how do you get a 18mon old to eat right?

Question

we are having trouble to get our 18mon old to eat any ideas

Answer 1

It's a common phase that little people go through. They have growth spurts where they can't get enough to eat.
This goes on until they are adults. My 11 yr old will eat like a bird for a few days and then "will eat us out of house and home." He usually has grown another few inches and another pants size.

Answer 2

OMGosh to Ryan M's answer!!!

I think for the most part everyone here has had the right ideas.....it really isn't something to worry too much about. I'm sure your little one eats, it's just not as much as you think she needs. If she's hungry, she'll eat. I don't know any parent out there that hasn't faced what you are currently experiencing.

If you give milk throughout the day be sure to limit that to 24 oz only. Milk is great but can be such a filler. I actually didn't/don't give my kids (at 18mos) anything to drink until they were already done eating or really close to it.

Another thing I've noticed with my kids is that too much food on the plate is overwhelming. Only put a small amount on the plate/tray and then keep adding as he eats. They need to see there is an end in sight.

There is Pediasure that you can give your child too. Both of my kids love it. It has all the necessary vitamins and such in it. If you don't feel your baby is getting all she needs, that is a great option!!

Good Luck, and if you truly are worried about your baby's eating habits talk with your pediatrician.

Answer 3

Children won't starve themselves. Keep putting only the healthy foods in front of them and they will eat when hungry enough. Make sure they eat at the table with you and see you eating all of the same foods. Don't grouch or bribe, just eat your own food and point to their plate often saying things like, "try this" If you get a negative response, just go back to your own eating without a word said. Talk to your partner about the food and the taste. If your child tries even just a little bit, respond to that positively. Even touching the food with their fingers should be responded to with comments about the texture of it, "it's mushy isn't it?" or" that's nice and crunchy" Also make sure it is not too hot to start with. Children tend to not realise that food cools, so if it is hot they will think it is going to be that hot all the time. Good luck, I work in the childcare industry and just one toddler can be just as hard as 12 or more to feed. One thing I have learnt is that as soon as you start trying to offer alternatives, they expect it all the time and will reject first offerings just out of habit.

Answer 4

Most pediatricians will tell you that you should not try forcing food on your child - offer a wide variety and they will eat when they are hungry. I know a few times I've had to play around a bit with what I am offering my 15mth old as she really knows what she likes and what she doesnt like - so one night peas can go great and the other she'll only have a few bites of that but will eat a whole corn on the cob (and she is so cute eating it!) and a bit of bread, potatoes, etc to go with it. Others already said this, but finger foods are great, your child probably wants to show his or her independence. If you continue to offer different things, and your child doesnt want to eat much but continues to be in good spirits and is at a healthy weight, let them go play and dont force food on them. When you stop to think how tiny their tummies are you understand it doesnt take much to get them full. During growth spurts they might eat more but luckily they dont over-indulge themselves like a lot of us adults do!

Answer 5

Finger foods. Several portions disbursed throughout the day. Toddlers are on the go so much that they can't focus for prolonged periods of time on anything, including eating. Making food interesting and fun (like making happy face pancakes: raisins for eyes, etc ) and food that they can eat themselves without a lot of fuss (like eating with their hands, as opposed to having to use cutlery) will help them eat more and give you more peace of mind. And focus on quality, not quantity. Ask your pediatrician for a good toddler diet. "What To Expect During The Toddler Years" is a great book that has ideas/recipes in the back of it. You could sign it out from your local library.

Answer 6

My husband and I have a 19 month old. He still takes bottles, which we're trying to get him off of but not too much in a rush because he is still a little young. But when we get up in the morning, he eats breakfast with us and then inbetween breakfast and lunch, he has a snack. Usually it's animal crackers or cheez-its, sometimes a yogurt. And then we'll have lunch and inbetween lunch and dinner, he has another snack. Then we have dinner together. He eats pretty good. We only give him bottles when he's sleeping. But yeah, that's what we do. Not sure if you do anything different or not.

Answer 7

You just have to be persistent and offer healthy foods continually. Toddlers love to feed themselves, so, try a variety of cut fruits and vegetables, cubed cheese, shredded chicken, etc. Try to stay clear of the evil chicken nuggets and fries that have become a staple in most childrens' diets. Save the less healthy stuff for outside the home. Good luck and stay firm! You are on the road to raising a healthy eater.

Answer 8

thats about the right age that it happens my son is 21 months almost 22 now and eating again you just have to find things that they will eat no matter what there will be a few and they'll have to live on that for now i always offered tons of things but my son refused but he had a few things he would always eat those little yogurts,, green beans cooked or not, cheese, and bread oh and of course french fries sandwich meat and few others it might be different for you little guy but as long as you don't have junk avaliable then when he does eat it will be healthy and thats about all you can do till the appitite picks up a bit

Answer 9

Hi -

If your child is not eating, there is probably something wrong. Usually parents will try to force food down their throats, but that could choke them. I really recommend talking to a doctor.

You should try being a little more aggresive. Have your child sit on their fathers lap, with the childs back against his stomach, and his right arm and hand with the spoon or whatever, and kind of forcing (not the word I wanted to use) the food into the childs mouth. Doing this might help your child feel more comfortable eating. It kind of tells your child that his/her Dad is in control, and eating is something that he/she has to do.

Good luck, and congrads on the "2nd" baby on the way!

Edit:

I forgot to add, doing that shouldn't be permanent. You can ease away from sitting on his lap, and then onto the father feeding him infront of him at the table or something, and then eventually you feeding him. If it is a girl, then you could probably do it quicker.

Answer 10

well, you don't give him a choice on what he eats, but do give him a choice on how much...if the only foods available to him are the ones you want him to eat, he or she will not starve themselves, and you need to teach them now or they will only be pickier and more difficult later. however, food should never be a punishment...and they shouldn't be punished for not 'cleaning their plates either.' my mom always had the rule that you weren't allowed to say you didn't like it if you had never tasted it, and then you didn't have to eat much, but you did have to eat a few bites..we all survived,lol