My toddler refuses to eat almost everything

Veronica - posted on 03/09/2012

Hey Moms. My 1 1/2 son refuses to eat food. He'll take a few bites and then stops. I don't want to force feed my baby but sometimes I have no choice because I need him to have food in him. He cries and yells. He is kinda like losing weight because of it. We got him on pedisure. I give that to him everyday. For awhile there he was gaining the weight. he was eating right but now he just won't . I'am so frustrated with him because he won't eat. I don't know what to do. I give him things that he would eat. Like oatmeal with-stawberries, peaches, chicken nuggets, fries, spagetti o's. When me and my husband have a plate of food. He is all about eating our food. Please someone help me. Give me something here. I'am just giving up. In i don't want to because i truly love my baby so much. I don't know what to do anymore.

Jessica - posted on 08/09/2011

My son is the same way. Our first (who is now 5.5) was NEVER like this. So we're beside ourselves & don't know what to do. It is extremely frustrating. He was just a "picky" eater. Now he hardly eats at all. We just keep offering. He will be 2 in September. At his school they continue to offer lunch & he rarely eats it. We continue to offer the same dinner as the rest of us are eating & he rarely eats it. I don't give him anything to drink with dinner, but eventually we'll give him water, milk or watered down juice. But at night it is typically milk or water. I think switching things up sometimes works. He's been into graham crackers with peanut butter lately. We'll keep trying! Hopefully they grow out of this!!!

Hope - posted on 08/09/2011

What did the pediatrician say? I too am having food issues with my 14 month- in that he cannot eat foods that are beyond "level 2 gerber baby foods". He gaggs on thicker baby foods and then throws up. His dr said he is just very sensitive to various textures and he should eventually grow out of it. Its kind of frustraiting, but I'm right now just glad he is eatting a variety of level 2 fruits and veggies. Good luck.

Hope - posted on 08/09/2011

What did the pediatrician say? I too am having food issues with my 14 month- in that he cannot eat foods that are beyond "level 2 gerber baby foods". He gaggs on thicker baby foods and then throws up. His dr said he is just very sensitive to various textures and he should eventually grow out of it. Its kind of frustraiting, but I'm right now just glad he is eatting a variety of level 2 fruits and veggies. Good luck.

Connie - posted on 08/05/2011

My son was the same way. We've had to take all snacks away and limit his milk and juice intake to half of what we used to give him. Now he eats his meals. Just remember, they will not starve themself and will eventually eat. Just offer a meal, if they resist, save if for later and don't offer any other option.

Tina - posted on 08/04/2011

YES ME !! i am also looking for some advice if you find anything good or helpful will you please pass it my way .. thank you

Pam - posted on 08/04/2011

I'm going through this right now and my child is 19 months. Try giving them the Mott's juice with vegs in it to get his daily servings in. I told my Dr and she says eventually he'll want to try it again, but now it could just be a texture thing for him.

Kirti - posted on 07/28/2011

I think all toddlers refuse to eat when they are teething. The same happens with me every few days when their is some tooth coming out. My 20 months son refuse to eat. he just want curd and milk. So I make him eat his Breakfast, Lunch and dinner by singing his fav. poems. Till now I am putting each and everything in his mouth by myself. Bcoz I know if I give him to eat himself he won't eat anything and play with food. So I want to wait till he is 2 yrs. than will teach him how to eat food. Although he know how to eat but he put everything at once. I make sure he finishes everything in his plate so that is his routine. Now when he will start eating himself I know he will finish everything in plate.

I give every vegetable and pulses we cook. So that he learn to eat everything.

Hannah - posted on 07/26/2011

The only way your gonna turn this into a life long problem is if you keep catering to it. If he wont eat the dinner you make do not feed him anything else, and if he says hes hungry offer him the dinner and if he refuses keep taking it away, and repeating the whole deal. My daughter is 3 and tried to pull the whole picky thing on my and she gave up pretty quick

