17 Month Old Won't Eat

T. I

My daughter is 20 months old and used to do the same thing. And boy, she did and still does love milk. What I did was I cut back on the milk. I tried giving her juice or just even some cool not cold water. It really helped with her eating a lot better. I tried to avoid giving her milk before meals because this makes them have that "full" feeling. I try to only give her milk just before bedtime to help her sleep. Hope this helps...

M.

T. don't worry, as incredible it seems, this is a stage that some toddlers go through, cause one reason could be that they are theething, and this discomfort make them not to put anything in their mouth and another reason, they're to busy discovering the world. So I had this experience myself with my 16 month old girl and also seeing this same behavior in other toddlers as well it stop my concerns. I ask my daughther if she wants to eat every chance i get and believe me they let you know when they are starving. keep handy diced fruits, cheese, crackers or whatever he likes to eat and when he's playing or something give me some. This is what I do whit mine and works. Good Luck!!

My son, who is 2 1/2 now, did the exact same thing when he was that age. I was worried and asked his pediatrician about it. His doctor said, when he wants to eat...he will eat. I explained that I was worried and concerned. He told me not to force him, and that he would not starve. My little guy now will eat anything! He eats all the time. I guess he finally got his appetite around 2 years old. Maybe that is just a "stage" that little guys go through.

I know it is easy to say "Don't Worry", but hang in there....it will get better!

Hi T. -
If your child is small in weight for his age, I totally disagree with all the moms who say to cut out the snacks. I had the same problem with my son when he was 15-17 months. Because the he was of below average weight and very, very active, the pedi had suggested that I try to fatten him up. Imagine the stress I felt when the little guy decided he was too busy for eating. So I decided that I would simply try to "strike while the iron is hot", that is, to try to make the most of all meals and snacks. But that said, try to keep him on a schedule so that he knows when to expect food and also try not to make an issue of it so that the little one doesn't think its a power struggle that must be won. My little one had breakfast at 8, a snack at 10:15, lunch at 12:30, a snack at 4:00 and dinner at 6:30. If he ate a good breakfast, he was allowed some cheese or fruit while playing. If not a good breakfast, then he had to eat a more substantial snack while in his high chair. Some days are better than others but I usually don't have to worry that he doesn't get enough calories or nutrients.

All 3 of my children have gone through this stage. They are now 8, 3 1/2 and 2 1/2. My 3 and 2 year old still have some moments when they don't want to eat but for the most part are doing better. My daughter went through it the worst. She is VERY tall for her age and was extremely thin for a while there because all she did was drink milk and refuse most foods. I am happy to say now at 3 1/2 she looks healthy and eats better.
It is completely normal and nothing to worry about unless your doctor says so. It varies with each child on how long it will last, but don't worry mommy! He will get his appetite back!

Do not give your child a snack an hour prior to a meal. This might help... Do not put yourself on his schedule or make special meals for him alone. Later, this will be a control issue.

Wow T....
I guess we are on the same boat! I also have a 17 month old that just wants to play play play and nothing else...like your son, he is very healthy and has never had a major cold (knock on wood!)...and doesn't go to daycare either. BUT, if he won't eat, I just won't push him - a few hours later, he will point to the oatmeal showing me he is hungry...so he will eventually come around looking! :) Mine is still breastfeeding (working on weaning him soon)...so as long as he is getting that, I'm not too worried - he lets me know when he is hungry - just not the moment I want him to be, like the time we all sit down for dinner - but oh well...all I can say is hang in there - this too shall pass...he will not starve, he is smarted than that! :)
Take it easy!
S.

Keep giving him healthy snacks, whole wheat pretzels, cheerios, don't let him know he is eating "meals." Don't stress about the eating...kids store up when they are going to hit a growth spurt and don't need so much between them.

You can try to put stickers of his favorite characters on his high chair and cover the whole tray with clear contact paper so the stickers don't get gross. I would ask my kids the names of the characters and the colors of them or their clothing to distract them while they were eating...worked for all of my kids. Good luck!

I agree that the picky eate thing is normal, but have you also considered "does he sit in the high chair everytime a meal is served. Maybe he feels forced or captive. Try something different like a booster seat, on atowel or blanket on the floor. Sometimes they need to feel that freedom.

Also make sure you offer a different variety of foods and make it fun, not feel forced. Other than this and everything mentioned below, sounds pretty normal, all children are different. You probably won't start noticing what he likes and he probably wont change much until 20 mths- 2 1/2 years old. Sometimes it is a texture thing too! Good eating!

P.S. Click on my name and you will see another similar question I answered with some great advice and click on the question and see the great advice from other moms. That one was a very good response.

I know my son lived on peanut butter crackers for over a year between age 1 and 2 - I felt it was the best I could do since he wanted NOTHING to do with meat of any kind; we offered other things but he just wouldn't touch them. The peanut butter provided the protein and calories he needed and now he eats like a normal person. Just a suggestion if he'll eat them. Good luck!

