I'm having real difficulty in getting my 2 1/2 year old to eat anything healthy. I've stopped buying junk food now so he can't eat that - but he's no eating anything that i have been putting in front of him. I've tried cutting fancy shapes and arranging in smily face's and nothing seems to work!! please any help????? I'm at my wit's end!
2007-12-17 23:40:25 · 10 answers · asked by Anita C 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
He's got in his head that his 'no' works on you.
Be consistent, firm, - and don't be afraid of him skipping a meal.
Mommy would give ours milk 24/7, I'd have to say 'no', and within a few hours, - they'd be drinking water and eating more 'solid' foods for dinner. She'd buy 'junk', and I'd watch her giving cookies for breakfast... ouch!!!
3+ yr. old twins.
BTW... I like the answer below, - we don't negotiate with terrorists.
2007-12-17 23:43:58 · answer #1 · answered by MK6 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Up until about a month ago I was at my wits end with my son's eating habits. He refused to eat veggies, only ate very few fruits and then only when he felt like it. It brought me close to tears sometimes since I felt like I had done something wrong to cause this. He would get to the table, take a look at the meal and say "I am not eating this, this is yucky". I made him at least try one bite and he would sit there and gag on purpose. Then a month ago I fixed pasta with tomato sauce and he ate about half of it until he realized that I had put onions in there. And it started again... gagging, "I'm not eating that", picking stuff out... so I was fed up with it and said "you know what? Onions make you bubble (fart)!" His face lit up "really? What else does?" So now he is just crazy about broccoli, onions (even raw!), corn and so on. No more problems whatsoever on eating veggies. I usually hand fresh fruits as dessert and race him who eats up their plate first.
On bread I did the trick of buying really dark whole grain bread (Pumpernickel) that is basically nothing but moist pressed grains and seeds. My son found out it tastes sweet and so now I just ask him "do you want regular or sweet bread?" Guess what the answer usually is...
I wish you the best of luck, maybe it will work for your son too.
2007-12-18 07:59:53 · answer #2 · answered by Angel M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's become a power struggle. Two-year-olds are learning to be more independent, and want to have control over their bodies. So anything they can control, they will! He can see that you're worried, so he's controlling you by refusing to eat.
You need to drop all the cajoling and smiley faces and stuff, so that he learns to eat because he's hungry and not because you want him to.
By two and a half he should be eating at family meals - so just put a small amount of whatever you're eating on his plate, including something that you know he likes (even if just bread), and leave him to it. You don't need to comment, or persuade, or make a big deal of it. If he's hungry, he'll eat eventually. If he's really not hungry, then trying to persuade him to eat could lead to eating disorders when he's older.
2007-12-19 09:04:53 · answer #3 · answered by Kukana 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had this with my son. I'd tried just about every thing then decided that it would be eat it or leave it. I didn't get into an argument just gave him the choice. The difficulty is not allowing others to "feel sorry" for him and sabotage your efforts.
As a reward for eating small amounts of new things we had small tasty pudding or treats but they were used as rewards, not bribes.
2007-12-18 09:08:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep doing what you are doing. I found with my daughter she likes a little table salt on her veggies and will eat them with no problem. But when I say a little, I mean a little. Also, I have tried a little garlic powder and it helps too (except her breath is then gross LOL). Just keep offering the good stuff. He will eat it eventually. Good luck.
2007-12-18 07:49:18 · answer #5 · answered by Moo Moo Mair 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi i had the same problem with my daughter until recently i hide the veg by cutting it up realy small and my daughtereats it all u need to make meal times fun and try not to stress about it to much as if they miss a meal it is not bad some times making him feel big will do it and praising him for doing good and maybe try doing veg in a cheese sauceand other simple foods with veg and if u eat the same he will enjoy it to well it worked for me hope it does for u
2007-12-18 15:36:44 · answer #6 · answered by skhelifi2000 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried telling him not to eat it? That can sometimes work- my 2 1/2 year old loves it if she thinks she's breaking the rules- I tell her that it's my food on her plate, and she will then eat it!
2007-12-19 04:53:46 · answer #7 · answered by ♥Pamela♥ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i had the same problem, and honestly i still do. But my son knows if he at least trys his veggies he'll get a sticker on his chart. Make him a "did _ eat his Veggies?" and he'll become very proud of it and want to show it to everyone who comes into the house. i've also found that his favorite character stickers work best. oh and dont be scared if he skips a meal, remember he wont starve himself.
2007-12-18 08:27:46 · answer #8 · answered by mommy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hee hee - just keep on offering good food - he won't starve himself, trust me!! They are little monsters going through a phrase of trying out their will on you! Had the same here recently with mine - don't give in to cries for choc choc or crispies!! I promises, he WILL eat - he's just exerting his authority over you!
2007-12-18 07:44:44 · answer #9 · answered by Sal*UK 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just put his food in front of him. No stressing for him to see. Just leave it. He really won't go hungry - at least not for long. Forget the smileys and don't cajole.
2007-12-18 07:56:07 · answer #10 · answered by Dulcie 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