Claudia - posted on 07/26/2011

Hello Anika, my name is claudia and i'n studying nutrition as for my culinary arts degree. i'm not a doctor, but i do knw tht there's a game tht i play w my daughter whn she was about 3 yo and i call it "YUM" o "YUCK". its a game whr u the parent take ur child, ask thm to put a blind fold on and giv them all kinds of food tht starts w a letter of the alphabet and give them a small sample to try, then u write down n ur note book the name of ur child/ren on a piece of paper with the works "YUM" on 1 side and "YUCK" on the other. that way u the PARENT wll knw whch food ur Chld likes/dislikes, tht way u knw tht no matter what food ur kid/s pick, he/she is eat'n healthy and nutricious foods daily. there's also a book tht may help its called: Super Foods for Children: How to boost your child's health and brain power, from conception, to baby and toddlerhood, and through the teenage years. by Michael Van Straten and Barbara Griggs. Good luck w the game. keep n mind, i'm not a doctor just a student and a mom aswell, good luck and hope tht my advice helped. =) please let me knw hw the "YUM/YUCK" game turnd out,k.

Isis - posted on 07/22/2011

My toddler used to be exactly the same and now she's 2 and 4 months and is still very picky but has gotten better. She loves banana milk just blend a banana with a cup of milk in the blender and throw in a few blueberries or maybe a strawberry. Its not as thick as a smoothie easy to drink my toddler loves it and she also likes almond butter its sweeter and more moist than peanut butter i give it to her on a spoon or carrot or cracker very messy but loves. Don't stress yourself too much your baby will eat what his body needs some kids eat more than others its okay look at what he eats throughout the whole week always offer some type of veggie so he gets used to the idea of having them on the table and on day he'll decide to try it if he decides he doesn't like it don't give up try it again once in a while it takes people a few times to decide wether they really like something or not with kids its even longer. Go to a sushi restaurant and try uni for example most people don't like it but after a few tries you might acquire a taste for it. Its very difficult but I find Its even more difficult when you stress about it. Here's a few things that might work, string cheese, matzo ball soup or chicken noodle soup, spaghetti and meatball or just meatball with marinara, and my toddler favorite mac and cheese with squash heres the link for the recipe sounds a bit hard but yummy and actually easy and quick to make. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie...

Ashlyn - posted on 07/22/2011

YES i know exactly how you feel! Only thing my daughter will eat is yogurt :/ She pushes her food away most of the time although sometimes she'll surprise me by eating her chicken, but of course leaving her vegetables alone. When I try and feed them to her she knocks the spoon out my hand and peas and carrots go flying everywhere..... I've heard they go through phases so I'm just waiting for her to get out of this "phase".

Carmella - posted on 07/20/2011

Its so nice to know im not the only one. My daughter will be 3 she wont eat anything really beside chicken snacks and pediasure she picks the toppings off pizza nuggets fish sticks dry cereal and oatmeal. ...she been this way for 2years and i tried it all

Carmella - posted on 07/20/2011

Its so nice to know im not the only one. My daughter will be 3 she wont eat anything really beside chicken snacks and pediasure she picks the toppings off pizza nuggets fish sticks dry cereal and oatmeal. ...she been this way for 2years and i tried it all

Charlene - posted on 07/19/2011

my son won't eat even half of what you've listed,he will eat quavers,toast,yoghurts and cheddar crackers...when he was weaning age he would eat everything now if i offer him anything 'normal' he goes bananas and throws it back then has a massive tantrum!he doesn't speak much either 'mam' and 'dad' nothing else only baby talk,he will be 2 31st july...i really don't think you have anything to worry about just yet as he's eating a variety of foods at set meal times whereas my son snacks,he refuses to drink out of a beaker or a cup also so still has his baby bottles,i don't know how to explain things to him when h does'nt speak??any advice?

Christine - posted on 07/18/2011

we have an issue with our son but we worked it out he wouldnt eat a lot so we had to start holding him gently and make sure the spoon hit his mouth so he would taste it the he would want more so we know that much we have tried a new tactic and it is working we have practically femmished him by only giving him a very small biscuit inbetween meals and so far is great progress he gets hungry and eats now what we give him if he complains i take it and say all gon then he says no one more ta so basically making sure timing is near spot on for meals so that he will eat because he is due to not because he wants to it is hard when he is begging me for chocolate or mini meals eg an entire yoghurt or a sandwich i just distract him with the biscuit and draw wih him soon i will have timing down packed and he wont sook so much for food it started about you little ones age when i was to blv him to be pushing limits and his taste buds were more effective his decision making is kicking in .good luck with your little one :) every child is different :)

