how can i get my 2 year old to eat?

Question

she used to be a really good eater now though she point blank refuses to eat anything that i put in front of her. i have tried many methods all failed please help

Answer 1

try feeding her while she's playing, i have a 3 yr old who did the same. they get so interested in playing and exploring that they simply dont want 2 waste time eating.

Answer 2

A lot go through this at 2 or 3. It's a control thing I believe. They're not in charge of much so they enpower themselves however they can.

First don't make a fuss - it may cause a long term problem to develop. I'm sure that's why a lot of people still don't eat veggies as adults - they were made to as kids.

Try to involve her in the preparation process. let her choose what you're cooking (even if the choice is of two thing very similar).

Put the same food in front of her as you are eating and go on about how great it is as you are eating. That'll get her curious and wondering what she's missing.

Finally don't worry if she misses a meal or two. Avoid snacks in between and she'll be hungry at dinner time. It's tempting to allow unhealthy snacks because she's not eaten but it'll make things worse. If she leaves her dinner keep it safe for a couple of hours and when she complains that she's hungry bring it out. I know it sounds horrible but kids honestly don't seem to care if their food is hot or not.

If she continues failing to eat then obviously see your doctor but I'm sure she'll come round.

Answer 3

This is the stage where they try to become a little more independent trying to push the boundaries of parenting Try putting your child at the table or high chair if they still fit.
Get fresh fruit & veg of all kinds sit her near you where she can see what you are doing then you taste first telling her what it tastes like then try her withthe same thing you have tried, do this with your meals too especially if you have something different from her this will encourage her to eat. I did this with both my kids from the start & also did this with my step-daughter at the age of ten & she now eats a lot better too so I beleive that it works. Try this & Good luck.

Answer 4

a child will eat when truly hungry....my son done the same thing and would not eat hot cooked food. The more fuss you make the more they think they are getting attention for the right reason. Chill out and relax and see what happens. Also try messy food time, like eating spag bol with your hands, make meal time fun. Good luck, you can do it xx

Answer 5

Infants and toddlers who struggle with picky eating or selective eating do not have eating disorders at all, as we know them. They suffer from feeding disorders which are the result of neurological hard-wiring problems, suffering from conditions that might include sensory integration disorder, non-verbal learning disorders, or Asperger's syndrome. These kids are most productively treated by highly trained occupational therapists and speech therapists, as well as by Feldenkrais Method therapists, who uniquely access and reorganize brain structure and function, creating new pathways and connections through highly specific, gentle and pleasurable movements of the body.

Please see a doctor or therapist for this problem.

Answer 6

I understand exactly how you are feeling my son has just turned 2 a couple of weeks ago and has become really fussy about what he eats...if he eats at all.
The best remidy i found was to let them help a little when preparing their meal. My son helps me atke the food out the freezer and get the plates out, just little jobs, but it really has helped. It seems like he feels he has achieved something by helping and the past week he has ate his dinner every night.

Answer 7

She is 2.You may not imagie this but NOBODY will die of hunger if they can find food just by asking mommy.So,don't worry.Your daughter doesn't want to eat at lunch?Well,don't give her lunch.By the evening she will be hungry enough to eat the dinner.And don't give her sugar things by the principe "Let something be in her stomach,anything,but just something be there".That's wrong.Don't give her lunch if she doesn't want.If she wants to eat later,give her the food then.If she refuses to eat at lunch for example,give her some vitamines and forget the problem.And don't make it a theme for discussing.If your daughter sees that she attracts your attention by none-eating,she will continue doing this.So don't show her how much worried you are.Wish you success!

Answer 8

Okay I am having the same prob and when I asked the doc he said that it was fine as long as they are drinking plenty of fluids and has at least one meal a day. She may be cutting her molars and just feel yucky. Also don't make a big deal about it. If she sees you stressing about it she is getting attention from you. Just try to play it cool and she will eventually eat.

Answer 9

When she is hungy she'll eat. My son does the same thing. For weeks at a time he'll simply "pick" at food. When he's hungry he eats. I wouldt worry about it unless she is suffering health problems as a result. Make sure she drinks pleanty of fluids, and she takes a good mulit-vitiman.

Answer 10

my daughter is 3 but she has never like to eat but i put everything on a seperate plate and always have some sort of dip so for dinner she will have a plate with chicken plate of potatoes and plate of carrots bowl of dip and she thinks she is so cool she actually eats...can't hurt to try