My 20 months old won't eat..

Sheilah - posted on 08/21/2012

Hello! I have a 20 month old and he won't drink milk, eat any meats, or drink water. And lately I can't hardly get him to eat anything! He wants cookies but I really don't want to continue giving him sweets. I'm just really worried that he's not getting enough to eat. Any advice will help! Thanks!

Emma - posted on 01/09/2009

i find if you maybe let them feed themselves or even let them eat with their hands! plenty of mess bt at least their eating! i also find if you have exactly the same thing as them at the same time, for example jessica wont touch her carrots so i pick one off my plate and let her see me eating it and saying nice etc, then most of the time she will eat hers, but not to worry most mums i speak to have same problem, hope this helps

Vickie - posted on 01/07/2009

My almost 21 month old went through the same phase - she was very picky and ate nothing at all and then one day the switch flipped and she eats everything and anything (almost) now.

Melissa - posted on 01/07/2009

i have this problem too at least she is eating fruit..my son is constantly wanting breakfast cerals and stuff he shouldnt be eating he is very fussy

Megan - posted on 01/06/2009

Well, it's nice to know that my son isn't the only one who won't eat anything except fruit :)  I asked my pediatrician about it and she said that it's okay.  A lot of times kids around this age up until even 3 years old will only eat 1 big, good meal every 2 days and snack the rest of the days.  As long as they're eating there's no need to worry.  So, that seems to be the trend my little one is doing. It doesn't make it less frusterating though.

Still his still all time favorite food is fruit.  Here's a tip that works for him.  If I put on his plate what we're eating, but only put on one food item at a time (usually what he likes least then save the fruit (or the foods he like best for last)...if he's hungry enough he'll eat it. 

HOpe that helps. Like I said super frusterating but completely normal.

Good luck.

Brooke - posted on 01/06/2009

Same thing here! I just try every meal, usually one meal a day she does eat well. I asked the ped and he said as long as she is eating something and drinking milk she is fine. I have started doing one sippy cup of V8 V-fusion, because it is 100% juice and contains a serving of veggies! Good luck, if I think of any magic tricks, I will let you know!

Janet - posted on 01/06/2009

My 20 month old has always been a picky eater, some days she will eat a lot and other days barely at all. I read that counting what they eat in one day is not what matter, but rather what they eat throughout the week. It still bothers me though and I find myself trying to get her to eat different things. One thing that has worked is giving her several small meals, like a cheese stick, a fruit, something with protein, and so on all throughout the day. My other issue is she only wants to eat mac n cheese, chicken nuggets, bean burrito and some gerber toddler meals as far as the protein side. She love fruit and hates veggies if they are in whole form, so I have been giving her baby food veggies, she loves them...makes a huge mess, but eats the whole jar with a spoon on her own. I still introduce carrots, and other veggies often to see if she will decide to eat them.

Angela - posted on 12/30/2008

I just keep trying new foods with my son all the time. It usually seems though that he has a one track mind when it comes to eating. His favorite is bananas. I have gotten him to eat veggies and meat and pasta by putting his food on a plate along with his favorite bananas, this way he has a choice of what to eat & when he wants to eat them.

Brooke - posted on 12/27/2008

My 20 month old is a total stinker about eating! I just try every meal time with a plate and sometimes she eats, sometimes not. She does drink her milk and I just got her to take some juice. I do the V8 Fusion-because at least it has some vegetables in there! Good luck if you figure anything out, let me know!

Courtney - posted on 12/25/2008

Just feed them what they like. As long as they are eating 4 tablespoons each meal they will be ok. The best thing is to try to feed a few different foods at every meal. I would try a chicken nugget, fish stick, toast, fruit and peas. This way it spikes their curiosity.

Tami - posted on 12/23/2008

I'm going through the same phase. My 20 month old used to eat everything I gave him, but now dislikes just about everything. I went through this with my other four children at this same age. It is a phase. It will pass. Just keep trying, and make sure you put the healthy options out for them. Like the others have said, eventually they get hungry, and then they eat. Be strong. You can get through this.

Tammy - posted on 12/23/2008

My daughter don't eat much either, The doctor said don't worry a few bites is good enough..she won't starve. but mine want to drink milk all day!!!

