My 22 month old doesn't eat 99% of the food I give him. He never eats meats, or vegetables no matter how i try serving them (and I have tried everyway I know). Of the fruit, he will sometimes eat apple or banana and occasionally watermelon. He will eat frozen french toast, or an occasional frozen waffle, bagel with peanut butter, and many different cookies and crackers. thats about it. Per Dr. instructions I am suppose to give him what ever he wants as long as he is eating 5-6 times a day to keep his body hungry, and must take formula or PEDIASURE for vitamins, and calories. I have tried to force him to eat--nothing. I have tried not give him anything until he eats the substantial food given to him, but after 1 1/2 days, I give in. He only weighs 20 lbs depending on the day. If he doesn't want something I am trying to get him to eat, he will scream/cry and make himself gag/throw up until everyone else in the house is fed up. It is frustrating and defeating, and I am at a loss.
2006-10-29 10:23:38 · 10 answers · asked by 3angels 1 in Health ➔ Diet & Fitness
This is not an eating disorder. This is behavioral. Try ketchup.
2006-10-29 10:27:21 · answer #1 · answered by Min02 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your child's pediatrician isn't worried, then it sounds like you are projecting your own "values" about food onto the child. MANY kids have "food preferences", often leaning toward carbohydrates and away from fruits, veggies and protein. This is okay, since they are growing and carbs have lots of energy. Just try to steer away from white flour and refined sugar. Stick to as many whole grains as you can (like oatmeal and whole wheat bread and waffles). Try potatoes! Kids usually love 'em. And since they need fat for their developing nervous systems, don't shy away from a serving or two of french fries, for instance.
The bigger fuss you make, the worse he'll get! (I made that mistake and now regret it) Two-year-olds are establishing autonomy and control. Refusing to eat is one of the only "weapons" they have, so give them some slack! If you don't force them or freak out, yet make fruits, etc., available, he'll come around...maybe. If he doesn't, don't panic. My kid RARELY ate veg's and NO FRUIT (still doesn't) and he's was 6'3" by the time he was 14!
The first link below (1) gives an excellent overview of what you should be seeing in growth, development and behavior in a 2 y.o. and has lots of good advice on tactics for dealing with resistant behavior (which is totally normal).
The second site "Feeding Your Toddler; How to Make it Fun" (2), deals specifically with eating, what's normal and the whole issue of toddlers asserting control. Again, it had lots of great ideas and info. One comment I liked was that "When it comes to portion size, children often know best. In fact, 2-year-olds tend to be much better than adults at regulating their own appetite. "Parents often overestimate how much food toddlers need," says Dr. McLean. "The recommended serving size for 2-year-olds is only one and a half to two tablespoons of each food." (they go on to say what might be wrong if your child isn't eating enough, such as filling up on liquids).
Just try to relax enjoy him while he's this age...it can be a blast!
2006-10-29 18:45:55 · answer #2 · answered by Gwynneth Of Olwen 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to be a picky eatter when I was younger 2 and I think my parents had the same worrys......... Just keep feeding him apples and bananas and watermellon and frozen french toast and froxen waddles and bagles with peanut butter and cookies and crackers and keep giving him pediasure and give him milk and juice and stuff 2....... Dont force him to eat that will only make it worse if he dont want to eat dont force him but when he is hungry give him something that he will like to eat....... I hope this helps
2006-10-29 18:42:03 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Child will not starve, put the healthy stuff in front of him, when he is hungry he will eat when he figures that there is nothing else he is going to get. If he refuses after say 30 minutes then tell him meal time is over and get him away from the table. The next meal he will eat what's given to him. You control what goes in his mouth thus setting his eating habits for life and a small child that is over weight which leads to over weight adults.
2006-10-29 18:49:23 · answer #4 · answered by Abby 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alot of kids go through this same thing. Its just a phase. I have a grandaughter that is doing the same thing and she use to eat good now its bread and the good stuff (cookies etc...) but she likes to eat on the run. I find the if you make a big deal over mealtime then they don't want to eat. Try looking for "fun" foods for kids like "tube yougart" or small boxed cereals he's gotta like something but he'll out grow it
2006-10-29 18:40:39 · answer #5 · answered by Abs 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your doctor is kinda weird. No child will starve themselves and yours has learned that if he holds out long enough he will get the tasty stuff. Offer him normal meals (no treats) of different foods at normal meal times. Offer him fruit or a sandwich between meals. Give him nothing else. He will NOT starve. When he figures out that is the food he is getting he will eat it. After he has eaten well like this for a week or two then you can give him the occasional treat.
2006-10-29 18:28:22 · answer #6 · answered by dragonrider707 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Children this age are just picky. I have pickiest child alive. If it's a concern for you, contact a doctor.
2006-10-29 18:27:56 · answer #7 · answered by Cori 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
let him choose what food he wants to eat. just show him what he likes and if he doesn't eat, start to worry!!!!!
2006-10-29 18:27:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
matbe he just dosent like the food u give him
2006-10-29 18:25:10 · answer #9 · answered by huh? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
haha. no. its not possible. see a doctor if you are still worried
2006-10-29 18:25:13 · answer #10 · answered by cool nerd 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