Seeking Advice for a Picky 15 Month Girl~

THere are things she can drink for the nutrients, too, like Pedialyte. But food can be made fun - and she is not starving, right? Stay strong and have her eat (though I don't know why it has to be regular food instead of stage 3) before she gets the milk. The teeth are enough to eat soft things, I don't think that's a problem...

Try mixing in regular food with some of the jar food...a little at a time, and see if she notices. Increase slowly until there is less jar food!
Put 2 pieces of regular food on her plate, and tell her that she can have jar food after she tries the "Fairy" food... or something like that>
Broccoli was trees for my kids,
potatoes where snow covered rocks etc...We jjust pretended that they were something else.
Good luck

My son sounds similar to your little girl. He ate stage 3 baby food until he was almost 2. He is still very picky. He will willingly eat fruits and some vegetables, yogurt and cheese, pancakes and other forms of bread. Our pediatrician is not so cuncerned with how he gets his nutrition. If he is growing at a continuous rate, we are doing fine. This year we began to supplement his eating with Pediasure about three times a week. After three children, we have had to pick our battles. Food is the only thing that small children have to control. And therefore, it is the battle that wages war in many homes. One of the ways that we began the process of getting our son to eat our food was to take a bit of what we were eating and chop it until it was almost the consistency of baby food. After he got used to the taste and texture we began to chop it less and less. Sometimes, we would hit a road block as he began to figure out what we were doing, but we would just go back to the consistency that he prefered and workour way back to larger peices, While he is still not a great eater, at 4 years old, he understands the consequences of not eating what he has been given. It is definately easier to reform eating habits when they are abel to reason with you a bit. Just remember that she truly will NOT eat food that is the consistency of baby food forever - even though it may feel like forever. Also, trust your instinct. You know your children better than anyone, even your MD. Trust yourself!

Hi R.,
Well, you have a very strong-willed little girl who knows what she wants! Congrats, when she is older you will be proud of this trait in her, but for now....yikes! I feel you, my daughter did the same thing. So, i will tell you what i did and you can take it or leave it. At about the same age my daughter stopped eating/drinking everything. So,fine, no biggie, kids wont starve themselves purposely. I did not want to create issues around food so I would give her pediasure or nutripals and let her carry it around with her. and I would leave bowls of cheerios or whatever around, and when i wasnt looking she would snack. But, i always put her in the highchair and gave her meals, whether she ate them or not. If she did, great, if she didnt, fine. Same reaction either way. It took a good while (a month or so) then one day she started eating and we havent looked back. Perhaps your daughter is a tad advanced and already working on her two's struggle for control..so, give it to her (sort of). If you dont make a big deal she will just come to it in her own time.
good luck and take heart...it only gets better....:-p

PS - my doctor once told me that a two-yr old can live on one lollipop for two weeks....:-)

Hi R.,

Sounds like your daughter has engaged you in a power play. If you give in, she will only dig her heels in deeper on the next issue. I know it's hard to listen to the screams but reassure yourself that this is an investment that will pay down the line.

Toddlers can't control much, but they can control what they put in their mouths. This is probably how she's expressing her free will.

Is there a way you can offer her a choice, so she feels like she has some control? For instance give her two different foods on two different plates (veggies on one, fruit on other) and she can choose which plate. Let her choose which color fork or spoon.

If she's hungry, she will eat. I would not revert back to jarred food, or she wins and she knows it.

Little girls can be very willful -- mine is. Have you read 1-2-3 Magic? There are some techniques that really worked for me.

And when she's driving you nuts, take a breath (leave the room if needed) and remember that line from "Finding Nemo"... "Find a happy place, find a happy place, find a happy place!"

Good luck!
J.

pile on the cheerios - let her go a few meals (or weeks!) eating lots of them and maybe add in the other stuff real slow - and ranch dressing did wonders at our house for eating the veggies... my daughter went through picky spurts and finally after fighting with her I just fed her stuff she liked that was ok (she lived on tomatoes for about a week once!) and tried to not fight at the table, and now she is getting better at trying stuff, she still is picky, but eats much better.
good luck, she will be fine, sounds like you are doing great!

