Picky Eater-Help Please

It’s the typical story. . . my kid use to eat great, now he’s refusing to eat. I had to do a song and dance to get him to eat, but now that doesn’t even work.

Yesterday for lunch he refused everything except for mozzarella cheese. Breakfast was the same disaster. I made 3 different meals, all thrown with tears and screaming. He ended up eating ¼ of a avocado.

My instinct says when he gives me a hard time just stop trying to feed him and then just try again at the next meal; hoping he’ll eventually get hungry and eat. However my mom said I can’t do that because he’s only 1 and just a baby. His stomach will shrink and he won’t eat at all. . . ever. Also that he doesn’t know any better. . .blah blah blah.

So is it really a bad idea to not feed him????? I’m really frustrated and my mom giving me grief about it is not making me feel any better. Btw he is drinking about 20-24 oz of milk during the day.

Any advice?

Re: Picky Eater-Help Please

How old is this kid?
Just turned one or more like 2?
At just turned 1, they get particular about textures & so on, so I change food to their tastes. At 1.5, I instituted my "you eat what I eat" rule.

For our kids, when they don't want something reasonable, we starve them. No song & dance, no milk, no cheese (a particular favorite), no toys, no snacks. Did this the day before yesterday when kids didn't eat Mahi for dinner, did it yesterday when DS decided he wasn't hungry for lunch. They always compensate for starvation at the next meal (which doesn't come early).

As a result, they eat EVERYTHING. We cook ONE thing.

Re: Picky Eater-Help Please

Message edited 1/8/2014 11:18:30 AM.

Re: Picky Eater-Help Please

In my experience, DS (who is 11 months) throws his food onto the floor when he isn't really hungry. Yes, if I keep giving him food, he eventually will eat his favorite food (fruits). But I think he'd be fine without it since he isn't actually hungry.

My guess is if he's still drinking up to 24 ounces a day that he just isn't that hungry for food. 24 ounces is pretty typical of only 1 meal a day. Try offering food instead of a bottle and see how he does.

Picky Eater-Help Please

My DD is also 13 mo. She is a great eater and because of this, she doesn't drink a lot of milk (12oz-16oz). We were concerned and asked her Dr and they said because she eats so much and so well, 12-16oz is all she needs. I would think that if your DS is drinking 20-24oz of milk, he just isn't hungry enough for food.

My DD also throws food, I do think that's kind of just par for the course with kids this age. She definitely throws more when she's not hungry/done eating though.

Re: Picky Eater-Help Please

13 months is pretty young.
I agree with above, cut back a bit on the milk & offer food first.

Re: Picky Eater-Help Please

As a mom to a very picky 3 year old, I feel your pain and hope its a short lived phase for you! My doctor would always tell me if you're battling with your DC to eat you've already lost and that he will eat when he's hungry. I let my son "graze". I put out a plate with healthy snacks- fruits, carrot sticks, nuts etc. and throughout the day he picks from it. I do still sit him down for meals, but if he doesn't eat much at the sitting at least he is getting something. You could also try to make him smoothies, I do this and sneak in foods he refuses to eat! It's extremely hard to deal with outside advice and opinions because unless you've had to deal with a picky eater you really don't understand! Good luck!

Message edited 1/9/2014 10:17:12 AM.

Picky Eater-Help Please

Dd is 15 months and is generally a good eater, but when she's not hungry even her favorites end up on the floor. I wouldn't wait until the next meal at that age. I usually just let her play for an hour or so and then try again to see if she worked up an appetite.