my 3 year old.. has refused to eat for 2 days... and believe me he eats me out of house and home usually.. loves his food.. i asked him why.... he just says cos i dont want it n e idea's ..
2007-03-22 22:13:00 · 27 answers · asked by honey 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Leave your 3 year old alone. It's a phase and it will pass. Maybe he craves liquids now. Make him a smoothie and let him help you. A milk shake or even soup that always works with mt three boys. Good Luck.
2007-03-22 22:25:07 · answer #1 · answered by momof3_angles 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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.
2007-03-23 05:38:58 · answer #2 · answered by chrissy757 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its most important that he's drinking fluids, is he doing that?
That said, I would take him to a doctor just to rule out that he's not eating due to pain, illness, etc. My son did the same thing, and it turned out he has tonsillitis and an ear infection (he didn't have a fever) - so most likely he wasn't eating because it was too painful for him. If nothing is wrong with your son, don't worry about it. Kids go through stages of eating a ton and then eating like a bird... it goes with their growth spurts.
2007-03-23 12:50:27 · answer #3 · answered by Mom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ALL children go through this phase. Trust me, NO child will let themself starve.
Provided he isn't sick, then just continue to be a good mom and offer him his normal foods. If he rejects it, then just back off and try again later.
Under no circumstances you should EVER force a child to eat. It can be absolutely devastating to them mentally and emotionally and could possibly lead to further problems like the fear of food... and yes, it does happen and can turn very ugly. Of course not all kids end up like that, but it's just not worth the risk. Again, no child will let themselves starve and all you need to do is just stay calm (it can be very frustrating!) and let this phase ride out on its own.
Most importantly though, make sure he is at least consuming plenty of liquids! Because he's not wanting to eat solid foods, try to avoid constant juices due to the sugar content. Instead, offer him milk and water and perhaps a yogurt "drink" or a real smoothie using yogurt and fruit in a blender. The combinations of yogurt and 100% real fruit will give him some vitamins that he's missing out on from solid foods. No worries though, he's not going to end up with a vitamin deficiency!
Here's an idea to ponder. When I was younger and my mom went through the exact same thing with me, she started adding food coloring to my foods. While some kids may be turned off by "green" anything, my mother discovered it was a fantastic way to get me interested. There were dozens of mornings where I'd have blue oatmeal, or purple scrambled eggs. I even got to eat purple pancakes! There were also plenty of lunches and dinners that involved green or red mashed potatoes or orange (the color, not the flavor) muffins. The food coloring does not effect the taste nor anything else involved in cooking whatever food at the time. Try letting your son help you squirt a couple of drops of coloring into the food and then let him stir it around to watch the MAGIC happen! Get him excited about it! And of course remember, if he still doesn't want to eat the food, then you and the rest of the family can have a rainbow meal; it's a win-win situation!
You're not going through anything that the rest of us mothers haven't! I wish you and your family the very best!
2007-03-23 05:23:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Ask the doctor. I dont that somethings wrong, but maybe he will have some suggestions. In the mean time just ask your son why he wont eat. Be nice, though just say some thing like "honey why arent you eating? you have to eat." I kno all kids are different but this is whats worked for me, good luck
2007-03-23 05:18:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You really mustnt force him to eat. My daughter ate nothing for 5 days but ate in the end. Check with the Dr but I would think that he will eat when he is hungry. Put the food in front of him at the meal time and at the end of the meal time take it away. Don't force the food into him.
2007-03-26 11:17:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son is almost 3 he has always gone through phases and I call him little hamster because he eats loads some days then hardly anything some. As long as he's drinking plenty plus don't give in to him with biscuits and sweets or he'll never eat.
2007-03-24 18:59:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
take him to the doctors and see what they say. It's not usual for a child to go 2 days without food, unless he's getting snacks from somewhere and you're just not catching him. If not I would take him to the Dr. Also, has he been going to the bathroom (bowel movement)?
2007-03-23 05:17:29 · answer #8 · answered by awoman8559 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
are you sure he has not found how to open the fridge and is feeding himself? he is the right age.
it is not unusual for children to refuse to eat and is probably nothing.
however, you are obviously and rightly worried and you should take your son to a GP or Health Visitor to have him checked out.
As I said it is probably nothing but seek help anyway. Nobody will blame you it turns out nothing is wrong.
2007-03-23 05:23:54 · answer #9 · answered by mdw 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most importantly.....is he still drinking? That is the crucial....he must, must, MUST drink. If not get him to the surgery for help rehydrating him.
Otherwise don't make an issue of it, you cannot force him to eat and he may like the fuss of you trying to make him.
I would leave his favourite snacks around where he can get them and let him choose his own time and place.
you could try giving him one of those meal supplement drinks for people who are too ill to eat?
I don't think kids ever starve voluntarily.
Try not to worry too much, I know it's awful when we want the best for them and they thwart us, but really it will be OK.
2007-03-23 05:18:19 · answer #10 · answered by nlj1520 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