16-month-old WILL NOT eat...?

Question

The only thing she will put in anywhere near her mouth are Ritz crackers. If we try and trick her (Putting something good for her on the cracker) she won't even touch it. Even if we take off the offending healthy food, she won't eat it; she acts like it's covered in poison or something.

I know that it's our fault, because we've always let her eat crackers whenever she wanted them, but it's extremely frustrating. She can't live off that.

Does anyone have any solutions?

As sad as this sounds, we HAVE tried forcing her to eat something. She spits it out and then screams bloody murder.

Answer 1

Just remember: She can't have what you don't offer

Quit offering her crackers. Don't let her know you have them, don't even bring up the word "crackers". Just forget about them for awhile. Put new foods in front of her and if she wants to try them then great. But if she doesn't try them then that's fine too. Eventually she'll realize how hungry she is and she'll try something new. Trust me, it won't hurt her :-)

Answer 2

I have a now 3 1/2 year old and can understand the ritz cracker frustration. We had a similiar situation with "scrambled eggs" the only solution i found was to stop making them...toddlers won't starve..if they are hungry they will eat. I asked the pediatrician and he said the same thing. Don't buy it, don't make it..and offer other things...peices of apple...raisins etc...if she's hungry she will eat it...don't worry about her starving..right now she knows if she freaks out she will get the crackers...kids are little..but they are smart =)

Answer 3

Start by not giving her crackers whenever she wants them. She will NOT starve if she doesn't get them. She will put up quite a rucous, but that's normal and you must not give in to her ever as that will teach her that "if I put up a big enough fuss I will get what I want". Make meal times pretty regular - breakfast, lunch, dinner, and 2-3 snacks are pretty normal. At breakfast time, put her in her high chair and offer her banana pieces, cheerios, and milk. If she doesn't eat, then put her down and offer her snack in an hour or so. Again, put her in her high chair and offer her some cut up string cheese, grapes cut into 1/4's, and a whole wheat bagel with milk or water to drink. Still no eating? Put her down and offer her lunch at lunch time. At one of the meals or snacks let her have her beloved Ritz crackers along with some other choices on her plate, but limit her to only 4 of them. After a few days of offering her other foods but limiting her intake of Ritz crackers, she will eventually begin to eat other things. Try a wide variety of textures, colors, and shapes of food. Make sure everything is cut small and don't offer too much on the plate, just a few pieces or a small spoonful at a time. It is not uncommon for kids to go through times when they will eat only certain foods, but continue to offer a well-balanced selection at every meal. Allow her to choose what she wants to eat, don't beg, plead, or promise treats. Make meal times a no-fuss time and everyone will be happier.

Answer 4

This happens a lot. Babies grow so fast and need a lot of food -- then suddenly around 15 to 18 months, they aren't growing as fast. They just don't need as much food.

Also, they want to assert their will on the world. And, the world is so much more interesting now, that they don't want to waste time on stupid stuff like eating (-:. Even though it makes parents crazy!

So, the first thing to do is to set meal times and snack times. Only offer food then. Offer a variety of food, and just a tiny bite (with more available if she wants it). Have lots of finger foods and things she can do herself available. Offer crackers at one of the meals -- and the way she likes it. Try offering "cute" foods, like jello cut into hearts, sandwiches in star shapes, a spoon of rice with a smiley face, cooked carrots cut into pretty shapes, etc.

Then, when you've done all you can, when dinner's over just pack it up, throw out what you have to, and call it good until next meal/snack time. You can save some stuff over in the fridge to offer a good variety. But don't make a big deal out of it.

Make sure she gets plenty of exercise between meals and snacks, and absolutely no unscheduled snacks or caloric drinks (but water, very weak herb tea, that sort of thing is fine). Give it two or three days, and keep a record of what she's actually eating. You may be surprised that it's more than what you think.

And if she continues to go on a hunger strike, it might be time to see the doctor. You'll have your food journal in hand, so that will help the doctor help you.

Good luck, and don't beat yourself up about it. Both my kids went through the phase, and they do start eating eventually. As long as your daughter is at a healthy weight, I don't think there's anything to worry about -- oh, and WEIGH her; and find a weight chart for 16 month old kids. Because sometimes we think our babies are too skinny, when they are really just fine.

Answer 5

That is called a food jag, its very normal in toddlers. Dont make a big deal out of it. Just keep offering the other food. I found an article that explains it in much more detail for you, I hope it helps. I didnt want to copy and paste it all here its a bit long.

