Breakfast Ideas for Toddler

I always offer two suggestions; i.e. either eggs or cereal. That way my kids feel like they can pick and I stand strong - they have to pick one or the other. And then I play tough. Depending on the day it's either they have to sit at the table until they finish eating it or they can leave but they absolutely positively don't get a snack until lunch. It always seems to work but of course my kids have never really given me a problem with eating, it's more sporadic for them. Good luck.

Smoothies!!! I make my kids in the blendar with just about any combo you can think of. Sometimes I use milk and then add fruit (frozen fruit works good - sometimes I freeze ripe bananas for this purpose). Sometimes I use yogurt and juice and then add fruit. You can add flaxseed, wheat germ, or anything else that will puree!! My kids love them. I make a whole blendar full and then what they don't drink, I freeze into popsicles! Then, when they want popsicles, I know they are actually getting a healthy snack.

it doesn't have to be "breakfast" food, as long as it has nutritional value, do what works. My daughter ate blueberries and cottage cheese for breakfast today, yesterday she ate a PB sandwich for breakfast... do what works.

I am a mother of 5 children. My youngest is 2 1/2 and hardly ever eats breakfast. I guess he just isn't awake enough but I have always been told they eat when they r hungry. Seriously as long as he is growing and healthy at all doctor visits its no big deal he is atleast getting his calcium intake that's more than my son gets and he is in the 95percent range on the growth charts.

I never put any of my children on any strict eating plans and they have all been healthy. Don't sweat the small stuff he will b just fine

H.; what is he drinking now, if he is drinking juice a kid will not eat, their eating habits slow down, juice fills them up and they are full, all they need is 4 oz of juice a day even adults, cut back on juice if thats what he is drinking, you can also try pop tarts or eggs? keep trying, take away the drinks, not sure what he is drinking, is he hungry at all? is a kid who needs to eat right when up but dont know how or what to fix, so he just gets a drink ? he might need to eat right away , or even later, is he up by himself? is he getting up and eating during the night, ? just keep doing what you are doing, is he getting up really late, ? is someone eating with him? sometimes its easier to eat when with someone, keep trying things, have a good day D. s

Hi H.---It's really frustrating when you fear that your child is not getting the nutrition he needs to be healthy. But try not to worry too much. Kids won't starve themselves. Right now, he's learning how to exert some control over his environment. You just have to be sure that the choices he has and the decisions he makes are ones that you want him to make.

I am a wellness educator and have learned many great strategies from a series of classes I am taking from a Naturopath who has her PhD in nutrition. I also have the pleasure of working with the 3 Dr. Sears, Dr. Bill is a pediatrician and author of many great books and his son Dr. Jim, who is on the ABC The Doctors program. They have a great website, www.askdrsears.com, and there is a section on how to handle a picky eater. I also get lots of great info from www.eatingwell.com. They have a section on kids nutrition, with many great recipes.

Have patience. Keep offering different foods. He will start eating when he thinks it is his idea. Don't be a short order cook, however. Also, restrict his milk intake. He may be filling up on that to the exclusion of other foods. In fact, cows milk is really not that good for humans, even what the dairy industry would have us believe. Milk protein is a known allergen, but food politics keep that knowledge from us. Actually, the calcium from milk is not well absorbed. A better source is green leafy veggies: spinach, broccoli, kale and bok choy. I strongly recommend exploring www.strongbones.org as well as www.pcrm.org to learn why. That way you can make an informed decision for your family.

Lastly, I, as well as the 3 Sears pediatricians, recommend a great supplement made from 17 different fruits and veggies, and it comes in gummies for little ones. I also have a great protein meal replacement that is another great source of nutrition. Independent research confirms that the body is able to use it and recognizes it as food. It is my family's nutrition insurance, because I know that we don't eat as many fruits and veggies as we should...and what we do eat lacks the nutrients necessary to prevent disease as we age.

If you are interested in exploring any of the information I've shared here, please give me a call. I do not charge for 'consultations'. It is my honor to help people learn how to optimize their health through good nutrition.

