My Toddler is a picky eater

Shalomoth - posted on 01/25/2009

My son is three years old and currently seeing a therepist for oral problems including food.  She has a program that he is working on the comprices of steps.  the first step would be to get her to see the food with out freaking out.  Just place a little bit of the food say a vallina waffer in front of her while she is plying with a toy.  All she has to do is see it no touching or or anything.  Once she can do that then you move to the second step, touch.  With one finger get her to just touch the cookie, the goal would be at least five time.  Once she does that without freaking then you go to step three, smell.  Have her smell the cookie kiss trying for five times without freaking.  The fourth is kiss the cookie, again try for five kisses.  After kiss comes taste, try to get her to lick the cookie.  Then comes putting a small peice in her mouth and chewing.  Any time she freaks out you go back to the step before and have do that one again.  Always ends a practice on a good note.  This is a long and involved process but it works.  My son would never eat any meat or anything he had chew.  So far he has add ground meat/ meat balls to his spagetti, meat loaf and has recently started eating the bits of chicken in chicken noodle soap.  I am currently working with him on vanilla waffers and he will occasionally put it on his tongue with a little help from me.

Jolie - posted on 01/25/2009

if your 2 year old like chicken nuggets, try fish sticks.  I did and mine still thinks they are chicken since they breaded too.  As far as veggies  try putting a couple green beans or peas or corn on her plate.  If she eats them offer a few more.  I used regular canned veggies.  They are soft and usually tast good.  Just keep offering them.  One day she will try them.  If you only offer a few she may be more likely to try them since there are not a lot on her plate.  I started by offering a couple fish stick, 3 pieces of green beans, and half piece of bread.  Sometime mine will eat everything, sometime she will try it all.   Her Dr told me as long as she is getting all the food groups within a week, shes fine.

Angela - posted on 01/24/2009

First, consider a multi-vitamin without iron- this will ease your mind and provide an "insurance policy" to her limited diet. You might also ask the doctor if she may need an iron supplement if she's not getting enough meat and/or iron fortified foods. (Don't provide a multi-vitamin with iron without talking to your doctor first- this can be dangerous if she's getting plenty from food).
We eat dinner with our son and everyone is served the same thing. If he doesn't choose to eat what is offered, then we do not push or provide a different dinner- he just has to decide if he wants to be hungry until the next scheduled snack/meal. Over time, he has become more adventurous and will try new vegetables and foods, especially when he sees us eating it. Also, he loves eating off of my plate (all toddlers want what others have!). Lastly, serving a little bit of familiar food with a new food helps ease the transition, and trying to keep the menu tempting (i.e. a plate of broccoli alone may not go over!).

Amy - posted on 01/24/2009

That's what they all eat. Get the book by Seinfeld's wife it tells you how to add that stuff in sneaky, but most people will tell you it's normal and she's fine. That's all my son eats too. Just keep offering veggies one day she will try them. It's all you can do.

Jamie - posted on 01/23/2009

My son is 3 and I've been going through this for about 8 months now. He only eats waffles, fries, sometimes a banana, and sometimes yogurt. We've just recently added mac n cheese back into the menu, thankfully. He also stopped drinking milk. I could do absolutely nothing to fix the situation. So, I started buying him smoothies. Naked juices has a super greens smoothie that has alot of veggie supplements. It's actually pretty tasty too. I usually half it with water because there is alot of sugar in it and it's a little thick. Of course nothing makes up for eating vegetables, but it's a fair alternative given the situation. At least she's eating fruit and protein. Be thankful for that. I hope this helps.

Carrie - posted on 01/22/2009

I realize and understand your frustration as i can guarantee every parent has at one point or another. My son too does not eat his veggies at supper, all you can do is offer it every night and make sure you eat it to.  Sooner or later he or she will eat it. Perhaps give your child a multivitamin (like i do) and just hope for the best.   My son does like raw veggies with a dip so i have stuck with that.  he just wont eat out of a can liek green beans or peas. Yuck! he says.  Don't let him know your frustrated and just give your child time. I'm sure when you were that age your mkother had the same worries. lol.  Good luck