is something wrong with my 2 yr old?

Question

My 2 yr old daughter weighs only 25lbs and she doesn't want to eat. All i can get her to eat is fruit and popcicles. she won't eat chicken or hamburgar anymore. this has been going on for five days. should i be worried?

Answer 1

Fruit is great for her. I'd let the popsicles run out, maybe have a few yourself, and then buy a variety of things to offer her. I've never heard of a two year old with a self-induced malnutrition problem, so I'd bet she'll eat when she's hungry enough.

Answer 2

I talked with my child's doctor around 2 years because I was concerned about her nutrition. Some days she would eat well and then others, she'd eat almost nothing. The doctor did not seem concerned at all. When I asked about giving her a vitamin, she suggested giving her nesquick powdered mix to put in with her milk. She said children this age don't need a lot of vitamins (amount-wise) and that the nesquick would make sure she got what she needed. My daughter seems very healthy now (she's four now). Your daughter is probably just going through a phase. I would just keep offering her nutritious foods and eventually she'll eat them. In the meantime, give her some nesquick and try not to worry. :)

Answer 3

No. Children have phases that they go through all the time. It's ok. She'll eat when she's ready. My son is only 28 lbs. at 2 1/2. Although his doctor says he's on the low end of the weight scale, he's on the average for the height scale. If you think of the fact that a lot more children are obese than before, I can see how my doctor feels my son is thinner. He eats all day a lot of days, healthy food. Just give her more options, more variety. Allow her to dip some finger foods in something, like applesauce. She'll go through it on her own.

Answer 4

That is something you should probably be worried about. The weight part isn't the issue--her diet is the issue. Don't worry, it's not your fault but it is your responsibility now to get her better eating habits. Take away the popsicles and fruit and replace those with other things like meat and vegetables. At first, she'll be mad that she can't have what she wants but that's just part of her testing her boundaries. Don't give her anything except what you want her to start eating--even if she's starving. Eventually, she'll realize she's hungry and she'll give in and try new foods. She's just testing you (like all kids at this age do). Be happy this is what she's testing you on (it could be worse). Good luck and God bless. If you have anymore questions, feel free to contact me.

Answer 5

Throw out the popsicles and don't buy anymore for quite a while. Also, is she drinking several cups of milk a day? This can curb her appetite and she won't be hungry. If so, cut her back to only 1 cup a day. She will eat when she gets hungry.

Offer her a variety of healthy foods.

If this lasts more than another week, or she seems to be losing weight, or body size, then contact her doctor ASAP.

Answer 6

Check her throat. My brother had severe ear, nose, and throat problems and was EXTREMELY picky on what he would eat because nothing felt good on his throat. Once he had his tonsils and adnoids removed, he ate very healthily. I'm not saying this is her problem, but maybe she has some post nasal drip or a sore throat. Especially since she only wants Popsicles or fruit. Check it out. Check it out with a flashlight too, if she has any white or sores on the back of her throat take her to a pediatrician, she might have strep or a summer cold. I hope this helps!

P.S. Carnation Instant Breakfast is much better than chocolate milk if she isn't eating anything. Packed with vitamins!

Answer 7

Trust me get rid of the popcicles. My two yr old was doing the same thing. When the popcicles were gone she was eating again. Although at that age they do like to graze more then eat meals. Really though if you tell her the popcicles are gone then she will start to eat again.

Answer 8

Sounds like mine. He weighs 25lbs as well, and is picky, picky, picky! My son has an inborn metabolic disorder and cannot properly break down protein, so he stays on a low-protein diet for life! He cannot even eat meat at all. So it's VERY challenging to find things that are good for him that he will eat! All he wants is fruit loops, and potatoes! As long as your daughter's MD is not fussing about her weight, I wouldn't worry about it. They will let you know if you need to do something different. All toddlers get on these "food jags" where they only want a certain food for days, even weeks, but it is normal, and usually passes so don't sweat it!

Answer 9

My son is also 2 and is the same way. He eats the SAME things everyday...a plain toasted waffle (no syrup) for breakfast and fruit/milk, cottage cheese with fruit for lunch and rice/tofu for dinner. They will hopefully outgrow this phase but I would probably phase out the popcicles and offer her more fruit. You can't force them to eat meats/veggies so as long as you're giving them their vitamins, they are getting something. I've tried all kinds of cereals fortified with vitamins, toddler soups/foods, pizza to no avail. They are developing their own palates. As long as the pediatrician doesn't say anything about the weight, ask them for advice. And just keep offering foods from your plate.

Answer 10

yeah my son gets on only one or two specific food craves for a few days. It's nothing to worry about. Just make sure you're offering variety and choices. Put a few small things on a plate and let her pick an choice.

Try letting her snack on cereal, cut up fruits & veggies, hard boiled eggs, mac & cheese, hotdogs, & dinosaur chicken nuggets. Those are my son's favorites right now. How about a nice soup with chicken and noodles? My son loves to dig the noodles, veggies, & chicken out of it.