Getting My Child to Eat

My daughter is 2 and is the same way. I have been told to not give her any junk and she will get hungry enough to eat good food. But it's hard to do. I am sorry I don't have any better ideas. I feel for ya!
T.

My daughter was the same way and and 4 1/2 she's still a finicky eater but the situation has improved. Basically, you can't force her to eat. Keep offering nutritious food to her and one day she'll try it. Don't give in to her by giving her the junk food she craves. Don't try to reward her with cookies etc. because you're just emphasizing the fact that treats are better than the actual dinner itself. Believe me, she won't starve. Children are smarter than that. If she won't eat breakfast, she'll eat at lunch, and if she won't eat lunch she'll eat dinner and so on. I understand your frustration because I'm going through the same situation with my little girl. If you're concerned about her nutrition you can ask her pediatritian about vitamin supplements, even though some will tell you than most children don't need them. I hope this has helped some. Best of luck to you and your family.

I had this same problem with my daughter. Basically, she'll eat when she's hungry. As long as she's gaining weight at her Dr. appts, she's fine.

My 2 year old did the same thing. I gave her something to eat and she didn't eat it, I wouldn't get mad just okay. I'll keep on the table and when she asked for junk food, I'll tell her no and sit her in front of her food. this went on for a few days. While this was going on I took her to the doc. and he said that what I was doing was okay. But she started to see what mommy says gose

boy you would think you were writing about my daughter! She is the exact same way and its sooo frustrating!! She is getting better, but I think I am gonna follow some of these ladies advice.

My response may not be popular, but here it goes! Stop the eating game now! Do not offer her anything different that what you and your husband are eating for meals. Do not acknowledge whether she ate anything or not to her. Take the junk food completely out of the picture as far as options go. If you want her to verbalize choices make it something like, "Would you like milk or water in your cup?" or "Would you like bananas or raisins for snack?" She is screaming for your attention and she is controlling the situation because she knows she has the ace in the hole here. She knows it drives you crazy and fills you with worry when she doesn't eat. She WILL EAT WHEN SHE IS HUNGRY! It'll be a hard day or so, but she will come around. If you continue with the stickers and catering (literally), she has won and has all the power. You are the parent, she is the child. I am sorry if this sounds harsh to you, but I have lived this. This was the advice from my pediatrician's office and it worked!

A.,
This is going to sound harsh and it is going to take a day full of patience, but it works.

When it is time to eat, meaning you have prepared a meal and are ready to sit down with your child and eat your own meal with her (it works best if you are both eating the same thing), then sit down and try to enjoy the meal together.

If she refuses to eat and the meal time is over, the food gets picked up. All food choices are gone (and out of sight) until the next meal time.

She may fret and fit but keep your ground. No food until the next meal time.

She will experience the consequence of not eating the previous meal, hunger. This hunger will spark a desire to eat the next time food is offered.

Try to put as many meals on a set schedule, but give your self a little wiggle room. Six small meals instead of three large meals works best for little ones.

Breakfast, midmorning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, and maybe another snack. Spread them apart by a few hours. And limit the choices. The lesson needs to be about consequences, dont eat= get hungry.

Good luck,
M.

Hi A..
I agree with the other Moms who say she will eat when she is hungry and to just give her healthy meals when she is hungry. I, too, am a SAHM and my children are 9, 5 and 2yrs old. As a SAHM we have the time to plan and prepare all meals. Therefore, I suggest making a "menu" for your meals. Your Daughter will become accustomed to the different meals and will become aware of when in the week she'll be eating those meals. Once she's eating then you can eliminate the menu. I've done this for all my children and when it's time to eat, they eat whatever I have prepared. This also eliminates the "I don't feel like eating that" syndrome. Everyone eats the same meal. But remember just because everyone is at the table for dinner, etc. doesn't mean they will eat or eat all that is served to them. If she isn't hungry just have her sit and tell you about her day while you eat and save her plate for later. She'll let you know when she's ready for that plate. This way, you control what they eat and since they know there is nothing else prepared, they become accustomed to "healthy" foods. My children have surprised many shoppers at the grocery store because they will actually tell me things like, "we're out of broccoli" and "can we have cauliflower, too?" My 2 year old will ask me to put his plate in the fridge, "for later" when he isn't hungry and will actually ask me to "heat it up" when he does become hungry. So, be patient and your Daughter will be eating and enjoying her food. It is a little extra work on your part but I know you can do it!!
Take Care!
D.

