2 Year Old Not Eating

My dr. told us the same thing. Kids won't starve themselves its a game of wills. He'll see how long you will hold out before he gets his way. Even one night without dinner won't hurt him but teach him what's for dinner is what is for dinner. But the vitiamin is great idea. just read the ingrediants and research them. Many have toxic ingrediants, colorants etc... Also Make sure he is drinking water. Water is way better than juice especially on the teeth. If you are going to use juice use 100% - watch out the marketing is tricky, and get the smallest boxes or the big bottles and only give a 4 oz serving. It seems so small but they should not have more. Hope this helps.

How long has he been slowing in his eating habits? I am thinking it could be teeth?

I have 3 boys from age 3.5 to 13.... they do go thru these phases, but keeping him hydrated is important. Make sure he is getting plenty of GOOD fluids.. He will more than likely be attracted to cold foods if he mouth is sore. Try some cold cereals like honey nut cheerios and let them sit in the cold milk a while before feeding him.
Does he like scrambled eggs? Even dry toast is good when they are that age.

Let me know if you have made any head way,

I am a certified Nutritionist and my husband and I own a personal training company here in the Sugar Hill, Suwanee area. If you feel like he is not eating better after another day or too,... and if his diapers are less frequent I would call the Doctor again.

Good luck!!

I have 4 boys, and we have gone through "food protests" with all of them in the younger years. I'm not talking about "weird" stuff, like Brussel sprouts, but just the whims like one day he'll eat mac and cheese, the next time he won't. What we learned is that these protests (usually) have nothing to do with the food itself, and everything to do with control. So we have a policy in our family that works FABULOUSLY.

You know how some families make their kids sit at the dinner table until they're done (even if they're sitting there for 3 hours?) We decided against that approach - first, because sometimes that's just not possible with our schedule, and second, because sometimes a person is just legitimately full, and forcing a kid to eat more than they want can lead to obesity later on when they won't associate the full-feeling with stopping eating. So our policy is that if you don't want the food at this meal, you don't have to eat it now, but you get nothing else until the food is eaten. Here's how it works for us:

Let's say on Monday night I make baked macaroni, and green beans, and one of our guys doesn't want it. He doesn't have to eat it then, but obviously, he doesn't get any dessert or other snacks that night. Tuesday morning, he gets a basic breakfast (cereal), but doesn't get anything else until lunch, when the baked macaroni and/or green beans come back. If he still won't eat it for lunch, he doesn't get anything for snack, and it comes back at dinner. If they don't eat it for dinner Tuesday, it comes back for breakfast Weds. morning, and so it continues, until either they eat the food or it goes bad! Usually, by the second night (Tuesday, here), they're hungry enough to eat it, and then get whatever the rest of us are having for dinner if they want it. But with all four of our boys, the first couple times they tested us on this, it went a couple of days. The good news is you know they won't starve, and eventually they'll eat at least a little bit of it. The hard part is not giving in when they're sad, or throwing tantrums, or when you've made something for dinner on Weds night that they really really want. But after a few times, all of my kids just learned that there's no payoff to protesting, and the sooner they eat the food, the sooner they can get something else to eat!

Now, that said, as the kids have gotten older and been able to identify true likes and dislikes, I do try to at least pay attention to some of their natural preferences. Within reason. With 6 of us in the household, I can't be making 6 different meals, or even 2 or 3 different meals. But just like adults, we all have a few things we really don't like, and so for their top 1 or 2 least favorite items, I do try to accomodate. My oldest son just doesn't like rice, for example, so when I make rice, once in a while I'll let him pass altogether on the rice and fill up more on other items like veggies. Other times, I make him eat a smaller portion of the rice than his brothers, who happen to love rice.

While they were younger, I tended to stick to (a wide variety of) more generally-accepted kid friendly foods, but have gradually added more adult flavors, so now they don't balk every time something unfamiliar comes their way. It takes work and self-discipline not to give in, but it's been SO WORTH the payoff.