OK, here's the deal. I am NOT trying to replace the medical advise of your doctor, but I will ask WHY is he/she insisting that your daughter be eating big people food at just over a year??? Is your daughter unhealthy or malnourished because of the stage 3 jar food? Is she starving? You know your daughter best. What does your HEART say? Is she healthy, is she happy? Your doctor WORKS FOR YOU as an employee. You pay him/her to share their MEDICAL knoledge with you, just as you would pay a mechanic to fix your car. Ultimitly, all medical decisions are YOURS, not your doctors. That's why they have you sign consent forms, or refusal forms. Your doctor may believe what they are saying, but if there is not a MEDICAL reason for pushing solids, then listen to your mommy heart, and maybe find another peditrician. You know whats best for your girl. Good luck and God Bless you and your family! J.

R.

I think you got some great advice. Every pediatrician has their own agenda. The only thing I really wanted to share was my own experience with a picky eater. Mostly in response to those who said you basically need to force your daughter to eat what you want her to eat. I had a super picky eater, but I made sure the food I did offer her had at least some nutritional value. And I continued to offer her new foods, even ones she had already said she didn't like. AS she got older (around 4 or 5) I told her that she needed to try what was on the table at dinner, if she didn't like it she wouldn't have to eat it, but she had to try. Now she is 7 and about 6 months ago she had a total transformation and will now try almost anything. I think it is because we always offered new foods and never made a huge deal about not liking something. Making food stressful for kids only makes matters worse. Make sure your daughter gets good nutrition, keep trying to introduce new solids, but don't force the matter. She is still young, give her time.

good luck,
J.

I would say forget what the doctor says and just give your daughter the Stage 3 jars if that will make her eat and be happy. In time she will want what you are eating and she will transition off the jarred food in her own time. Do not let the doctors or other people tell you when something should happen in your child's life like when to go from a bottle to a sippy cup, etc. etc. - they should only be providing you with guidelines and advice and letting you, the parent, decide if and when to follow them.

R.,

we too have a very picky eater and our daughter is 26 months. We have found that there are certain textures that she doesn't like. We know that she likes crunchy things so... we try to find healthy things that are crunchy. For example, at Sprouts, they have all kinds of freeze-dried fruits and veggies that she LOVES but won't necessarily eat the softer version of. We have also started giving her a gummi-vitamin each day that she thinks is a fruit snack so she loves it. We also make her protein and smoothie shakes (protein powder, milk, yogurt and frozen fruit) since she loves milk too - like your daughter. There is also Pediasure milk-like drinks to make sure she gets vitamins. If she likes chicken nuggets and hot dogs, you cna try giving her the "soy" version of those which are much healthier and kids don't usually know the difference. we have just accepted that she had become picky (she was the BEST eating baby - ate everything) and tried to work around it and introduce new foods slowly but also make sure she is still getting nutrients.

Hope this helps :)

Good Luck,
L. Smith
Owner/CEO - Regionz Kidz
http://www.regionzkidz.com

Dear Rosie,

I know EXACTLY what you're going through! Well, except having them a year apart. : ) My son, who is now 6, was a great and very non-picky eater. My daughter, who is almost 2 1/2 has been very picky with foods and with drinks. We kept her on "baby" foods for a long time for the same reason you are stating, but kept offering more and more solid food until she was ready to eat grown up food all the time. I, too, was worried about her eating the right foods. She also just transitioned from a bottle to a sippy cup a few months ago. Everyone will tell you what you SHOULD be doing with your child, but there is no set time table and you have to go with your instincts and what works best for your family. They won't be eating baby food or drinking from bottles forever. For me, it wasn't worth it to fight with my daughter or worry so much about what nutrients she was or wasn't getting. She transitioned on her own and we're all happier because of it. Listen politely to your dr's (or family or friends') advice, but don't stress yourself out any more than you already are. Good luck to you!

