My nearly 2 y.o. has decided to stop eating HELP

Brandie - posted on 05/15/2010

I would say growth spurt. I also have friends who'v had the same experience.
I know it sounds backwards, but that's the best guess I've got. If she's willing to take the toddler formula, give it to her. It has nutrients that she needs. Also, you might try rice cereal. Incorporate that into a bottle and see if she'll take it. Could get you back to solids?
I think the diapers are ok. Comes with the territory of not having a variety. Have you tried calling her dr?

Brittany - posted on 05/14/2010

Don't fret. My pediatrician told me that it's a phase. It's because she's growing. A child will not starve her self. When she is hungry she will eat. As long as she's snacking alittle she'll be fine. You did good with puting her on toddler formula but she still needs vitamins from the cows milk. Another idea is get her gummy bear vitamins, you can get them at target or a grocery store. Her stools are pail because she its drinking more milk or fomula. It's normal. My son is about to be 3 and he's been flopping back and forth between wanting to eat all the time and not wanting to eat at all. My sons pediatrician told me that the phase they eat all the time is when they are getting their nutients before they start to grown more, then when they are growing they dont feel the need to eat. So no worries, like I said, she won't starve herself. She also may be bored with the same foods. try some new foods.

Christine - posted on 05/14/2010

My daughter went trough this and still does sometimes. One day shes really hungry the next day she's not. I think it's probably just a phase. They're growing and they're appetite's shift. I did find that what was happening alot of the time was she was drinking too much and it was filling her up. So a couple hours before meals I wouldn't give her alot to drink and then let her eat and then have a drink after the meal. If you are also letting the child eat to many snacks in between meals that will have an effect also. Hope I helped..I wouldn't worry too much. But if it becomes seeable that something is wrong like the child's color or weight is being effected I definetly would seek medical attention.

Teresa - posted on 05/14/2010

She may also be cutting her 2 yr molars and has a sore mouth. Keep checking for teeth. It was the source of my sons starvation period. He survived on crackers, milk and chicken noodle soup.

April - posted on 05/14/2010

I thought my son was starving himself so many times. He is two now, but since he was about 9 months old he would go a long time with eating only a cracker her e and there. I thought for sure he was anorexic... Sometimes they just are not hungry, your daughter will be just fine.

Izelle - posted on 05/14/2010

My daughter went through the same thing and I never thought anything of it until I took her to the doc. Sometimes there's a reason she doesn't want to eat, like a throat sore or in my daughter's case she had stomach flu just before she started to refuse food and for about two weeks she would only eat bits of food, so the doc explained to me that sometimes children will assiciate food and eating with getting sick bacause when she was sick with the stomach bug when ever she ate she would puke up or her tummy would go, so I had to be patient and re-interduce solids slowly to her. Oh yah and don't forget to fill her up with vitamins and stuff, cause if she is not eating and only drinking that gets flushed from her system.

Good luck and all the best to you

Jennifer - posted on 05/13/2010

my three year old and my two year old are both in that phase. They will eat when they get hungry, but cut out the junk food and have set breakfast, lunch, and dinner. offer them snacks if they really want something, but try not to give them too many and not real close to meal time. Plus keep them hydrated. I also love to give my kids nutripals. They are a drink you get in the section by the formula and baby stuff at walmart. The drink taste like chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry milk and has all the vitamins they need for the day. her stools will change just because of the change in her diet. I wouldn't be too worried unless she gets sick or something.

Leanna - posted on 05/13/2010

yeah my daughter just got through this, its just a phase, one week she wants to eat everything in sight then the next week she wont eat a thing believe it or not kids know what their bodies need (to an extent) if it lasts more than 3 or 4 weeks i would begin to worry but otherwise just make sure shes hydrated and she will eat when she feels the need to

Kristin - posted on 05/13/2010

As said above just continue to offer more food pretty often and less milk and juice. My son is in this stage now and I have figured out that he will eat when he is ready, may not be alot at a time but he does eat and sometimes the things he wants to eat aren't always the best but I guess atleast he is eating something. I am told the same thing you guys are by the doctor that its completely normal, so I guess they are right just hard as a mother to know your child is hungry/starving just refusing to eat.

Nancy - posted on 05/12/2010

I have the same problem...my son is 2 yrs 4months now and he doesnt want to eat anymore. He wants only juice and milk before bed.. And he will cry for juice nonstop..Its really frustrating but I hope he will start to eat on his own when he is ready. Other than food problem he perfectly fine most of the time.

CRYSTAL - posted on 05/12/2010

we went through the same thing, my daughter just turned 2...our diatician said it is completely normal. she suggested to just keep offering meals and snacks at usual times....let it be up to your child to decide if they want to eat or not. she also said to just offer the meal you made and not to try and fix something different just so they may be more willing to eat it...you decide how what your child eats, they decide how much! and your child will eat when they are hungry.

Kristy - posted on 05/12/2010

im having the same problem with my 20 month old boy and have been told by many health prof it is nothing to be worried about as they all go through it at some stage they will not starve and will eat when they are ready just keep offering meals at normal times and the usual snacks if they dont eat it let them be try not to give to much milk and only half fill water and juice cups at any time as they tend to fill up on those rather than eat and just let them do as normal hope this helps i know im at my end with it we have been doing it now for about 6 to 8 weeks

Samantha - posted on 05/11/2010

Thanks guys

Annaliza - posted on 05/11/2010

right..dont panic yet..observe her and then if it last longer....go and see for a doctor

Charlene - posted on 05/11/2010

My little girl will be 21 months this week and although I've never had a problem with her eating .. she has been the same and will only survive on water, whole milk (full fat cows milk) and the odd biscuit or two. I am happy she is adequately hydrated and so have been swapping biscuits for rice cakes / crackers and encouraging lots of (pure fruit) smoothy drinks in between - that way I can get some kind of nutrients.

As she is no longer on Formula milk, my Health Visitor urged me off this on her one-year development check as there is a high number of sugars in these and will begin to damage their teeth if still on formula milk after 12-24 months. So it is inevitable that her stools are discoloured because the body is simply 'flushing' the formula milk out of her body. I would suggest smooty drinks, even multi-vitamin drops in bottle/cup of water - you can have ones from 6mnths old as aposed to 3yrs which many of them do, alternatively, seek advice from your Health Visitor/GP - good luck!!!

K.C. - posted on 05/11/2010

A very pale tan poo is a lot beter than a black one! It's pale because milk isn't brown. I would encourage her to eat even if it's indirectly. Wait until she is engrossed in her favourite show for example and sit a plate of food next to her without saying a word. Maybe give her the option of what she wants to eat. I probably wouldn't give her so much milk as this is filling and she won't want food. Let her starve for a day and see if she comes around. Try figure out if it is physical or psychological.....Maybe she is upset about something.....If all else fails put her onto Pediasure and ge a Doc to check her out...

Becky - posted on 05/11/2010

I would'nt be too worry. All kids go through a phase when they don't eat. Just keep giving her food all the time and she will eat when she is ready. If you really think it is more then just a phase and something may wrong go see the doctor.