he won't eat

Meghan - posted on 03/09/2010

I read in some books it is a parents job to decide what and when the baby will eat, and it is the babies job to decide how much and if they will eat. My son goes through stages (right now as a matter of fact) where he wont eat anything besides snacks...crackers with peanut butter, gold fish crackers and cantelope. It really does stress me out because I worry he isn't getting enough or ins't eating healthy. But the more I try to push anything else on him the harder he fights me. I just try it once at his regular meal time, if he says no I say ok. Then he doesn't get anything until his regualr snack time. Like all the other mom's said don't make seperate meals and he wont starve!

Hollie - posted on 03/09/2010

I completly agree with Amy Lea. My first child was like that and I was worried when he started to loose weight and was under the normal for his age, but my dr told me to put the food that I fixed for that meal for everyone (not just what he wanted) in front of him and if he chose to eat, then good, but, even if he doesn't eat, make him sit until everyone else was finished. Then for snack fruits or vegs until he started eating those at meals, then give him other snacks ( like real snack foods: crackers or a sugary snack). He told me that children will eat when they are hungry, but u can't let them control the situation. And My nephew was also one that wouldn't eat most foods and his mom just let him eat what he wanted just do that he would eat, and now he is 5 and only eats cereal, candy and crackers. Thats mostly his entire diet. I hope this helps. Just stand your ground and he will eventually start eating what u fix for everyone.

Debora - posted on 03/09/2010

Good Advice!! I like it.

Sharon - posted on 03/09/2010

i remember years ago a health visitor telling me a hungry child wont starve itself if they need food they will eat it to this i thought well we as adults are the same , i used to get very anxious about them not eating what i would call a portion to there size so would think right they must be hungry a hour or so later and give a snack in time realising ok there not hungry because i make it up by letting them snack between i learnt to chill and let them eat from there food what they wanted my oldest now 23 and has 6 siblings so if he survived then he must have been ok just us parents fretting like we do lol hope this helps a little bit

Debora - posted on 03/09/2010

Eliminate all snacks and sweets, remove them from your home. He will eventually eat if he is hungry. When my son wouldn't eat his dinner, he got it for breakfast and ate it and never did that again. Check with your doctor too. Watch his weight gain and ensure plenty of fluids, maybe small nutritious meals throughout the day say 5 or 6 times. Eliminate juice since that has sugar in it and may be curbing his appetite. Hope this helps. Mom of 4, RN, Labor and Delivery

Amy - posted on 03/09/2010

he will eat when he is hungry- and i know it sounds horrible but if all he wants is snacks give it to him- as long as he is eating i wouldnt worry-my daughter went thru a stage where she would not eat anything not even snacks- and the doc said as long as she was taking in fluids then she was ok- so just dont stress over it and make sure he is getting plenty of fluids- if he still hasnt eaten in a few days then i would call the doctor back and talk to them- but from my own experience they will eventually get hungry and eat!

Iridescent - posted on 03/09/2010

Stop catering to him. You say you are (based on your description of making him what he says he wants).



Schedule a doctor's appointment. He may have an ear infection or a sore throat causing eating problems. They can also prescribe a supplement like PediaSure which will then be covered by WIC and help him maintain weight (or gain) as he should be. Also ask about possible food allergies and if he has any symptoms of them (rashes, wheezing, frequent infections, fatigue, anemia, diarrhea, vomiting) bring them to the doctor's attention.



Stop pushing food. Mealtimes are intended to be fun. Choose what foods to make based on nutrition, not on your son's desires. Offer the foods at mealtimes. Realize he won't eat much at a sitting, so snacks are necessary. If he refuses, fine. Don't offer any more. Offer it again at snack time. If he eats it, excellent! Praise him! And offer something else at snack time. He still needs the snacks if his weight is dropping.