One other note, to balance out this approach, as the kids have gotten older I have included them in planning the menus for the week/month. I do this ahead of time for the week, not right before I'm about to make dinner. So on Saturday or Sunday, when I'm planning, I know I'm going to make chicken one day, I'll let them choose whether it's cornflake-chicken or salsa-chicken. And we make sure to plan in a few kid-friendly favorites throughout the month as special treats - pancakes one night, pizza another. And sometimes a true Kids Choice - where each kid gets to choose what he gets for dinner that night (usually one chooses Ramen Noodle soup, another chooses rice bowl, maybe another chooses frozen chicken nuggets). The point is, the kids know it's not a complete dictatorship, so they're more on board eating what I make on the other nights.

I truly hope this helps! Good luck!

*S.* SAHM of 4 boys ages 9,6,5,and 3

Hi C.,
I had this same concern for my 2 and 4 yr. olds. But you know what? I just let it go and decided to let them lead just as I have in other aspects of parenting (child led learning, child led nursing, co-sleeping) . Since you cannot force them to do any of these things before they are ready (nor would you want to!), what's the point in causing stress for yourself or for the little ones? All I can do is offer the veggies and fruits, etc. often and give them access to healthy foods and know they will eat them oneday! Maybe not as soon as I want them too, but know that they are getting the nutrition that they need right now.

~C.
WAHmama to Zoe, Lola and Milo

My son (who is turning three tomorrow) was the same way. For awhile he would either not eat very much or only eat the same foods over and over. He preferred milk rather than food. I kept offering him new foods and he would spit them out or not even try him. After two & a half years old he began eating just about everything. Now he is a very healthy eater.

As long as your doctor says he is healthy I don't think you should worry too much. I worried a lot, its hard not to as a mom. But now my son is fine and is a big eater.

C., My son is now 16, but when he was younger, I thought he was going to turn into a chicken nugget. Then he went through the phase of pasta with butter. Now he will eat anything. We would introduce him to something new each time, and would ask him to take a bite, and if he didn't like it, he wouldn't have to eat it. So it seemed to work! If the doctor thinks he is okay, then I am sure he is! Sounds like he is getting a fruit, and dairy, so all should be good! Make sure you give him a vitamin!
Good luck!
J.

My doctor told me the same thing as well as don't cater to his preferences. When he is hungry he will eat. My daughter was the same way. She used to love spaghetti but wouldnt eat ketchup. Now she wont eat spaghetti but will use ketchup. I dont force feed her but she knows that she must at least taste everything and veggies are non-negotiable. she must find a way to make them disappear :) Except for the spaghetti & tomato, potatoes, squash and asparagus, she has done a great job learning the we must try every thing.

Remain calm. I know how frustrating it is, but he will outgrow it. When I was a teenager, I babysat for this little boy. His mom had talked it over with the pediatrician who said it would pass, but all he ate was poptarts, hot dogs, and PB & J. He did that for at least 6 months. I was horrified. She told me just to feed it to him. Her hope was he would get sick of it. I don't know how responsive your son is to reading, but there is a great book about this called Bread and Jam for Frances. The little girl only wants to eat Bread and Jam so that is what her mom gives her for every meal until she understands how much nicer it is to eat other foods. Worth at try.

Otherwise, keep offering small portions of healthy food with some of his favorites. In our house 1 bite is the rule. You must try one bite of whatever is on your plate. If you do not like it, you don't have to eat the rest. Make a 1 bite rule and keep offering the things you want him to eat. Meanwhile, will he drink juice? Juicy Juice has a brand called Harvest Surprise - the surprise is it also contains veggies. Also there is a brand called Flat Earth that makes baked veggie chips that says one serving is 1/2 a serving of veggies. My children love them. They also used to gobble up Veggie Booty that had kale and spinach in it. I find Flat Earth even in Walmart and Veggie Booty in health food stores. Try sneaking in veggies anywhere you can. Try the pastas that have 3 colors (but read the label) some of them are made with tomato and spinach for coloring the orange and green ones. Spinach fettuccine noodles are pretty accessible as well. Do not be above bribery - if he has a favorite dessert you can make healthy it can be reward for eating a meal with new foods (more than one bite).

Hi C.,
I promise he will eat when he gets hungry. My son did the same thing when he was 2 for approximately 2 years. He is now almost 20 years old, He is 6'5"tall and 215lbs. Very healthy. I promise you he will eat when he's hungry and eventually you'll be wondering if he will ever stop and how your going to afford groceries.
Hang in there, one day you will laugh with him about this.
T.

