My Daughter Has Stopped Eating Everything She Likes a Month Ago

Just to let you know, that this is quite normal; keep trying to give her the same things. It takes 13 tries sometimes.

Some days my son, Ethan doesn't hardly eat a thing.

Hi F.,

I have 6 children and all of them have gone through exactly what you are describing. We are now dealing with that with my 2 1/2 year old who is living on rice cakes and cucumbers. Here is my suggestion...continue to feed her what you know she will eat but at each meal and snack time continue to offer other choices. Eventually, she will re-expand her food choices.

L.

SHE COULD be and probably is teething, my daughter is 28 months and goes through this same behavior whenever she is teething .
Plus her food choices change on a regular basis.
I know her staples are rice and beans, mac and cheese and elmo soups!!!
I make sure she gets one or more of these each day and keep trying with old and new stuff consistently~.

If baby food is what nourishes her at this time, go for it!!!
BE sure of one thing ,this will not last forever!!

Don't be to concerned. At around 2 toddlers start growing at a snails pace. They don't need as much food. They also realize they have choices and will choose only what they like. They usually like very plain things and on at a time. To some degree it is also a control issue. If you can get supplements. Gummi or Yummi bears makes good ones. I read that they will get what they need. Trust me she'll eat eventually:)

Hi F.! Trust me, this is normal. My daughter has always been an amazing eater- she will try anything, pretty much likes anything she tries...but around the same age, she went through the same thing. All she wanted was chicken fingers for the most part. They are just starting to realize they can have an opinion of their own- it's not that she stopped liking other foods- she's just testing you. Don't make a big deal about it- don't try to force her to eat anything she doesn't like. If you make an issue out of it, she will dig her heels in even more. Once she gets sick of the same things over and over she will come back around. TRUST ME. Mine did.

My third child is almost 21 months and he too is not eating. I've tried EVERYTHING! He turns his away from the things he always liked and forget about anything new. He won't have anything to do with it. I've been resorting to yogurts, cheese, applesauce (I've never given any of my children baby food from jars). I have an appt with his ped in two weeks so I will be mentioning his food strike in hopes to get reassurance that his weight and height is OK. I know it's frustrating. Just keep doing what I do: Keep trying. Good luck.

When my son was 15-18 minths old he gave a cold. Nothing mayor but he had the sniffles and wasn't feel good. Ofcourse he did not want to eat anything. After he got over the cold he stayed the same. Didn;t want to eat anything. I mean nothing. He drank his bottles of milk.
(4-6 during the day)other than that nothing. This child would eat anything I gave him. Fruit, vegetables, all types of meats and fish. Then one day nothing. This lasted till he was 4. The only thing he would eat was chicken nuggets. Now he is almost 6, and eats very well. sometimes eat more than his older siblings. 12G & 11B. If your pediatrician tells you your child is at a healthy weight and size and everything else seems to be developeing right on scheule I wouldn't wory too much. Ths is the my econd tme down the road of "He wouldn't eat anything" It They are both doing great.
As long as he eats something and drink fluids he should be fin. Check with your pediatrician.
Good lunck.
H.

My 2.5-year-old tends to be picky and varies what he wants from day to day, but the one thing he will ALWAYS eat (aside from french fries) is Boston Market chicken with mac&cheese and creamed spinach.

UNTIL Pollo Campero opened. He loves that too. So if you're looking for some variety while your daughter's in this phase, give it a try. It's in the parking lot of the new Super Target/ Best Buy shopping center on Congress and Old Boynton.

My son is 18months he goes through phases in what he does or doesn't want , but I just take a break from certain things and then go back slowly. If he doesn't eat a meal I give him a container of ensure to drink so he is at least getting his nutrients. If she isn't eating what is in the restuarant try to bring it with you so you aren't stressed out and your dinner isn't ruined. Hopefully it is just a phase good luck. www.DiscoveryToysLink.com/LisaRyan
LisaM

Your daughter is normal! She has more taste buds than you, all kids do, and they are acute. I am sure you rejected some foods when you were young that you like now. I did. Your daughter is also trying to grow up and assert herself. Do not worry. She will eat more foods soon. Keep putting a food such as a pea in front of her everyday for about 15 days. She may throw it on the ground, fuss and let you know that she is not going to eat it. Simply pick it up and throw it away without saying anything. Then put another one on her plate the next day. This method usually works. Persistance and patience always works. Reduce your expectations and you will feel better. If you reveal that you are uptight about her rejections, she wins. Going out of your way to give her only what she wants is a recipe for long term food challanges. In the meantime you eat what is good and enjoy it. Go to www.FamilyFoodExperts.com and more info will be there for you. Also, you may want to check out www.GoMillionMoms.com - you'll get a free Brands to Trust shopping list.