Sorry about the length of the post. Best of luck! Talk to you soon. In health, D.
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Try a fruit smoothie. Or fruit with yogurt or a dip of some sort. My DD loves poptarts although they aren't the best thing for her it's better then nothing.

My 2 year old is picky with breakfast too. Yogurt and banana sometimes works for her. Also peanut butter toast, and those new bagelfulls with cream cheese and jelly in the middle. Good luck, I know it's painful!

Just a few things to try...toddlers love to "dip" things...fruit to dip in yogurt with toast cut into a heart, let him "dip" the french toast or waffle in the syrup (messy I know), ant on a log..banana with peanut butter and raisins on top, make him a shake with a banana in it, (how fun to have a treat for breakfast). Also, breakfast doesn't have to be breakfast food. Make him a grilled cheese. Toddlers are famous for being picky eaters. Sometimes it seems they don't eat ANYTHING! This will pass. Keep it fun, you don't want it to turn into a power struggle!

my daughter is picky as well. She will go several days, up to a week of eating really good, and then can go several days to a week, or not eating much at all. I follow her cues. I have decided i will not fight her to eat anything. I know she will always eat yogurt nibbles by beechnut, cheerios and goldfish crackers. So I keep those on hand. I try her to eat something, and when she doesn't, she gets one of these things. then I know she is at least eating something. I do know that if they are at least eating something in the day they are fine. Their tummies are a LOT smaller than ours as adult, so they won't eat as much as we eat, and normally won't eat as much as we think they should eat. But if they are hungry, they will normally eat.

My son's are very pickey eaters. It's always hit or miss with them. But, you want to find something for him in the mornings. I believe breafast is the most important meal of the day. Especially when they are sleep for 8 or more hours during the night.
My 3 year old loves milk too. Maybe you could add carnation instant breakfast to his milk. Try chocolate or vanilla. Or you can try Pediasure. However, It's a little more exspensive than the instant breakfast. That would at least add more calories. What about strawberry frosted pop-tarts? my boys love them. You could try adding some fruit to his pancakes. My sons love Bannana's cooked in their pancakes.
good Luck

Just wanted to suggest the Sneaky chef books. I got some great ideas there that we have expanded on. As someone already mentioned--smoothies are fantastic at getting fruits (even vegetables) into kids because they think they are getting a treat. I usually throw in some apple, an orange, banana, some grapes, then a handful of frozen blueberries/strawberries/cherries along with 3/4 cup of yogurt. Throw in a few leaves of spinach and half a carrot, maybe a scoop of flax seed and it becomes the most nutritious meal of the day! Another one of my daughters favorites is 'breakfast ice cream' which is literally frozen bananas and a spoonful of yogurt, pureed in our blender--definitely need a great blender for this--We invested in the "Vita Mix" a few years back and use it daily. The sneaky chef also has great, nutrient packed recipes for muffins, pancakes, eggs, french toast, etc--but sounds like those already aren't winning your son over. She writes that her daughter only ate breakfast ice cream for her entire pre-school years... you are not alone! It is extremely frustrating trying to get nutritious foods into your child and really hard when he/she doesn't want to eat anything at all. Keep trying! best of luck!

I would suggest giving him egg nog. There are recipes where you cook it so it is safe and you are not eating raw eggs. I grew up eating raw eggs in egg nog and still do not have a problem. Take an egg nog recipe and add fruit to it. in the end. That way he is getting milk, Protien, and fruit and all he has to do is drink it like a glass of milk. good luck. Also how about cream of wheat thinned down with lots of milk.

For breakfast I feed my two year old a bannana and some pediasure on the mornings she does not to eat her cereal with milk on it. I would try this. he will get lots of vitamins and minerals from the pediasure and the bannana.

My daughter often likes yogurt--and has been known to have cheese & crackers or a sandwich instead of traditional breakfast food. Good Luck!

