She eats like a bird

My daughter (18 mos. almost) barely eats enough to keep a bird alive. She is very picky and it's one of my biggest on-going problems. She's just not interested in food. The biggest problem is that her belly doesn't get full enough to help her sleep through the night. Any suggestions to get a bigger evening meal in her??

Re: She eats like a bird

Hi,

My son is a pretty picky eater, but the only way I know he's eaten enough is if I give him something I know he likes... find something she loves and go with it - adding something new here and there. Eventually she'll learn to like more things. My son has pastina cooked in chick. broth pretty regularly as well as a grilled cheese with some meat hidding in there. He's on a grape kick and since I know he'll eat it, we peel and cut grapes like crazy here! I've learned to just deal with this, because it drove me crazy for MONTHS! Does she like yogurt? Chicken nuggets? Fish sticks? Michael has also gotten on a kick of pasta with tom. sauce and little parm. cheese - eats it like crazy. You'll find you're repeating constantly, but once you find something, stick with it! Good luck! I know it's so frustrating!

Re: She eats like a bird

Thanks for the help. She will eat something one day and then decides she hates it the next. There are very few favorites. I usually have good luck with pizza, though. I'm going to try the chic. broth w/ pasta tonite. Wish me luck...

Re: She eats like a bird

Unfortunately I know what you mean... Mads doesn't wake up in the night though. But it's ridiculous how little she eats...

Re: She eats like a bird

Marissa is the same way theere are days when she will eat everything and anything and days she will not eat a dam thing but I agree with everyone stick to things she likes I kknow marissa is picky with meats she will only eat chicken a nd i f she is in a picky mood I opt for pizza pasta or chicken nuggets peanut butter and jelly grill cheese with ham. PAstina with butter mac and cheese hot dogs cut up and peeled just some options

Re: She eats like a bird

I guess the best indicator is if she is losing weight.

I felt the same way about Joseph...that he barely ate enough. Then I read an article about keeping track of what they eat for one week. I realized that he goes through stages where he'll eat more. It reassured me that rather than look at day to day what he was eating, over the course of a week he was eating enough.

Hope this helps!

eta. Just realized I didn't answer your question re: to get her to eat a bigger dinner. You can supplement with shakes (Ensure or milkshakes). I have a friend who's son is underweight. They give him this with his meals.

Message edited 4/10/2006 12:11:15 PM.

Re: She eats like a bird

Also my SIL gives my nephew ensure when she is worried he did not eat enough.