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My 18 month old doesn't want to eat during the day he only wants bottles.

Susan - posted on 07/20/2009 ( 3 moms have responded )

2

6

About 3 pm he wants food and then wants to snack constantly the whole rest of the night. This just started recently. Anybody else experienced this?

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3 Comments

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Marta - posted on 07/22/2009

379

19

My son is a very picky eater so I just keep offering the foods during meal times and nothing in between except for a glass of water or juice. Eventually they get really hungry and will eat what they are given when they are given it. You'll have to handle a lot of whining about being hungry for the first few days but he'll catch on that you eat when food is given to you or else you go hungry. Makes sure to clean up his plate when you're cleaning up when everyone else has finished this way he doesn't have the option of going back in 10-15 minutes to eat something. It sounds a little harsh and can be hard on mom too but it's worth it in the end.

Rebekah - posted on 07/21/2009

1,441

19

Hm, I don't know how to help you, my son is only 10-1/2 months old, and I'm hoping to have him weaned off of a bottle by the time he turns 1. Is there a reason why he only wants bottles - teething (sucking can sometimes help and sometimes deter)? security? wanting to feel like a baby? I know if my son only wanted to snack, I would take away the snacks and give him a meal, if he didn't want it, that's his choice, but I wouldn't let my son snack if he's not going to eat meals. I think after a couple times doing that, your son will eat either because (1) really hungry and/or (2) realized he's not getting his way.

Cindy - posted on 07/20/2009

195

8

Your child is old enough to understand what meal time is about. Have you started to have him drink out of a cup or a sippy cup? The baby is old enough to be off the bottle especially during the day. You might want to try giving him his meal and if he doesn't eat, no snacks or treats and then at the next meal do the same. Tell him that if he doesn't eat lunch/dinner, etc, they will not have a treat. You will probablu have to put up with some argument from hm, but when it comes to meal time, he will be hungry. I have 4 children and have had the same fight with them. Snacks are yummy and meals aren't always what they want to they figure out that mommy/daddy will give them snacks, which they like, if they whine enough. Remember, you are the parent, not them. Also a missed meal will not hurt him. I know this migh sound mean, but a balanced det is important. Also, if you put just water in the bottle, they are as much fun to drink as the juices and sweet drinks they like. Try saving those for the sippy cups.

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