My 2 1/2 Year Old Toddler Son Will Not Eat?

Question

The Pediatrician says he is going through phases, but he is losing weight now. He was built like a linebacker before and has since thinned out. He eats and drinks little these days. Milk in AM, a couple of snacks during the days (his favorites pot chips and many fruits). Before bed milk and his vitamins. Its a struggle to get him to eat a main meal but now he is totally rebellious to the point he spits up the food. He was a good baby and ate everything before, but now we do not know what to do as he lost around 5 lbs. He has been brought to the Ped twice for this with same resulting answer. What is suggestions for encouraging him to eat normal meals? He probably only takes in a few hundred calories a day at most for the last 6-8 mos.

Answer 1

Totally a phase. From about 18 mos-3 years, kids stop eating. They are starting to be able to control what goes into their bodies. Eliminate snacks and offer only healthy options at dinner that are high in fats and good cholesterol--ex. egg, avocado. Keep him on the whole milk. Don't offer potato chips or other unhealthy snacks. They're just "filler." I know you're thinking, "they're the only thing he'll eat." Not true--he knows that you will cave and give him what he wants to eat eventually, so he holds out. Don't make a big deal out of it. Set a timer--when the timer goes off and he's still not eating, his food disappears until the next meal--no snacks. He'll learn to eat again and when there's little reaction from you, he'll have no audience.

Here's what a serving consists of: meat-the size of the palm of his hand. Fruits and veggies are 2-3 tbsp. Milk is 4 oz. One sippy is usually 8-16 ounces. Pediatricians recommend only giving kids 8-16 oz. throughout the day of milk--it's not as healthy as you may think it is.

Answer 2

I can relate to your concern. Had the same problem with my two older kids. It was a phase. My oldest, now 14, 95#s, did the spitting up of the food, too.
Do your best to not make a big deal about eating. Just put very small portions of food on his plate. Don't pay too much attention to him as you are all sitting down together to eat. He drinks milk, right? How about a high calorie milk shake? I am thinking of a way for you to get more calories in him which will make you feel better. He will eat when he is hungry. 2 1/2 year olds do not get eating disorders. Maybe he is enjoying all the attention, albeit negative, he is getting. Have you taken him to the grocery store to see what he picks out?
Since you've taken him to the Ped, I would like to believe that any kind of digestive problem has been ruled out.

Answer 3

This is a normal phase as eating is one of the few things kids have control over and they will use it if you let them. Make sure he has milk and no snacks that aren't healthy. He likes fruit which is great. Tell him he can have cheese for snacks and maybe some kind of healthy bread product. If you make a real big deal out of this it will become a power struggle between you (I learned this the hard way with my oldest) Just insist on healthy eating and don't fret too much about how much he's eating. Of course, if he loses too much weight he needs to be seen by a doctor again. Good luck

Answer 4

He is going through a phase. They grow out then up. Toddlers are just too busy to be bothered by sitting down and eating a meal- too many things to do. My son did that and my daughter is starting.

First cut back on the snacks- he is problemly eating more than you think and then not hungry for meals. Also, make sure that the food is ready for him and waiting before you put in at the table- little detail but it helps. They can't wait 30 seconds for you to grab the plate- they will be distracted.

Cut back on the milk. Limit inbetween meals to water, raisen, cheerios, or other highly nutrious foods. It will satisfy his thrist, but not fill him up. Leave the milk for meals. Make sure that it is 2% milk that his is taking- not whole or skim.

Save the Fruit for a reward after meals, but let him know about it before the meal. Fruit is a great reward for my kids- but they don't get it unless they have eaten other things first.

No chips or candy unless they eat well. Banish them from the house if it is too tempting.

Good Luck. The child won't starve. But this is critical in developing good eating habits for life.

Answer 5

First of all, ignore the autism cries. I highly doubt that's the cause. MANY children go through that phase. As for thinning out, that's what he should be doing at his age, so don't worry about it. Take away the chips; they are nothing but junk anyway. Make healthy options the only option. If you're still worried, take him back to the doctor for a second opinion. Otherwise, just wait it out. As I'm sure you've heard before, he'll eat when he's hungry. Make sure everything that goes into him is wholesome, and there are no distractions such as TV during mealtimes. Make sure you also sit down and eat with him, so you can demonstrate healthy habits. Try different foods, such as avocado mixed with cream cheese on whole wheat toast or rice cakes with peanut butter and raisins. Let him help you prepare fun snacks like these; kids are more likely to eat if they are involved in the cooking. Also, try www.wholesometoddlerfood.com for fun and healthy ideas to get your little guy to eat. My son LOVES the tofu nugget recipe. He also loves hummus and wheat crackers and grilled cheese (made with organic cheese and whole wheat bread) with chopped broccoli mixed in, and grilled peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Another good way to get him to eat when he went through his picky phase was to give him peanut butter and banana smoothies. Just pour a cup of milk, 1/4 cup of smooth peanut butter, and a sliced, ripe banana (frozen is best, but unfrozen works fine) in a blender or smoothie maker, and blend until there are no lumps. From that alone, he'll get protein, fruit, and dairy. If you can get him to eat a few whole wheat crackers or a piece of wheat toast, he'll have a healthy, balanced meal.
Try not to worry, as most toddlers go through a similar phase. You'll wish he were picky 13 years from now, when he's a growing teenager who eats you out of house and home! Good luck!

Answer 6

My little guy is almost 2 and going thru the same exact phase. Don't read too much into it. My mom said I was the same way. Its the age. I have read articles on this... All read the same. They will grow out of this. Try some pediasure. This will give him the vitamins and such he needs. Does he like pizza? Right now about the only thing I can get Brody to eat a bit of food wise is pizza and cheesy hotdogs.

My lil guy too was a linebacker sort. Born 9 lbs and grew at rapid speed. He is the size right now that he was last year at this time.

Don't worry... Follow what doc says... He'll be alright.

Lyn

Answer 7

I have a 4 yr old and a 2 yr old. It is just a phase my son went through it and my daughter is going through it now. As long as there getting something to eat and drink then theres really nothing to worry about. If he likes to snack instead of eating meals just give him fruits and veggies or even dry cereal. Stuff like that so you know hes at least getting nutrition even if its not a full meal. It will pass in time.

Answer 8

He is probably just going through the phase that kids go through where thry just do not eat much and just want to play. I went through the same with my daughter. Basically what I would do is give him something that you know that he will eat...like the fruit that you are already giving him, besides that is also healthy for him. When it comes to meals like lunch and dinner, it does not actually always have to be lunch or dinner food, just give him something that he will eat and vitamins and he will be fine.

Answer 9

It is true that kids sometimes go thorough these phases but as he has lost weight I would get a second opinion from another doctor. Here your childs weight is monitored by clinic visits and any sort of drop in weight is investigated so i would see another doctor for sure.

If there is one thing he will eat try giving him that a lot, like i say they do go through phases where one food is all they will eat but get a second opinion, good luck i hope it gets sorted out.

Answer 10

It is a phase. My son does the same thing. At this age it is very hard to get them to eat. Offer him different things and see if he'll eat it. As long as he is not literally starving he is fine. And since the pediatrician isn't concerned i don't see a problem. I know how frustrating it is but it's the age. And at this age toddlers are very picky.