Toddlers and fussy eating (merged)

Cullumpster

Thanks for all of the info guys i'll try my best.

Yesterday i tried making a face from food an giving it to him, he was really excited as i'd done oopsy daisy but he ate all of the stuff he liked and threw the rest of the stuff on the floor !

It was worth a bash though!

Karensteps

My DD is going to be 2 in April. She used to eat most things, or at least try new foods. But lately all she wants is Rice Krispies or Curry? If I give her anything else she will scream and yowl and cry etc....until I take the plate with the offending food away from her? I don't know why shes doing this but it has been building up over a few weeks.

Im just really frustrated because I know she isn't getting enough vitimans etc, and not being digusting but she has went from having normal wet poo's to dried up stale smelling rabbit balls.

She is teething in her very back teeth right now, I don't know if this would cause it? Because she has been fine with all her other teeth?

Please tell me its just a phase!!

RedBern

It is surprising how resilient 2 year olds are! Just keep putting her normal food out for her, don't turn it into a war - she may be almost 2 but they are surprisingly astute at winding up mothers at this early age!
Perhaps make sure that the food is softer than usual if her gums are sore - and get some teething gel to rub on before it's time for her dinner. If she howls, just put the food to one side until she's ready to eat it....and try not to show your frustration/worry..(having children is easy - it's the next 21 years that are difficult)

neas

I have been a fussy eater since I was around 3-4 years old. If anything I would really try and get her to eat more... its taken me years to try and eat more and more different types of food, i still hate fruit and am working on that one.

Must say if my parents had made me eat or learn to eat earlier (not by force but by some other means) i'd have really appreciated it. Its embarassing sitting down for a restaurant meal and then feeling embarassed that half of the things on your plate you cant eat.

morganb

That's a really interesting perspective Neas, hadn't thought of it from a grown ups point of view before.

neas

I know its bad, and i hate being a fussy eater but it almost makes me feel sick eating certain types of food. When i was young i only eat tomato soup and bread... mainly for lunch and dinner and then frosties for supper.

Not much variation in my diet my mother gave up trying to make me eat new stuff and made me drink pure orange juice and take vitamins to try and offset my bad eating habits... i knew it was bad but the entire taste/texture of some foods revolted me.

Im sure it was a learning thing rather than genetic so as i said try encourage her by some other means as she will definately thank you for it.. or at least i would thank my mother for the aggro i wouldnt have as an adult. And if my children are fussy i will try my damdest to help them.

Best of luck getting her to eat varying foods... Maybe try small bits of new food with food she finds 'stable' this is how i've approached it as an adult... first just 10 peas... now i eat 50+ in a meal and actually like them lol..

Karensteps

She's never been one for vegetables, but she used to love fruit, Grapes,melon, apples etc, now I'm lucky if she will eat a banana. Im just hoping it's her trying to assert herself by yelling No, I hope so! Though I just got some mashed spuds down her so I'll just persevere.

I blame my mum partially, whenever Keira is at hers, or she is here, she gets absaloute junk, sweets, crisps etc....no wonder she shouts she wants cake for breakfast.

morganb

Karensteps wrote: »

whenever Keira is at hers, or she is here, she gets absaloute junk, sweets, crisps etc....no wonder she shouts she wants cake for breakfast.

I know exactly what you mean, my mum thought lemonade was acceptable for a one year old. Makes you wonder how I still have all my own teeth!

jay11_2

Would she go for reverse psychology--give her her food with a big smile, 'there you are darling', but no fuss otherwise, then eat your (different) food with obvious enjoyment, maybe the odd comment between you and OH about x or y tasting nice?

This would have worked with one of mine, (might have taken a few days), and she would have been demanding to try my food, but probably not with my other child--personalities are v. different.

Often removing all fuss/pressure works best with tots.

Karensteps

Yeah she definatly won't fall for that. We've been doing it and she just says "EEE YUK"

Im trying to be sneaky, giving her HM curry but with broccoli etc blended down into it, and rice with salmon mixed through.

If we try and ask her to eat whatever is on her plate, scrambled eggs etc, she will say NO NO NO,and if we leave her she will just run away. Maybe she just dosen't need much food? But she used to have a healthy appetite, once sweets,cakes got introduced to her she seemed to stop wanting to try new things and screwed her nose up. I do limit her junk or attempt too, but my mum comes to mine alot with my sister who is 4, rotten teeth, eats about 10choc bars a day just to keep her quiet, so naturally Keira sees the smarties,lollypops etc and wants and I say "dont give her any" and then my mum is like "Thats a shame, etc etc" and then sneakily passes her milky buttons when Im in the kitchen making her some toast or whatever.

Its very frustrating! My mum just sees things in her own way, and my sister has a worse attitude to food than Keira does right now, lives off sweets and baked bean mini pots. Ech