My nephew went through a 3 month phase were he only wanted pickles and ketchup. The doctor told my sister to let him eat it, put him on a vitamin and offer him other foods, he out grew it over time

Answer 6

Get rid of those crackers girl! I know that as a mother you will find it heartwrenching to let your little one go hungry, but she will not allow herself to starve to death if you take away those crackers and she sees you and the hubby eating meals and snacks. I would give it a day, and she will be wnating something to eat! And yes, she will cry and scream for her crackers, but if they are not any there to give her, then she may go to bed hungry one evening, but she wont go to bed hungry for two evenings! Toddlers are smarter than what we give them credit for sometimes, good luck!

Answer 7

when she gets hungry for something else - she'll eat.

that's the advice the pedatirician (back in the day) gave my mom....about me :) make sure she's getting her vitamins....and ignore the behavior. give her crackers. nothing bad about it. all of your over-reactive parents need to settle down. LOL. eventually, guess what happens? she'll get sick of crackers and then EVERYTHING ELSE will look great.

kids won't starve. trust me. let it go. she'll eat when she's hungry. it takes an iron will to actually go on a hunger strike. don't believe me? - try it :)

Answer 8

#1... Take away the crackers! Ritz crackers are made with refined flour and shortening anyway so they aren't healthy at all. My son (almost two years old) tries to get us to feed him certain foods in this way. If he won't eat the meal given to him for dinner (for example), and wants crackers/cookies/other junk instead, I just let him leave the table but don't give him any of the requested goodies. When he says he's hungry a little bit later, he gets sat down in front of the dinner plate. We repeat as necessary. Eventually he realizes that his temper tantrums, whining, and stonewalling just won't work. This sort of behavior is only reinforced when you give them what they want instead of what they SHOULD have. You have to bite the bullet though and decide that you WILL win this battle, no matter what. You're the parent and you can't afford to lose. It may take an hour or two or even more (depends on the kid involved), but you HAVE to show the kid that you WILL NOT be bullied into giving in. You have to show them you mean what you say. Otherwise, they just learn that if they keep after you long enough they'll get their way.

After your child is taught that she must eat what she is given, if you want to re-introduce crackers as an occasional snack, let me suggest the Ak-mak brand. They are 100% whole wheat, no shortening. It may take a bit for her to get used to them since she's used to Ritz, but they're much healthier. If you can't find them in the cracker section of the grocery store, try your local health-food store. Ak-mak crackers are a staple for my son's snacks, and he loves them. Those "whole wheat" Ritz crackers are almost as bad as the regular. They aren't 100% whole wheat... you have to be careful with some of the packaging on food items because it can be misleading. Look for "100% whole wheat" or "100% whole grain". It's gotta have that "100%" on it or it's just junk. If your kid likes pizza, it's not hard to make homemade--and you can make the crust whole wheat. Also, try whole-wheat pasta. After using it exclusively for a few pasta dishes, you won't even notice the difference, and it is infinitely healthier than white noodles. There are lots of ways to hide healthy stuff in other foods for picky eaters.

I really feel for you on this problem. My son sometimes will pull this type of thing--not want what is on his plate at meals and expect snacks between meals. I had to cut back his milk intake (he has a tender appetite, and drinking too much milk fills him up so that he doesn't eat enough regular food). Sometimes standing my ground is a trying ordeal that lasts a while, but it's worth it. Eventually they get hungry enough that they'll figure you aren't giving in and just eat it. Once it took two or three hours of putting his dinner plate back in front of him before he finally ate it but I've heard of kids that will go a day or two before they'll finally eat it. I know it's worrying but the kid can't last forever. It's so worth it to put your foot down on stuff like this.

I've seen kids (knew their parents personally) who knew that if they just whined/cried/threw a fit enough, that Mom/Dad would give in. That makes for a very ill-behaved and unpleasant (and spoiled) child, to be sure. Too many kids these days are running the show when it should be Mom and Dad making the rules and running the outfit. It doesn't do Junior any favors in the long run.

There's an author of parenting/family dynamics books that I highly reccomend. I own two of his books and hopefully will acquire more in the near future. His name is Kevin Leman. One book in particular you might find interesting is "Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours". WONDERFUL information! When I first read this book I really felt like I had hit pay dirt on an effective, morally sound parenting style. Maybe your local library would have it. I just love that book and would reccommend it to anyone.

Hope this helps! Good luck, and God bless!

Answer 9

I would try ridding the house of the crackers. She will eat when she is hungry and if those are not available she will have to choose something else. That is what we do when our kids only want one thing. Good luck

Answer 10

Don't force her. Put what you want for her to eat in front of her, and leave it be. It will be hard to watch her NOT eat, but when she gets hungry, she WILL eat. She absolutely will NOT starve herself. I know this sounds harsh, but it is the truth. I have been there, done that. It was harder than h*ll to do, but it really worked.