I turn off the TV, We all sit down down together, nothing works! She wont eat! She just plays with her food and takes like 2 or 3 bites. She doesn't snack much during the day so that's not it. I cook her favorite foods but still just a couple bites! She's very energetic and busy and just can't seem to sit still. I've tried leaving her at the table, telling her she has to sit there all night if she doesn't eat and she sits there! After an hour or so I give up. What can I do? This has been going on for like 6 months! She's not malnourished or anything but she is pretty skinny and I give her baby vitamins just to make sure she's getting something but I don't know what to do! I'm at my witts end.....
2006-12-07 12:51:01 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Kids eat when they're hungry, and just make sure that when she is hungry, you're giving her something healthy. Also, three year olds are still "grazers", which means they generally eat more throughout the day instead of meals.
Continue to have her sit down at meal time to get her used to the idea, but don't force her to eat. She'll eat when she's ready.
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2006-12-07 13:03:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its really a difficult task to make a kid who refuses to eat. Also it is common during the ages between 2 to 6 or even till 9. Our first son, who is 9 now is just improving up on. First & Fore most stop chocolates and sweets, which kill appitite. Do not leave around snacks and biscuits at least for 1 hour before the food timing. We also tried a lot with varieties of food and all other means but failed totally.
To make him eat a little, my wife used to feed him when he plays games on computer. That worked a little because, mostly he will not even be knowing that he was eating. Finally we found a real good solution that when ever he makes a good (relatively) eating, we used keep appreciating him like "Yeah! you had a good food today and thats really going to help you grow better..." "We saw you eating good yesterday and we know that you can eat still better...." Also I used to keep race with him in eating (!!!!) and see that he does (rather I do) eat at my speed.
Also we used to tell him " To day your intake was good, that means you have such a big belly to eat more tomorrow...." This really motivated and feel that he can also eat!!!!
Motivation is the best and it really worked out. He is now improving a little more on eating habits.
2006-12-07 13:13:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't make it an issue. Many kids at that age refuse to eat as a way of exerting their power. It is something they can control, so they do. Don't get into the struggle with her. Keep healthy snacks in the house. Offer her three meals and two snacks a day. If she doesn't eat then don't make it a big deal. For example: have her breakfast ready at 7am. If she doesn't eat say, "Okay, that is fine. But you won't get anything else until snack at 10am. That is in three hours." I realize she won't totally understand the concept of time but she will somewhat catch on. Then do not give her food until 10. If she doesn't eat then, do it again. Don't get mad. Simply tell her that is okay and she can wait until lunch at noon. Then have snack again at 3 and then dinner later that evening. Each time offer her the food but don't make it an issue and do not get upset. She either eats or she doesn't. Eventually she'll get hungry enough to start eating. If she asks for something between the set times do not allow her to have it. Of course this doesn't apply if you're out doing something special or whatever. But on a normal, daily routine...stick to the eating schedule.
I did this with my own kids and it worked wonders.
2006-12-07 13:01:04 · answer #3 · answered by Amelia 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Up until 3wks ago I myself was experiencing the same frustrations of my 3yr old not eating her dinner, after patience first, then bribes, then arguments, i FINALLY found the best resolution being... let her help you either prepare her dinner, even if its helping u break lettuce up for salads or even designing her food on the plate to her satisfaction u will find that she will devour everything on her plate and like my daughter, after cooking spaghetti bolognese, told me that she was a great cook...lol...
As long as she feels involved in what you are doing FOR HER then u will probably find that she will eat her food! At this age all they want to do is feel grown up and HELP mummy, (except when it comes to cleaning they're toys up), so take some time and let her give u a hand in the kitchen prepping food and u will find that she will look forward to dinner everyday, because she has a say on how her food is arranged which gives her mind that independent urge thay seek at this age!
goodluck and look forward to knowing if this was of any help!!!
2006-12-07 13:36:04 · answer #4 · answered by Spanky the monkey !!! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
start by asking your doctor. if she is eating small amounts a lot through out the day you may not have anything to worry about and she may be eating more than you realize. my daughter went through a phase i would have to just leave her food sitting out and she would nibble here and there between playing she's still like that to an extent. she'll eat with us but won't eat all of her food but doesn't want me to throw it out and she eventually goes back and nibbles on it as she's playing. try observing and taking note of how much she's actually consuming through out the day, not just how much she's consuming when she is sat down to eat a meal or snack. since she isnt malnourished i would say it's a safe bet she's getting more in than you realize
2006-12-07 12:57:16 · answer #5 · answered by butter_cream1981 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
bless your heart. I am a mom that has been through this phase 3 times. What worked with my kids is a reward system. Offer them a small toy if they eat 3 more bites. After a few times of that my kids were finishing their plates.
Please keep in mind though that if you are giving vitamins, sometimes they can make a child feel full. try giving them at bedtime for a few days and see if that helps.
GOOD LUCK !
2006-12-07 13:05:06 · answer #6 · answered by cameraspaz2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make food fun, make things that you can make into funny faces, ask her what she wants to eat, give her a choice. My 3 year old daughter eats too well, but my 5 year old is picky, so I give her an option, and don't put too much even on her plate at a time, she eats a lot of salads and veggies.
2006-12-07 13:12:09 · answer #7 · answered by mason 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do not force her to eat. Whenever kids turn 3 into toddlers, they tend to not eat at times because their digestive system is at it's peak in developing, therefore, if they eat alot, it will only interfere with it's developation. Do not force her to eat hunny, i promise by the time shes about close to 4 years old she will be eatin your whole pantry! Hope this helps : ) feel free to message me later to tell me how she is doing
2006-12-07 13:00:34 · answer #8 · answered by justin3067 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh my gosh. those persons are so good related to the beverages. once I took the beverages faraway from my 3 twelve months previous at mealtime he began to consume. some bites of foodstuff and then basically a sip of drink in a small cup as advantages labored for me. authentic too related to the bottles. they could go.
2016-10-05 00:50:55 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if she doesnt eat her meals, dont let her eat between them, it sounds cruel, but she will realize that if she doesn't, then she will be too hungry, once she starts eating every meal, then you can allow her to have snacks and whatnot
2006-12-07 13:02:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