2 Year Old Won't Eat Help

I agree with the cutting back on milk even more. And even when you do offer milk, don't give her the cup of milk until after she's eaten. So in the morning, put her breakfast on the table (with water if she really needs a drink), then AFTER she's eaten, offer her a cup of milk if she wants it. Same at lunch and dinner.

You don't mention juice, but no juice at all. I found that juice was an even bigger spoiler of my kids' appetites than milk.

Just keep offering her healthy foods. She'll eat when she's hungry.

Children tend to cycle. When they're growing you'll notice that they eat a lot and sleep a lot. And when they're not, they eat less and sleep less. It's normal. Don't worry so much about it. She's not going to starve herself.

I also agree on cutting back the milk even more. If you have already cut back but she is still getting 3 cups, she was WAY over eating/drinking on the milk.

2y/o's don't eat all that much anyway...my only advice would be to make sure that what she does eat is healthy, like high protein type stuff and lots of veggies and some fruits. If she really isn't eating hardly at all you need to make sure that what little she is eating isn't junk or sugar!

I also agree on only offering the milk after she eats and see if that helps any and when you do offer the milk, cut the amount you usually give her in half, at least...that way she can still have it 3x a day (if you think she needs it?), she just will only be getting 1/2 of what she is used to, which should be helpful in increasing her appetite!

It really is important that you get her to start drinking water...lots and lots of water!! This is the age that it is *really* important you get the habit started of her drinking WATER!

The recommended toddler milk intake is 2 cups per day. If you have CUT BACK to 3 cups you are over-feeding her milk. Which is making her not hungry for other foods.

I would cut back to 2 cups of milk, or less. The rest of liquid should be WATER only. If you cut back to less than 2 cups milk, make sure she gets dairy in yogurt or cheese.

http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_center/healthy_eat...

ETA: using caloriecounter.... there are 345 calories in 1 cup of whole milk. If you are giving her 3 cups that is almost 1000 calories in milk alone.... which is the ENTIRE minimum calorie recommendation for a toddler of 1000-1450 calories per day.

Well how much is not eating exactly? 2 y/os really don't eat that much, especially if they're drinking a lot of milk. If she loves her milk then I wouldn't worry too much about giving her 3 cups vs 2, it'll work itself out eventually.

My son is 3 and he still really only eats what I would consider a real meal once per day. It varies as to which it meal it is, but mostly it is breakfast.

If she is eating something at each meal time that is relatively healthy I wouldn't worry. Try to push fruits and veggies, yogurts, oatmeals, etc. At dinner make something that you know she'll eat each night...be it a veggie, rice, cous cous, chicken...whatever it is!

I feel like 2 is when eating can get difficult. Don't stress over it, just keep offering healthy foods even if it seems like she's not interested.

As CoMoMom said, you need to limit her milk intake. I would just offer water with meals. She can always get her calcium and fat from other foods (leafy green veggies, meat, yogurt, etc). Toddlers are great about knowing when they're full - and 3 cups of milk is a lot of calories for someone who may only weigh 25-30 pounds!

Continue to offer her food that is cut into small pieces or mashed. She will eventually eat. Do not give her milk until she's eaten some food.

I'm having a difficult time understanding why she won't eat. Toddlers like to eat finger foods. They play in their food and end up putting some in their mouths.

Are you giving her finger food snacks? Are you letting he eat without using good table manners? Are you offering her a variety of different foods? Are you thinking she needs nutrition and so you're giving in and giving her milk at meal times?

If she truly is not eating in spite of doing the above, I urge you to have her evaluated by the pediatrician. It's possible she has a medical issue that is handicapping her. Does she talk, make sounds? Does she have other sensory issues such as being uncomfortable in clothes, running into walls and furniture? Is she able to swallow once food is in her mouth?

I urge you to talk with her pediarician. Perhaps call the advice nurse first.

Don't let food become a battle. She will eat but at 2 kids start to understand they have decision making power and they like the power. I agree with the others who say only offer her milk after she eats something. At 2 she should be eating the same foods as you and your hubby eat, so keep offering and she will eat.

When my picky eater was at his worst, I would give him vitamins and that would stimulate his appetite after about a week.

3 cups a day is too much. I gave my toddler that, too, and she rarely ate much. Two cups a day is plenty...one with lunch, one with dinner. Also, actually measure out a "cup" and pour it into whatever she's drinking...you might actually be giving her 10 or 12 ounces a shot instead of 8.

Someone suggested changing from whole to 2%...at her age, she ought to be on skim milk. I'm not so thrilled with the idea of milk anymore period, and my youngest doesn't drink it, but my almost 8 year old still loves milk so I give her about 2 6 oz. servings of skim a day.

And, like everyone said, 2 year olds don't eat that much. Their appetites are super delicate, and an 8-12 oz. glass of milk with a meal, with her actually DRINKING the whole thing, could potentially spoil her appetite. Maybe try giving her 2 ounces in a little plastic cup and some food, and another cup with water? You can always refill the milk after she's taken a few bites, if she wants more.

My two year old eats better than most other toddlers...and she doesn't drink milk. She only drinks water. This wasn't MY choice, I tried pushing cow's milk on her for a long time...she just doesn't like it. But I do think that contributes to her having a better appetite. She'll eat a bowl of dried cereal or a waffle with peanut butter for breakfast, with a banana, a can of tuna or salmon with a cheese stick or yogurt and an apple for lunch, and maybe three bites of supper because by that point, she's full, tired, and ready to go to bed. That's just a sample of what she might eat in one day. Water all day long, at her request.

my dr said after age 1.. milk is no more than 16 oz. so they will be hungry for food.

so cut down on the amount of milk you give her each time

You could also give her 3 oz milk diluted with 3 oz water. You still get the taste but that way she is not filling up on milk.

Has she ever eaten? Is this a recent change? Have you talked to your pediatrician?

Is she teething?

My Daughter when teething, will sometimes only eat soup, yogurt, mashed bananas etc.. she likes the soupy texture.

Then 3 days later she will only eat chunks..

3 cups of milk is a lot, I would cut that down to 2. Change it from Whole to 2 %. and get her to eat other foods.

If this is standard, you need to change your approach on feeding. If this is new, you need to determine why. Teething, ear infection (yes, they can have one with out a fever- at least in my family).

Food strikes can be due to certian issues.. you have to keep searching to find out why.

Is she literally not eating or does she eat like a bird?

Two completely different things. My youngest (so different from the 7 before her) might eat a couple of bites at each meal. She has a few cups of milk and drinks like any other 2 year old. She just isn't a big eater, she's also smaller then my other kids at that age. This is her norm so I don't stress over it.

M., I was a tiny child. I loved my milk too. My mother learned to give me milk after I ate. She would give me one inch in a little cup and tell me that after I ate, I could have more. Then I would eat.

I do think that you might ask the doctor about this possibility. Sometimes when we have an allergy to something, we crave it. I wonder if your child has a dairy allergy? I know that sounds strange, but it is something that medical people have talked about.

Dawn

My4yr old son is super picky. And will gag if he "tries" something and don't like it. I've learned to make a meal with choices. And let him pick what he wants. Such as 2 different veggies. Or make his piece of chicken with no flavor. Sometimes it's just that their taste buds are a little more sensitive then adults. So what maybe good to us is not to a toddler. I know it can be frustrating and u want to make sure he is getting everything he needs. My ped recommended a vitamin supp and to feed him the healthiest things he will eat. Gd luck

I've been having the same issue so I stopped offering an afternoon snack (unless she requests it) and the last couple of days she has eaten all of her supper.