How to Deal with a Child Who Doesn't Want to Eat!

I too feel for you. My almost 2 year old hardly eats anything and whatever I put in front of her usually lands on the floor. I did ask my ped. what to do and was concerned with feeding her pasta everyday, but he told me not to worry so much, if pasta is what she'll eat then give it to her. I buy those Gerber ravioli's which she likes in addition to the 1 or 2 other things I can get into her. She even gave up milk, but thankfully, I can get a yogart drink into her once a day. As frustrating as it is, keep offering her whatever you make and stick it out, eventually, she'll see you and other people enjoying the food so much, she'll want to try it too. Good luck.

Joanna, I am in exactly the same boat. So alike that I could've written what you wrote. Dr's advice is to NOT make an issue out of eating. As long as they are healthy and growing. I give her the things she likes and don't "insist" on anything and she gets what she needs. I do offer off of my plate now and then just to give her a chance to try something new but most of the time it's no. My best advice is to not stress yourself about it. Just take the "whatever" attitude and you'll feel better.

JOANNA, I TOTALLY FEEL YOUR PAIN!!!!!
although from what you wrote here it seems that you are doing all you can.
My oldest (now 4 1/2) was picky from the start. Hated any meat..would take the tiniest piece out of his mouth. Would also only eat pasta, scrambled eggs and fruit. That was basically it. At some point he started eating chicken nuggets from McDonalds, and then finally I got him eating homemade chicken. Then about a year ago I finally got to the end of my rope and started "boot camp" with him. :) ha He has to eat what I put on the table and that's it. If he doesn't he gets NOTHING else but water. He went to bed hungry a few times, but now things are much better.

This was my experience...I don't know if you feel the same drastic measures are for you. I do know how you feel though. You spend so much time cooking and stuff and they turn up their noses. I have to say though, even though I've been tough on him for a while now he still doesn't gladly eat everything and I think with him it's a texture issue. He genuinely doesn't like the way a lot of things feel and that's where his issues come in.

Anyway, I hope this helps a little bit. There are certainly a lot of people out there who go through this. The key is also not feeding them anything between meals so that they're really hungry. Good luck!

Hi Joanna,
First, let me say that it sounds as though you are doing a very good job getting some healthy food into such a picky eater. My 5 yr. old is extremely picky also, and she refuses to try new things. I asked a nutritionist, whom I really respect, about this and she said not to make an issue out of it. She said it is best to avoid control issues or any battles of the will when it comes to food, because such struggles can lead to eating disorders. Though it is very hard, she recommends being patient, and as you are doing, keep good foods in the house and junk out. I also saw an idea in a parents' magazine that might work for you if your daughter likes pasta with tomato sauce. Try pureeing carrots and zucchini and hiding them in your tomato sauce. Good luck and try not to get too frustrated -- you sound like you are doing a good job. www.livingreenathome.com

Take a deep breath. You are doing a wonderful job. Your job is to offer wholesome foods and your child's job is to eat when she's hungry.

My one year old son wants only cold Dominos pizza and bananas. I assure you I try everything including making a mock pizza out of fresh organic tomato sauce, homemade whole wheat crust, and lowfat cheese. No luck. I did get great ideas from a book called "Superfoods" by Annabel Karmel.

If she really loves junk food, it may be the advertising. Check out this link for an article about how even carrots tasted better to kids when they were wrapped in McDonald's packaging: http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/diet.fitness/08/06/mcdonal...

just keep trying to offer. There are days that you wonder how do they survive with how little they eat. I would just keep offering her different things. They will eat when they are hungry. www.livegreeneasy.com

I hear your frustration. My 3 year old likes Bread, Water, Juice, Fruit, Yogurt and Pizza. Most of all cereal. If it were up to him he would eat cereal all day long. He rarely likes meats. He would rather eat a bowl of string beans before chicken. I appreciate that he likes fruits and veggies but again he eats them when he wants them. I even tried the lunchables...but he only likes those for the crackers and cookies. He wont eat the cheese and rarely eats the turkey.

Its frustrating but I know my son isnt starving. If he is starving he will eat whatever you give him and even try new things, like egg whites...but he has to be famished to do that.

My oldest is a pain as he doesnt want to try anything new. And when he does (thru bribery) and realizes he actually likes different foods, he cant get enough.

It's like you said, your daughter is gaining weight so she is not underfed. Don't worry so much as I have come to realize their eating behavior changes as they grow up.

Heck, I once saw on TV that some parents give their kids Pasta for breakfast. I thought UGGH!!! but my hubby said "why not?" he says if they are gonna eat all those carbs breakfast is the best time to eat them.....gives them energy for the day and they will burn it all off......

Just know you aren't alone. We all face challenges, slightly different, but yet the same.

Hang in there..you arent alone.

Linda
Work at Home 4 Your Family -- Not Your Boss
www.workathome4yourfamily.com

Joanna,

I feel your frustration. I have a two year old who doesn't try or even like to eat all and everything. I eventually gave up and my child is younger than yours. I usually make sure she has a good breakfast and if she doesn't eat what I make for lunch or dinner I don't force anymore. I agree with alot of the moms below who advise let it go. If your child is growing and acting healthy don't worry about. My pediatrician said to me "as young as my daughter is when she is hungry she will tell me". I started believing that. Laila starts taking a few bites and then won't touch it anymore. She loves bread and pasta and drinks alot of water and eats any fruit you put in front of her. It sounds like your doing everything honestly don't stress yourself out.....Your not alone trust us

There is a good book that I just sent the title to my cousin called Deceptively Delicious:Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food by Jesica Seinfield. Maybe it is worth a shot. Good Luck.

Hi Joanna! It sounds like your doing a great job and creating healthy eating habits for your family. I have a daughter that's the same age, and I would go through the same thing of making things that I thought she would eat until finally I said, "this is making me crazy and stopped." Miraculously she has started trying more stuff (even if it's just 2-3 bites) now that I'm not making an issue about it. It seems all she really likes is the breads and pasta too (which is ok) - so most of the time I will buy the whole grain or wheat brands that contain protein and fiber.I point out to her what foods help certain parts of her body too (it helps).I have also lightened up and realize that a cookie or two or the occasional drive thru at McDonalds is not going to set her up on a lifetime of poor eating habits.I look at it like this, eating is no different from anything else their learning to do -it gets better with time. If she is flourishing and at a healthy weight - why all the frustration? M. K

oh same thing with my 4 year old. breakfast and lunch he usually eats, but dinner,is a problem every day. he is growing fine so i dont stress over it too much.and i dont argue with him over it. he will eat when he is hungry. i do put extras- such as mashed banannas and wheat germ, and applesauce in his oatmeal to supplement.give im a daily vitamin.just got so frustrated, and dinner was always a battle, so if he doesnt eat, he doesnt eat.no arguments. and im sure he is aware that if he doesnt eat dinner then no snacks .his dr is aware of his eating habits, and she says to not worry. they eat when they are hungry, and as long as he is growing normally its not a problem.

My nephew was a very picky eater. He would only eat white rice and butter for dinner, eggs for breakfast, and soup for lunch. He was a tinny little thing and the doctors were worried because he was a primi and had a few surgries when he was younger. Now he is a strapping 22 yr old man that eat everything in sight. So dont make a big deal of it. If she is growing and gaining weight and her ped say she is healthy give her what she wants. She will try new food on her own.