3 year old won't eat anything!!!!

Jennifer - posted on 02/20/2009

First remember children will not starve themselves. They will eat … eventually. I had the same issue with my son. He is very strong willed, the more I tried to make him eat the more he would not eat. My pediatrician told me a kid could live off of what we think is too little but they won’t starve themselves so no worries. She also said not to use vitamin supplements unless there was no other choice. Natural vitamins are the better option.  Couple things to try, do not push, if she doesn’t eat, don’t acknowledge it and do not give her snacks/milk afterwards because you are concerned about how little she ate. Tell her, we need to eat our dinner before we have snacks. Watch her liquid intake during the day. Do not give her anything to drink an hour before dinner. Kids will fill up on liquids. If you are concerned about fruits and veggies, have her help you make fruit smoothies. Great way to get in yogurts, milk, fruits. You can toss in some veggies too. Check out the book Sneaky Chef. My son ate more spinach, blueberries, squash and carrots and he was totally clueless. This will at least get you to a point where you secretly know she is getting the healthy vitamins she needs until she eats them on her own. I know people think this is sneaky but for those of us who know what its like to be concerned about how much your child eats and if they are healthy. You will sleep just fine at night. J   The hardest part will be for you not making a big deal about how little she eats at the table.  Put on her plate whatever you are having for dinner and a couple small things you know she will eat in order to help expand her palate. Try fixing things in different ways, cooked carrots, raw carrots, dips, those sorts of things. My son tends to eat more at the table now when he thinks we are NOT looking. So now we put it on his plate and have a conversation. He eats and we pretend not to see it. He is healthy and of average weight. He eats LOTS of fruits and veggies and all is well.  Good Luck!

May - posted on 02/19/2009

It looks like I am not the only one with this issue. What I did was not to fuss about my 3 year old son not eating too much. He drinks milk in the morning as soon as he wakes up and then another glass in the evening before he gets to sleep. The pediatrition told me not to give him ore than 2 a day. I let him snack any time he wants. I always make the foods he likes like pasta, rice, meet, beans, burgers. It also helps a lot when he is around other children who are eating. It makes him want to eat like they do. Sometimes I take him to eat lunch where there is something he can play with, and I make a deal with him that he has to take a bite and then go play. In no time he finishes his meal. Moreoever, I give him vitamin supliment in the morning that helps increase his apetite during the day.

Sarah - posted on 02/11/2009

I agree with the first post that the family should eat together, and that you could try giving her a multi-vitamin ( my son loves the gummi vitamins).  Also, I would try to limit the amount of milk/juice she drinks, as they are very filling, and also the amount of junk/snack food she eats between meals.  The Dr. has told me that children will eat less at this age because they are growing slower.  If you're worried that she does not snack or over-indulge on beverages either, you could try PediaSure for toddlers for extra nutrition. 

P.S. I would be careful about punishing her or making a big deal about her not eating so this does not develop into eating problems later in life.

Kathryn - posted on 02/11/2009

My daughter doesnt eat either. I just leave snacks our for her like cheese, crackers lunch meat ect. And she eats and drinks when she is ready to.

Anna - posted on 02/09/2009

My daughter (three in January) seems to live on breakfast cereal as breakfast is the only meal she reliably eats at. She eats a LOT at breakfast, often three or four weetabix. However - for the rest of the day it's very hit and miss. She'll eat any 'junk' I provide (cakes, biscuits, nuggets etc) but will rarely eat family meals and regularly goes to bed having not eaten much since breakfast. She is smallish but not thin so I am choosing not to worry and thank God that breakfast cereal is fortified with vitamins and minerals!

Amanda - posted on 02/09/2009

My daughter hates chicken nuggets!!  She likes chicken breast cut in cubes, dips them in her apple sauce.  Does not like burgers etc, but will eat meatballs (beef).  I know how you feel, one week she will eat baby carrots (raw) and cut up apple, the next week she doesn't want anything to do with it.  One thing that made me feel better is an article about the actual portions a toddler needs, and I now see I may have been over feeding my daughter... I usually make a plate of 4 different things, if she eats a couple cheese cubes, apple and toast I am happy with that., I don't want to force her.  I figure when she is hungry she will eat, yogurt is another great toddler option. Also, I was told to limit juice during the day, even milk can make them full if they have too much.  I don't know hon, good luck and be patient...

Shannan - posted on 02/09/2009

My daughter is exactly the same! its horrible, i put her to be and are constantly thinking...'has she had enough to eat today?' and i will try and run through what she has had all day... i just let her graze throughout the day now, she doesn't touch dinner and she used to eat so well! its crazy. she is also a very petite child. I now give her kids multi-vitamins each day to make sure she is getting enough minerals and vitamins. that might help with your daughter too:)

Alison - posted on 01/28/2009

I have a 4 year old who's just getting over this and this is my best advice. All sit down to eat a meal together. If your child doesn't eat the meal do not comment, if they do give lots of praise and rewards. If they ask to leave the table, let them but leave the meal on the table saying, "I'll leave your dinner here and you can come and eat some if you are hungry." Don't make a fuss or insist they have to stay as long as you are at the table, and don't make them anything else. Give them multi-vitamin supplements and ride it out with positives and praise. It is true that your child will not starve themselves to death and if you continue to make a big fuss you will make food more of an issue for them and give far to much attention for not eating it. Relax! Hope this is of some help, I've been there. My daughter is very skinny too. We've reached the next stage now where she eats small amounts frequently, it's not surprising really as she must have a very small tummy. So I'm going with it and doing my best to provide 6 small nutricious meals a day. It seems to be working like the method I told you about before did.