S.o.s

I haven't gotten to this stage yet but I spoke with a Mom who did and she made food fun for her son. She would place the food on the plate so it looked like a smiley face and she also got him using chop sticks to see if he could pick up the food and get it to his mouth as a game. Hopefully this helps a bit, maybe she'll be having so much fun she'll forget it's food she doesn't care for yet.

C.,

It's really challenging to get your child to eat healthy, but, keep at it. Pediatric nutrionists say it may take your child up to ten times to eat a food before they will like it. I've experienced this with my son, and its true. The key is variety and trying to come up with creative ways of hiding the veggies. Fruits tend to be more appealing to children. There's a new service in South Florida that launches on November 5th. It's called Baby Bon Appetit, www.babybonappetit.com. They prepare fresh, organic meals daily for children and deliver them to your door each morning. It's actually quite affordable for organic foods and they are running an introductory special now. They provide you with 3 meals, 2 snacks and fresh squeezed juice each day. Check it out. Either way, stick with the healthy foods and your daughter will lead a healthier life because of it. Good luck!

Hi Christine~ I may be a tough mom because when my 2 daughters did it around the same age, we "forced" them too eat at least three bites. (keeping in mind that they do go through more hungry and less hungry stages) If they spit it out, it went right back in. They cried and even said they didn't like it, or i don't want it.. If we knew they have eaten it before and had no problems with that particular food, then we would make them eat it. As another parent said, they will not starve themselves. it took only a few nights before my girls would actually eat on their own and not give us any problems. Dinner time was the biggest battle. Once they understand that they aren't going to get away with fighting to eat, they will eat. my girls are 3 and 4 and a half and they eat what they are given and hardly ever give us a problem. I think this sounds more harsh than it really is. Every child/parent is different. What worked for me may not work for you or another parent. I just take it as they are testing to see what they can get away with. I hope you and your family find your medium.. Good luck!

Kids will eat when they are hungry. As long as you are providing her with healthy choices you are doing what you can. I don't recommend "force feeding her", she will eat when she is hungry.
Couple of things to notice...what else is she putting into her body? Milk, juice, and soda will fill her up with empty calories. Water really is your best option for her.
**FYI store bought juices are so full of sugars that it is almost like poison to a young childs brain.

Try smoothies (with a high quality protein shake) and blended veggie juices instead, home made, not store bought, that way at least she's getting some of her nutrients. Isagenix has a wonderful multi vitamin for kids of all ages that is more than just fruits and veggies, it gives her all ner vitmains, minerals and nutrients she needs then you don't have to worry so much about her eating habits.

If you are interested in a free family constultation I would be happy to chat with you more.

B.
www.HeyYouGetReal.com
###-###-#### (an LA # but I am in Florida for 4 months)

DEAR C.,
Dont worry! my daughter did the same thing! she quit drinking milk and didnt eat very much. My doctor assured me that childrens bodies eat according to what their bodies are craving and need, which isnt always what we think they should eat! They will never starve themselves. Then you will notice she will have days she doesnt stop eating!! now she just turned 5 and still has her days,but eats almost everything! Let her eat what she wants and keep introducing new foods! I tell my daughter "you loved it when you were a baby" and funny enough she will eat whatever it is because it has to be good if she used to love it,right? Whatever works!!
Good luck!
I. J.
Ps- Always start with the veggies and meats then the fruits(according to my pediatrician) once they get the taste of sweet, they dont want the other!! I found that to be very true! good luck!

I know of one girl who goes to a speech therapist that helps her with her food issues because she had a problem with textures. I belive an Occupational Therapist can also help with things like this. I know my sons speech therapist has told me to bring in foods that he did not like and she would work with him on it. You might call around to some speech Therapy offices and find out if they do it.

my son has that and has elidel i use on him ask your ped. for a RX it works great everytime.

We're having the same problem with our 2 year old.

I'll pass along our pediatrician's advice (and add that we haven't been very good at following it to the letter, but it does make sense).

He says that you should give the child his meals in courses, starting with green vegetable, followed by the protein, then starches.

If your son doesn't want to eat a course, that's the end of the meal.

The next meal *starts* with the last course from the previous meal. So if they didn't feel like eating their chicken at dinner, breakfast starts with last night's chicken.

If they still don't want it, wait until lunch.

He says that children won't starve themselves, and that his children all eat everything that's on their menu.

In honesty, we've tended to start working around both of our boys' preferences in ways that they seem to get a good, balanced diet that they enjoy, supplemented by vitamins (two different types for the 2 boys different tates).

Most parents I've talked to have had similar issues somewhere down the line. My guess is that you'll work up something that chides with your parenting style, yet still winds up delivering a healthy, well rounded menu to your little girl.

Good Luck!

-Scott (Husband to S.)

as a mom of three (one of which is also 2), i can relate. hang in there & keep providing her w/good food choices. eventually, she'll come back around. in our house we refer to it as "the toddler diet".

I have the same problem with my 2 1/2 yr old. I found these vitamin supplements and he LOVES them. I give him twice as many and he has improved in every way. My doctor said he is healthy and doing well with his height/weight.

They are called Juice Plus+. I get them from a lady named Eloisa Manno-Derouaux. She's a distributor and can send you some info.....there's like 17 fruits/veggies in these gummies and my son loves them, I do too actually........we had to buy a second set of them 2 weeks in because I was eating them too.

Anyhow, her info is ###-###-#### or email ____@____.com

I wish you all the best with your precious little angel.

Take good care.
J.

We have a 19 month old. She went through a picky stage and we gave her tough love. She gets what she gets. I mean, if we give her noodles and chicken and she doesn't eat them, then she will get them again at the next meal. Eventually she was hungry enough to eat it. We reduced her milk so that she wasn't filling up on that and stopped giving her the things that she liked to eat. If there are no choices and your the boss she will start to realize that this is what there is to eat and if she is hungry she will eat. A child will not starve themselves. But if you give her sometihng she doesn't like and then later fill her belly with something she does, she is the boss. They are learning their bounderies right now and she'll figure it out. ITs tough at first but my daughter eats everything now and eats what we eat. If we go mexican she eats mexican, indian, thai, american, chinese, ect.
Its tough and but it worked for us. Good luck!
Remember healthy eating habits should start now, their bodies need good nutrition.