Monday, 02 January 2012
-
17 Month Old Refusing To Eat! Help!
A few days ago, we had a Facebook follower submit a question on the page. I thought it was a great idea and thought that I would simply post the question and open it up to the public to offer suggestions, advice, and experience! This is the question from our Facebookpage:Do I give him "healthy snacks" to supplement his diet, or lack there of, or do I offer lunch and then hold back anything else until he eats "what's in front of him."?
I don't want to start a habit suggesting he has options, but I don't want him starving.
If you have a question that you'd like to open to the public for suggestions, advice, and experience send an email to: mandiwelbaum@momaroo.com
You can also 'Like' Momaroo on Facebook and post your question to our wall!
RecommendRelated Posts
Post a Comment
- Back to momaroo's Momaroo Site!
- Note: your comment will appear in momaroo's local time zone: GMT -05:00 (Eastern Standard - US, Canada)
Comments (38)
@opster25 - Exactly. My daughter doesn't ever get to choose dinner, I just sometimes say, "do you want some cottage cheese or apple sauce, too?". ANd I'm always more lenient if I'm making something new. The only time I give her a choice is at lunch and it's A or B. Not anything she wants, or that would get crazy, lol. I never intended my comment to come across like my way is best or anything, just sharing my opinion like everyone else. Yep, we all have different methods and I think everyone is still a good parent, regardless. I hope she finds a method that her and her little guy will be good with. :)
What my mom used to do: "You either eat this, or you die."
My oldest son didn't eat food until he was 17/18 months old. Luckily, he was still nursing so he got plenty of nutrition. He's 11 now and still a very picky eater. As a child I was a very picker eater too, and stubborn! My parents did the whole tough love about food and guess what? It didn't work on me. I'm still a picky eater with a gag reflex related to food taste and texture. I love mashed potatoes but they make me gag.
Put food in front of him, he'll either eat it or he won't. Whatever happens, he won't starve. Good luck! I also have a rule where I cook something that each person will like. So, it maybe be chicken for one kid, rice for another and broccoli for a third but I'm not a short order cook while everyone gets one thing they like.
Give them two options, let them choose, if they choose neither, they don't eat.
At least, that is my opinion.
As for "picky" eaters, I have a STRICT rule of trying one full bite of something new, or something they claim to "not like".
@raspbxrrryjam@xanga - I'm 23 and I still boss my Dad around to cook me food. lololol
1. Never get frustrated or scream at your child because they're not eating, even if they've hardly eaten in days. Anxiety and stress over food will lead to an unhealthy association with food.
2. Toddlers have this unique ability to thrive on air. They will go days without eating hardly a thing and suddenly empty your pantry in one! As long as your pedi says your child is healthy, then don't worry. Sometimes they really aren't hungry, other times it's because of those awful molars cutting through. Also, a toddler's stomach is about the size of his little fist, not much needed to fill it.
Toddlers don't have much control over their life. Parents tell them what to do and when to do it and eventually the little tykes get tired of it. This usually peaks around 2yrs (hence the terrible twos) when they begin to develop autonomy. Food is one way a toddler can express themselves and "take back control." You put the food in front of them, they can refuse and they know it. Offering more control in other areas by giving them choices can alleviate some of the mealtime tantrums. (kids understand/know a lot more than we give them credit for)
Ask them what they want to eat "Would you like oatmeal or eggs for breakfast?" and always provide healthy snacks throughout the day. Remember, he may not be that hungry, you don't always feel hungry right? Give choices in clothing as well, and toys at bathtime, books at bedtime (we have our DD pick out 3 books all on her own). Let your child know they have a say in the house, (but don't give them full control :P).
If you're worried about nutrition, ask your pedi first about supplements. We give our DD a cup of Ovaltine in the morning (nutrients + calories) and a cup of V8 Fusion juice at dinner (vitamins). Every now and then I give her half a kids vitamin (for the iron, only if she hasn't been eating much meat).
*Mother of a happy healthy 2 year old
I was the same way when I was a baby
Luckily I picked out foods which I liked as I grew. Your baby might do the same thing, so just let him pick things out, but have him checked out by the doctor in case there's something wrong.
my sister makes heathy smoothies that taste good like her avacado, peanut butter and straberry chocolate smoothie with bannana... its good and its got gurt and milk in it too....
she also lets the kids help make the food, and since they helped create it, they are more likely to like it@Megabyyte@xanga - I do the choose between A and B. I try to get my daughter involved in everythig. To me it's a start to teach them to make decisions. And hey why should only I get to decide what is for dinner. I think you said you do the 3 bites rule. I do the 4 bites rule. Lol. She has a little tummy I don't expect her to eat it all. And I also don't expect a 3 year old to like everything I do. As I already said their taste buds physically aren't formed for all tastes until they get older.
But like I also said I don't buy junk food. That way she never fills up on them during the day. She snacks on celery and carrots and peanut butter. Lol. She thinks it's normal.@XoGingerSnapps@xanga - You know, after reading about this, I've become a little more compassionate towards my daughter and eating, lol. I mean, children litterally don't have much power over things and they are part of the family, too. Why can't they have a say, sometimes? My husband doesn't like my 3 bite rule, he says it needs to be more, lol, but you're exactly right with how tiny their tummy's are. I'm with you on this one!
make snacks for the day instead of one big meal. it can be anything from grahm crackers to carrots. hot dogs even!! later space the snacks out between time and eventually work your way up to one full meal. breakfast, lunch or dinner. keep it fun! get some food dye and make their eggs a different color. :)
@ladyandthemonster@xanga - I would be careful with the dying the eggs, wont work for some kids.. My son's daycare had a Dr Seuss day where they had Green Eggs and Ham for lunch.. he refused to eat them and has not touched them since.. even if he sees eggs go into something I am cooking he will not eat it.
Try some of these:
Would you like A or B? Would you like to help make your supper or do you want me to make it? Do you want supper on the green or blue plate? Do you want to test the peas to make sure they are cooked or should I do it?