Fussy Eaters (merged)

Sweet_Pea_2

I disagree with previous poster (sorry) but I really do believe that my DD1 (who is now 14) was born a fussy eater. Right from being on the bottle she was fussy, also an incredibly slow eater. (My OH and one of his parents are also fussy eaters, I think it is genetic, but that's another story)

To begin with both OH and I found it worrying, stressful and difficult. DD1 has always been skinny and small and I worried that she wasn't getting all the right vitamins and nutrients etc. I also did not want mealtimes to be a battleground. In the end I decided to cut us all some slack and feed her on what she would eat and hope she grew out of it. The only thing I insisted on was that she took a good multivitamin supplement.

She is now 14 and in the last 2 years she has really changed. Her appetite is fairly small but much better and she is still a slow eater, but far less fussy. She likes variey in her meals, will eat mostly what we eat, and will try things. She has grown a lot and is now taller than me, and has put on weight too.

I'm sure your DD could not possibly be as fussy as mine was, but I just tried not to make mealtimes a battleground as I dont think this does anyone any good.

angelicmary85

I really feel for you...

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2585615=

angelicmary85

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

I saw this once on supernanny and she allowed the child to draw up a list of 10 foods that they didn't have to eat (single foods basically not groups of foods). But everything else they had to have at least a little spoonful of if it was on the table for everyone else. Gave the child a sense of control over what they ate. They were also allowed to change the list so if they really wanted to add carrots to it they would have to take off something else. Sounded like a good idea to me and did work in the show...

Although that sounds like a really good idea, I think it would work with a child older than 25.years.

Will bear it in mind for when mine is older!! :T

Pink_Princess_1

Your DD actually eats lots more than my 2 and half year old so I wouldnt worry too much. I tend to give her things I know she will eat ( she wont touch meat so a sandwich is just bread and butter) but she likes fruit and yohurts. DD1 ate anything and everything so I know its nothing Ive done to make her fussy its just one of her little quirks

Gingham_Ribbon

Totally normal for her age. Don't worry!

I used to let my little one eat a yoghurt with his dinner. Sometimes he'd eat more yoghurt than dinner but he got there in the end.

She's eating breakfast and lunch and having healthy snacks. She's not going to go far wrong.

Keep trying different fruit and veg for snacks. If it's a laid back time, she might not make a big deal of it. Eg, try putting sliced black olives in a face shape on a baby bell, then letting her have a few pitted olives with her babybell in a bowl. Then maybe she'll have a go at different cheese with the olives, then maybe cucumber with the cheese, or grapes or...you see where I'm going!

You could let her try different veg grated or cut into shapes...different textures, with maybe hummus to dip or cream cheese. The more she has control over her food, the easier it will be and at that age, it can be as simple as mashing banana to add to some yoghurt or milk to make a drink.

Don't worry about meals and I would let her have pudding to be honest. The pudding can be full of fruit!

mikey72

angelicmary85 wrote: »

I really feel for you...

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2585615=

Totally off subject, but how's it going now?

ethelsmum

My 5 yr old dd is a very fussy eater also - she has improved though. At one point she would eat very little, for example a sunday lunch would be yorkshire pudding and gravy. I took her to the health visitor but was told not to worry.

I am probably too soft on her but I don't battle with her anymore - as long as she is eating something healthy I don't mind. Her favourite meal at the moment is bread sticks, grated cheese, cucumber and a yoghurt!

mikey72

Loopy_Girl wrote: »

Yes to no snacks and DEFO no pudding and yes, she will eat when she is hungry - no child will starve themselves.

Keep to the usual breakfast and lunch but then put a plate down as per normal what everyone else is eating. Do not let her slide her food on to the table either from the plate - you are having a meal, it's not feeding time at the zoo.

If she doesn't want it then fine, no pudding.

Kids aren't born fussy eaters and the more it gets pandered and special meals made and snacks given and rewards given even if they don't eat their meal, then the more they are unlikely to eat as part of the family.

Depends on what has happened previously, and what habits they develop.
Some children will get used to not eating, so they will actually starve themselves.
How many days would you let your child refuse to eat for before worrying?

at_my_wits_end

Wow thanks for all the replies guys, I really appreciate everyones advice.

Tonight the Kids had Chicken Nuggets and pasta with a tomato sauce, I knew my DD would not eat the pasta, so made her a slice of eggy bread. I told her that if she ate all her eggy bread and chicken nuggets she could have a sticker........and guess what....she ate it all!

I am going to limit the number of snacks she has during the day and try to totally cut out crisps and sweets....

I'll continue with the stickers as a reward and am not going to give her a pudding if she does not at least try to eat some dinner.

VK-2008

if she was not eating much i would take her to your gp who can speak to a nutritionist there may be a subconsious reason behind it
and i agree with most comments dont give pudding unless you eat main meal
my house went along the lines of eat what is put down infront of you or go with out. i was always made to try things. done me no harm i try everything still
just trying to enforce this on my hubby lol