Relax and enjoy being the great mom that you are to your daughter!

E. B.

I remember learning in psychology class that sometimes babies go through "kicks" like this and will only eat a few kinds of foods, but this is only temporary. Experiments showed that over a six-month period, if allowed to choose their own diet, babies might choose to eat strange combinations of foods, but over the long run, it balanced out, so long as excessive sweets are not offered.

All of mine have gone through different phases. Eating anything, eating nothing, eating only certain things. I've found that if I just offered them the same stuff all the time that I normally serve, after awhile they start eating normally again. This has happened with all of my oldest 3 and I'm sure my youngest will do it to. They will go through periods of time where they don't want to eat anything I serve, but I serve it anyway and they just don't eat much. Then when they decide they want to eat again, they do. Any pediatrician will tell you that it's normal behavior and they are going to be fine. Their bodies store up extra fat for lean times. Giving in to what they want, just gives them an advantage over you and they are always going to want you to make something special just for them.

F., I'm the mother of 2 boys. When my oldest was a baby, I could hardly get him to eat anything. He would hold the food in his mouth forever! He eventually graduated to eating more, but of course, only certain foods. Well, he's now 15, and eats everything! And my second son would only eat hot dogs for the longest time. We would slip him some other foods here and there and tell him it was hot dog. He gew out of that too. All that to say, that your daughter is most likely going through a phase. She is exercising her right to choose, perhaps. I assure you, a little while from now, she'll be eating more of a variety of foods. The important thing is that you offer her different things. Let her see you eating them first. She may decline your offers of trying and tasting, but not to worry. If you notice other behaviors out of the ordinarythough, be sure to check with your Pediatrician. I believe she'll grow out of this pretty quckly.
M.

This is normal. I think the best way to approach it is not make a big deal out of it-give her foods she likes, but keep offering other things, too. Eventually, she'll eat them. There's a great book about kids and eating called Child of Mine by Ellyn Salter. It's terrific, and really explains how freaking out over what she eats is the best way to guarantee she has eating issues.

This is a phase children go through. They are realizing they are indivudials apart from everyone else. She is exerting her individuality. She's realizing she can say yes, no , I want, mine...etc. and have her word be respected. My daughter did the same and we're still working on making food fun and attractive. (She's 26 months). I starting giving her a multi vitamin to make sure she's getting all of her daily's. (she likes the gummi multi vitamin. She LOVES beans and rice. I make the rice into little balls and sprinkle beans around the plate. I also cut up her meat into small pieces and place them in the center. We use a Dora the explorer plate and play uncover Dora by eating what's on top. Sometimes it works. She loves yogurt. And at times this settles her appetite. They are so busy discovering and exploring, they don't want to take the time to eat. Try to make breakfast lunch and dinner at regular times like that her appetite is in accordance with your cooking schedule. She'll come around...or you'll both come around. Good luck -m

I do think this is pretty normal. My son stopped eating a lot as well although he has always been picky. He will be two at the end of the month and is starting to eat better. I would call your daughter's pediatrician to see if they have any suggestions for you as well. Good luck.

I would not worry to much, the baby food is very healthy for her and she does like the rotisserie chicken, Children are changing constantly, with what they like to eat. Just make sure to always offer her healthy choices so when she decides to eat more it will be good for her.

If your daughter gets enough vitamins through her diet/supplements you don't have much to worry about. For example the calcium and protein intake are important to monitor. However even if she is not getting enough, remember - it is only a stage in her development. It will pass and she will be eating other foods. You can decorate foods with funny shapes so she will get interested - may be it will help.
My son was 6 when for the first time he told me that he is hungry :-) And he is very healthy. It's a process.
Good luck.

Honey, I have a 2 & 3 yr old. ( and another on the way) all
I can tell you is to get used to it. Offer diffrent foods, but don't get upset when they refuse them. She will grow out of it.

My son pulled this when he was 10 months, he is now 20 months and has slowly started eating again. He went from eating 3 meals a day and some snacks to just drinking formula! He is still very picky about fruits and veggies, but he eats chicken, steak, pork, white rice, & corn. He has started eating the Cambell's chicken noodle soups, they have Shrek, Cars, Dora, Stars, etc. Every once in a while I can get him to eat one of those frozen PB&J sandwiches or ABC & 123's spaghetti O's. Obviously I hate giving him the processed food, but at this point whatever I can get him to eat. My doctor said it's completely normal for the age bracket, they are just too preoccupied and don't want to sit down and eat. He also reccomened that I use pedia-sure instead of milk because of the extra vitamins. Good Luck!!!