First I would recommend cutting back on the snacks. He will eat when he's hungry. He will not starve. My nephew went through the same phase and my sister's Peditrician told her to start by not giving him anything to drink two hours before meal time. He also told her he would eat when he was ready...he did! My kids have always eaten what's placed in front of them, it is rare that they turn down meals, but they aren't allowed more than one snack in the morning and one in the afternoon. It's normal, don't worry.

My baby would not eat but for huge medical reasons that would take too long to explain. But -- I learned to play music videos and then she would eat. I also had to plan things to distract her, so she would not lose interest in eating.

As much as you want him to eat "something", you have to realize that just filling him up on crackers, cereal and milk is counterproductive. Why should he eat anything else? Cut-off the goldfish and limit the milk and he'll get hungry. My youngest was underweight with a small appetite, but loved his milk, so his dr. suggested subbing pediasure for the milk to give him the added nutrients and calories. Limiting his milk intake did give him more of an appetite, but kids this age are hit and miss at mealtimes, so I wait until he tells me he's hungry instead of a set eating time, too. He comes to me 4-5 times a day telling me he's hungry, going into the drawer himself and bringing me his plate. I cut up some fruit, sliced meat and cheese, a small carton of yogurt, and leave him alone. Without an audience, he doesn't play, he just sits and eats.........

It is a normal phase that worries us moms just sick...I swear from about 18 months until after he was two my son lived on air and a bit of milk. I would offer beautifully prepared well balanced meals three times a day and two snacks a day...a bite here and nibble there and whole plates of food snubbed...I wanted to cry.

Now he is three and life has changed...he and my DH will fight over the last piece of meat...he will eat two sandwiches at a time or two pieces of fruit at a time.

Sending you a big {{{{hug}}}}

Sounds like your son has outgrown the highchair. He knows he's too old for it, and has been trying to tell you in his own way. Getting him a chair of his own might help. However, at that age, he still might not eat. If he feels like eating, he will.
Remember, it doesn't matter what they eat each day. What matters is what they take in over the course of the week. for example, he might eat 4 servings of protein in one sitting, but very little the next day. And, a serving is about the size of their fist. (At least, that's what I've been told.)
If he's happy and healthy, no worries!

T., I am going to suggest not making to big of an issue over you toddler not eating a lot. If he is healthy that is the most important thing and if he is a little small, well that is better than overweight at any age. I am 49 years old and have two grown daughters with 5 grandchildren. We have never had this problem everyone of the kids love to eat, but I will tell you I was born in 1958 my mother would have someone hold me down while she force fed me. I think that is wierd and would never do that to a child. In those days I guess people thought a fat child was a healthy child. Just chill it will be fine. Now if he starts getting sick and wasteing away before your eyes then I would worry.

T. from my experience with kids being a mother of 3 27,18 and 17,kids have their moments when the wont eat hardly anything at all,and I think because sometimes theyre teethng and you dont know it, or they just dont feel like eatting at all.Check to see if hes cutting some back teeth that you are not aware of.The next thing is that when he gets hungry he will eat,I spend a lot of money taking my kids to the Dr. for that and all I was told that as long as they dont get to skinny they will be ok,plus its not like hes not getting anything to eat because you said he drinks nothing but milk and milk does a body good.You said that he crys when you put him in the high chair,try siiting him on your lap and feeding him yourself,maybe he doesnt wont to sit in the high chair any more.Try changing up some things on him to see if it will work. Good Luck B. F.

First, children this young have NOT learned to over eat. That is a good thing. I would take away ALL SNACKS. Only off what you want him to eat. My 12 and 26 mos olds eat green veges first b/c that is what they are given. If that is what you offer, that is what he / she will learn to eat. Stop the snacks and offer more small meals thru the day. Cut down on the bottls too. Only give them at nap and night time. That works for mine. They eat a large variety (people are amazed at what they eat) and are not picky at all.

I have the same problem with my son. He is now 5.5 yo. He eats only when there is nothing better to do. He also eats about every 3rd day. He looks at his food and talks through breakfast lunch and dinner for aprox. 2 days and then on the 3rd magical day he eats his food and asks for seconds:).

My son is happy and healthy and developmentaly on track. I just laugh and say that I will be really upset when he is 15 and emptying the refriderator with all of his friends.

Try not to worry too much. Offer healthy tasty food several times a day. Of course kids eat more snack foods because they are made for immediate short term satisfaction. Snack foods are also so "empty" that our kids eat more so we think they are picky but really they just need less of the healthy stuff to feel "full". I have also heard toddlers compared to cats. They nibble small amounts of food all day. A friend of mine would leave healthy foods available all day long and she was amazed how much her son ate. But Honestly I think they just need less that we think they do. It is hard to believe that 2 ounces of food 4-6 times a day can sustain a growing body and a developing brain, but I think that is all they need. That is all I can get my son to eat and he is very happy healthy and smart. Hungry kids look and act sick. Listless behavior sunken eyes or temper tantrums when their blood sugar drops too low.

So if your son is running around making you wonder where all the energy is coming from he is eating "enough".

Debra

Maybe you should not give him any snack type foods in between meals. Also, I don't know if your feeding junior foods or what type. I cook foods with little seasoning and then use the food processor to mince and make it easy for our little guy to chew. Also, fruit coctail minced very fine is good for them and they like it along with the meat and potatoes,etc. Good luck.

