Toddler Not Wanting to Eat

Yeah its wierd but its possible for them to be too busy playing to eat,my boys both went through that and well sometimes still rather play then stop to eat.

That's completely normal as long as she's getting plenty of fluids. Don't force her to eat; when she gets hungry she'll eat. My son still goes thru that and his doctor said it was normal.

As long as she eats a couple bites she is ok. Have her sit with you at meal times. As a toddler she has a short attention span and they get board easy. It could be that she is just not hungry. She will eat when she's hungry. Are you giving her junk food?? If so try and trade out some of it for healthy stuff like apples her size and raisins.

it is absolutely normal. the reason so many of us adults are over weight is because we just eat all the time, even when we are not hungry, but our little ones are still smart enough to listen to their bodies. they know when they are growing, hungry all of the time and sleepy, and when they are just not really needing that many calories. as long as your toddler keeps on growing and stays around the same growth curve when you take her to the pediatrician.

My little girl was the same way she was even looking very skinny . She didn't want to eat. One night when I took her clothes off to put her in the tub I was shocked to be able to see her ribs to even count them. I called my husband into the bathroom and we both decided it was time to take her to the doctor. Talking with the doctor, he told us it was normal that we should not force her to eat. he said when a child is hungry he will eat. Eventually she started gaining a little weight. I think you shouldn't worry so much about it but if it will help ease your mind then see a doctor....R. W

My daughter was like that at that age-- but now, she eats like a horse sometimes. Just don't get into a power struggle about it. I make sure the kids get 3 meals a day and one afternoon snack-- they can only eat at those times. I usually make sure there is at least 1 thing at each meal that they like-- then they tend to experiment with the other things. There have been days my 4 year old wasn't hungry and ate little at dinner, but the next morning he had a huge breakfast. So, it comes and goes-- the more relaxed about it you are the better.

Sounds like she's testing you mom. I didn't give snacks in between meals and that seemed to help. My girls are now 6 and 8. Maybe she's coming into asserting her own personality and this seems to be working for her.

That's normal. They go through stages where they are not hungry because they are either not growing like they were or because they are too preoccupied to eat. IS the tv on or stuff going on outside the window? THat can cause a toddler to not eat. My 3 yr old never eats anything. When he does eat dinner with us (about once a week seriously) he only eats heathly stuff (if I didn't deliver him, I'd think he was adopted! lol) like cantalope, lettuce, broccoli, etc... Give you toddler some time and she'll be back to eating again.

My "baby" is now 25 with 2 of her own. YES!!! They go through exciting "discovery" moments that can last a day or a month. They can have these moments for many years or just a short time. When your toddler gets hungry you will know about it (usually with a request for something specific) and in the meantime, anything you can get in her will satisfy. Her body is going through one of the most exciting times of her life and she is too busy discovering to waste time eating. Good luck, Mom!! Cherish each day you have with them.

The only thing that I would have to add to other moms' comments is that sometimes when my boy (18 mos) wants to get down and play even though I know from experience he probably isn't finished eating yet and may be hungry later if I don't feed him more is to take him onto my lap and feed him there. This seems to have a grounding effect on him (never used a high chair so its familiar routine) where he is slightly less stimulated by other things long enough to join us for dinner. Other than that, if he says he is finished, I try to honor that but do periodically offer him food while I am still at the dinner table. Usually he is playing around us there.

That is completely normal. Just give them finger foods and let them go....try apple slices that she can carry with her, chicken nuggets, etc. most toddlers do go through this stage, they're so busy exploring that it's hard to take a break in the discovery to sit still long enough to eat. for your sanity and hers, try to combine both..

Yes it is normal and when I asked the dr about it she told me that as they get older that they didn't need as much calories now because they aren't growing as fast as they were when they were newborns so their bodies may or may not want food all the time. She told me to just make sure that I gave her vitamins to feed her body what it wasn't getting when she didn't eat right. She told me to get the flinstone vitamins and give her 1/2. We got the gummy ones and she loves them. so when she goes through those not eating stages, she will always take her vitamin.

Hi C.. Mt 3 year old went through that stage. He started about 2 after having his tonsils removed and has just now started to come out of it. My best advise is don't push her. Just give her her food and if she's hungry she will try it. She is also at the age where she is learning to test her limits, so don't give in unless it is absolutely necessary. Of course I'm sure you know that with 2 other kiddos. I used to fix him seperate meals, but that soon got old. Concerned I talk to the Dr. and he said that he would eat when he got ready and sure enough he has. Just give her a little time.

Natalie D.

yes very normal!! you might even notice a weight change. just offer 6 small meals aday and the toddler will be fine!

