What to do when toddlers won't eat?

Goodness...my wonderful eater (Alyson) is no longer eating much....

she used to eat anything...veggies, rice & beans, chicken, meatballs, meatloaf...you name it.

Now...all she seems to eat is fruit (fruit, and more fruit), eggs, waffles/pancakes/bagels, cheese.

No more chicken tenders (even though she'll ask for them), not even pasta!

We feel terribly guilty and are afraid that she isn't getting the necessary protein, etc she needs.

What do I do? Let the phase go....maybe it's her 2 year molars?

Re: What to do when toddlers won't eat?

Unfortunately, there's really nothing much you can do. I just asked my ped the same thing b/c for about 2 weeks, Marron was eating almost nothing! They said to just keep offering it to her and eventually she'll start eating again. They said that it is their way of asserting some independence (and I also believe she wasn't feeling well because of teething). I was told as long as she is staying hydrated, to not worry very much.

ETA: it sounds like she is still eating enough to get a variety of vitamins, minerals, protein and iron.

Message edited 2/2/2008 11:45:07 AM.

Re: What to do when toddlers won't eat?

We're in the same boat. Christopher used to eat anything and he's slowly been becoming more and more difficult. He's exactly the same; fruit and waffles. I just try to sneak variety in with every meal and just wish for the best. I'm hoping this phase will pass soon.

Re: What to do when toddlers won't eat?

yes we went through the cheese and fruit stage also...then he was a great for about 6 months ...

now all he wants to do is eat waffles and syrup with butter

I kind of don't force him because I know his molars are coming in (I saw them at the dentist's office) so I know it can be very painful for them

it might be her 2 year molars

Re: What to do when toddlers won't eat?

Children discover very early on that they can control what they eat..it's one of the few areas that they can, in fact, control. I usually just keep offering the offending foods and dont give in to their demands. I know that this is easier said than done b/c you really just want them to eat something..BUT I got to the point where I just couldnt keep everyone happy so they had to eat what I made..I soon discovered that even the pickiest of the bunch soon werent so picky after all...especially after they learned they werent getting something else to eat.

Re: What to do when toddlers won't eat?

When you figure it out let me know

Re: What to do when toddlers won't eat?

When Ava won't eat, then we just let her be. I don't make her anything extra, she eats what I made or doesn't eat at all. She understands that and has gone to bed hungry a couple of times, but for the most part, she knows she needs to eat what's offered or else have an empty belly.

Re: What to do when toddlers won't eat?

Sara has not been eating well either, There are nights she will have only a yogurt for dinner. I know she eats a big lunch at the babysitter so I dont get upset at dinner.

Re: What to do when toddlers won't eat?

Jacob has always been a bad eater. I do not make it an issue, if I offer food, and he refuses I take it away. then he doesnt get any treats. Only fruit I will give him. Some nights I know he wakes up in the middle of the night hungry, but that is just too bad. I was forced to eat certain foods and made to sit at the table till 11 pm at night etc.. when I was little by my step mother and I have major food issues now. I will not do that to my son. Hang in there, I'm sure your good eater will return.

Re: What to do when toddlers won't eat?

Jenna is the same way, lately all she wants is breakfast food

Re: What to do when toddlers won't eat?

I think she is probably ok, just going through a stage. Being a new mom (well of a 18 month old) who is becoming a picky eater, it drives me nuts that he won't eat barely any veggies. I am going to get that Sneaky Suppers or whatever the name is of that book by Jessica Seinfeld (and the other book that came out with similar recipes) and see if I can fake him out with veggies in the food he likes.

But cheese does have protein in it, even if it's not full fat cheese.

Have you tried fish sticks? Dipped in ketchup maybe? (Or thousand island dressing - not the kind with the relish in it, I make my own with just ketchup and mayo)? I personally don't like fish sticks so I don't think to buy them for Liam but the one time I did he gobbled them right up.

Eggs are protein too.

Maybe you can puree cauliflower and add to pancakes and waffle mix.

Hopefully she'll come out of the phase soon.

Your son (avatar pic) is adorable!

Re: What to do when toddlers won't eat?

I find what he likes during that phase and I stick to it! The most important thing now is getting food into the kid...what she is eating is secondary.