How do I get my 3 year old to eat?

Question

I have a 3 year old step son who will only eat crackers and ice cream. He used to eat only 2 kinds of stage 2 baby food as well, but now he won't hardly even eat that. When we try to give him something other than the crakers and ice cream, he freaks like he is afraid of it, out and want's nothing to do with it. the few times he has tried something new, he gags on it, and spits it up. I know he can chew and swallow fine from the crackers, but I don't know why he seems so afraid of eating. My wife said that there was a brief time when he was about 1 1/2 that he would eat chicken nuggets. any thought woud be apritiated.

Answer 1

I have fussy eaters... I have oh boy.. all sorts of fussiness that happens... I asked my pediatrician this very question... I have a daughter (ten now) who would only eat cold hotdogs and bananas... eww...! oh my word... thank heaven she was potty trained! she also insisted on wearing the same thing daily... but that is another story.... I was worried about nutrition.. and the content itself! eeww.. I mean horrid anyway

the pediatrician asked if I was giving her vitamins.. yes... then do not worry... the more you fight it or draw attention? the more she will resist... just stop even asking put the same food out daily each meal small portions though... and put some sort of other food out in the center (make it look good.. cut apple slices in the shape of a face for example) let her know when you put it on the table that she can some if she wants to try them out... and if she does not? it is ok.. you like them and will eat them.... let her have plenty of time at the table so she can eat hers... if she is hungry she might eye the apples or might ask for more of her favorites.. let her know that nope.. she can have more of the favs at next meal... that was all there was....
he said that this is yet another display of "control" in their world... and if you ignore it.. no shock value for starters... second it becomes boring.. you are not fighting... I put out a small variety.. apples for smile... carrot (not peeled and with all the greens at top) for nose and hair... and two cookies for the eyes..... different days I tried different things... it did not actually take too long.. she would nibble and try.. not actually eat a whole anything.... everyone else would mmm, ahh at their waffles and slurp and chomp (only time I allowed table manners like that.. ) she chose one day to come to me before lunch and ask me to please not make her that food today.... could she please have something else... my heart soared! skipped abeat!! I wanted to laugh and giggle and even a part of me wanted to say ha ha I win... but I kept a straight face... said nothing except.. I don't know honey.... I already got your food for you.... what did you want instead? she named a bunch of things to eat.. all things I had put on plates and most she had nibbled at! yes! I got her a plate of a little of everything... unfortunately? she had a new favorite.... and everyday it was those things.. till she bored... and she would bore faster if I did not make a stink about it...
so... do not know what anyone else has said...? but I agree with my dr!! as long as you get the vitamins in him? let him be fussy... and comfortable with his world and power.. and offer him choices just in case make it almost like a "bravery" or if he likes dinosaurs (my son who is picky.. I get him to eat veggies because that is what the dinos ate...dinos ate all the things I make! lol) let him have that bit of control.. you control how much.. a hungry child will eat what is there... they will stubbornly try to get their way.. but? in the end.. they will not allow themselves to starve... so.. hope this helps.. good luck

Answer 2

Hi. I believe that the best way to get your son to eat is to make the presentation fun. I have a three year old daughter and she is the same way. She loves finger foods and things she can control to make her feel like a big girl. When feeding her something new or something that I want her to try, I arrange the food in smiley faces, stars, shapes in general. I also noticed that now that she has her own silverware with her favorite characters on it, she will eat. She is actually excited to eat because she wants to use her utensils. Also, I recommend not giving in to him right away. I do think that his favorite things can be used as a treat for him after he has eaten what you need him to eat. Use reverse psychology and tell him that he can have his desert once he is a big boy and eats at least half of his food. Let him know that treats are just that and that he needs to be a healthy strong boy so that he can play and have fun. If that doesn't work, I reccomend trying to get him to help with cooking the food in little ways. He will appreciate all the hard work he put into cooking his food. Good luck and have a great day.

Answer 3

It's normal at this age...they eat when they want to and you don't force it. Just make sure he has healthy foods to snack on when he does want to eat. As long as he is still maintaining a healthy weight and not losing weight, you just kind of deal with it. It's rough to see your kids refusing to eat but as long as they are "normal" kids and don't have some sort of mental retardation or downs syndrome they will eat when they are hungry. Honestly, being a type 1 diabetic and having a toddler of my own I know that healthy snacking is much more beneficial than eating big healthy meals. It will pass and he will eat like crazy and grow an inch and then he will stop eating regularly again until he needs it to grow another inch. If your son looks unhealthy you should take him to his doc but if he doesn't want to eat and is still growing and looks healthy, leave it alone.

Answer 4

This seems like a form of autism. This is normally something parents notice first. The child refuses to eat certain foods, and will literally throw the food up and be petrified of it. Will he also only do certain activities, and absolutely refuse to do others? You might want to have your son tested by a doctor specialized in this field, or at least ask one some questions.
If he does have it, its not so scary. My brother has asperters syndrome and its not so bad. children with autism vary greatly in intelligence. The type my brother has most people with it have above average intelligence.

Answer 5

At that age kids love good ole Campbell's soup, Chicken noodle, Chicken noodle'oohs or cream of mushroom are good soups to start with. Make sure the soup is Luke warm and not Hot. Feed with a spoon and help them eventually to use the spoon themselves, put some crackers in with it, mashed. Prepare for some messes but kids love it.

RD

Answer 6

Stop giving him cracker and ice cream! Give him an assortment of healthy food and just leave him be - he'll eat when he's hungry enough. He won't like it at first but you've GOT to break the cycle!

Answer 7

My two year old refuses to eat, too. But, no matter what anyone says, don't force them to eat. I was a picky eater and when my parents pushed me, it just made me angry. However, I do give my daughter at least one cup of Pediasure everyday to make sure she gets nutrients she needs. It cost about 10.00 for a sixpack but you can water it down if you need to. Leave general healthy snack foods out for him to much on and when he decides, he'll eat big people food. I didn't even touch steak until I was 20 because my parents had made such an issue of it. So, please don't force him.

Answer 8

LOL! 3 year olds would rule the world if they could and yours is ruling you. NO more cracker's no more ice cream no more nothing cept good food, trust me he will eat when he gets hungry enough.....what a sweet question,,,just remember YOU parents are in charge :)

Answer 9

keep finger foods handy and reachable in a bottom drawer in the fridge for him..tell him it is his drawer and he can eat anything out of it throughout the day, he will eat every couple of hours probably ..they have very small stomachs..... keep grapes and cut up apples or oranges peeled and pulled apart any kind of fruit....chunks of cheese... raisins...dates...baby carrots.... make a small amount of peanut butter on healthy crackers..put them all in baggies with zipper lock sliders he can open and close easily
try different things ..see what he likes and eats the most and don't make a faces or say anything if you or significant other doesn't like something...this all worked for me and they never realized they were eating healthier..most crackers are junk unless they are whole wheat or grains

Answer 10

fix him a regular child type meal and don't give in to him for anything else.. You are teh parent.. don't let him be picky... that is the start of a lifetime of bad habits... DO NOT give in to him no matter what.. if he refuses to eat, he can continue being hungry... eventually he will getr over it and realize that he wil not always get his way!!! and then he will be willing toeat whatever you give to him.