Toddlers and fussy eating (merged)

Jay-Jay_4

Awww Lillibet your poor nerves sound shredded

When was the last time you heard of a child starving themselves to malnutrition? No, it doesn't happen does it yet there are so many Mums that are going through or have gone through the same thing as you.

These children are sent to try us and these phases invariably pass. Can you step back for a minute and see that this is a child that is eating the minimum but that is doing ok in all other respects? I know that when you're alone at home with a young child you can become a little consumed by these things but really this isn't going to harm him, it's just one of those difficult times that you will deal with, learn from and get over.

Just keep calm and try not to worry. The little fella is healthy in all respects but he's playing with his power at the moment and he'll soon get bored.

xxx

LearningToSave.

ahhhhhhhhhhh its definately the mess thats the worst!!! dining room looks like an explosion in a rice crispie factory
hope you have a better day today lillibet

Aril

Hi Lillibet
There are a couple of books by the same author who tells childrearing as it really is...warts and all. Surviving the First Year and the other one is Toddler Taming. His general advice is don't worry too much if the food they're eating is traditionally hot or cold. So long as what they're eating is healthy then fine. When my son was overtired I'd skip the main meal in the evening occasionally and give him a bowl of cereal. I knew he'd have eaten reasonably during the day. I also generally gave him whatever we were having [minding salt content etc] or a variation of it and never bothered cooking special toddler meals as I knew in the end that I'd want us all to eat together once he was old enough. I did find however that he did need very regular meal times. I also had to stop him filling up on milk just before a meal. Now he's 8 and interested in trying all different types of food [he ate Thai on Sun] At 2 he happily ate olives and all other sorts of things. If he doesn't like it fine but the one thing I don't argue over is food [we argue over lots of other things instead!!] as I don't want it to become an issue.
Best of luck
Aril

Crispy_Ambulance

the best thing to do is to stop worrying about it! As Jay Jay and others have said, he won't starve. His diet might not seem very varied or interesting, but if that is what he will eat, let him have it.

Most children of his age see eating as an unnecessary interruption to playing. They survive! Mine have - honestly they ate next to nothing at around 12 months, and it got me so stressed. When I stopped worrying about it, it made life so much easier.

Remember - it is a phase and it will pass (all parents should be given signs with that phrase on to hang up around the house!)

Jet

Lillibet,

My son was like this - he was 3 before he fed himself. But do you know why?, because I let him make a "meal" of mealtimes.

The week before his third birthday I just decided to let him get on with it. He had a few tantrums and left the table hungry a few times, but he very, very quickly learnt. It's a shame I didn't learn earlier! :rolleyes:

Your 12 month old will learn even quicker than a 3 year old.

Don't give him the attention for NOT eating.

callansdad

Even if your little one hasn't showed any outward signs of teething it could still be affecting him.

My daughter is now 15 months. When we weaned her she ate a LOT. Then she decided at 7 months that she wanted to be independant and we couldn't get a spoon near her mouth. She finger feed herself but then began to lose interest in food. Wouldn't really eat, some days all she would have would be a pot of munch bunch and breast milk. Now that most of her teeth are through there is no stopping her, she eats all of her own and when i take her out of her highchair she goes to eat all of her 3yr old brothers too. The phase of not eating only lasted about 2-3 months, i tried everything, even sweets and she still refused.

Just hang on in there, offer plenty of food. Maybe giving him water now and then as well may quench his thirst a little bit and would make him less likely to fill up on milk so much, just a though, i tried this but my little darling wouldnt take a bottle or a cup.

chivers1977

Hi Lilbet, just wanted to see how you hqve got on with the milk/food situation

BTW I have toddler taming and baby whisperer so could scan and email some pages if you wanted.

Lillibet_2

Thanks everyone.

Today & tomorrow hubby is away, I have basically taken a deep breath & said to myself that nothing matters as long as Spud is content & healthy. Lo & behold.....a reasonable luch went down him:D Well, a whole fish finger, a few pasta twists, a cherry tomato & a few grapes, I think that's OK? He also ate half a slice of toast & 1/3rd of a banana for breakfast. He still won't let me feed him, but is doing a OKish job of it himself.
I have cut right back on his milk, talking to other mums I have discovered he is having about twice the amount their simarlay aged kids have, he is less impressed with the lack of milk but is drinking more water than ususal so I know he isn't dehydrated.
I'm usually really laid back with him & let him take things at his own pace, now I'm wondering what I got my knickers in such a twist about?! Wish I could think of a greater variety of finger foods for him, but I know now that there really isn't anything to worry about.


Thanks so much everyone:T:A:T:A:T:A:T:A:A:T:A:T

comping_cat

Lillibet, thats wonderful, sounds to me that Spud has had an excellent breakfast and lunch!!!! Also good that he is drinking more water, so well done to both of you xxx

lex

I've been regularly checking for updates to see how things were going, and I'm so pleased things have been a little easier today.

Long may it continue....

lex:j