How to deal with (almost) toddler being a really picky eater?

I'm at a loss. DS was a better eater at 8.5-9 months than he is at almost 1. Things he would gobble down 3 months ago he spits out or refuses to eat now. He really will eat like 4 things. I just put a delicious, home cooked meal with a ton of variety in front of him on his tray and every.single.piece ended up on the floor. I work full time and I just don't have time to make him a different dinner - he gets what I make for me and DH. But that means some meals he literally eats just puffs or cheerios because he won't eat what I make. It doesn't help that he finds it hilarious to throw the food off the tray and watch it fall, or even hand it off to the dog. Is this a behavioral thing? A phase? He gains weight a bit slowly so I really like him to eat well, but I can't give him grilled cheese, english muffin pizza, pancakes or pasta with sour cream for every meal!

Help!

Re: How to deal with (almost) toddler being a really picky eater?

Just keep offering different things, it is totally a phase! As long as it's remotely healthy I would not worry.

Also... pasta with sour cream? Is that like a cultural thing?

Re: How to deal with (almost) toddler being a really picky eater?

How to deal with (almost) toddler being a really picky eater?

It's a phase. Just keep offering offering offering.

Re: How to deal with (almost) toddler being a really picky eater?

It's a phase and maybe a long one.

Re: How to deal with (almost) toddler being a really picky eater?

Is he underweight? If so, I have no advice...

If he's on a steady growth curve: starve him. He will eat what you eat. If you have a pizza back up, he will choose. When there is consistently no choice, he will eat.

Re: How to deal with (almost) toddler being a really picky eater?

DD is the same way. Used to eat everything. Now, she is very picky and not very inconsistent. She either eats what I give her or doesn't eat.

Re: How to deal with (almost) toddler being a really picky eater?

At that age DS would go weeks of eating nothing but saltines. At 2 he is only lightly better hehe. Some days I just give in and let him eat cereal because I'd rather have him eat something rather then nothing. If my DS wasn't on the skinny side I wouldn't worry about it though

Re: How to deal with (almost) toddler being a really picky eater?

I really thought my mom was the only one who did cottage cheese noodles. Lol

2 ideas. Is he filling up on too much milk? We reduced dd's milk and she is much better with food now.

Dd did start eating a bit less. Their growth slows. She snacks constantly so at the end of the day she's eaten a good amount. My doctor said do what u need to do - honey, butter, syrup, etc. as long as child doesn't have a problem it's ok. I find covering in cheese to be a good technique.

Those behaviors are normal for the age.

How to deal with (almost) toddler being a really picky eater?

At that age I found that I'd need to feed it to her still at that age rather than eat it on her own. I'd let her her explore on her own a bit but eventually I'd get the fork and feed her otherwise she threw it all on the floor lol

How to deal with (almost) toddler being a really picky eater?

This is my child. If she doesn't eat dinner I offer some fruit or applesauce.

Re: How to deal with (almost) toddler being a really picky eater?

My DS is 2 and he still goes through phases where he doesn't want to eat anything or eats very little. We are going through it again currently. Hopefully it passes soon!

How to deal with (almost) toddler being a really picky eater?

That's exactly DS. He ate EVERYTHING up until 18 months ... now he only eats a few things (even pizza and grilled cheese are hit-or-miss ... crazy kid lol).

My rule is that if he doesn't eat what we give him, then he doesn't eat at all. I don't offer anything extra. He still has his nightly bottle about an hour after dinnertime so i'm not worried about him being hungry at night.

How to deal with (almost) toddler being a really picky eater?

I would just keep giving.

The throwing of the food is def a stage and that will go away.

But dinner isn't a big meal for my DS. He eats great the other meals so I do what I can at dinner time.

Re: How to deal with (almost) toddler being a really picky eater?

God, I hope its just a phase. My almost 17mo DD eats barely anything. She will eat homemade muffins I make her, waffles, chicken, and sweet potato nuggets. I try and offer her all sorts of other things, but she won't even put them near her mouth. I've even tried starving her too, and she still won't eat it. She won't eat all the normal kid foods and DH and I always offer her our food or try to give her tastes of different things. I pray that it gets better! Sorry I have no advice, but at least you aren't alone. I welcome any suggestions!

Re: How to deal with (almost) toddler being a really picky eater?

DS is 20 months and is the same way. He's stopped throwing his food on the floor, for the most part (or we've gotten faster at catching it!) but he hardly eats anything anymore. He used to be the best eater. I know he'll grow out of it.

How to deal with (almost) toddler being a really picky eater?

It's been a loooong phase for us. It's definitely harder when they're younger and they don't understand as much. I was more likely to give her substitutions just to get her to eat. She was also nursing most nights at a year so I felt like if she didn't eat she might wake more.

As she's gotten older she's gotten more picky but it's easier imo. I've learned she can survive on just breakfast and lunch. I know she has a better understanding of what's going on so if she chooses not to eat then so be it. It's also nice that I can occasionally bribe her which they don't get when they're younger. I do occasionally make her something different than we're having bc I know it won't go over well if she hasn't eaten well for the last few dinners. I can't say it's gotten better at 2.5 but at least it doesn't make me as crazy!

Re: How to deal with (almost) toddler being a really picky eater?

If he's not underweight and he is healthy I would do what my ped suggests -- don't feed him anything!!

When a child is hungry - TRULY hungry - they will eat. I don't care how young or how old. That's how my ped feels and honestly, he's right.

I mean, those people stuck on the mountain were so hungry they ate each other.

Just try not giving him anything, once he refuses what you do make for the meal. I think he realizes, if I don't eat this I'm going to get puffs and I like those better! So I think he's holding out. Smart kid!

If you go one night or one meal, say it is breakfast or lunch, by the next meal or the next day - you watch! He'll be a hungry boy :)

Message edited 10/8/2014 9:36:19 AM.

Re: How to deal with (almost) toddler being a really picky eater?

Re: How to deal with (almost) toddler being a really picky eater?

How to deal with (almost) toddler being a really picky eater?

DD is the same way. she used to eat everything and 8-10 months. as soon as i tried moving to table food she became the worst eater EVER! i know its a phase but it makes you want to rip your hair out because you don't think your child is eating enough or healthy enough or your always giving them the same few things.
at this point, I'm down to grilled cheese, pizza, bagel bites, pancakes, cheese quesadilla and pasta.