My daughter is not really a breakfast person. As long as she gets a glass of milk in I'm happy. The Dr. said that is fine as long as she is a well balanced eater the rest of the day.

Let him have lunch food for breakfast or a protein bar or instant breakfast. Protein and fruit and carbohydrate and dairy in any form is fine. Kids are weird about food. This too shall pass!

Good Morning H. - How about trying yogurt/gogurts or the yogurt smoothies. My son drank or ate these it seemed like for a whole year. Maybe he would eat a string cheese with the yogurt. If he is into mickey mouse try making the pancakes look like a Mickey mouse head. Give him some chocolate chips to make eyes nose and mouth. You can use dark chocolate to at least give some antioxidants with the chocolate :) Good luck!

If your son is willing to drink milk, then I would suggest trying smoothies. My daughter really likes them, and there are lots of recipes on-line. A simple base would be 1/2 cup - 1 cup of yogurt, with a frozen banana (I peel and slice them before freezing), and a little milk for the right consistency. To this I often add frozen fruit, a little honey, even walnuts/spinach/kale in small amounts for extra nutrition.

Another thought would be to try giving him some water/juice in the morning, and then offer breakfast an hour or so later if he refuses the first time. Sometimes my daughter doesn't seem to have much of an appetite until she's had some time to wake up.

- J

Hi H.,

Have you tried to mix things up a bit? Maybe do breakfast for lunch or dinner and do a dinner or lunch meal for breakfast? As long as he's getting balanced nutrition throughout the week I wouldn't really worry about it.

Good luck - S.

Have you tried making it FUN?? With my sons (who HATE eggs), we would have green eggs and ham :). A little food color goes a loooonnnngggg way!! I also let them help in the kitchen and would encourage them to make breakfast for me and we would have a date breakfast :) Now at 20 yr old, my youngest LOVES to cook and actually does all the cooking for him and his wife! An alternative...if he likes milk so much (which is probably filling him up) then put it in a blender with some fruit!! He will LOVE it!

We had to cut out a lot of the milk my son was drinking because it was filling him up at meal times. For breakfast he gets a small cup of watered down juice and he is allowed to have milk after he finishes all his food. I don't know what to tell you about not eating waffles and pancakes though! We "draw" letters and numbers on them with a can of whipped cream before he eats. Maybe that could help you? Good luck!

Maybe he isn't a big breakfast eater? My son isn't.

Have you tried simplying....maybe a granola bar, a banana, applesauce, yogurt, other fruit.

My son won't eat for at least an hour after being up.

Might sound silly... but my daughter won't eat eggs unless they are fresh farm eggs, and not store bought. I gave some to a friend whose daughter wouldn't eat eggs either and the little girl loved them as well.

Have you tried yogurt? I'm not sure if your child has any sensitivity to milk. If he doesn't, I know my 13 month old absolutely loves his yogurt in the morning. If you are going to try yogurt try it mixed with a fruit that you know he likes. My baby is a huge fan of strawberries, so I started him out with strawberry yogurt and I'm beginning to expand his tastes for peach, cherry, vanilla, and other types of yogurt. One problem with my little one is he never drinks as much as the pediatrician would like, so they suggested I start him on yogurt and cheese to make sure he gets his calcium intake up there.

My 3 year old is not a breakfast eater either. He doesn't want to eat until a couple of hours after he gets up. But, I can get him to drink carnation instant breakfast. For him, it is chocolate milk, but I know there is actually something good for him in it! Give it a shot! God Bless!

Yep a choice is always good. Healthy homemade muffins, fresh fruit, cheese, if he doesn't like breakfast food give him a breakfast burrito with some beans and veggies, try foods that he likes even if they are not traditional breakfast foods. I've even done a slice of pizza with pineapple and ham for breakfast. It gets the different food groups in...

