What would you do?

Question

If your child won't eat? would you just give whenever he/she wants or sit him/her until she finish the food?
So far only 3.25% milk that goes in without fighting.

Answer 1

My son is 2. There are days when I can't seem to feed him enough and other days he'll hardly eat a thing. I also work at Mother's Day Out at the children do very well when kept on a schedule. (It doesn't have to be a strict by the minute schedule.) If they get used to eating at certain time then they really tend to be hungrier at that time and generally eat well. MDO starts at 8:50, we have snack around 10, and lunch around 11:30-12:00. Then we have nap time. Some children sometimes are too tuckered out to eat, so it is offered after nap (which rarely happens). It's really a matter of finding a routine that you and your child can do well with. If your child is younger (still bottle fed), they will generally let you know when they are hungry. My son didn't eat every 2-3 hours, yet a friend of mine's son does. Every child is different. There is no need to fight about food. Remember, you are not a short order cook. You don't have to prepare something different for each person whenever they want it. (unless you are happy spending your day in the kitchen...I'm not, but that's just me.) But that works for some people. I offer my son food. If he doesn't want it, fine. I will put it away and that same food will be available to him later if he decides he is hungry. When he does decide he's hungry I gladly warm it for him. But, he also sits with us at dinner time until everyone else is done. At MDO he sits at the table until all his friends are done or goes to lay on his mat for nap. It's all in how you want to handle it. But again, there is no need to fight over food and eating it. My son also went through a phase of refusing to drink white milk. I added just a hint of Ovaltine (it's the healthiest chocolate milk mix) and he'd drink it up. One day he decided he didn't want Choc milk and was back to white milk. That's OK, too. Milk really isn't worth stressing anyone out.

Answer 2

Some kids tend to have pretty small appetites, so if they aren't filling up on junk, they will eat when they are hungry. I think it's best not to make food into a battle so just offer them good meals, let them eat what they want and they won't starve. With my 3 year old daughter though, I have started a 5 bite rule, she can't leave the table until she takes 5 bites off her plate. I only do this because she wants to skip dinner and ask for snacks later on. And usually in the process of taking her 5 bites, she just starts eating, because she realizes she does like what's on her plate.

Answer 3

I would offer regular meals. At suppertime especially, they must sit at the table until I’m finished and ready to excuse them. Sometime you’ll notice that they will eat if they actually have to stay at the supper table.

I always tell my kids, “if you’re not hungry, I won’t make you eat – but don’t expect a treat later”. If they are not eating their lunch, I only offer their lunch to them until suppertime and if they don’t eat their supper, then they are offered their supper when they ask for a snack.

They get a small cup of water at start of supper and must make some eating progress before they will be given another drink.

The milk is probably filling your guy’s tummy and that’s why he’s not eating.

Don’t forget that kids also eat in cycles and a big appetite eating cycle should not be considered the norm.

Answer 4

How old is the child? Assuming the availability of adequate nutrition, I've never known a young child to starve. There is a tendency for some children to become "milkaholics."

I'd wean to the cup ASAP after the child is a year of age and present a balanced diet to the child. If he eats it, fine. If he refuses it, fine. He waits until the next meal. You're not a short order cook. Sometimes love is tough.

Answer 5

First question- how old is your child? 2. Have they never eaten solid food or is this some thing new? I mean , were they eating crackers two days ago?
3.Are they still gaining weight?

After you answer all these questions, call your Pediatrician for the correct answers. Remember, kids' tummies are very small. What you think is not alot of food is a ton for a two or three year-old. (Guessing the age)
Please do not worry. My kids go in spurts. They could not truly eat for days. Then I cannot feed them fast enough. My friend's child- we think she lives on air. But her Dr. said she is fine and gaining weight. So whatever she does eat, it is enough.

Answer 6

I think the best thing to do is to stock up on the foods your child does eat and just feed them that.i really don't think anyone should force a child to eat at a specific time, meal or food because believe it or not children know if they are hungry are not.
and besides isn't better that they eat something than nothing at all.it may by a little more work for you to feed everyone at different times and serve different foods.but trust me life's alot better without the little battles at meal time.all you really have to do is watch the sugar and junk intake and everything should turn out all right it did for me and my family. GOOD LUCK

Answer 7

I have a son like that, and he is 8 now and is still the same way..He is a picky eater, and when he does eat its only a little..I did go to a doctor about this and I was told he will eat when he wants to..He will not starve himself..He also had to have a scope done to make sure he didn't have a gag reflex that stopped him from eating when he was a toddler. I do cook separate meals for my son when he is Hungry, new texture makes him gag all the time..

Answer 8

If my child doesn't want to eat(after I've checked about any illness or sickness) I would suggest he/she isn't hungry and I wouldn't force him/her no matter how long hasn't he/she eaten.When he/she is hungry enough,he/she will eat.No child(not even a baby) would let him/herself die of hunger.
I would also try to suggest other food if he/she doesn't like a particular food,which sometimes happens to everyone - if you've eaten something too often,you don't want to see that food for at least 2 weeks.

Answer 9

It is your job to provide your child with a selection of appetizing and healthful meals. It is the child's job to eat or not. Stay positive and don't nag, but don't give the child something different just because he/she is fussy.

Answer 10

Well first how old is the child? maybe they don't feel ready for solid foods. or you may need to mash, chop or puree things to get them to eat.