Toddler's Eating Habbits

What is his pediatrician thoughts on this? It seems ruling out any medical reason would be the first thing to do.

I can say that toddlers have spells of not eating much. My 2 1/2 yr old girl used to CHOW DOWN...so much that my husband wanted to get a pic of her in front of a buffet bar. Now she eats sporatically. Some days its the same strong appetite and others she says "I am very, very done" and has barely eaten. I think it is normal. My oldest never has had much of an appetite and she's fine. Her normal meal was cheese squares, meat squares, pretzels and fruit. It really is a balanced meal, and now that she's older she eats what we eat -mostly- sometimes she looks at her plate and asks if she can make herself a peanut butter sandwich!

The only thing I can suggest...you say he eats dinner...dinner foods can be eaten for breakfast or lunch. Nothing says he has to have pancakes and eggs, and if he'll eat vegetables, just make extra the night before and serve 'em up -breakfast or lunch, or both! Is sounds like he'd eat a salad for lunch?

Good luck!

Hi J. D. My name is N. L. I have two daughters and my oldest and I had the same problem. I struggled with her eating habits. She is now 17 years old!! She still doesn't eat much of anything. I had to send her with a lunch each day when I realized in kindergarten that she was only eating her dinner roll and her milk. I refused to pay for just that. From the time she was in kindergarten until now- a junior in high school, I have made my girls their lunches. Every day since, she has had the same lunch and it has become our family joke. Cheese and bread-no mayo- no anything. Cheese puffs and a water bottle. Still today!! She eats certain chicken nuggets, no rice, no gravy, no burgers. No ham and cheese. Just cheese! I asked her pediatrician when she was your son's age and I had the same answer-"She'll eat when she's hungry." I just adjusted. For dinner now-she fixes her own if she doesn't like what I have cooked. I used to make two separate meals- that got too much. She is old enough now. I still worry about her, but she has grown into a beautiful 17 year old healthy girl. Just very picky! I tell her that she is going to be a "cheap date"!!lol. My other daughter is 13 and doesn't eat a lot of vegetables, but loves to try new things. No problem with her appetite. Made me feel like I did do something right. All I can say is to watch him and make sure that he is growing and gaining to the appropriate stage that he is in.Ask your doctor if he has any advice. It does get better. Good luck and hang in there. You are not doing anything wrong!! I always felt like I was,and lots of people made me feel like it was my fault that she wasn't eating or that I wasn't "making her eat" after all I was the Mom!! Hope this helps. Good luck with your pregnancy.

I have no advise... I just wanted to throw in that he is definatly of healthy weight- so he's getting something. I know he's a big healthy boy b/c I have a 2 1/2 year old who is 23.6 lbs and 32 3/4 inches tall... and she eats all day everyday. I mean it- all day!! Good Luck!! It could be his teeth, but I would still feel uneasy and call the doctor!

My son was just like yours and went through this same phase. It didn't last too terribly long. He turned 3 on June 30th and is pretty much out of it. He eats much more in growing spurts than he does normally. During the phase he would not eat hardly anything and wanted mac and cheese and chicken nuggets the whole time. I felt like I was not meeting his needs at all. I talked to a nutritionist and she said not to worry about it, it would pass, and so it has! Hang in there and just keep on trying new stuff on him once in a while. One other note, my son did not go back to eating as much as he did when he was smaller (weird), but he eats plenty. I have heard that their stomach is the size of their fist so I am ok with him not being a piggie anymore!!! Good luck and remember that you are doing a great job Mom!

WEll first of all you ended up saying MOST days he does eat fruit (strawberries), bacon (meat and fats), "healthy" chips or pretzles)carbs, and that he still loves his veggies. On top of that you give him his vitamins(which should have 100% of his daily value)and for breakfast you mostly serve him his milk with nutrition addatives in it (dairy and more vitamins). So if youa re wondering if he gets his nutrition yes he will/does get it. Childrens serving sizes are much smaller than we realize if you really want to know and measure it out it is NOT much you can go to the pyramid for children on your health dept web site. You are not neglegting to feed him so to me it sounds like you are doing a fine job of making sure he eats well. All you can do is offer it to him and especially after dinner if he doesnt eat it all make sure you wrap it up and tell him if he is hungary later he must eat his dinner before he gets his other snack such as pretzles or chips. He is 2 he can either get pickier or less picky from here turst me I am a mom of 4 kids and they are all different. In the end do what you feel is right in your heart while trying still not to cater so much either or he will get used to it,lol.

