burden. She obviously needs a mommy figure to nurture her and be patient with her. Have you spoken with her mother? This is obviously an unhealthy situation and maybe child services should be notified. At the very least they could demand that parenting classes be taken. As far as the pace, what's normal? They may be the child's way of getting the attention she seeks. In a child's mind, negative attention is better than none at all. Not that I think that giving her negative attention is the answer but it's apparent that this baby needs nurturing.

S.,
I have had children like this in my class at work. It is very hard to watch them do this and not know what to do. I have devised a plan to help one little girl, and it seems to be working for her right now. What I do with her is sit with her and time her for fifteen minutes. At that point I put her plate up for a few and see if she wants more. She is learning that it is time to eat and not time to play.

One thing that I have learned from my present class is that even if the parents don't know it, the child could be alergic to things they will not eat. The child that I have to sit with is a former reflux baby, and some foods she just refuses to swallow. She will put them in her mouth, leave the table and spit them out on the floor. Another thing that could be going on with her is that she is not getting enough at home, so she feels like she needs to save some food for later. If her dad knows about what is going on with her and thinks that there could be a problem at home, it would be time to consider contacting someone about it. This is not a healthy thing for a 2year old to do since it could cause problems with her teeth in the long run.

I wish you luck with this one! I know how hard it must be for you!

My son was like that when he was young. It might be a phase ...it was with him. I was worried at first but then I realized he'd rather snack so instead of cookies and chips....I gave him grapes, strawberries....fresh fruits and vegetables...carrots with dip....celery with peanut butter and eventually he came around....he enjoyed these foods....and it set my mind at ease that he was eating something....then you have to take into consideration that what we may think is small amounts of foods for them may not be the case....remember their stomachs are about the size of their fists....I'd encourage you to be the play mommy at least you will know that the child is eating a good meal....and in time maybe the mother will see.....just encourage her to give the child more nutritional foods....inform her on the foods you know the child may like to eat and hopefully she will come around.....does she drink okay? I hope I am not talking in circles......I am no professional I just understand ....but if you still aren't at ease....talk to a pediatrician in your area.

Hi S.,
I agree that you should contact child services. I'm really NOT a fan of them, however, they do offer some fantastic services to parents who may not know how to be parents. The mom could possibly take some classes offered to teach her how to prepare healthier foods. She may, simply, just not know any better herself.
As far as helping you helping the little girl, I had a very picky eater. It's very common for kids that age to be "non-eaters". She still is more of an all day snacker than a meal eater. I would get out my cupcake pan and fill each little cup with different foods that could sit out all day. I would put in fruits, nuts, marshmellows, pretzels, etc. and just let her walk past and grab something and eat it. This little girl may store things in her cheeks for the same reason a chopmonk does, she knows that's all she's getting but can't eat it all at once so she's saving it for later. My heart just breaks for her and I'm so glad that she has someone who does truly care about her in her life. It sounds like she desperately needs some stability in her life.
Good luck and let us know how things go!
Y.
P.S. Also a military mom. We are stationed in Columbia...for now. *grin*

i am going through the exact same thing!! i watch my cousins 2 year old from 8:30 in the morning to 5:30 at night. her mom does not feed her food she just gives her nothing but like 10-12 bottles of milk and orange juice. when she is at my house she does not get a bottle and she does not get drink unless she eats. she also had the storing food in the cheeks problem and i just got her out of that here. but just sit her down with healthy meals and maybe eat with her. if at first you have to feed her a couple of bites then do so. she is so much better at my house now than what she was but it has taken 2 years to get it. i have had her since she was born and her mom just had another little girl yesterday so i am sure i will be going through the same thing with her little sister. but no junk food or drinks except water unless she eats