Toddler Not Eating

Honestly, it's a phase - she will eat when she wants to eat, what she wants to eat. Whenever I think my son needs "extra nutrition" because I thought he wasn't getting enough, I would just make a smoothie for him using fresh or frozen fruit, yogurt, a little wheat germ & some milk. He loved it, I felt better that he was eating something & soon, his eating habits were back to normal again. :)

Try to break the habit of going to sleep with her quickly - it's also just a phase but could become a "must" if you think that's the only way she'll ever fall asleep. I highly recommend "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" for some suggestions & just good sleep info for your child throughout their child & elementary years. It's easier for me to get through the times of change remembering that most things are a phase & will soon pass. Good luck!

As for the bed thing, well it took a while for my boy to stop wanting us to come with him to his bed. This, also, takes time to adjust and it is not an easy task. Just stick with the routine as best as possible and hope that she will soon let go of the feeling of wanting you there. Give her something to attach herself to, like a toy or blanket. My boy just found a Mickey Mouse that he loves. It makes them feel safe.

If she's eating fruits, cereal and yogurts, it could be a phase, and just keep offering her other foods too. But,your last line about adopting an 8 year old with a lot of issues makes me wonder when he joined the family, and if there is any link to her changes and his arrival.

J.,
About 3 years ago a friend of mine told me about a whole food supplement called Juice Plus+ It made sense to me because we all were not eating enough fruits and vegetables every day. It is whole food and not a vitamin. Since we have been taking it, my kids actually eat more fruits and vegetables. We all hardly ever get sick any more and I don't have to be such a nag at meals becasue I know they are getting 17 different fruits, vegetables and grains every day. I am happy to send you more information if you are interested. My website is www.DianeLovesJuicePlus.com

Hope this helps. -D.

Sounds to me like she is acting out & testing her power.
She will not starve or dehydrate herself. Just leave healthy things around that she can see & enjoy your food without offering her some. My son did the same thing - he was preemie & continues to be very slim so I used to measure his every bite and fret over the scale every day trying ot get him to gain weight. He figured this out and would refuse to eat - especially if he was busy having fun. SO, I finally quit offering him anything & waited for him to ask. Also, his pedi reccommended Poly-vitamin drops without iron to boost his nutrition. They taste awful so I mix them in his morning juice along with flouride drops - we live in Mountain House & the water doesn't have it.
Ignore your urge to worry - if she figures out you aren't falling for it any more she'll move on to something else - like coloring on the walls or pulling the leaves off the ficus tree( maybe that's just my kid)
Enjoy the Terrible Two's & beware Three - it's worse!
By the way - my son is now a champion eater - still skinny - will try veggies & meat if it's off Daddy's plate but not from his. He is very interested in which foods will make him big & strong & fast like Spiderman. Whatever works, right?

My advice, although it may sound harsh, is to stick strong. Mostly with the sleeping part. Read a bunch of these problems and sooo many of them are that the child will not sleep alone. Once you let the child know that it is an option to have someone there why would they want to be alone? As for the eating thing, it is normal. When my son was that age I talked to his doctor about it. We got a liquid multi-vitamin to substitute for what he was not eating. Now he has improved, still not open to everything, but much better. Just offer several options so she feels she is able to pick what she wants... she is discovering her individuality. The more she knows she can control you with it the worse it can get. If she is hungry, she will eat. As long as you give her healthy choices, such as the fruit and yogurt you are doing the right thing. Try not to bribe her to eat, don't let her know a cookie is better than her veggies. I know it is hard... I read a lot when my son went through it. It does get better, and the choices they make change in the blink of an eye. Something they like today they may not touch tomorrow. :)

For the food issues, check out the book "Child of Mine." It is amazingly helpful. There are liquid vitamins that the doc gave us for my son, who was a preemie, but I would check w/ your pediatrician first. With the fruit, yogurt, and cereal, she is likely doing pretty decently nutritionally. Would she drink a yogurt smoothie? If so, maybe you can sneak in a few other items (carrot juice, pureed cauliflower). Also, there is some green colored juice drink (not green because of food coloring -- green from veggies and/or spirulina) at TJs, and I am amazed at how many kids happily drink it (not my son, mind you, but he does eat veggies). It tastes like apple juice. From what I have experienced, it's not unusual for kids to change what they are willing to eat at around 2. Whitefish spread was my son's favorite food (seriously!) until he was about 2.5. He hasn't really touched it since (he's now 5). He did the same thing with broccoli from age 2 to about age 3, when he started happily eating it again. However, given that your daughter is also wanting someone to sleep in her bed with her, all of the sudden, I wonder if the adoption of a new child, and one with behavioral issues at that, is affecting your daughter. As you working with the 8yo on his issues (and I think it is wonderful that you are doing this!), is it possible that your daughter is receiving less attention or feeling afraid of losing your attention? Maybe setting up some special times just for her (in addition to whatever else you are already doing) could help. With the food, just make sure she is staying on her own growth curve, read Child of Mine, and rest assured that many toddlers go through a picky eating phase. Btw, I second the rec for "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Baby."
Best to you and your family,
K.