My daughter is 3 years old and very small and underweight for her age. Every meal time is a battle. I either have to feed her myself or threaten to smack her or throw away her toys.
They say they will eat when they are hungry but she can really hold out. I do not know what to do.
2007-11-23 23:41:13 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
First, she can feel your stress and this isn't making it any easier for either of you. You need to relax. She WILL NOT starve herself.
You have to make this not such a big issue. When it's time to eat, you simply offer her what you've made. If she chooses not to eat it, that's her own choice but make it clear to her that you will put her plate in the fridge and when she is ready for it, she should let you know and you will get her plate for her. Also, don't give in and give her sweets or treats when she hasn't eaten her meal. This will reinforce to her that she can refuse to eat dinner and then get desert,etc. Stick to your guns.
Be sure that she isn't doing a lot of snacking or milk drinking through out the day. If she is, she may not be hungry at meal times. Milk is digested as a food so when children drink a lot of milk, they aren't hungry either.
Make the meal time fun and stress free. Do not push her to eat or she will rebel more. Try making a smiley face with her food on her plate, etc.
Children don't have a lot of ways to exert independence so often times, they will exert it by not eating. She will not starve. You just have to be clear with the rules and do not force the issue.
If you still have problems, you should contact her doctor.
Missy
2007-11-23 23:54:58 · answer #1 · answered by Pedsgurl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Add the missing ingredients >>> Love and patience <<<
No child wants to eat in an environment where getting smacked or losing posessions are a part of growing up. By actually being fed by you, she is getting dearly missed personal care and attention.
Contact a public health facility in your area for information on a healthy diet for your child. It could be that what you are offering is not child friendly. Smaller and more manageable portions sometimes makes the eating task more pleasant as well. Your child may also need a visit to the doctor - she may have a virus or physical disability that stops her from swallowing.
2007-11-24 07:57:52 · answer #2 · answered by bin there dun that 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I understand it can be a struggle (my son is a very picky eater and doesn't eat when I want a lot of the time) but please don't threaten to smack her or smack her at all. That will only cause more problems. Just keep trying and be patient. And, feed her youself then! That's what I do with my son. I will follow him around until he eats. I don't care what other people say. I love my child and will do whatever it takes to get him to eat and if following around works, do it!
2007-11-24 08:05:56 · answer #3 · answered by Ryan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree, make it fun. Ask her if she wants to help you pick out the food. Maybe if she thinks she has a say in what's for dinner, she'll be more apt to eat it. You could also get her involved in the preparation of the meal. I'm not saying have a 3 year old boil water for spaghetti, but maybe set up an assembly line to put a salad together. I would like to say she'll grow out of it, but my sister is STILL a pain to get her to eat. And she's 19! Stand your ground and she'll come around.
2007-11-24 07:55:00 · answer #4 · answered by nekidasajaybird 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kids will eat when they get hungry. give her vitamins, don't let her eat sweets between meals, have raw veggies sitting out for her to grab. If you really feel she is in danger, go get the nutrition drinks. Pediasure. It has what she needs to survive, and they taste good. You are giving her undivided attention, although it is negative attention, it is still attention. Stop fighting with her. Make a plate, sit her up to the table with her drink, you also have to sit with her. when you get done eating , is when she can get down from the table, but don't worry about her plate, in time it will change.
2007-11-24 07:57:37 · answer #5 · answered by LIPPIE 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Listen to Pedsgirl/Missy,.. she knows what she is talking about.. I agree with her 100% and have been doing that with my daughter as well, she is not THAT much of a picky eater but if she doesn't eat her meal.. she gets NO snack. It works.. that's the only "threat" I make.. You don't eat, that's fine.. you get no dessert.
2007-11-24 08:15:16 · answer #6 · answered by justplainsweet83 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My doctor put my daughter on Pediasure she is two years old and wasnt eating also. Pediasure is a full meal in a bottle and it comes in chocolate, vanilla (her fave), banana, and strawberry milk flavors. She loves it and now she started eating her food also. So it works.
2007-11-24 17:14:27 · answer #7 · answered by Starr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you try give her multivitamins? I think it will really helps. My 3 year old girl also doesn't like to eat but she drinks a lot of milk/formula.
2007-11-24 07:49:52 · answer #8 · answered by Kammaira 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make meal time fun. Feed her meals that are shaped like clowns etc.
2007-11-24 07:46:08 · answer #9 · answered by Why ask me? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i wish i knew the answer ,,,,
2007-11-24 08:49:54 · answer #10 · answered by Racy! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