My older two kids (almost 5 and almost 7 now) went through phases where I thought they'd starve. They ate hardly anything. We're talking like 3 cheerios at a meal and that is it. Needless to say, they did not starve. I would probably just give her whatever healthy snacks she is asking for. Around that age mine would go through a phase of only wanting to eat one or two things (like cheese or bananas) and I just let them and they'v move on after a week or two.

One thing you might want to try, if it's an option, is sending her to someone else's house. My kids always ate better at daycare or grandma's house than at my house. The same is true for the daycare boy I watch - he eats better here than at home.

Hi A.,
Why force her? This is why many people have eating disorders. She will eat when she is hungry and wants to eat. As long as you offer healthy choices when she does want to eat, then she should be fine.
I know as a new parent you worry about your kids alot. If she is growing, happy and active then she is fine.
I have a 10 year old nephew, a 2 year old daughter and 3 year old daughter. My three year old eats just as much or maybe more than my 10 year old nephew does.

J.

I am thankful that my 3 year old is not that picky. One of his favorite foods is broccoli... He does go through periods when he does like stuff (even though he has had it before and liked it then). I tell him things like "Batman loves that" or Superman fixes that and all the other superheroes come over for a party. Then I throw in the old "if you want to grow up big and strong like (insert favorite character here) you have to at least try it. I leave it at that and just remember they will eat when they are hungry.

PLEASE PLEASE Do not reward her with snacks if she eats her meal... That is why most of our parents are dealling with weight issues as adults... because their parent guilted them to eat what was on their plate (straving kids and all) and then to gag down dessert because it was a reward..or get none.

1. Your not going to Win the battle of wills with a 2 year old ..5 or 18 year old when it comes to food, its not going to happen so the more you fight and comment the more you are going to get ressitants.. you need to redirect it..
example: Ok if your not hungry then leave the table.. when you are hungry you can eat what i made.

You only ate 1/2 of your burrito? I am full.. ok i will leave it out so when you want to finish it you can.

2.You have to remember kids have smaller tummys then we do, what may be a lite snack to you might make your child full for a longer period of time.

3. Children have there own time schedule.. Never say its TIME to eat? what is that really? just because the clock says noon you are supost to be hungry for lunch? .. but on the same hand make your meals leave what you have made on a plate and when she is hungry give her that. inconvent i know but better then forcing her to eat when she is not hungry, just because you and TIME says so. (microwaves are great).. In my house there is no more eating after 8. thats the rule snacks included.

4. Snacks...a variety of Nutritional snacks with some "BLING" these are ment to be inbetween meals not right after a meal.. say and hour or 2 after. be creative here

Sm Apple with peanut butter and Marshmellos
Graham Cracker, pudding and a banana/strawberries
manderine oranges in a can and fat free cool whip.
Jello and fruit and cool whip
ritz cracker cheese and pepperoni
Celery with peanut butter and raisins

I am a mother of 3 and a first time SAHM.. My oldest 10 is a very picky eater, doesnt even like ketchup.
Middle child 4 years seems to work on her own little schedule.
Youngest is 10 months, and gets bored with the same ole baby food, so i throw in a few little things to catch her attention like black olives just so she contunuse to try new and differnet things.
hope this helps

A.,
My daughter is 4 years old and she is a very picky eater. At first all she wanted was to drink her milk. Now we have discussed with her doctor and now she is drinking peidasure for all her vitamins that she needs. You see she doesn't gain weight. All she wants to eat is chicken and cheese. At least she does try to eat some vegs. I just have to try my best to get her to eat....
Your child won't starve she will eat when she gets hungry. Sometimes, we have chicken, green beans, and macncheese and a glass of milk. So don't worry she will eat when she gets hungry....
I have a 4 year old and 2 year old daughters..... I have been married for 4 years. I am also pregnat with my 3rd child

Well I had the same concern with my 3yr old son. He started about 2yrs old. He wouldn't want to eat or he wanted me to feed him. At first I was concerned at the fact that he might starve. But then I realized that he knows when he wants to eat and he's not going to starve himself. So we have times where he'll stop eating for two days straight and then he'll eat like a little piggy for then next couple of days. It's really nothing to worry about but if you are still uneasy then I would say got to her doctor and ask them.