Janet - posted on 07/14/2011

a child WILL NOT starve themselves - what is he actually eating? are u still giving him milk? if so, cut this out - milk acts like a food after 2 years of age

Monique - posted on 07/14/2011

hi there my brother was like that and what we used to do was tell him it was broccoli or somthing he likes and eventually he will eat it. good luck with that one

Tamyra - posted on 07/12/2011

I just found out today that my 17 month old has a sensory disorder which is why she won't eat anything that isn't soft or easily chewable. I know it gets frustrating,but as long as she is happy and healthy my dr told me not to worry. As he grows he will eat more variety. Take care

Anna - posted on 07/12/2011

It sounds like your child has many good eating habits.

Perhaps if you try an awards program with him. If he tries something new each day he gets points and when he saves up enough points he can purchase a toy or game he really wants.

Anna - posted on 07/12/2011

My son was the same exact way. Never had an issue feeding him anything. Then one day he didn't like anything, will not try things. That went on for many years. He is now 8 and he is a little more open to trying things and his menu has expanded. He does not like candy or junk food. Ice cream is about the only snack he enjoys and so I buy the best all natural ice cream. I hear many stories of the same even from people my age when they were kids. I always made sure I had some of his favorite foods with us if and when we traveled. I always had to make separate meals. People find that to be an issue. They say it's not the right thing to do. I have eaten over a friends house and my son was told that it is rude to say you don't like their food and that he should just eat what's given to him. I don't agree with that. You are then teaching them that it's okay to lie and I believe in telling the truth always. You don't want to hurt peoples feelings but it's not okay to lie. I asked him to please atleast try the new foods and if he doesn't like it to say that he doesn't care for it. It sounds much nicer. Sometimes you have to find the right words.



My son has very good manners and is very respectful. I am always complemented on his behavior. Good Manners go a long way with me. This is an issue I see with many different age groups and it saddens me. I don't see that people are teaching their children RESPECT, CONSIDERATION FOR OTHERS OR GOOD MANNERS. I see this with many different age groups and it disgust me. People littering our streets and it doesn't stop there, where ever they go, they leave a little something behind for someone else to clean up. This is also RUDE, INCONSIDERATE, DISRESPECTFUL.

Claudia - posted on 07/12/2011

My son is 18 months, he does not eat veggies, or fruits, at all. So I blend them. I make lotes of soups, and with the fruits, I blend them with sugar and milk and spoon feed him, because he only accept water on his sippy cup. He loves oatmeal(fiber), and I give him one gummy vite everyday. His peddiatrician said that what I am doing is good, but for me to continuing trying to introduce the veegies and fruits, because one day he will start eating. THe mos important is for them to have the proper vitamins. If I put up a fight with my son he wont eat anything. Just try to not introduce sweets to him. Keep your home free of cokies, candies, sweet cereals..... There is a light at the end of the tunel. My 4 year old is just starting to like brocoly, green beans, carrots, kale, lettuce and tomatoes... Yes!!!!! :) do not loose hope.

Kris - posted on 07/08/2011

Have you tried having him help buy the food and fix it? It worked with Audrey and Maurene.

Bertina - posted on 07/08/2011

My 17 month old is the same way people keep telling me its a phase they go thru

Sharon - posted on 07/08/2011

Herbalife nutritonal shakes. Both my 4 yr old and my 17 month LOVE them and they have 17 essential vit and minerals + protein and fiber. good source of calcium, b-complex, antioxidants, vits A, C & E. They have 15g or protein when mixed with milk. What kids doesn't love a Chocloate, Vanilla or Strawberry Shake?? Add fresh fruit to make a yummy smoothie. Inbox me for more info and good luck!

Tania - posted on 07/08/2011

My daughter is 2 and we had the same problem. The paedatrician told us that some kids have a lot of taste buds...as do adults and this makes fussy eaters, whilst others eat everything. He told me it takes about 20-30 single tastes of something before these kids will actaully start to accept it. We did this with my daughter...never forcing her to eat it, but just placing some on her tongue or usually my finger just to get her to taste it. Took about 20 goes to get her to eat kiwi fruit, watermelon, carrots, beans, corn, eggs etc....but we persist and she surprises me all the time when she finally decides she actually likes something. Also the doctor said that most toddlers don't eat very much, especially dinner....so you should try meals in reverse....breakfast should be biggest meal for the day, lunch is when I give her vegies, meat and pasta and then for dinner she eats like a bird....usually fruit, yoghurt and even cereal. This is because they are less active and their growth has slowed down so much since being babies. I also want you to know that I don't give her junk food at all. That minimises the requests for rubbish and refusals of good foods I know she eats. I hope that helps! Hang in there!

