How do I get my 19 month old to eat more foods

Krystal - posted on 08/06/2012

My 19 month old son is not by any means unhealthy he is a big boy for his age, he is the length of a 2 1/2 year old and 34 lbs but I don't know how. So days he will go all day snacking on crackers and little pieces of fruit and maybe a gold fish or 5 and only wants his milk bottle or a sippy with juice or water. Other days he's all about eating, He will eat eggs and bacon for breakfast and he will eat a little bit of a sandwich or chicken and rice for lunch and dinner he will tear down on some corn bread and pick at green beans and hardly touch the meat. I find that when I sit him at the table he wants to get down and play and he will come back to the table for a bite and he's off again. When I sit him on my lap sometimes he'll get a good bit and others it's down and off to play and come back for a bite or two. I just want to get him to understand Hey, everyone else sits at the table, this is fun and actually eat some of the meals with us or at lease eat on the days he doesn't want anything.

Nathalie - posted on 08/23/2011

Hi everyone, my daughter is 19 months and very picky. She loves her similac go and grow with gerber cereal in her bottle. (trying to get her off). She drinks from a cup comfortably, but only wants juice and water in her cup. My dilemma is eating; she use to eat solids like soups in the a.m rice and beans for lunch/dinner, but that has come to a complete halt. she only wants her milk, strawberries grapes, crackers and pretzels. I don"t know what to do, she doesn't even want her yogurt, but she loves chicken. I really want to get her to eat more solids, any advice.

Leanne - posted on 11/20/2008

My daughter has never been a good eater, but lately, she has gone for days without a bite. It is extremely distressing, as alot of time I don't seem to be took seriously in my worries about her diet. I have found that it's best to let her eat what she requests - within reason! and to really try not to make a big deal of things when she won't eat what you make for them. Another tip I've been given is to just make something for your child put it on their favorite plate etc - get them as involved as much as possible with the buying and preparation of what they're going to eat, so when it comes down to it, they know where its from and they've had a say in what their having. Also don't give in straight away and bin what they refuse - my daughters surprised me a few times and gone back to her plate - sometimes throughout the day, as long as she knows its their, I've come to realise it's a lot about control, mama & baba both want it!!
Best of British!! Don't give up - I haven't......YET!!!!

Nicole - posted on 11/18/2008

My son has always been a picky eater and I had to strat tricking him into eating different foods. I would tell him that spagetti was rice since he loved rice. Once he ate a few bites and seemed to like it I would tell him what it really was and he didn't seem to mind. After that he would eat it with no problem and as time went on more things became part of his regular diet! Dealing with eating habits can be really trying but trust me it gets better!! Good Luck