How Long Do I Give in to the Picky Eater?

My son was the same way. I did continue to offer vegetables to him, though. Usually along with something that I knew he liked... like Mac N Cheese. After a while he'd eat the vegetables... some days he'd eat more of them than the thing he usually liked! Now, one day he might love peas and carrots.. and the next day, he wouldn't touch it. Now he's almost two and he likes a wide variety of vegetables.. including broccoli, lettuce, green beans... just all sorts of things.

I don't think you have to force them to eat it, but do continue to offer it to them, and let them see you eating healthy things. They'll eventually come around. Frozen veggies work really well for this, because you can just cook up a bit at a time, and they won't go bad on you!

Good Luck!

Ah Jennifer, the joys of toddlerhood! I know that it's frustrating trying to get our little ones to eat right, but don't fret, he'll soon become a ravenous teenager eating you out of house and home. :)

In the meantime, do not let him go hungry. Provide him with a variety to eat and let him pick and choose what he wants from the plate. I will prepare a lunch of all the things I know my son will eat and then add one new food to his plate. To my surprise, he sometimes tries it! I do know that if my husband and I hound him about taking bites that it just becomes a power struggle. Food is a mighty weapon! You don't have to become a short order cook, just simply let him know that what is in front of him is what is for dinner and nothing else. Be sure there is at least one thing he'll eat on the plate and continue to serve him what you are all having for dinner. He will change his ways and as long as he is gaining weight and is otherwise a happy kid, then you have nothing to worry about! :)

Hi Jennifer,
Well it sounds like you've already gotten some great advice from Robyn but I wanted you to know I'm in the same situation with my now 19 mth old.
He was born a very big boy, (10lbs 3oz) and always had a great appetite until now!
Every time I'm cooking something he comes in the kitchen and says "Bite, Bite" over and over until it's ready and when I sit him down to eat, he basically feeds my dogs!
Most of the time the majority of his plate is thrown and I swear sometimes I don't know if I'm feeding my child or my dogs when he eats!

One of the things I have done is continue his formula with the Toddler formula. I wasn't planning on it until he turned into the picky eater and he doesn't seem to like the nurtritional toodler drinks so I'll give him Toddler formula about 2-3 times a day in his cup.
Another thing you can do to make sure your baby is getting enough vitamins is start giving him the Flintstones with Iron Multivitamin.
My son loves them and takes one every day.

I know this is just a phase they are going through and with being the Mom of a 5 yr old and 19 mth old I can say it will get easier and he'll grow out of the picky eater stage.
Just keep offering him different varieties of foods like your doing and just try to make sure he's getting a good amount of protein, calcium, vitamin C and iron and he'll be just fine!

Good luck to you with your little guy. : )

Jennifer there are other things to look at when dealing with a picky eater. First off does your child tolerate teeth brushing, mind getting his face washed, tend to favor on type of food or texture over another? When it comes to eating in this country we tend to feel we should cater to our children's every whim just to make them happy or keep them from starving. It is well documented that a child can go 3 days without eating (their refusal to eat) before a parent should be worried about starving them. As long as you are providing good foods for your child to eat you don't have to force them. When the hunger is strong enough they will eat. You are not torturing them. Remember how much we truely have in this country to where what to eat is a concern and not the mere fact of having food. If your child does not tolerate teeth brushing or face washing, there may be a sensory processing disorder of the oral nerves and muscles. You can talk to your pediatrician and ask to see an occupational therapist that works with this type of issue. I have two children, 8 and 10. My daughter, if she had her way would eat only mac and cheese or quesadillas everyday. That is not a realistic nor healthy option. So she is served what we eat and if she chooses not to eat than she waits until the next time we have a meal. She has a choice to eat what is put in front of her or not. 9 times out of 10 she will eat something off her plate. If she wants more of one items, like mashed potatoes, than she must eat her age in bites of the other items on her plate. She is 8 and therefore needs to eat 8 bites of green beans and meat if she wants more mashed potatoes. Most of the time she will eat the 8 bites and then not want more potatoes. I started this very young when she was 2 and it has drastically improved our dinner. She knows the expectations and there are no arguements. It is up to her whether she goes to bed hungry or not. Also time alotted to eat dinner is that when I am finished eating then dinner time is over, I am typically the last one to sit down at the table and generally take 20 minutes to eat. My kids are giving their plates first, grace is said as a family, and then they may eat while I finish getting situated. Half way through my meal I will give her a time check, " I am almost finished. Remember when I am done dinner is over." And this helps her get back on track.
Good luck and remember that eating is suppose to be pleasurable for all involved not just your child.