My daughter is going to be 2 this month and lately she won't eat.?

Question

She only wants to eat certain things, I make her a lunch of things she normally eats but she won't eat it and only wants to eat yogurt or oatmeal at every meal. My husband says if she doesn't eat her lunch or dinner that I shouldn't give her anything else so that she will learn to eat what she is given but she has always been a thin child and when she hasn't eaten anything since breakfast I just want her to eat something even if it's just oatmeal, yogurt or fruit. I would like some advice or tips from other parents who have had similar situations. Help!!

Answer 1

I'd offer fruit with every meal--a different one, though. I agree with your husband--if she's hungry, she'll eat. If not, she won't. She won't starve herself to death. Yogurt shouldn't be a meal item, but a snack in the am or afternoon.

I don't know any kids who are between 18 mos and 3 years that are NOT picky. She's starting to realize that she can control what she is putting into her body and she also is learning how to manipulate you. So, don't give in and she won't, either. Her eating will pick up in about 6 mos. I used to watch a little girl that between the ages of 21 mos and 30 mos wouldn't eat much at meals at all. She'd go a day with eating nothing but a yogurt smoothie for a snack and no meals, to eating 10 chicken nuggets--there was no in between. Now that she's three, she eats more "normally." Her brother is exactly a year younger than her, and he's now in that picky stage where he will go from eating nothing to eating everything in sight with no in between. Don't give in and she'll outgrow the stage--don't cater to her or you'll be doing it for the next fifteen years.

Answer 2

Its a hard decision, because obviously if she isn't very hungry and you put her favourite food in front of her she will probably eat at least some of it. Which of course will make her less hungry for meals. That's just human nature.

However if you constantly only give her her favourite foods that can make the situation worse.

Try to find a happy medium. There's nothing wrong with oatmeal, fruit and yogurt for breakfast every day. My son has usually has a banana every day with breakfast -not because he is picky he'll eat anything. But because it is easy and the peel goes to the rabbit. He used to also get cheerios, then for awhile it was toast, now it depends. Then he eats whatever I eat later for breakfast.

Also there is nothing wrong with all her snacks being fruit, possibly with yogurt for the protein.

On the other hand I would make an effort to cook lunch and dinner and sit down and eat together. Don't make a big deal out of how much she eats, or doesn't eat. But she should join you at the table -often times kids are more willing to eat what everyone else is eating. Also you can give her choices before you cook. Like rice or potato, broccoli or peas, whatever.

Answer 3

I wouldn't worry too much about it. If your daughter is still eating, and not losing weight or showing signs of sickness, then she should be fine. Many times I've heard health care workers say that a child will eat when they're hungry and they'll get the nourishment that they need as long as your not serving only junk. Yogurt and oatmeal are not considered junk, so she'll be fine.

It's probably just a phase, and she's eating what she likes. I would continue to offer other foods, of course. She will eventually ask for something else or will grow tired of yogurt and oatmeal. If you're concerned that she's not getting enough of her vitamins, there are many other ways of administering vitamins to your child other than just by what she eats.

As for your husband, I can understand wanting to train up your child to accept what they are given, but at 2 you may just be creating more of an issue for yourself than necessary. Try offering her ONLY yogurt and oatmeal and see how she reacts. If she refuses it then you may have an issue with her just acting up, but if she lovingly accepts what you've offered, then she's really just partial to those two items right now.

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

My 2.5 year old did this for a while (and still does every once in a while). What helped with her was to let her have some control over breakfast and lunch, she got to choose between meal A or B (breakfast normally eggs or oatmeal, lunch a sandwich or mac and cheese). If she didn't eat what she chose I would wrap it up and put it in the fridge. If she wanted a snack later I would offer her the previous meals food, but if she didn't want it she didn't have another option. Dinner she got whatever everyone else was eating, if she didn't want it, I would put it in the fridge in case she changed her mind. After a few weeks, she would make her choice and eat it happily(with a rare refusal thrown in since she still is 2). Good luck!

Answer 5

First of all she is 2 years old and old enough to know when she is hungry, at this age you should not pressure her into eating. A lot of children at this age prefer to eat a large breakfast, then they do not seem hungry for the rest of the day. IT IS NORMAL, dont worry she is not going to starve herself, when she is hungry feed her. If she wants something else it is not that big of a deal oatmeal is very healthy it'snot like she's asking for candy or ice cream. Tell her father your not trying to encourage her to eat something different the time will come when she gets older and you can cross thjat bridge later. When she gets 3-4 and still wants her oatmeal, as my 4 year old does almost daily, I make a deal, eat 1/2 of everything you put on her plate, and she can her oatmeal for a snack before bed.

Answer 6

I wouldn't worry too much. I have three year old twins who do this periodically. They love certain things and sometimes will eat other things if the wind is blowing in the right direction!

Be grateful that she is wanting to eat things like yogurt, oatmeal and fuit. She could only be wanting chicken nuggets and frenchfries!

My advice would be to always offer some of what you are having and try to get her to at least try it. She may surprise you and herself by liking it. After that, give her oatmeal and yogurt if that's what she wants. It certainly won't hurt her!

Answer 7

This is fairly common at this age. Did you nurse your daughter and if so for how long? Children that breastfeed seem to eat more of a variety ( my kid is such a hog, she is 20 months old and will eat tomatos and green peppers even. you name it she eats it) But mind you, that is NOT the norm. I talk to parents daily at her park and friends of mine that say their child just wont eat any thing. If all she wants is oatmeal, after you have tried other things, give it to her. Just keep offering new foods and she will end up eating other stuff. It's just a phase she is going through. My friend's son only eats mac and cheese, and he's 23 months. :)

Answer 8

Just offer her whatever food she prefer even if some might consider it unhealthy , too fattening , too this or too that , you know , for example if it is potato chips morning noon and night at least she has intake(give a lot for more calorie intake if you want her to gain a little weight) , hopefully she will outgrow it . Usually & Normally they do , especially when you have her eat with other kids that eat different kinds of food (like vegetables and fruits ) peer pressure usually helps them learn that it's OK to eat other things, if they can eat it i can eat it too . Good Luck !

Answer 9

Honey I feel for you my daughter is the same way. But the only thing that she will eat is a cookie. It drives me crazy sometimes I will find myself making 2 or 3 different lunches just trying to get her to eat, only for her to take 1 or 2 bites and not eating anymore. My daughter is thin two, it seems like all she wants is milk and nothing else. I am hoping it passes, and I hope it passes for you as well.

Answer 10

all kids go through this stage.dont worry, but dont give in by giving her sweet things. i know its annoying but still put down all the healthy things as well as her oatmeal and yogurt and she might just eat something else. at least she is eating fruit.