Hello H., Don't get into power stuggles with him, as this will set you up for more in the future. Simply offer him something and let him chose to eat it or not. No child has starved themselves to death, they will eat eventually when they get hungry. There are 3 things that we cannot force our children to do, eat, sleep, and defecate. Remember though, if your son refuses to eat, he should receive no snacks afterward. When lunch is served, he has the same choice. Again with dinner. It is normal for a 2 year old to go through stages of not eating. When they begin to eat again, get ready for a growth spurt. Good luck.

Have you tried letting him "help you" prepare his breakfast? For instance, if you're going the toast and jelly route, you could show him how to spread the jelly. Obviously this could get messy, but it could work out really well.

Try not to stress about it. My son is the same way. You could give him a smoothie with banana, strawberries and even some protein powder in it. That way he can 'drink' his breakfast.

I was so frustrated too. But over time I just accepted that it is not worth the fight. Every day was starting off bad. Instead I wait until about 9 or 9:30 and then offer him some fruit and dry cereal.

It can be hard when you have a schedule to go by and need to be out of the house during that time when he may actually want and need to eat. I think it will be just for a season.

Hang in there.

My daughter enjoys fruit and yogurt for breakfast. I dice up fruit and mix it with a few good spoonfuls of yogurt.

She also enjoys eating Hot Pockets. If you find the smaller size (they're packaging 4 in a box or 2 in a box...get the four smaller ones), they are great for little hands. She loves them, and I know she's getting some protein.

Even let him try a small sandwich...turkey and cheese? PB&J? We went through this stage, too.

What about breakfast bars? They make them for kids or just use the ones for adults. They come in a variety of flavors. My kids love them. We use them as meals on the go. Also maybe peanut butter toast could work.

Is there something else he does like eating? Mac and cheese? Peanut butter? There is no rule that you have to feed him "breakfast food" in the morning.
Everyone had good ideas, but I would not accept that he's not a breakfast person and let him go missing a meal.....anything in his stomach is better than nothing.

I am having the SAME problem with my son - except it's a bit more extreme in that he is really slow going with lots of table foods. I offer him different foods all the time, but, all I can get him to eat is crackers, cookies, bananas, raisins, cereal bars. Pretty much, anything crunchy. I cannot get him to eat an actual piece of a vegetable, fruit, or pasta. We have to supplement with jarred foods still, mixed with cereal...and, now, like you said, he is refusing almost everything at breakfast... Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Would you let me know if you get any good suggestions? I feel like I waste a TON of food trying to get him to eat different things!

I had this same problem with my now 4-year-old. I was worried he wasn't getting the nutrition he needed in the AM but he still would refuse to eat anything. He was a milk kid too so I bought those Carnation Instant Breakfast things and mixed him up a chocolate milk every morning. It worked! He felt like he was "winning" by getting to drink milk and I had the satisfaction that he was atleast getting some nutrition. We tried the Pediasure drinks as well but he didn't like those. He still drinks his milk in the morning but I am trying to get him to eat a little as well since he is getting older and will be heading to school in the fall. I guess some people (even adults) are just not breakfast people. Good luck!

My daughter is 3 and she is not a breakfast person, and that started at about 2. My dr said as long as she was getting one good meal a day don't freak about it since she was healthy. However maybe try - breakfast bars (they have all different flavors), fruit cups, maybe dry cereal so he can watch cartoons and eat it. Also maybe wait 30min to and hour after he wakes to give him food. My daughter just does not like to sit at a table first thing in the AM.
Don't get upset as long as he is healthy and gets one good meal a day he will be ok and if you are concerned call your dr and ask them. He is also at that stage where they like to express their independence and like saying no. Also have you tried to make yourself something and sharing with him - that works for my daughter. We share eggs, cereal - as long as I am feeding her she eats it (weird but anything to get her to eat it).
Good luck and don't panic also congrats on baby #2

Toast with a small amount of butter and applesauce.
I thought it was gross when it was first suggested to me. My son is very picky as well, but he loves it. He is 6 years old now and he has been eating this at least 2 times per week for at least 2 years. He use to love oatmeal so I would give it to him daily and he won't touch it now.