16 Month Old Twins Won't Eat............

Please don't worry about this. Believe it or not, they can live on scrambled eggs and cheerios. It sounds to me like they are getting a lot of attention by refusing to eat.

Call your pediatrician and check in about this. Unless they are losing lots of weight, which I doubt, this isn't serious, just a stage that they will pass through. The more matter of fact you are about this, the faster they will pass through this. Young children do not starve themselves. Honest. L. Z

Actually, I think they can live off of scrambled eggs and cheerios!! Don't worry too much. I think one thing that helped to introduce my kids to new foods was "social eating" where they watch other kids eat, and they try it too, like at a playdate or preschool. Try arranging a playdate with some friends and have this as a goal with the other moms. Bring only healthy foods that you want the kids to eat, maybe each kid likes ONE healthy thing (bananas or ham & cheese sandwiches on whole wheat, or whatever) and your kids will see each child consuming their favorite healthy delight and give it a shot, too.

Barney talks alot about eating healthy foods, talk that up... "Barney just LOVES broccoli and carrots - remember the song,,," then sing along.

They WILL eventually eat, just keep trying.

OH - and PS... Don't get caught up making everything that they ask for. I did this with my oldest daughter trying to get her to eat and now she thinks I'm a short order cook. Serve the meal and say "this is what's for breakfast today! If you don't like it, just eat a little and maybe you'll like what's for lunch"

Hi N. - As a first time neurotic mom who's baby is now three, my best advise is listen to your mom. I know...but it's true. We went through days of Jessie just "picking" worried that she would fade away because she didn't eat. Then, a week later she would eat like a grown person and then sleep for 14+ hours. Your twins will eat when they are hungry. Right now, they are busy, busy playing and stuff. If they want to live on eggs and cherrios - more power to them. They are getting some good nutrition. Jessie lived on cheese - seriously! So, relax, they will come around and eat and then totally surprise you with something else to "worry" about soon ;-) M.

Dear N.,

Yep, your mother is right, and yep, you are doing the right thing, just keep offering them different foods. They must have had a 'conference' and decided to worry momma.

If they get hungry, then they will eat. I volunteer at the nearby Salvation Army every Friday afternoon. One lady came in and said that she was homeless - and told me why. She is now living with her son, and since she has been with him she has been eating a lot of food - 'like a pig' she said. When before she just never did eat and wasn't hungry. So now that her body is used to food, she is interested in eating again. She was pretty thin, and very happy with the food we were able to give to her.

No kidding, they will eat, it must just be a time in their lives when their bodies are consolidating or not growing much. Pretty soon their bodies will begin to make some changes and then they will eat.

We think that we are in control of our minds and our bodies, but we are not. "They" want to live and will bring about feelings that we recognize as hunger, so that "they", our brains and body, will survive. Good Luck, you are very lucky to have your mother around. Some mommies don't, and it is a very big burden for them. You know about the natural law, don't you? That Every Mother needs a Mother. True.

Little girls are so lovely, and you have two of them !! Sincerely, C. N.

Since they are eating scrambled eggs, have you tried adding things to the eggs. Kids are smart and may catch on so you might need to cut it up really small. You could add cheese because it melts. Cheese and eggs are a very good source of protein for kids. I had a little one in my daycare that only ate eggs too. When I fed her I would put small pieces of ham or veggies that were cut up so small under the eggs on the spoon. Now they cannot see you do this. So when you put the spoon up to their mouth they only see the eggs and not what is hidden underneath. It will have to be very small portions because if it is too big they will notice something different when they are chewing and spit it out. A good idea I read from someone else is pedisure.

I agree with the other ladies and your mom. Toddlers go through many stages and this is one of them. My 14 1/2 month old who has never refused and food we have given him decided last week that he doesn't eat meat! I do still put it on his tray and he eats all his veggies and everything else then picks up the pieces of meat and trows them in the floor. Sometimes if i give him bites of the meat he will eat it or, he will take it out of his mouth and throw it. I was also a very picky eater as a child, i lived off of hot dogs, mac n cheese and corn. If the items on my plate touched i wouldn't eat them, if my mom cooked something i didn't like i just didn't eat. I was a very skinny child but, to look at me know you would think i have loved food my whole life! They will eat when they are hungry :o) good luck!

I have to say, I agree w/your mom. The will eat when they're hungyr. It's not uncommon for kids to go thru a 'hunger strike.' Our son (he's 2 today!) did this a few weeks ago for the first time & I figured out he was teething so maybe your twins are doing it for the same reason. You said they're eating eggs which don't need chewing & Cheerios which will melt in their mouths so this could be the case. Just keep doing what you're doing....offering them food & they'll start to eat. I strongly suggest you not force any food on them. Then it will become a battle of wills & control & potentially cause lotsa problem. This could start some odd eating habits, too, so I suggest you stay consistent. You may feel the need to follow them around w/food or give them their meals where they'll eat them so this could be the time to teach them that food is eaten at the table & not while walking around the house, if that's something you do in your house. Offer the meal at the table & if they walk away tell them if they wanna eat they have to sit at the table or you'll put it away. They're old enough to get this. Without ever discussing it, this is how my husband & & feel. We tell our boys that meals are at the table & snacks can be eaten in the rest of the house. If they get down from the table, we explain the food is gone & won't come back out so they better eat it now or hold their peace & not ask for snack in 1/2 an hour. We also don't do the 'eat this much'.... it's eat how much you want & you're done when you're done. As a result, our boys are good eaters....they have healthy appetites & are willing to try new foods. It's the one area where things go smoothly! If you notice weight loss or this goes on for much longer, you should probably take them to their ped. Good luck!

Don't worry... :) They will eat when their ready! :)

I believe this is a pretty common phase in teh toddler years. A friend of mine, who is a nurse, said not to worry and they would start eating again when they are hungry.

Well this is pretty normal. They will not starvew thimselves. Somedays they may eat alot, and others hardly at all. Could they be teething? Maybe their mouths are just sore. Keep offering a variety of things just leave it out for them to "snack" on. Also you can try pediasure. Its a drink but with alot of nutrients and calories for them. It is a little expensive, but its a good way to get the nutrients.
Good luck
C.

Your mom is right...when they're hungry, they'll eat. Kids don't eat like adults. They usually have growth spurts they prepare for (when they'll gobble down anything and everything) and during the actual spurt it seems they hardly eat anything at all.

As long as they are healthy and your DR says they are okay, then I wouldn't worry about it.