Picky Eater - Broken Arrow, OK

I also have a picky eater. Sometimes she likes to eat on her own time table, after everyone else, other times she's fine eating with the family. My daughter weighs just 31 pounds at almost 4 yrs old. I have asked the doctor and they aren't concerned either as long as she is getting taller which she is. My youngest isn't picky at all and at 21 months weighs 24.5 lbs so I hope this helps.

I have two picky eaters. Our ped told me to give them Pediasure once a day. That'll break the bank quick, tho, so now I give them the generic version of Ensure. They have their "milkshakes" with breakfast, and I know they're getting the nutrients they need. With my 4-yr-old, he has to try at least one bite of dinner (his hardest meal) or he goes straight to bed. I also try to limit their juice and milk intake, so they don't fill up on that. But at this age, if you can get one meal in them (and it's usually breakfast) then they will be fine. You could make your own shakes, and puree all sorts of fruits and veggies. If kids think they're getting a treat, they'll slurp it up. Just don't tell them it's good for them, heehee.
And at least once a week, they get to pick dinner. Lots of times it's pb&j, or pancakes or french toast sticks. I used to worry about it soooo much, but I'm trying to mellow, heh. Good luck!
J.

CREATE A MENU WITH HER AND TELLHER SHE CAN HAVE TWO DAYS OF THINGS SHE LIKES ON THE MENU ONLY IF SHE EATS WHAT IS THE OTHER DAYS. IT IS TRUE, CHILDREN ARE STUBBORN BUT THEY ARE NOT STUBBORN ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE PAIN OF NEEDING TO EAT. SHE WILL EAT. HOW OLD IS YOUR DAUGHTER? AND CULD THIS BE A CONTROL THING? IT WAS WITH MY LITTLE GIRL AND AFTER TWO MONTHS OF DOING THE MENU THING SHE STARTED EATING MOST THINGS AND TODAY AT 17 SHE EATS ALMOST ANYTHING EXCEPT CINNAMON. GOOD LUCK AND I WILL PUT YOU IN MY PRAYERS.

My son is the same way, he will be 3 on Dec. 4th
My mom has a hard time with the thought that he does not eat very much. AND when he does eat ~ he might only eat a few bites or a whole plate full. It does not matter what it is,
He will even turn down a cookie, I have tried to get him to eat after he said no, and he has thrown up because of it. The doctor told me that he is growing fine and he will eat when he wants to.

I hope this make yous feel better.

Hi A., I have a picky eater, too and she rarely eats! My daughter is 22 months old (average size) and she will usually only eat cucumbers, chicken and wheat thins or pretzels. Occasionally I can get her to eat cereal, yogurt and sometimes pizza. She will only drink milk and occasionally water. I also tried the same thing and felt horrible. Have you tried feeding her baby food?? I know I think my daughter is too old for it too, but if it works and sometimes it does, why not!! As long as she is not loosing weight she should be fine. I know it is frustrating, but you cant force them to eat! I ask my daughter if she is hungry and she will tell me, so that seems to help. If she had her way she'd probably only drink milk all day. Just be patient and I'm sure things will get better. It seems like just recently my daughter has been willing to try new things (and of course doesnt like them), where as before she would even give it a chance. Good luck to you and your daughter.
Signed, Just as Frustrated!!

Try to turn her on to peanut butter. When my husband was a kid his mother had the same concern. She was told that if a child eats a lot of peanut butter then that is okay. But do stick to 'no substituting', it works with my 2 1/2 year old daughter. If she says she doesn't like something we will warn her that if she doesn't eat at least some of it then she will go without. And they are right.... once the child is hungry enough... they will eat anything. But seriously, peanut butter is very healthy. Just make sure that you child is well hydrated.

Hi A.,

I know your daughter is still pretty small but this worked for our 3 year old grandson and his picky eating habits. My daughter had him help her with some aspects of preparing meals. She would have him wash and dry the carrots or celery and then have him help pour the ranch dressing for dipping. She would also cut up some cheese and have him arrange it on a plate. And, help helped getting out the bread and butter. things like that...she had him involved in as many simple preparations as she could think of and he was more apt to eat part of his creations. Hope this helps some. Good luck.

