My daughter will be 2 in April she she is a picky eater and some days, she won't eat more then some crackers or fruit. Which, I've been told its totally normal for a toddler to eat or not eat much. She gets plenty of milk, juice and water throughout the day, I also give her EnfaGrow, just to give her some sort of nutrition through out the day.
I recently started giving her Poly-Vi-Sol w/ Iron, it's made by Enfamil. This is my first and only child, so I guess I am new at all this. I don't know if there is something better for her, or if I should even be giving this to her in the first place. I know it can't hurt her, if I am giving her the right amount. On the box it says for picky eaters.
Shes rather small, shes in the 10th percentile for her age (She only weighs 22lbs), she still wears 12 month clothing (although I have to put her in 18mo because of her height and those are sometimes to short). Shes seen 3 different doctors, and all say shes healthy and I have nothing to worry about. But still, her being so little makes me worry. I don't think a mom goes a day without worrying about their child. When she does eat, she eats healthy. Fruits, veggies, she only drinks milk from a dairy farm (not store bought mass produced milk), turkey, chicken, and sometimes pasta. Once a week, we splurge and I will get her chicken nuggets and apples from McDonalds.
So, I guess I just need a little bit of advice. I know I talked in circles (I'm good at that lol) I'm just blah. I don't know what else to do!
Thanks Ladies!
I should have said, she gets more to drink on the days shes not eating very well.
EnfaGrow is made by Enfamil. It's their toddler formula type stuff. I have a Brita water pitcher, because I refuse to use my tap water, so we both drink purified water.
I guess, I will try to not worry so much. It might take a little bit. Thankfully, her 2 year check up is right around the corner!! Her doctor is the one who recommended vitamins. I'm not sure why I didnt get the gummies, because she can chew them lol...I guess I still think of her as a baby :(
Try not to worry since the doctors are not worried. I was a terribly picky eater myself. I lived on peanut butter and jelly, and chocolate milk for years and years!
Absolutely a good vitamin will make a difference. If you like I can make suggestions. I also can suggest meal shakes that are nutritionally very healthy that she may like.
Hi Momma---First of all, take a moment to step back and look at your DD's genetics. What are you and dad built like? Aunts, uncles? Cousins? That will give you a good idea of where she might end up as she ages. Those charts are averages and so you have to take that info with a grain of salt. At 2, she is learning that she has a voice, and what she puts in her mouth is the easiest way to express that voice and budding decision making. Your job is to give her options you want her to choose from and how to make good choices. Keep offering healthy foods and limit treats, etc. Be sure she doesn't drink too much food as that will dull her apetite for solids.
Vitamin drops are not a substitute for eating adequate fruits and veggies and yes, vitamins, when not needed by the body, in amounts not needed by the body, can cause long term damage. It's a pretty intricate relationship and it's all about balance, balance that is found in food. I would be happy to explain it to you but here is probably not the best venue. It's not difficult to understand but maybe lengthy in content, depending on what level of detail you'd like to know. So feel free to contact me at any time and I will share what I've learned.
First, I probably should say that I am taking a series of wellness classes, taught by a Naturopath who has her PhD in Nutrition. She stresses the 5 areas of optimal health: 1) a plant based diet, fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, beans/legumes, nuts and seeds; 85-90% plants and the rest can be from the animal kingdom. This means that meat should be more like a condiment/flavoring for soups and stews. Eliminate dairy as cows milk is designed for baby cows. Go to www.pcrm.org and put dairy in the search box. 2) drink lots of filtered water, 3) exercise is essential, 4) get adequate sleep and 5) reduce stress and learn coping strategies to manage stress.
I would recommend finding a local health food store and ask for a whole food based supplement for your daughter if you feel that one is necessary. I happen to think that we do need nutritional help as the food that we do eat is likely deficient in nutrients because they are not vine-ripened, shipped way across the country for us in Michigan and also because we are subjected to more external environmental toxins than ever before. I also have some suggestions there, as well as great resources for recipes, serving size charts, etc. There is so much info available to us these days and much of it is not very good, meaning based on long-term research. We have to be our own best advocate for health. The system that is set up today deals with disease and how to treat it...NOT on how to prevent it.