My toddler it the same way. It seems she eats alot when having a growth spurt and then not much at all when she is not. I wouldn't push it. If your child is of normal height and weight it will not matter. Making them eat when they are not hungry will only make them do that later in life and can lead to obesity.

Hi, J.! This sooooooo sounds like my son. He would go through eating cycles just as yours is. My pediatrician assured me that it was normal and we'd watch his growth; he said he'd cycle back in (and he did). If you have time, I used to play a game with my son that worked about 75% of the time. I'd make a plate of finger snacks (cut up apples, cheese, veggies he likes), and set his car mat and cars on the living room floor. The snacks were the gas for the vehicles. We'd have to eat a snack for the cars to have the energy to drive around the mat. If we wanted to drive another car, we had to eat another snack. The positive side effect was that I got a bit of healthy food in me, as well...and I needed it! :)

JoD,

I have 3 kids who are now 10, 8-1/2 and 5 - they are all excellent eaters, but each has gone through times when they ate less and were more picky. My pediatrician once told me to look at what they are eating across a week and not a single day. One bad day is not the end of the world - if there are good days, too. So, don't focus so much on a day, but more on an entire week. Also, make sure the choicees you are giving him are healthy. Don't let him fill up on "bad stuff". And try things like just the meat and cheese from a sandwich wrapped around a pretzel stick. Be creative with the things he does eat and maximize the nutrition in each bite. The appetite will likely pick up again in the next few months. As long as he is continuing to grow normally and get reasonable nutrition, there's no need to worry. If it continues for too long, you can also check with your doctor about adding vitamins. At one point we added them once every couple of days (NOT daily) just to make sure my daughter was getting the nutrition she needed.

Hope this helps!

Hi J. D! I think it funny how similar we are..I'm 26, SAHM of a 2 1/2 yr old boy and 7m pregnant with another boy. :) My son goes through eating phases. Like sometimes he will eat all day long for several days. Then other times he only will eat a few snacks for the entire day. I always say he is going through a growth spurt. I'm not sure if that's what your son is doing but I just know that toddlers usually go through these phases and I don't think it's anything to worry about unless he starts losing weight or acting sick. It could very well be his teeth. It's hard to tell at his age. Anyways I don't know if I was any help but if you are truly worried then you could always talk to his pediatrician.

I think you're doing ok. When my DD had an ear infection and not eating Dr. said as long as she's drinking it's ok for a couple days. The carnation breakfast mix is packed with nutrition so I'd stick with that, you could also try the PediaSure drinks for him. The only suggestion of foods I have if he will eat crackers get the whole grain ones-(Ritz has whole grain ones that you can't even tell the difference) and put peanut butter on them-although there's some sugar and sodium, there's also protien and grains-he needs those if he's not eating any other bread product. There's also some chips out called Flat Earth, they have 1/2 serving of vegetables per serving-they are a bit pricey and addictive! We don't eat chips much but I alternate between Doritoes or Cheetos and the Flat Earth chips it at least makes me feel a bit better about them having chips! And keep pushing the veggies-my DD is a veggie eater and I try really hard not to complain that she won't eat meat unless it had nugget or dog in the name LOL, b/c I know many kids won't eat veggies at all(she's crazy about any and all bread products however) God Bless!

This is perfectly normal. All kids go through phases where they don't want to eat, even grown-ups go through those phases. My kids at their ages of almost 18 months and almost 29 months still go through those days which is almost everyday. It's hard and yes you just have to remind yourself that he will eat if he is hungry. If he is getting his 2 yr molars then he probably will not want to eat, as they bother a lot of kids and tend to throw off their eating habits. If you are overly concerned then I would talk to his pedi. I hope that I helped you out a little bit. Good luck.

kids go through alot of changes. but if he really likes vegies then make those when he wont eat. and also maybe take him to a doctor and have the doctor check him out and do some test. does he talk some? if so ask him; what he likes by taking him to the store and he will tell you when he sees what he likes. that will help and put it on a list. do you eat with him? maybe there is alot of foods he dont like now. maybe they make him kind of sick. it could be a number of things.

I *just* read up on this issue in the Dr. Sears Baby Book yesterday. They say that it's totally normal for toddlers to go a day not eating - often! All you really need to focus on is offering the healthiest foods possible to pack in the nutrition. He'll make up for it the next day. And you might be surprised if you kept stringent records of what he's snacking on. Stuff is getting in there!