Stacey - posted on 07/01/2011

Im going through the exact same thing except my toddler will only eat for tea french toast (which is actually a breakfast food) and hot chips (which isn't healthy at all!) I'm at my wits end as well!! we've tried time out and he still refuses to eat! Breakfast he has nothing!! Lunch maybe a sandwich and in between yoghurt but that's all he wants!! I know exactly how you feel and because it's winter he seems to catch every bug going around! I've tried kids multi-vitamins and have had to put him on toddler formula! So if anyone can help you i need advice too! Good luck!

Janessa - posted on 06/30/2011

Your plan sounds good that's what we have done with all of our kids. Our 2 year old as been that way for a little while but is finally catching on and starting to eat more of a variety. The rule at dinner is you eat what I make or you don't eat, my older 2 do really good, and my 2 year old is catching on slowly but surely. I don't know how hungry they go to bed because they don't complain and they sleep through the night, they also don't seem to be starving. They do start to eat more, it just takes time. If you take care of it early on, they won't starve themselves, just be consistent. Good-luck

GISELLE - posted on 06/28/2011

have you tried letting him feed himself? my 20 month old daughter has always been picky about food, and within the last 2 months she decided that if she can't feed herself (or atleast TRY to), she won't even contemplate looking at it. she also has the habit of refusing food without even trying it. we've had to resort to tricking her into opening her mouth and getting a tiny spoonful in so she can taste it at least, then she'll be up for it. she's also a big drinker - so when she's being picky about food, i give her those yogurt smoothies in her cup.

other than that, all i can say is what her ped tells me..."kids won't starve themselves, they'll eat when hungry..." not very comforting, but what can ya do??

GL!!

Kristina - posted on 06/28/2011

I have the same problem with both my kids. I have found that letting them help me make the meals makes them more excited to eat it. They have a part in preparing the food. I call it our special cooking time, it's a great way to spend some quality time together as well.

Moyee - posted on 06/28/2011

My 4 year old will only eat ice-cream.Other food stuff is out of the question.not that she completely doesn`t eat but what she eats is like one meal whole day/night......

Brittany - posted on 06/28/2011

Yes my daughter is the same way!! She'll be 3 next week and in not even sure what food to have at her party because she only eats fried chicken, fried fish, chips and juice!! well i guess thats considered party food, but EVERYDAY??? It frustrates me because i dont understand how she is still growing so fast!

Tamara - posted on 06/28/2011

Compared to my son, his diet is great! Make sure he is taking is daily vitamins and hope that this is just a faze.

Julie - posted on 06/27/2011

Make only what he likes but keep it simple.
Do not make this a tug of war -
He will eat what you fix him IF he likes it. No one, even adults won't eat something they don't like. When he gets tired of it you will know.
Get him on a good fruit or veggie chewable supplement to make sure he is getting his 5+5 every day.

Mandy - posted on 06/27/2011

I am currently stuggling to get my almost 3 yr old to eat vegies we have rhese vegies fingers which are like fush fingers but really are a bubble & squeak she covers it in tomato sauce but she eats it she always is asking fir icecream or an icy pole its very hard isnt it

Amanda - posted on 06/27/2011

i had the EXACT same problem with my son and it started around the same age and it did last for a while...but he is now 4 and has been back to eating like he use to for about 6 mths. here is exactly what i did...on the days that i did not feeling like arguing with a little kid to make sure he even gets a bite in him i just decided that it is ok to sometimes give in to what he wants...junk food not being the excepting but for like my son he really loves peanut butter sandwhiches so peanut butter it was or noodles or draft dinner...the days that i could put up with the fight was the days it took three or four hours to get him to have a couple of bites...i then started to get really big with the bribary and this may sound bad but it worked for us.
If he wanted chips or chocolate i don't mean big heaps and all the time but the times he did then i would say not until u eat this and then we would count bited like 5 more bited and then we would show him our hands and count down with him...we would make up games to get him to eat and on one occasion and only one cause i felt bad enough doing it that i would not do it again...i let him go to bed with out supper not made him but let him because he did not want to eat...but for breakfast was his left over supper and he ate it and everything was fine...so i hope this helps some and don't worry this will end some time...its just a phase they go through.

