"Help I can't get my 3year old to eat!!"

Heather - posted on 12/13/2009

I also forgot to mention. To try smoothies. My son loves them. He also really likes to help make them. Loves pushing the buttons on the blender. and putting everything in. He also drinks them better if he helps. I also got a drink book that has different combinations of veggie and fruit drinks. I am going to try some with him.

We were told we could give him pediasur if we wanted to. But I opted not too. My son is three yrs and 4mo and he is still only 29lbs. But I have decided that this is fine. He is just petite and he will grow later. His Dad was the same way. And then he finally filled out when he turned 13. All kids grow differently.

As for making them something they like. I usually give my son a few choices at breakfast and lunch and I change the choices from day to day. He has to try everything I make for dinner. If he does not like something, I do not make him eat it. And he eats the stuff on his plate that he does like.

Sophia - posted on 12/13/2009

im going threw the same thing with my two year old son and the doc. say to make sure u are doing ur part as a mom and putting meals on her tray three times a day and make sure its things that they like and if they dont eat it then they are not hungry it is def. a phase it will get better oh yeah and vitamins do help for ur child and not to much juice the doc say one 9oz cup of juice a day and that has made a big difference in his eating good luck

Leisel - posted on 12/13/2009

Firstlt cool surname! Thanks I am about to read all the answers as we are also struggling with this. We struggled with our first, who now eats fine (he is 6) and clearly we never figured out the solution because we are at it again. Maybe it's just a phase?

Heather - posted on 12/13/2009

No problem. I think that sometimes kids fill up on snacks and drinks because they get them too close to a meal time. I only give my son juice and milk during meal time or snack time. and only a little. so that he has something to drink but it wont fill him up and he will still eat. Sometimes he would drink it all and want more and I would tell him he could have more to drink after he finishes his food or most of it anyways. And next time to save some and not drink it all at once. He is learning and I remind him before he starts eating.
One thing that helped us as well for getting rid of the bottle was to use a water bottle. Only water goes in it. My son keeps it on his nightstand while he sleeps. Saves me from having to get him a drink in the middle of the night. He also keeps it in the fridge during the day and can help himself to some water when he wants it.
So you might try and have Santa bring her a really cool water bottle. Teach her to keep it in the fridge and only take it out when she needs a drink. A few sips is good. and then put it back. I still haven't gotten my son to put it back yet though. I find it in random places. lol Of course you have to be careful because you dont want her to fill up on water too, no calories.

Tanya - posted on 12/12/2009

Thank you Heather will give these things a try I am at the stage where I think I would try anything if I thought it would work!! I have been concidering taking the bottle away for some time now because it may be filling her up. So think I will have a word to santa to trade the bottle for some gifts. Thank you very much for your advice!!!

Heather - posted on 12/12/2009

They say that kids will eat when they are hungry, so do not push the issue.

Thats a hard one to follow sometimes. I have a son who has not always eaten very much. He was always a snacker as an infant and still is to some degree. But I have been able to change it by not arguing with him and just letting him have his fill. If he comes back hungry later then I reheat what he left behind and give it back to him. I also cut back on the snacks. So now he eats a little more at meal times. It took awhile and a lot of complaining but he has finally got that he needs to eat when its time to eat.

Your daughter may be different though. If she is trully just not seeming to be hungry then I would see a doctor about it. Their may be some underlying thing going on in her body. Maybe food makes her not feel well or maybe she has a really small stomach or something else. The biggest thing I think is just not to fight it. Meal time should be fun and enjoyable. For awhile I had to feed my son to get him to eat. Had to do different things with the spoon, like the airplane, or make other sounds. I have also dressed up his food to make it look more fun. Like making a tuna boat actually look like a boat. Using a hotdog bun, filled with tunafish, and using a toothpick to hold up a cheese sail.

He also likes to dip foods. So I use old medicine cups and give him a tablespoon of ketchup or ranch dressing, or caremel. to dip his raw veggies, french fries, or fruit in. (Just examples). He also seems to eat better if he helps cook it. We make english muffin pizzas quite a bit. Just making it fun helps a lot. Maybe try to take the bottle away as well. Let her know that she is a big girl. Get her some fun plates and utencils and a cool placemat. These things help keep my son at the table.

Good luck and just try to be patient.

Sorry I probably am not to much help. every child is so different you just got to be creative sometimes.