You're right to follow your instincts on giving him fluids. You don't want your son getting dehydrated!!! However, he might be favoring these drinks because they're sweet. You might want to water them down little by little till they're basically just flavored water, then just start offering water. (Keep in mind that you don't actually *want* to push in more calories and stuff than he naturally chooses. Aim to do away with these supplemental things altogether by watering down. You don't want to mess with his kidneys, etc. and also to hazard vitamin/mineral toxicity with prepared powder drinks, and especially getting too much protein. Just give him natural foods.) In infants, you wouldn't want to offer water since it displaces actual calories from breastmilk or formula. This is not the case for toddlers. They're active enough that they will want solid foods when they need them.

One suggestion that I liked a lot for toddlers was to offer a "nibble tray" - an ice cube tray filled with carrots, apples, whatever is healthy and in small bites (be sure to include something to dip stuff in, too). That way, your son can graze as he feels the urge, without it interfering with his all-important play :) And this is also good because studies show that toddlers (and little kids in general) will actually choose the foods that they need in order to meet their nutritional requirements. Apparently this is partly why they are so picky.

It might also reassure you to keep in mind that your son's stomach is about the size of his fist. So if it doesn't look like he's eating much, that's because not much will fit in there :) Before, getting his nourishment from fluids only, he was taking in more to make up for the fact that it all moved through so fast and wasn't substantial enough for the stomach and intestines to really have to work on much.

Eating less also happens as he's burning off baby fat and "leaning out." Normal and good.

Check out those Sears books. They're awesome. You'll find lots of good stuff on all of the usual issues.

L.

PS Snacks are GREAT! Remember, it doesn't matter when he gets his nutrition. Just make his snacks all the good stuff. Snacks are also a great way to sneak in actual meals. They just don't look like them and aren't at the old meal times. Besides, toddlers hate sitting still for full meals - they have so much wonderful energy and curiosity - why force them to behave like adults?, and three (or even 4) squares are often too much to pack into that tiny belly all at once. Remember, just a year ago he was eating multitudes of times a day. He's not much bigger now. *Let* him snack (or graze at will as described above).

I am having the same concern with my daughter. She is 3 and doesn't even weigh 30lbs yet. Our pediatrician said as long as she is eating enough every week to make 7 toddler size meals then she is getting enough food. It doesn't even matter if she eats it spread out through the whole week or pigs out for 2 days and doesn't eat anything else for the next 5. It's just a phase. Soon your little guy will be back to eating everything in sight.
J.

Hi J.,

I have 18 month old triplets. We are going through the very picky stage also, but not quite as bad as your son. They eat pretty good most days. For breakfast when they have toast we butter it. They will not eat dry toast. We have pancakes also and we butter them too. I have 2 boys and 1 girl. My daughter don't really like eggs but the boys love them. They really don't care for any breakfast meat. I usually give them a snack between breakfast and lunch. Like a fruit bar, crackers, banana, applesause, etc. It's really hard for lunch and dinner. There are things like carrots and peas that they used to love but will not eat them now. The only meat they eat is chicken, ham(on grilled ham and cheese), and fish sticks. And lately they haven't been eating the fish, so I know it is a challenge.
I'm sure is teeth have alot to do with it.
Have you talked to his doctor about it? I think the multi-vitamins will keep him healthy. I would ask his doctor and see what he thinks though.
I wish you lots of luck!
God Bless!
A.

I noticed you said you were 7 months preg. I would bet that your son is feeling that things are changing in the house,with the new baby coming and is exercising some control where he can.Are you spending alot of time trying to get him to eat?It may be he is using this to get his "time" as I am sure you are making preparations for the new addition, My oldest did this.At this age they can only control so few things and this is one of them. I had to resort to the "mean Mom" way. I would prepare a mealfor him of foods I knew he has eaten before,and that was that eat it or not.Don't spend time asking what he wants.or only give him the choice between two items.You may find yourself throwing food away for a day or so but when he sees you mean it he will adjust. Take this time to find something special just for the two of you to do.So he knows he is still special to you,A new baby coming is a big deal and I would bet you he is feeling a little unsure.If you are using some of his old things for the baby he may be alittle scared about being replaced.he is at a n age where he can't express these fears just reasure him and be firm with his choices for food and he should be fine.Good luck and God bless

My 2 yr old is doing the same thing. He was such a big baby the family joked about not putting him with other babys "he might eat them". But 2 is the time that they slow down growth wise and eat a lot less (until the next growth spurt). Mine loves to drink and even gets dehydrated at daycare. But he doesn't always eat for them even without all the liquids. So I say give him the liquids, keep up the ovaltine routine. The veggies are awesome (no way my 6 or 2 yr old will eat them). And try some fresh fruits. They are simiular in taste to some juices he obviously loves. Mine likes grapes now that he wont touch raisins anymore.

