What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them

Jack is a really great eater so I can't complain - but I started to cook meals for him early in the week that I could feed him throughout.

So far - he hasn't eaten a single thing I made for him. It's not even that he doesn't like it bc I can't get them in his mouth.

Do I keep trying or give in and give him the boring old things that I know he likes?

Re: What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them

Welcome to my world

ETA: I'd keep offering the stuff you're making while you're giving him the things he likes DD is so stubborn that when I try to give her something that's not her favorite, it will hit her tongue for a nano-second and then she spits it out...she doesn't even give it a chance.

Message edited 8/12/2008 12:10:35 PM.

Re: What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them

our Dr told us the best you can do is try and offer....and offer again. If Alyson, my 2 1/2 yr ol,d doesn't want what we have, I actually ask her what she wants. She at least tries most everything.

I always have pasta/sauce, mac n cheese, chicken nuggets on hand. There have been nights where she eats cheerios for dinner.

Re: What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them

I keep offering and if she won't eat it, it means she's not all that hungry. I won't make something else for her - she has to learn that mommy isn't the resident chef, and that she's going to have to eat what I serve, or go hungry

Re: What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them

Posted by Bxgell2

I keep offering and if she won't eat it, it means she's not all that hungry. I won't make something else for her - she has to learn that mommy isn't the resident chef, and that she's going to have to eat what I serve, or go hungry

Re: What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them

I have a 15 month old son. He has always been a good eater. I have done the same thing recently and made a big batch of something I know he will eat. All the sudden, he started clamping his cute lil lips shut before he would even touch the first bite. I have found that if I give him something to hold or play with while he is in the high chair, he eats! Dinner has become an exercise in distraction, but he is eating everything.... Its worth a try

Re: What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them

Posted by Bxgell2

I keep offering and if she won't eat it, it means she's not all that hungry. I won't make something else for her - she has to learn that mommy isn't the resident chef, and that she's going to have to eat what I serve, or go hungry

Re: What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them

Re: What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them

My DS is 2.5. I offer it... if he doesn't want it after a couple attempts, I put it back in the fridge and might try to reheat it a little later when he's hungrier. If he STILL won't eat it, especially if it's something I know he's enjoyed in the past (he isn't picky in the least), then I know he's just not in the mood to eat and I will offer healthy crackers and some fruit later if he then wants snacks before bed.

Re: What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them

Posted by Sweets13

Posted by Bxgell2

I keep offering and if she won't eat it, it means she's not all that hungry. I won't make something else for her - she has to learn that mommy isn't the resident chef, and that she's going to have to eat what I serve, or go hungry

I agree...we do the same

Re: What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them

Posted by Bxgell2

I keep offering and if she won't eat it, it means she's not all that hungry. I won't make something else for her - she has to learn that mommy isn't the resident chef, and that she's going to have to eat what I serve, or go hungry

Re: What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them

I'm glad alot of you feel the same way. I'm not about to slave over the stove making him 5 more things to eat. I want him to learn that he has to eat what I make. Also - let it be known that I basically made his favorite thing ever (peas) just in a different way. He won't even let me get one pea in his mouth.

Re: What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them

do you let him feed himself? I find chason eats better when he does it himself.

Re: What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them

I continue to give him things. Some days he tries, some days he doesn't. I try to couple something new with something he likes. He loves broccoli and potatoes. So, the other day I gave me steak (which he only had once before) and loaded up on the broccoli and potatoes. It was a good one, too because he ate two pieces of steak (I consider that good ).


ETS: If he doesn't eat it, then that's it. it goes in the garbage.

I agree with the AP, try to let him feed himself.

Message edited 8/12/2008 3:56:31 PM.

Re: What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them

I'm mean, if they don't eat what I've made they have to wait until the next meal to eat. So they have gone to bed without dinner in the past.

Re: What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them

Re: What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them

I give something he likes like fruit to supplement it..or cheerios..soemthing to put in his belly, but I DO NOT cook something else. Well mostly if its something he has eaten before( if its a new food, thats different).

From what I have read that can cause issues, I used to do that and found he was pickier, so While its hard to see him not eat, it usually just means hes not hungry if he doesnt eat whats cooked.

If its a new food he has never tried, Im more inclined to make him somehting else, since he cant like everything KWIM?

Re: What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them

nothing, he either eats it (if it's something I know he likes) or he goes hungry.

Re: What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them

Posted by GaryElla

Posted by Sweets13

Posted by Bxgell2

I keep offering and if she won't eat it, it means she's not all that hungry. I won't make something else for her - she has to learn that mommy isn't the resident chef, and that she's going to have to eat what I serve, or go hungry

I agree...we do the same

Yup! My mother would say to me when I was younger you better eat it because she will not be cooking two pots in our household.

The same thing goes for Miss Ella.

Re: What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them

Ale eats better if she has a finger food - something she can feed herself even if I am feeding her the other thing.

Peas are great for this.

Also, last night she wouldn't eat string beans so today I put them in her scrambled eggs and guess what -- yes, she loved them!

Also a slice of melted cheese on top of whatever makes her like it more...

Re: What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them

My DD turned 15 months and we are going through the same thing

Re: What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them

Re: What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them

You might think im crazy...but i remember you saying that he hasnt been sleeping too well. When my son doesnt sleep well, he doesnt eat well. Do you think this has anything to do with it? If he is up a lot at nite..he gags on his food the next day..very strange..but true!

Re: What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them

Re: What do you do when they don't eat what you cook for them