I'm getting worried my daughter won't eat as much, what should I do?

Question

I have a 3 year old daughter and ever since yesterday or the day before she hasn't really eaten as much as she usually eats, and she could eat alot. She's just been eating like snacks and stuff here & there. I try to feed her but she seems to only eat a little bit.
I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but her dad and I are kind of going through a seperation right now and I was wondering if this is bothering her.
I want to call her dad and tell him to see if he can help any, but I don't want to bother him. I'm trying to "leave him alone" now.
I'm getting really worried. what can I do? could it be because of the situation between me & her dad?
help me :(

I forgot to add that the weather here is already like autumn, but not too bad.

and she is drinking lots of juices, milk, and water.

Answer 1

Greetings! First, let me offer my condolences on your separation. That is a very painful process that you are going through, and it does impact your children.

My first bit of advice is to reassure her how much you love her and this separation has nothing whatsoever to do with your daughter. This is absolutely crucial because often a child will internally take that blame. I cannot stress this enough.

Now for her eating habits. Young children go through growing spurts. They grow like a weed, then slow down, only to go up again. The fact your child isn't eating as much is actually quite normal.

What you can do is limit her snacks and when you do give her a snack, make it a healthy one. Instead of a cookie, you can give her a carrot or celery and peanut butter, then offer her a regular healthy meal.

Rest assured, there has never been a young child who willingly and deliberately starved themselves. If she is not hungry, don't push it. She will tell you when she is hungry later (and she will). When that happens, you can offer the meal you prepared or a bowl of bland cereal (corn flakes and milk, for example). If you take that route, make sure the cereal isn't loaded with chocolate and sugar. It needs to be as bland as possible. This way, it will help the child to eat with the family.

The most important thing you can do at this time is give her all the love you can. She is going to need it. I know you and your signifcant other have had your issues, but to her, her Daddy has gone away. That is all she understands. Your love for her (as well as Daddy's) is crucial.

Also make sure you take care of YOU also. You are hurting as well and you need to be loved and cared for.

I've been through a divorce and know how painful it can be.
I will say, that I didn't have a child, so I can't relate on that
score, but I have seen the effects with children and mother's
who are in my care.

Take care.....I really mean it.

Answer 2

First of all, if there are any LIGHT signs of fever, pain, diarrhea, urinary tract infection, running nose, etc you should take her to the pediatrician Monday AM (no need to rush today to ER), but if she starts showing strong signs today (high fever, etc) then do go to the nearest hospital for check up (I'll leave the difference between strong and light to you, as that is a subjective measurement that changes from parent to parent, except for high fever, that's an immediate GO).
It is very normal for kids to eat like crazy some days and then all the sudden "run on air" for a couple of days. It is also normal they loose appetite when parents (either one or both) are gone for business trip (or any other reason as you explained), but after a few days they go back to normal.
Also, check her gums, as another potential cause is a teeth or molar coming out that is also an appetite inhibitor.
Should you get to a fourth day and appetite is still not restored, probably a visit to the pediatrician is Ok. The doctor will most likely check that height and weight are within the specified range for the age, there is a strong chance a vitamin supplement will be prescribed to help re-gain appetite, and perhaps some analysis to detect asymptomatic urinary track infections that are very common on girls before he prescribes any antibiotic.
Still, there is NO rule that prevents a parent when it comes to decide to take their children to the doctor at any given time, so regardless of anything you hear or read, it is always your heart combined with your head that should decide if you can wait another day or rush to ER.
Good luck and hope your daughter starts eating again.

Answer 3

I went through the same thing with my 2 month old. Her father and I seperated when she was 4 weeks old and she began to stop wanting to have the breast milk I would give her at the times she was supposed to. Make meal times fun. Maybe you should call your peditritian see what she recomends. Look up: Fun Kids Cooking on Google and I'm sure you'll find something fun. Talk to her as you feed her. Tell her "Mommy and Daddy love you, but we're going through a boo-boo time right now, so it would be a big help if you could be a big-girl and eat up." Tell her that every meal time and soon she'll start eating again.

Answer 4

Kids understand alot more than we realize. She very well might be feeling uneasy about the recent seperation and it could be making her less hungry. Try to cut out a bit of the snacks so she is a bit more hungry at meal times. She also just might not be going through a growth spert. She might not be doing as much growing right now as she was a few days before therefore she is not as hungy.

Answer 5

I know it's hard to not worry, but please try to. 3 year olds are good at eating only what they need. They know when their body wants them to stop eating and they follow that. They eat less when their growth slows and when they are not as active, which is how it should be. It is extremely rare for her to keep this pattern of eating going for long periods of time. I define "long" as in over 6 months. Eventually, she WILL get hungry enough and go back to "normal." Even if it is because of the stress she is experiencing, she can't and won't maintain this hunger "strike" for long - shes too young for that.

Answer 6

Kids go through stages where they eat a ton and then they sorta taper off. If she's eating don't worry about it. She'll eat when she's hungry. Stuff going on with you and our husband could be bugging her too. Just make things that she likes and keep an eye out. If she starts to lose weight then worry.

Answer 7

It's possible she's reacting to your separation, but it's also possible she's simply going through a not hungry phase.

If she's eating snacks, she should be fine. She may actually be eating more than you realize.

The most important thing is if she's drinking enough liquids. If she is, just offer her healthy meals and snacks and let her decide whether to eat.

You don't want to create eating problems later by forcing her now.

Answer 8

My son was the same when his dad and I split up, he was totally withdrawn and wouldn't eat - however, saying that, when I approached the doctor about it, he said that children only eat when they are hungry and even a drink of milo or the corner of a piece of toast may be enough for them. Hope it goes well. She'll eat when she's ready.

Answer 9

It is okay as long as she drinks her milk regularly. Milk is a complete food by itself. She will eat when she is hungry just as we adults do. She is still too young to understand family problems at her age. Don't blame her Dad for it.

Answer 10

Don't worry about it. She will eat when she' hungry - she might be feeling a little off colour particularly if its hot where you are. In a few days she will be eating you out of house and home, I promise!