Jacey - posted on 06/27/2011

My son is the same. But he won't eat any fruit or veggies. I can't even get him to try anything. I offer things over and over. But as long as he is still growing I don't worry as much anymore. All you can do is keep offering choices they will eat when they are hungry.

Deana - posted on 06/27/2011

Wow, you're actually pretty lucky, he's eating more of a variety than my 3 year old son who only eats chicken, hot dogs, mac & cheese, dried fruit and edamame and not all of them all of the time. He used to eat so well as a baby so I was very surprised when it all changed. I've been told "this too shall pass." Good luck to you!

Sharon - posted on 06/27/2011

I think it's the age. Even still my 16 month old is very picky and has issues with eating textures in foods. For instance stage 3 baby food. She would spit it out becuase it had pieces of pasta in it. Anyway long story short, she fell behind in her weigth which was a concern to the doc at her 1 year check up. I introduced her to herbalife nutritonal shakes for added nutrition to fill in the gaps. She was drinking 36oz of milk a day!! Now she is off the bottle, eating more solid foods and drinks a choc shake a day--sometimes twice a day if I feel she didnt get enough food. There are lots of ways to suppliment but as the other moms have posted, cut back on the juice and snacks. When a child is hunger they will eat. If you find your doc wants you to supplement with nutritional drinks--let me know!! Both my 16 mo old and my 4 yr drink and LOVE them. Hope this post was helpful, and good luck.

Elizabeth - posted on 06/27/2011

I too am going through this, my son was about 14 months old when he started deciding what he wanted to eat and what he didn't like anymore. I let him choose as he is at least eating something and it is a phase and he will outgrow it by the time he's 5 or 6. I know that seems like a long time, however he is eating things with good nutrients and as long as you limit his junk food then it's fine if you fear that he's not getting enough nutrition on a daily basis then give him a children's multivitamin or give him a supplemental drink such as Pediasure. My son is healthy and happy and there is less tantrums this way as you have to pick and choose your battles. Stand firm on the no junk and then give him two different healthy options that you know he will eat and just show him that when you are eating something different how "yummy" it is and he will eventually decide on his own to even just try something different. Good Luck.

Penny - posted on 06/26/2011

I got given this advice by a nutritionist: when your kids are little, look at their food intake over a whole week. Daily appetites vary. My 3 are all picky eaters and my eldest is 7. I stuff in the vegetables first thing in the morning before breakfast and fruit after the little ones nap times when they are thirsty. If your child is still on formula or follow on milk they will still be getting a lot of necessary vitamins etc. It can take years. Best thing I have found is to see what consistency of food they like. Some like crunchy others like smooth, some sweet, some savoury. I mix fruit and veg when sweet is all they will take. It's a balancing act but my 7 year old is finally exploring more sophisticated tastes. They do get bored of the same foods eventually. Good luck!

Nikki - posted on 06/26/2011

Hello we had this issue with my daughter and we let her sit in her highchair with her meal for a half hour and if she hadn't eaten it got taken away. If she complained that she was hungry later she got a fresh plate of supper again. It took a few weeks but eventually learned to at least try her supper and all of the components, wich helped with her other meals too. It took some time but now she is a willing eater, you just have to be patient and keep reminding youself it will pay off....eventually.

Bernnie - posted on 06/26/2011

It should pass, i realized my son wasnot eating vegatables and stuff because he was teething his molars, try alot of soft food for now maybe that help him/her ....even if you show him/her you will eat it he wont i am thinnking maybe because of the pain...think of it we all get tooth aches every now and then and to eat something it can be painful....just a suggestion be patient I learned that and your child will lose weight but then he will regain it and eat everything in sight...

