18 months and picky eater?

Question

My son will be 18 months in a couple days and hates to eat. I know it is probably only a phase but I am still concerned. If any one has any tips please offer. Serious Only Please.

So far we have tried giving him different options each day and he picks never really eating anything. So my doctor told me give him 12 months food from the jar so he can get his proper nutrition. To do this I have to hold down his hands and fight and I feel horrible (but he does eat it). It seems the only he will eat is cherrios and those cheese fish crackers. Anything else just pokes and throws on the floor.

If anyone has experience this and have any tips I'll take them.

Thanks

Answer 1

Try giving him ketchuop to dip things in. My kids loved to dip..so I gave them fish sticks, french fries...or maybe french toast sticks with syrup to dip them in...pretty much if they had a suce to dip into they would eat.

Answer 2

I went through this with my daughter and it was very distressing. She's small as it is so I wanted to get every calorie in her! This winter, she's eating like a horse!
Some of the things my picky eater first liked were hummus and Ritz crackers, yogurt, and strawberry Cream of Wheat. I know you're not supposed to give peanut butter until age 2, but she also quickly learned to like a peanut butter and banana sandwich on wheat bread. I also put margarine on it so the peanut butter would go down better. She also liked homemade chicken noodle soup which I would puree in the blender (she was a lazy chewer). I also gave her grilled cheese sandwiches. Hope this helps.

I would not give him too many options, or not give them all the time. Otherwise he will learn to hold out for something else. If he likes milk, that can help him along nutritionally till he eats better. My picky eater practically survived on milk from 12-18 months.

They say if you are eating when the child is, the child will want to eat what you're eating. I haven't tried this, since my picky eater is little she goes to bed early so she eats dinner alot earlier than my husband and I. But you could try it.

Good luck.

Answer 3

I'm going through the same thing with my almost 18 month old girl right now. So all I can say is that you are not alone. And I went through this with my older kids, and it was just a phase with them.


My pediatrician said to just keep offering her stuff and if she's hungry she'll eat. as long as she doesn't start loosing weight or seem like she's getting sick. She also said to hold off on giving her a sippie cup until after she's eaten. Otherwise, she'll sip on her cup or fill up on juice/water and not be interested in eating anymore.

Answer 4

If you begin to force feed him, you are starting an eating disorder. Toddlers are not growing as fast as they did in their first year, therefore they do not need as much food. They know when they are hungry and they will not let themselves starve. As long as he is getting some nutrition, he is fine. Trust yourself to let your child trust his own body when it comes to food. Try to make your mealtimes pleasant by engaging in conversation, role modeling positive eating habits and make foods he likes. Toddlers like finger foods more than any other type of foods. The food should be bite sized and colorful. Make sure you have a planned meal time and let him leave the table after he is finished. This is a phase all children go through and he will outgrow it once he becomes more active.

Answer 5

i had the same problem with my son at that age .I tried carnation instant breakfast it has all the nutrition and protein they need in it and he loved it.He is now 20 months and all he does is eat.sometimes he doesn't so i give him the carnation in his milk and it really helps and i told my doctor i was doing this and she said that was a great idea so try it i hope it works out for you i know its very stressful. good luck