I'm actually going through the same thing - sort of. Mine's not too busy to eat. He just won't eat. My 14-month old was eating everything in sight (tablefood) when he was 11 months old. Now, if we give him anything that is not pureed (unless it's a cracker, fruit, or bread), he just throws it on the floor. My sister says I should put something in front of him and if he throws it on the floor, so be it, but that's all he gets. She says that after a few days he will start eating better. I don't know, though. I don't want dinner to become a dreaded event. Everyone keeps telling me, though, that when they're hungry they will eat, so maybe that is the way to go. If anyone has any better advice, please let us know.

A. K

it's very normal. my little girl has days when she'll eat like a horse and other days when she just picks like a bird...usually because she's learned a new skill or made some new discovery. it all balances out in the end. as long as she's still gaining weight the way she should, and is good and hydrated, then i wouldn't worry too much. if you're worried out her nutrient intake, you can always supplement with pediasure if she'll drink it.

Hi C., My name is T. and I know what your going through. All my children went through what your going through right now. I had to make eating time fun time for my three kids. I had to sit and eat with them and I also had to buy them a booster set for the regular chair at the table so that they can feel like me at eating time. This may work for you. Try to make your toddler feel like a big person and see what happens..Wish you well

very normal sometimes my 4 year old will still do this. she will eat tons for a week then hardly eat at all for a week. we gave her perdiasure when she wouldnt eat alot just to kinda give her something

i've got 4 children 9,7,5, & 3. They all go through phases that they eat a lot, then don't eat at all, children have the amazing ability to only eat when they need and stop when they are full. They lose the ability about the age of 5 as we train them to eat 3 times a day and "clean their plates" As long as she remains active and isn't losig weight I would not be concerned. It won't be long and she'll be eating non-stop as she hits another growth spurt.

Hi C.,
My son will be 3 one week from today and he is still finicky and somedays doesn't eat hardly anything. I wonder how he survives sometimes. So, yes, very normal. I am a member of a MOMS Club and speaking with other Mom's about the issue, same thing. So don't worry about it, she'll let you know when she is hungry. But trust me, I go through the same thing with my son nearly everyday trying to get him to eat SOMETHING! It worries me sometimes but is obviously very normal. So just relax and offer her different things to eat and she'll eat when she wants to. Good luck!

Kids go through growth spurts. It is normal for them to eat very little at times. Be prepared for the tot to eat nonstop for a week or so very soon! (I asked my Doc about this when it happened to me.)

Yes it is normal for a child to get to busy to do things.You might just have to make a point at meal time for everyone in the house to eat at the same time. Turn anything that is on off and say ok now when we finish eating we will play some more.Sometimes they are just not wanting to miss any thing. But a doctor once told my mom about my brother that thay will eat when they get hungry, not to worry about it. But that is easier to say than do.

P.

This was the norm at our house for all of our kids and also the ones I kept in our home. Our solution was to not allow "grazing" - eating when they feel like it. It was hard at first, especially if they can open the fridge or reach the food in the pantry. But within a week they were eating at meals. If they left the table, their food went away and did not come back. They soon realized if they wanted food, they had to stop playing long enough to eat it!
Hang in there!

hey C.
girl your not alone i go through this alot i have 3 boys one which is a toddler i go through this when it starts to warm up even my older children do the same i dont really worry much about it i just make sure that they get plenty of fluids and some snacks but i will say this if it gets to the point that she dont eat nothing i mean like not even 1 meal i would def. check into it but if this is something taht has just popped up its probaly where she just wants to play and just on the go
i would just keep a sippy cup in site and some little snacks laid out ex.. dry cereal , fruits ,crackers, pop tart simple things this way at least shes getting something i really hope that help
S.

I have a two year old that won't eat also. I have had her at the doctor's and they keep saying that they know when they are hungry not to worry about it. Well lately i have noticed that she is only eating in the evening like around dinner time and let me tell you she eats alot then, but during the day she does not eat . She still is healthy and as long as she stays like that i guess i will not worry. I hope that help your question a little.

As long as kids are alert and playing, resting, having BM's and peeing normally, don't worry about how much they eat. It very well could be a control issue. Believe me, when they are hungry, they WILL eat! It's the strongest natural urge in all of us. Please give as little attention as possible to the AMOUNT your child eats and just make sure they are offered a healthy diet. Almost every 'picky eater' child I've watched grow up whose parents urged them to 'please eat' has turned into an overweight adult. On the other hand, fussing that they eat to much (especially in adolescence) leads to many eating disorders (binging/purging, anorexia, bulimia, etc.) This was my own experience in the 1970's, so I simply told my 4 kids to eat until they were comfortably full and stop. As adults, only 1 is overweight, and I think it's just natural for him to be big.

This is normal! I am a maternal/Child RN AND mom to 2 ages 14 and 11. The human growth rate is SO fast the first year of life. At 12 mos or so, it slows. Many people think toddlers are just 'picky'. They don't eat as much because their body doesn't need as much. Let the child's appetite be the guide. Provide nutritious foods. Being age 16 mos, consult with your pediatrician about possibly adding 1/2 a Flinstone's complete vitamin to the diet just to make sure all vitamin needs are being met.