Lori - posted on 12/16/2008

I have had the same problem off and on with Milo. He does better right now if we put him at the table with his meals and then step away from the table. At first I felt so badly about leaving him alone to eat but it works like a charm. Understand though that some part of the meal will end up on the floor. Good luck.

Anne - posted on 12/16/2008

I wouldn't worry too much. My 19 almost 20 month-old is exactly the same. One meal she'll wolf everything down, and the next two, she'll hardly touch. So I figure she'll make sure she has what she needs and my doctor agrees. A healthy child will not starve itself, I decide what she eats, she decides how much she eats. And if she doesn't want to eat, no problemo, but she'll be hungry till the next meal. She doesn't get anything but water inbetween meals and she doesn't get any treats or even fruit or yoghurt. She's never gone long without anything at all. And let's face it, we're not always as hungry as the previous day, so why would they be? And just because we say they have to eat, doesn't mean they are hungry...Try to avoid making eating a struggle or a war (because our little darlings are quite adept at manipulating us, even at that age ;-) Well, that's how I do it anyway and she's thriving, so I must be doing something right. Everyone thinks she's 2 or 2 and a half...
Most of all do what your instincts as a mam tell you. You know what's best for your child...Good luck

Christine - posted on 12/15/2008

I have this issue on and off. My boy has been like this for about 2 months now, he refuses to eat sometimes then other times he eats like a horse. I am a fairly strict parent and I have found he really needs the discipline and structure so what I do is I feed him whatever I think he should eat and leave it in front of him for 20-30 minutes. If he doesn't eat it, he doesn't get a snack or anything until the next meal time. He has went to bed without dinner. After doing this for about... 2-3 weeks I have seen a huge improvement. He knows I will take the food away and he won't see it again so he will at least eat 1/2 of what I put in front of him now.

Ashley - posted on 12/15/2008

My daughter used to eat everything, and now I am lucky to get anything down her! BUt I give her Yo Baby in the morning with vitamins, so I know she is getting something good...that way I don't beat myself up the rest of the day when she is so stubborn.

Laura - posted on 12/13/2008

mash it and hide it in applesauce! or which ever fruit she likes, I feel like my little one has really slowed down eating for a few months now, he sometimes goes all day on a bit of applesauce and a few crackers, but he is still growing running around and drinking plenty so I try not to worry. Nice to hear other moms have the same issue.

Teash - posted on 12/12/2008

hi my son ethan is 20 months, he eat good some days & not much other days im hoping its a stage. everyone tells me not to worry he will eatwhen he is hungry we went through a stage a few weeks back where he would eat any veggitables at all but that has pasted so im glad so just keep smiling it does get better. take care & merry christmasxxxx

Yami - posted on 12/12/2008

I have tried to offer her what I eat and what I know she will eat and if I put down what I want her to eat first she throws the biggest tantrum and then I'm lucky if she will look at ant other food for the rest of mealtime. She's not under nurished by any means but her older brother and I just never had this problem.

Theresa - posted on 12/12/2008

As I too have a 19/20 month old and a 6 year old too. Put on their plate what they will eat and put on their plate what you eat. At some point they should eat the other stuff too. I have found that when it comes to meat mine LOVES chinese food. Like sesame beef, sweet&sour chicken, etc. If you place it on for them to try, they may just surprise you. But if your really concerned (kids will eat when they are hungry) give them what the really want. Just don't worry. They always go through these stages.

Liz - posted on 12/10/2008

I've got a 20 month old and he is a picky eater. He goes in spurts of only wanting to eat 1 thing all week long, then the next week he won't touch it. Then all of a sudden he eats everything in site. I've asked his dr. what I can do. He said give him his breakfast, lunch, supper, don't make anything special for him and don't give into him and he will eventually eat what's there and won't pick at it. I've found it's easier to give him the things he likes at lunch and let him pick at the rest of his meals. That way I know he's eating. Good luck!

Sheronda - posted on 12/09/2008

Hi, I have a 19 month old nad she eats, but only cucumbers, tomatoes fruits and meat. She is a health nut. I'm glad but she is very petite. We just continue to give her a lot of that and now add choclate to her milk sometimes. Good luck and God bless