How can I change this habit?

Question

Ok, so my two year old has a problem with eating when I put in front of her. We eat at the same time everyday and most of the time she will take a bite or two and then she will cry and whine and want down from her chair and want to run around and play. She usually sits there for a good 30 minutes so that I can get her to atleast eat most of it. But is my 2 year old the only one with this problem? How can I get her ( not force her ) to eat more? I don't want to shove food down her throat just to make her eat. Can she take vitamins at her age? Or what about those pediasure drinks? Help!! ( And no she dosen't starve, she does eat throughout the day, but she dosen't eat a lot when we do sit down to eat. )

Answer 1

I have 3 children and they ALL went through this. Kids stop eating when they are not growing. You're daughter will not starve; she'll eat when she's hungry. You definitely want to get her on Flinstones vitamins daily; that will keep her iron levels in check. In the meantime, make sure the food she does eat is nutritious with lots of fruit, vegs, protein, and whole milk to drink. Don't worry about her; kids appetites are self regulating.

Answer 2

My boyfriend has a 2 year old and 2 older kids. At dinner time, the little one refuses to eat most of the time and asks to go down after about 5-10 minutes. I don't make a big deal out of it but l make her sit until everybody else is done, then she may go down. And usually she comes to me hungry a few hours later and l put the same thing in front of her as she would have had for dinner (l usually save her plate to give it to her later). If she is really hungry, she'll eat, otherwise she won't. And that's fine, just leave her be, sometimes when they are little like that, they won't eat much.
On the other hand, cutting down on the snaks and sweets during the day might be a good idea.

Answer 3

My daughter does the same thing. It's partly the age they are at and also, the snacking throughout the day. I would suggest trying to cut back on the daytime foods so she is more hungry at dinner time. Another trick I do is offer a treat after dinner, something small and surprisingly, most of the time, no it's not sugar. I offer her a banana, or apple (she loves them) on occasion a cookie or piece of cake, but I tell her she can't have it unless she eats her dinner. Those nights, are the nights she eats all of her dinner and fast too. As far as pediasure and vitamins, yes you can give them to her. Just make sure the vitamins are for her age so there is no accidental overdose.

Answer 4

Welcome to toddlerhood. My 19-month old does the same exact thing. They are so busy and on the move, they don't like being tied down. As long as she is eating across the day, she is getting enough nutrition. I understand the importance of family meal times, but your don't want her to dread it either. If she gets really anxious, we sometimes let our daughter play with a small toy or color while we eat. If she gets very upset, we just let her down. She'll have time to learn to eat with the family. Also, try cutting back on how much she eats prior to dinner. I stop allowing the "grazing" a few hours before dinner, and this typically helps her eat better at dinner. As for the pediasure, my daughter hates them. I would ask your doctor about vitamins. If she is otherwise eating well, she probably doesn't need them.

Answer 5

Goodness, no. You aren't alone. This is something ALL children do at some point.
She doesn't need vitamins since you say she is eating throughout the day as well.
She doesn't like being made to sit still is all. She's learning how to do thousands of new things at the moment, and this is exciting for her...if she is made to sit down, she can't play and learn which is normal behaviour for a two year old. Just remember that you aren't alone :)

Answer 6

I suggest trying not cut back on the snacking she does between meals. If she is hungry then she will eat.
My sister goes days where she will just nibble here and there and not really "eat" (she does drink plenty of fluids though) and then there are days where all she does is eat. She knows when she is hungry which is why she eats during the day, stop giving her so many snacks and make her sit at the table with you when she eats. And have the rule if she gets down she doesnt get to come back no playing at the table. It works with my little sisters. ANd they are plenty healthy. Good luck

Answer 7

It's a hard habit to break!! My 2.5 yr old has been out of his high chair for almost 2 yrs...He hated sitting in the chair. Getting him to sit and eat with us...is NEXT to impossible....I don't force him to SIT and eat. I bought a Little Tykes table and chair set for him last CHristmas and I put his plate and cup on that. He gets up and sits down and eats when he wants...BUT he's seeing all of us sitting at the BIG table and we tell him soon he can sit up with us...His older brother also sits with him...Just give her a bit more time and soon she'll be old enough to KNOW she has to eat when everyone else eats...REMEMBER she's been eating when she wants ALL of her life...this is new! You're not the only one going through this...My husband thinks I starve him to death..."Don't you EVER feed him?" cause he's always eating bites of this or that (ALL DAY HE DOES THIS!)...He eats what he wants and the RULES for the table will happen soon enough...

Answer 8

Perhaps the eating a lot tnroughout the day is your problem. I would suggest having set times for breakfast, lunch and dinner and set times for a small, light snack between. (fruit, etc.) When it's time to eat, have a set amount of time when the food is on the table. What's not eaten then is put away. Just a small snack before bedtime, and I'll bet she'll gobble down her breakfast. If she learns that this is when we eat, and if I don't join in, I will lose out, it won't take her long to get with the program. Good luck...that's such a tough age!!

Answer 9

I know what you are talking about. When my 12 year old did it 10 years ago I was worried too. I talked to his doctor and he told me that "a lot of kids do this around this age and not to worry about it. Just make sure that what he is eating between the main meals was healthy like fruit or vegetables." Now I have 4 children and two of them have also been like that. My youngest just started doing that about a month ago. She is about to turn 2 this month. You can give your child vitamins or ensure, but make sure you talk to the child's doctor first.

Answer 10

i have that same prop with my 3 year old she takes vitiman and also drinks the pediasure drinks. i found that when she is playin all day and snaking here and there she wont eat her meals with the family. If i take the snacks away in the afternoon then she will eat alot more when it comes time to sit down then when she snacks all day