Good luck and remember making them eat can lead to over weight. I only know because my 2 nephews are there. So I'm easy with my boys, if your not hungry then don't eat. But then I hide any sweets so they don't become the substitute.

he'll be fine. both my kids went through the same thing, my daughter would only eat flour tortillas for months when she was 2! our pediatrician said as long as she was drinking milk and taking vitamins, she would be fine. if i were you, i would allow him snacks, anytime he wants something, let him have some, then still attempt to feed him his regularly scheduled meals. don't freak out, i think most toddlers go through this and i believe it is due to the 2 year molars, they are excrutiating. best of luck!

It's true, toddlers eat like gnats sometimes! I don't know how they stay alive! lol
Still, could he have some food allergies?? And perhaps the ill effects he feels after eating are causing him to want to skip meals??

Signs of food allergies include:
Chronic bowel problems (usually loose stools, but sometimes constipation)
Stomach discomfort or nausea
Weird rashes
Headaches
Mood swings/confusion
Lethargy
Bad breath
Low appetite

One thing to think about: If you are not eating chemical-free (organic) he could definitely be having reactions to all the fillers and chemicals on the foods. Most people just don't realize how MANY there are--and the reactions between the chemicals is not tested before they are put in our food...I noticed several of the foods you mentioned--unless you are eating organic brands--would be FULL of stuff which could make him feel ill--and cause you health problems, as well.

Years ago, I was chronically ill. I saw an allergist and was told I had a severe allergy to eggs and peanuts (I would throw up, suffer agonizing stomach ulcers, develop severe arthritis, and debilitating migraines after eating these things). A friend encouraged me to research how much pesticide residue these foods commonly contain.
I was amazed. I tried the organic (non-pesticide) brands...and guess what?? I had NO REACTION WHATSOEVER.

Just some food for thought. I hope your precious toddler will grow and flourish and regain his hearty appetite soon.
I love to see them eat and be satisfied. I'm sure you are the same : )

Blessings,
H.

As long as he is full and healthy, let him eat as he wants, .I've actually always heard from any doctor I've had that it's better to have six small meals a day than just three big ones. I know that they actually do make a formula for older babies/toddlers, and if he doesn't like the taste of it you could always mix it with about an ounce apple juice. Incorporate one or two of his small meals/snacks, with your meal time, so he'll get used to eating on somewhat of a schedule.

He needs to be eating healthy, wholesome things, anyway. If he likes french fries, make them yourself so that he is not getting so much of the fried food. There is also this really great cookbook I've heard about called THE SNEAKY CHEF. I haven't read it but I know that the author wrote it because she was always having to sneak good food in for her kids. Since your son likes veggies, make his dinners out of that. And please, skip on ALL the processed stuff, like lunch meat, which has a ton of salt. If he likes hot dogs, give him kosher ones. You can also bake a breast of chicken while you are going about your day, lightly seasoned, then cut it up for him, however he can eat it. I also like to make my own mac and cheese....all that processed stuff is so unhealthy for us, it's worse for the little ones!!! You basicly do the same thing, boil your elbows, use a little butter, milk, and just shred some cheese/velveeta in while it's still hot.

If he doesn't want to eat big meals, let him snack in his high chair, and you can always supplement with that formula for older babies/toddlers, milk, or ask your doctor what to give him.

Hi,

Similar situation with us and our fast-paced, fiercely independent boy just barely over 2. He is pretty close to a vegetarian by choice as his parents are not. He eats when he wants and what he wants and will simply not eat at given times (or slow down to do so). Our solution has been to give him my small wine fridge. It will soon be replaced by a cheaper dorm fridge as it seems to be working. He learned to open the door quickly and note it does not have space for him to crawl in and get trapped (a safety issue to fill all open space to make sure your kid can't get stuck in it if you do this yourself). I put lots of cut up veggies, cut grape tomatos and grapes (cut to reduce choking hazard) and other washed fruits in there in open paper bowls or snack bags. I do the same snack sized bags with various cereals, graham crackers, bagels, cheese sticks etc... (we have dogs so we can't have those out in low places). He also has small juice and milk portions in there. we keep our canned soft drinks and whole fruits (apples, cantalope, etc) in there too, so he sees us using it as well. He eats more now that he has control on when and what, he goes to the fridge and picks out something and generally eats it and on occasion puts it back if not. If it is an apple we try to get it to cut it up first and now he seems to appreciate that effort and will bring it to us to cut. We have had to watch that he closes the door and he is a little hard on the door (thus the switch from my wine fridge) but overall we have had success in getting him to eat more and are just dealing with adding even more fruits and veggies to our meals as we can't admit our 2 yr old has better diet than we do.