Hello!
I am having a bit of a problem. I have a 3 year old little boy and we are having some trouble during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He tells me that his stomach hurts everytime he's done eating even if he only eats a small amount. He'll also tell me that when he doesn't like what we are having for dinner. I try to encourage him to try different things but it's usually when we're having something that he doesn't want to eat...i.e. he wants to eat something different.
I'm not sure what to do. I know his stomach doesn't actually hurt, that he's just making excuses, but how do I get this to stop?
TIA
I agree also with keeping a food journal. See if he is sensitive to wheat and dairy- often culprits. Could eb from previous meal. Gluten intolerance can be at play- we have this in our fam.
Try not to make it a battle and do not worry- 3 year olds will not starve themselves.
I agree with the other Mom...Plus, your son won't starve. He may go to bed hungry a few times, but then he'll learn and start trying things. What I do with my kids, if they just dont' want something because it's new, they have to at least try it. You can tell if they really don't like it or if they're just saying they don't and go from there. I also have them on some great vitamins, so it's not as big a deal if they don't happen to eat everything good for them. They're the best vitamins out there - they get absorbed the most!
Anway, I hope this helps!! Good luck and remember it does get easier as he gets older! (at least the eating part lol)
I agree with the other 2 moms... Fix dinner as normal and if he chooses not to eat then there is nothing you can do. Eating is one of the few things that a 3 yr old can control and most of the time that is what is happening. If you still think there might be something going on then keep a journal of what food was offered and when there was a complaint of stomach pain. That will help you figure out if there is something to be concerned about. Don't give in, I keep a boy in my home and when he was 3 he did the same thing. He would only eat McD's, mac and cheese, peanut butter sandwiches and pizza. I stood my ground on what I served for breakfast and lunch and snacks and now he pretty much eats anything. Good luck!
I would get the book Love and Logic. It talks about different things like this. The basis for this 'issue' is he'll get hungry at some point and eat what you've cooked. I'd gotten in the (bad) habit of making 2 or 3 different meals and it just got really old! I usually now just cook dinner and they can eat or not. If they choose not to, they can have a pb&j sandwich (the frozen kind they can just grab out of the freezer). Good luck to you.
I always tell my daughter (7) that her stomach hurts because she's hungry and if she doesn't want to eat what's given, then that's all there is and she can choose to eat or not. If she doesn't then she goes to bed hungry. When kids get hungry, they eat, and she usually does. If not, she knows the consequences. I have explained to her that not every child gets a home cooked meal at night and some kids are hungry all the time. I have also explained that it is very rude to tell the person who worked hard to provide a hot meal to you, to say that it's gross. Hope this helps. I know mine is a little older.