Hope I've helped...a little...oh, check out www.askDrSears.com and look in his/their Q&A section about picky eaters. You'll get some great ideas there. Take care...feel free to contact me if you'd like to discuss any of the points I've raised. D.
my daughter started taking gummie vites at 2. she loves them and they taste great.
I have 2yo twin girls that are also picky eaters. I have the opposite problem they are very big for their age, like 95 percentile. But I have been kinda watching them closely because they seem to be thining out again, I think it is just something that happens at @ 2yo where they loose all of that adorable baby fat and just look like little kids, not babies any more (boo-hoo).
I also give them 1 cup of the toddler formula a day (I found most stores have a generic now and it saves me a ton!) since what they mostly wont eat are veggies. As long as the Dr. says they are doing great, I try not to worry too much. Just keep pushing the veggies and healthy food and she will be just fine. I think kids become more picky when you give in to them not wanting to eat something and "dumb down" their diet.
And as long as she dosen't start having digestive issues (ie. constipation) from the vitamins, they sure can't hurt her. Try not to worry, you are doing great!
I highly recommend http://www.marketamerica.com/sku-13026/single-bottle-30-s.... You will love knowing that your daughter is getting all the nutrients that she needs in a formula that is scientifically proven to be the best for absorption!
Happy to answer questions as I provide these products to families and health care professionals in Oakland county!
I used to give poly-vi-sol with iron as well. Now I give my son Flintstone's First Vitamins - they are specifically made for children ages 2-3. They are chewable. He loves them and asks for them every morning.
I have the smaen problem.. picky eater, and i worry shes not getting the right vitamins etc that she should have.
some days she eats great and some days she dont. shes 3.5 yr and weighs 26 lbs...
i started giving her the flinstones vitamins- she gets one and i get one--lol thats the only way i can even get her to take em.. which i guess is good for me too!
but shes healthy and smart- no health issues.
i think its a phase in every kids life... lol so as long as shes healthy and eating somthing try not to worry about it.
She may not be eating enough solid foods as she may be drinking too many fluids.
It sounds like you are getting very good food and milk in her. How wise of you!
What is EnfaGrow? I'm not familiar with this.
It sounds like you are trying to get vitamins in her, which is good. What I've learned is there are snythetic vitamins and whole food (and organic) vitamins. If you'd like to discuss this more in depth, email me with your telephone number and we can set up a time to talk.
In my business, I provide Personal Confidential Nutrition Consultations. We can do this over the phone or in person. I live in Brighton and I see you live in Lansing. Not too far away.
Just To help you understand. All milk ( if it is truly milk not a drink like soy milk or rice milk) comes from a dairy farm. Milk is the most nutrient-dense food you can give your child. And be assured that milk and dairy products are the most rigorously tested foods on the market.
Good luck follow your instincts!
My oldest was the same way. She was tall but thin and her weight was always on the lower end of the scale. Dr always said she was healthy. She could fit into 12 month clothes still at almost age 3! But like your daughter she was tall and she still is. Very thin and fairly tall. Looks so dainty and frail but she is also filling out in the right areas.
Try your best not to fret. It sounds like you are doing a great job of making sure she gets some nutrients into that little body. Some kids just don't like to eat a whole lot.
Pay attention and see if she tends to graze. She may be eating more each day then you think. My daughter wouldn't eat much at meal time but would eat little snacks here and there all day. I never noticed it until I started paying attention to what she eats all day long rather than at meal time.
She is 7 now and sometimes she will still eat like a little chicken! She does have her days however where she will pig out at every meal. Growth spurt??? Who knows?
At any rate, just relax and keep doing what you are doing. Take care :o)
I will send you a private message to a couple of specific products. These products are natural, organic, and they taste great. There are no artificial colors, preservatives or additives. They are pure goodness for you and your children.
PLEASE DO NOT feed chicken nuggets EVER to you or your child:
http://www.formerfatguy.com/health/whats-really-in-chicke... EVER!
Read my private email and you can rest assured your daughters dietary needs will be met easily and completely.
B.
Family Success Coach
Just to help you feel better, my daughter who is 5 1/2 was born in the 10th percentile for weight (90th for height) and is still there. She is perfectly normal and healthy and has gone through several phases of eating very little followed by eating really well. As long as your daughter hasn't gone from a higher percentile to the lower one then you are doing OK.