I am also a stay at home mom. Both my girls are in school now. I have a 5 and a 10 year old. My 5 year old still does not eat very well. She eats mac&cheese,hot dogs,ham sand.,fruit,yogurt..and a few other things. My mom worries about her,but the doctor told me the same thing..when they get hungry they will eat. So I give her a daily vitamin. The best vitamin is Animal Parade. You can get these at The Vitamin Shoppe across from the Mall of Georgia. I hope this helps. And do not worry, when they get older they will eat anything just like my 10 year old or at least try it.

Ashlee gave a lot of great tips!! We even have the one bite rule in my house for my daughter and when my son gets older he will have it too. Another rule I have is you eat what I've cooked or you don't eat at all. I'm not a short order cook and won't be treated like one. The only time this rule is bent is when you are sick and you can have something different.
Have you tried cooking veggies in different ways? I use beef boulin cubes in my green beans for flavor. I put a little bit of butter on my daughter's veggies too sometimes. I also discovered when my daughter was about 2yrs old that she liked her steak done medium!! She would devour it that way and would hardly touch it if it was over cooked!!
Also there are the Nutri Pals that you can give him too. I haven't tried them yet so I don't know if they are any good. But just keep offering you son things and he'll get stuck on only eating something else after a while. Also, did his DR recommend a multi vitamin for him? Might be a thought to help fill in the void where his diet lacks for the mean time. I think at that age it is half of a kids chewable.

Good luck and stay persistent!!

S.

There is no cause for concern...I have a 4 yr old that eats like that. And when I asked his doctor he told me the same thing yours did. If he's hungry,he'll eat. He also gave me a peice of paper explaining that children sometimes all the way up to 8 will sometimes only run on 2 "meals worth" a day...sometimes just 1 and a snack and it said that even if he plays hard that doesn't mean he's hungry. It also said that if you try and force them to eat that it could cause eating problems down the road. After reading that I stopped getting on to my 4 yr old for taking 2 bites of food and saying he's done.And now that I've stopped he eats more of his dinner than he did when I was trying to force him to.And the paper I got said that around 8 their appetite will pick up a great bit, so thank your lucky stars now he's not emptying your fridge in one sitting right now..I'm dreading both of my boys getting to be teens....their going to eat me out of house and home!

If you read my information, you will see that I am expecting my first child- so I might not seem like the expert- but a best friend of mine, and my cousin are going through the SAME exact thing. Their pediatrician told them the same thing- 2 year olds need to show independence in some fashion- and about the only thing they can truly control is what goes into their mouths. Think about it- they can't control when they go to bed, potty, clothes they put on, so they assert their new found independence into the form of eating- or not eating. As long as you are giving them good healthy food, at appropriate meal and snack times, you and your son will be fine. Offer them a snack, and if they don't want it, take it away (unless you know its something they absolutely have always hated). When they want their snack later, offer the same snack. Same with dinner. They eat what is given- or not. Two separate pediatricians suggested that both my cousin and friend do this. Tough love Momma. I can't imagine its going to be fun- but your child will not starve himself. I promise. At some point he will get hungry- and will eat more foods. BUT only when he realizes you're being serious and aren't going to give in. There will be some tantrums, and a few melt downs, but in the end- they will eat. IT has worked for both my cousin and friend.
Good luck!

Yes, give him some Poly-Vi-Sol vitamin drops daily. He will want to eat more when you start this process. Vitamins tend to make you hungry. But besure you don't give him the one with iron, if he seems to be energized already. Also, give him carrots and celery sticks for snacks. Fresh fruit is also good.

S.

thats completely normal, and don't worry about it. he will broaden his food tastes later. my 3 yr old its a tempermental as it comes. some days he will eat anything , other days he dosnt like anything. if the ped isnt worried you dont have anything to worry about. the list of stuff your son will eat sounds pretty good to me. if you want to try to add some veggies , try adding some peas to his pasta or soem rice.

Put out a muffin tin filled with foods cut up in each space. Choose good foods such as fruits, broccoli, raisins, carrot sticks, etc. Dr. Bill Sears (www.askdrsears.com) says that toddlers will graze all day long on foods and eat the amount that they need. I would give them Juice Plus+ Gummies to help bridge the nutrition gap that they're missing. This is a whole food nutrtional suppliment. Go to www.takejp17.com for more information. Children will develope taste for foods that they're offered. Offer good nutrition to help them grow and be healthy.