W. Q

I suggest checking out the book "The highly senstive child". Most little ones are sensitive to strong flavors, and your daughter might be especially senstive. I agree with the other mom(s) who said that if you force her to eat certain things, it might cause problems down the road. You want her to trust when she's hungry or not (and right now she may not be growing much, so she might not be that hungry, and hence, pickier). Having said that, maybe you can spruce up some things she likes to sneak in some more nutrients (like making marinara sauce with sauteed minced or pureed vegetables added so she doesn't notice; letting her dip things she doesn't like in ketchup- that's gotten my 17 month-old to eat dreaded carrots and other things). Also, maybe you could try serving her what the rest of you are eating, and making two other things you know she'll like. That way you're not a short-order cook, and you've already made stuff she'll eat, even if she doesn't like your food. Remember, this happens to most toddlers and she'll come back around to healthy food later, especially if the rest of the family eats healthy food- she'll want to be like you. Oh, and maybe she could help you pick out produce at the store and help prepare it (wash it, etc.). Good luck!

Hi A.! Kids are just naturally picky eaters, and I have found that the more you cater to them, the pickier they get. They really will eat when they are hungry. But, if you are concerned about her nutritional intake, try some kind of supplement. Something like a pediasure shake or flinstone vitamins. There are many ways to supplement her diet, but the more you try to make her eat, the less she will.

I have the same problem only I have a son , who is picky. He has been very picky all his life. He is now 12, and I have discussed the food problems with Drs. and specialist. They have told me not to worry and let him eat whatever he wants. But they also said to give him a multivitamin which will help to make sure he gets what he needs even with him being so picky and his eating habits will change as he gets older.

my runt is the same way (22.5 mo and 23 lbs) and the Dr said not to worry, they wont allow themselves to starve- she's getting protein and dairy so that is a great start, my son seems to live on milk right now and not much of anything else--he has totally random eating days, he sat up on the counter to help me on monday night take a pot roast out of the crockpot and wanted a bite, he ended up eating about 15 pieces! Last night he took 3 bites of mashed potatoes and nothing else-- my niece went about 6 mo on nothing but fruit snacks and string cheese--they do outgrow it and will start up on their own, just keep offering her things and it will happen! also, most peds are in agreement that mixing carnation instant breakfast drink into their milk is a way to get vitamins and calories into them- my son likes the choc and the strawberry--he also just started taking flinstones chew up vitamins so that is another plus in one direction! good luck i know its hard to watch them not eat!

Moom, be patient and try asking her what she wants to eat, be it pizza, sloppy joe, whatever she wants. I know we try and feed them the right way, but if theres a problem with her eating, there are ways to get her to eat if it's what she wants. You won't win forcing her to eat what's cooked. My daughter was a vegetarian when she was 5 until she was seven, wouldn't touch meat, but she grew out of it.SStay in touch
Queen

When my daughter was around 3 years old, she was a VERY picky eater, and was even anemic. Her doctor told me if she liked peanut butter, let her eat it as much as she wanted. Anything she liked, let her eat it to get the nutrition. That helped out some. Later, we discovered that her tonsils were enlarged, making it hurt when she swallowed, so she always was very picky about what she ate. The day she had her tonsils out, she ate a couple bowls of jello, couple tablespoons of creamy peanut butter, and finally finished the evening with pizza (cheese pizza, pan crust with the hard part removed) She has been eating well every since.

at this age feed her what she will eat. Forcing her to eat stuff she may not like for the next few years can lead to an eating disorder.

If you're worried about her nutrition get her to eat PediaSure snack bars and stuff like that, switch from insisting she eat her veggies to insisting she eat her fruits and always serve the fruits with the meal.

Another thing I have seen with my boys is that they will suck down their milk before touching their food. Then they are so full that they won't eat. Watch her to see if she's falling into this habit.

Hello A.,
Reading your problem seemed like I was reading my own. I have a 5 year old daughter with the same issue. I've tried everything, from having her help me cook to sending her to bed early with no dinner. Nothing works. She wont taste anything new. She has always been this way. She is a healthy and strong little girl so it's just our little one's eating habit for the moment, it will change. Push what she likes at that moment, if she wants to eat yogert for the next two months straight, SO BE IT : ) We are still firm with her eating habits, you dont want to give and inch and she take a mile. Use the yogert as a reward for eating her veggies ( try freezing your yogert too)Dont push to hard. She's eating enough for her tummy, to much can make her sick. Hope this helps : )