My 2 Year Old Daugher Wont Eat Very Much

I have pretty much the same advice as the others. When a toddler turns two their growth slows down and they don't need to eat as much. All three of my kids did the exact same thing around the time they turn two. It's hard not to worry about your child's health, but children are very sensitive to our anxieties and react to it. At two kiddos are experimenting with independence and when we want them to do something they tend to do the opposite. With my kids I tried reverse psychology with a little bit of luck. At meal times I fixed a plate of little bits of food they liked (finger foods are great at this age). I just left the food on a plate on the table and didn't even offer it to them. I would sit down to eat at mealtime and they inevitably would wander over to check out what I was doing. They usually sampled what was on the plate I left for them. I would leave the plate there for awhile and they'd go play and come back to the food later. The more relaxed I've been about it, the more they've eaten! Another thing--they never ate a thing as long as they were tied down to a highchair--it's another experiment with independence. They loved the freedom of sitting at the table like big boys and girls. I had a booster seat they could sit in if they wanted but I gave them the option of sitting in a regular chair, which is rediculously large, but they love being like Mommy. Hope this helps. Good luck and try not to worry--she won't let herself be hungry. To a little child hunger is a very uncomfortable feeling. S.

Okay, I'm sure you're going to get this same advice from many people but here goes... She'll eat when she's hungry. I KNOW it's hard to let her "not eat" but it's very normal at different stages of their lives. A child will not starve - as long as you're giving her many choices throughout the day. Remember, a serving size for her is around a tablespoon! If you battle over food now, that will be something you will battle over forever so resist the urge. I would give her a couple of choices - say cereal, yogurt or eggs for breakfast (or even a peanut butter sandwich!) a few hours later, offer her something. She should take something in about every 3 hours - but it may be just a handful of cherrios. At that age, my kids loved Yogurt and it's so good for them. Make it easy, don't stress and things will work out.

My son does that sometimes when he's teething. They are right that when she's hungry, she'll eat. But, If you're worried about her nutrition, try giving her the liquid vitamins or a flinstone vitamin if she'll chew it.

Take a deep breath mom. If you keep in mind that her tummy is only about the size of her fist when it is full it will make you feel better. I found a rock about the size of my daughter's fist when she was that age and left it on the stove to remind myself that anything I offered her that was bigger than that would probably not be eaten. It is really awesome that she is able to eat to her fullness and stop. I believe that children have that naturally and if we "force" them to eat more then they lose that ability to use the natural switch that tells us when we are full. In my opinion, this can lead to obesity and other eating disorders. I really think you should provide other activities for her to do while she is in the high chair that she can only do while you are finishing dinner like coloring with markers or paper glue and glitter! This way she learns to talk and socialize while eating rather than fighting with you about how much she gets to eat. Believe me, meals will be much more enjoyable. My daughter was "crowned" the queen of the full tummy when she handed me her plate and we got her tray cleaned. She loved wearing her "crown" (made out of construction paper and covered with foil) and playing with her "scepter" (a plastic knife with glitter glued onto it). Yes it meant that my meal was interrupted for a few minutes but we always had fun and she loved her crown. Eventually she would talk to me while she ate and gradually it took longer and longer for her to finish her small meals.
Good luck
C.

J.,
Check out thesneakychef.com she has alot of good receipes with veggies blended in so the kids can't even taste them.

Good Luck,
J.

www.deliveringonthepromise.com/40420383

My oldest son did the same thing took him to the doctor and the said to give him time when wants something he'll ask. Just to get him ensure to drink and he'd be fine. My neighbor has a son that eats through a feeding tube and he only drinks ensure so it's more then ok for her as for as food supplement. I would fix my son a plate and put it in the fridge and if he wanted it he get it or a ensure. Try that for a few days see if it works. I agree with her tummy is very small and fills fast. My son turned out to be a vegetarian at the time just didn't see it. He still drinks ensure it seems to be doing a great job he very fit very athletic and strong. But he doesn't eat everyday.