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Trouble getting 2 year old son to eat dinner

Amy - posted on 11/04/2008 ( 5 moms have responded )

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Hi, I'm Amy Tremayne, I'm 28 and I have 2 kids (5 and 2) with one on the way. I have a terrible time trying to get my 2 year old to eat dinner. He doesn't snack beforehand, he just doesn't want anything to do with it. I sit him in his high chair and put a plate of food in front of him and he says "take it away", and won't touch it. This happens whether we're having meat and potatoes, pigs in a blanket, or mac and cheese. It doesn't matter what the food is. How can I get him interested in eating dinner??? Is this a phase??? My daughter didn't go through it if it is.

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5 Comments

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Julie - posted on 11/04/2008

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Our youngest did the same thing. I'd talk to the dr. about it. Be sure you're child is still at a healthy weight and maintaining his place on the percentile chart. You're dr. probably will tell you what ours did...children won't starve themselves...they WILL eat when they are hungry and make sure when they do, its something of quality nutritional value.

Nicole - posted on 11/04/2008

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We let our son "help" in the kitchen too.

We also bought him his own little table and chair set and let him eat there sometimes. He feels like a big boy sitting at his own table in a chair that fits him.

Kim - posted on 11/04/2008

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My son who is 2 loves to help me in the kitchen so when i am cooking i often will let him "help" he loves eggs now . The last time we made them he helped scramble them and now he helps out alot in the kitchen, hope this helps you.

Dana - posted on 11/04/2008

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my kids did tried the same thing. they were also small children so at first i tried to give in and make them the things that they liked so they would eat. after a few days that didnt work. i resorted to, "this is dinner. if you are not going to eat this there is nothing more to eat the rest of the night." after a few times of this they USUALLY make the choice to eat their meal. somethimes they are simply not hungry though. that is ok too. as Melina says, as long as they are eating something each day (healthy) they ought to be fine.

Melina - posted on 11/04/2008

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Hi there! I saw your message and instantly related! My 6-year old is the same way, and always has been. I tried denying dessert, etc, just like you but it made no difference, he just had no interest. My doctor told me that it's most likely not a phase, it really can happen that he simply has no interest in eating, and as long as when he DOES eat he's getting balanced nutrition then he's fine. He's a tiny little guy but not scrawny, and is totally fine health-wise. The doctor also said that if I was worried that I could give him half a Flinstone vitamin every day, but it wasn't imperative. I would say that as long as when your 2-yr old DOES eat it's something good, and gets a little from each food group each day, then you're fine. I'm certainly not a doctor though - if you think there's something else going on then you should definitely follow-up with your pediatrician, but I wanted to let you know that other kids out there are doing the same! :-) Heck, mine is 4 years older than yours and still doing it, and doing great! Hope this helps... Melina

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