Eronne - posted on 06/26/2011

Although teens and adults can cause serious health issues by not eating, I've never heard of a toddler getting ill from lack of food. Prepare and present healthy food and then don't make any fuss. If he eats, he eats. If he doesn't - relax. He will eat when his tummy is empty. By making special meals, begging kids to eat or putting too much emphasis on the whole process gives them an opportunity to use it to manipulate you. Food is just food. It is biological that we will eat before we starve. Keep it light, keep it simple and your son will want to eat to satisfy his hunger and be part of the group.

Amber-joy - posted on 06/25/2011

have you been to weelicious.com I love her ideas and her fun foods she even has a little blurp about helping to get your kids to eat healthier and being less picky!

Candace - posted on 06/25/2011

i think you shouldn't worry too much about it right now. At least he does eat some fruits and veggies. Keep offering them to him in small portions. For our son we would only put his fruits and veggies on his plate and waited a while to see if he would eat them. Sometimes he tried it and sometines he didn't. After about five minutes we would give him the rest of his meal. (our son is a big meat eater.) Hope that helps.

Angela - posted on 06/24/2011

my boy got like this a while back, will only eat ketchup or salad cream, well if i'm giving him chips, but he will mainly only eat soft foods such as potatoes boiled or mashed, carrot and swede mashed up is a favorite, minced beef, pasta, cereal. he loves smoothies, but that leaves me with one awful mess to clean when he's finished with it. i can only get him to eat banana or melon with confidence he will eat it. but my biggest issue is his falling asleep at the table at tea times. i strap him in his booster chair and within 10 mins he is snoring. i think it is due to him never stopping through the day, when he has no choice but to slow down...he stops altogether..lol

Amanda - posted on 06/23/2011

My 3 yr old can be very fussy with his veggies. He will generally only eat broccolli, occassionally green beans and will sometimes eat potato and corn on the cob only if it is cooked on the bbq.
My solution to get him to eat more veggies is to make my own fruit and veggie juice then he can either drink it or in the summer we freeze it to make ice lollies.
A favourite of ours for hiding things is spaghetti bolonaise. I make the bolonaise with mince, capsicum, zucchini, onion, broccolli, carrot or whatever else you have in the fridge, cook as normal and then blend the mixture till smooth. They get plenty of fresh veggies and have no idea what they are eating coz you can't taste it. I can guarentee my kids go back for seconds and thirds.
Another recipe I got from my MIL is to make little pasties.
I cooked up some mince with tomato paste and a little bit of beef stock to keep it most, grated in some onion, potato, carrot, zucchini and crushed garlic. Then cut some puff pastry into squares or triangles put some of the mince mixture into the centre and fold into a little parcel to join the edges. Brush with some beaten egg and cook in the oven til golden.
Also homemade muffins. My kids love cheese and spinach ones as well as the fruit ones.

Cari - posted on 06/23/2011

My daughter is the same way. She used to eat EVERYTHING! Her daycare even mentioned she was the only one they didn't have trouble feeding green veggies to. All of a sudden when she was 12 months old she stopped eating everything. Now she will eat chicken nuggets and mashed potatoes. She turned 2 in April and I still have to put baby food in milk at night for her. She's always been tiny. Her doctor said not to worry since she was growing at a consistent rate. He said she'll try other food when she wants to. It would be different if she tried things then didn't like them. But I can't even get her to try anything. I've tried hiding food in the potatoes, mixing other meat with the chicken and she picks all around it. She'll eat almost any junk food, but I don't want her to only eat unhealthy stuff. I've tried the whole "look mommy is eating it" and she just offers her food to me. She just recently started eating breakfast bars and dry cereal and peanut butter. It can be very frustrating. But I think they will eventually grow out of it.

Suzanne - posted on 06/22/2011

Your son sounds completely normal for his age! Believe me. Between 1 and 2 they start becoming more independant and do this many times through what they want to eat. At about 1.5 my son (who ate very well before that) decided that all he wanted was bread, salami, bananas, peanut butter and pancakes. I didn't get nervous. I jut kept putting different things on his plate. Eventually (like a year later!) he finally decided again to try different things. Don't get frustrated and do not compare him to others. Even though my son has started to grow out of this finally (he is almost 3). He still will not eat any vegetables except potatoes. I buy him fruit/veg mix juice and give him a cup of that a day to at least get some vegetables in him along with a multi-vitamin. This is all part of their development and showing independance.