Try not putting the tray on the high-chair and scooting the high-chair up to the table with the rest of the family and reward him for "getting big enough to eat with everyone else" and let him see he has the same food on his plate as mommy and daddy, but in his bite-sized pieces. Take things like fresh broccoli, sliced bananas, peaches, peeled oranges, halved grapes, etc in a bowl and set them on a corner of the table and tell him to grab a piece whenever he gets hungry. Put a glass of fresh water next to it for when he is thirsty, so that he can "do it all by himself". Also, as a baby in the womb, your son only ate when he was hungry. If he is not hungry at your set mealtimes, don't force him to eat, as this only contributes to overweight and improper eating habits later on in life. He may not necessarily be eating enough for -you- to be comfortable but if -he- is comfortable and is not suffering from malnutrition, let him eat as he is - it is not hurting him. I suspect that he is currently between growth spurts and when he hits another one, his appetite will pick up right where it left off. Don't worry about him if he is healthy and his pedi is not concerned. If it will ease your fears, go ahead and call his pediatrician and schedule a checkup just to be sure.

Hi T., I have been a Mom for 37 1/2 years and a grandma 6 times and these little ones go through spurts where they eat, eat, eat and they they are not so interested. So don't panic, just keep an eye and ear open and if you want write it on the calenda, see if there is a pattern or just random. Tomorrow he will probably eat everything in sight. God Bless.
L. in Texas City

I truely believe if your son is getting just milk troughout the day he will not be that hungry, milk has alot of what's needed to sustain ones body, with vitamins & his snacks, nuf said. I agree that he needs only snacks mid morning and mid afternoon, and probably should be vegies but not ALL kids like them, mine doesn't! unless they are raw. I also think fruit jucies and water should be incorporated in his daily intake just to see if the abscence of just milk will make him a little more hungry.
Best of luck to you and your beautiful family :)
A.

I wouldn't worry too much about the not eating as almost every child goes through this. My daughter is 27 months and has always been a VERY healthy eater (both in types of foods and amounts of food), and still has periods where she doesn't want to eat anything. However, One thing that my mother-in-law bought her, which was a great idea, is a child size table and chair. We first started using it at about 13 months and she loves it! She sits right next to us while we are eating at the table and feels like a big kid.

Hi it is normal for your child to go throught peeks and valllies with eating. My daughter when she was little 12-24 month ate anything you'd put infront of her, well at 2 1/2 didn't like anything and ate so little I thought she's strave, wrong she is still here. My Pedi. told me just relax they are exertign indepence and you can make it pwer struggle or you can have a happy meal time, it he is only eating 5 bites ok, remember how small his stomache is, and step back when he leaves the table that means he is done no snack or especially dessert. By the next meal he maybe hungry or not, but believe me a teacher or preschoolers, a certifed nanny for 10 year, not to mention a mommy for nealry 8 years he will eventually eat. If you ar eworried about vitamins /mineral which I understnad supplement with a vitamin, my children hated the liquid, so agian Pedi to rescue said it is ok to break a flintstone viatmin in 1/3's or half depending on child ask PEDI about the proper amount. Relax, I knwo it is hard and stressful!

I have a 2 1/2 year old. I learned from the daycare that milk can be very filling. When I dropped my son off in the mornings, I would hang out with him for a few minutes while he was eating breakfast if I had some extra time. The daycare would not give him his cup of milk until he had actually eaten a good portion of his food. They told me that they noticed when they let him drink some milk first, he wouldn't eat his food. Kids are also pretty good at knowing their limits. If your son took five bites and says he's done, then he probably is at that moment. I noticed that my son would eat so many snacks (i.e. goldfish, cereals, etc.), that he wouldn't be hungry at dinner time. Your son may not be hungry because of the snacks. When my son starts doing this, I cut back on the snacks. Hopefully some of this is helpful. Good luck!

Stop giving him snacks and he will be hungry at meal times. Read the labels on those cheerios and goldfish - expeller pressed cereals really mess up the protein compounds of the grains, rats dies sooner eating expeller pressed cereals than they do eating the box the cereal comes in - ask the Weston A. Price Foundation. I heard Sally Fallon, of this foundation, speak at the Organic Convention in College Station in early Feb. I was shocked to hear the test results of expeller pressed grains, organic is worse b/c the protein in them is higher (better) but it is the destruction of the protein that makes them harmful results. Live and learn. Then you need to also analyze the corn syrup, the soy content and check to see if canola, soy, corn or cottonseed plays into them as well, in any form. All of those are most likely GMO in the US and cause underweight internal organs in young animals. You don't want him to be a research rat. Not to mention the dyes, additives and chemicals in those things. Oh yes, baby #1 got them in our family too, but I assure you baby #4 does not. Again, live, learn, change. Good luck. PS: Give him raw fruits and veggies for snacks instead and find yourself a good whole wheat cracker recipe, there are even some that have cheese in them. I saw some recently and am going to try them, the children can help by cutting them out with cookie cutters, might be fun.