A few weeks of missed nutrients is not a big deal. Allowing her to be a picky eater in the months to come may have long term problems where she will spend a lifetime of poor nutrition. It can be hard to think long-term with our parenting, but it is well worth it, regardless of how irate our kids may get. Our 4th son had issues with texture for awhile and loved anything creamy, so I mixed rice cereal with chunks of food. Your daughter may just need a transition food- table food mixed with a few tablespoons of jarred baby food. Waiting longer can make the task harder, but if you are consistent, she will eventually eat what she is offered. If you give in once, she will scream and holler every time wondering if this will be one of those time you will give in. Not that you can't give her some dino nuggets on her plate as well, but she should be used to the fact that she will be offered what you are eating period. If she is hungry she will eat. At 15 months she is not capable of knowing what is best for her nutritionally. May you have the wisdom and courage to do that for her.

A kid will eat if they are hungry enough. When my son is picky at dinner time, it is usually because he has snacked one what he likes better during the day. Or he'll refuse to eat, and then want something yummier an hour later. So we've buckled down. He is welcome to eat what he wants after he eats some dinner. I even bring it out for breakfast the next day if he refused it the night before. My mom did this with us and none of us are picky (I know some of it is natural temperament, but I think this influenced it some). I'll try anything and I am the least picky eater I know. With my son, I want him to at least try everything. It's only natural that he won't like some things and I'll accept that, but he has to try it before he can know that. And if he doesn't like dinner, the alternative is another healthy and quick food. Your daughter sounds pickier, so she probably won't like many things , but it takes reintroducing the same thing MANY times before a child will take it.

My main point is that you're the parent, don't cave in to her even if she's throwing fits. Be accommodating by trying to give her textures or healthy food she likes, but don't give her milk or unhealthy food to get full on when she's refused to eat. Another thing that might help is to have several options out for her to choose from, but make sure they are all healthy. That way if she really doesn't like something she doesn't have to eat it, but she'll still be getting nutrients. Just don't let her get full on other stuff. They won't let themselves starve and they will eat what you offer eventually. But maybe you're right about her not being ready for solids yet. In that case you can blend up the food you guys are eating and maybe she'll take it that way. It seems that that is the texture she is used to and prefers.

You could try mixing larger chunks of "big people" food in with the jar food. For example larger pieces of broccoli or chicken in with the broccoli/cheese baby food and kind of ween her into big people food that way. Slowly use less and less baby food with it until she is eating the big food all by itself. My son ate baby food as a snack until he was over 2! Just loved the stuff, so I would use it as a snack for him. Good luck - you just have to find what works for your family.

We have a son who just turned 16mos. He was resistent to solids also. I did a lot of research that "suggested" that he be on solids by his age. Ultimately, I chose to ignore those suggestions. Common sense is a rare comodity these days. Everyone has an opinion but for somethings there are no "right" answers. I believe a lot in a mother's intuition. As your babe ages, she is not going to want jarred foods anymore. But, if she is getting nutrients from it, then don't take it from her cold turkey. She is still just a baby, which means she is still learning. I try to remind myself not to push my son to do more than he is ready to do because he is unique. I know that he excels in other areas and that this is one area he is still trying to master. He's doing a lot better now that we have allowed him to learn at his speed. He is no longer stressed from us pushing him and we are not stressed by his fussiness. By going into meal time knowing it is going to be a little bit of a battle we have prepared ourselves with a variety of foods....and patience. PATIENCE is key! It's best to look at it as a game and not something you both dread. "Guess what baby will eat and won't eat." Clap wildly for your daughter when she does eat something new. Give her lots of praise. If she doesn't like something you made, it's okay. But she should get food (even if it is jarred) before milk. (Our son drinks Lactose free Whole milk because he had a hard time with regular whole milk.) The idea is to change your approach instead of forcing your baby to do something she may not yet be ready to do. In just a few weeks, we have weaned our son from almost all jarred foods. We did this by mixing solids in with the jarred while at the same time offering a variety of solids that he could self feed himself while we were feeding him. Also, we tried a HUGE VARIETY of new things. You have to be willing to be very creative and set some time aside to try new things - and time to figure out the things that she does and does not like. I used to make chicken & veggie casserol and our son wouldn't eat it, but I tried taking the chicken out and he ate it, so I just pureed the chicken and added it back in to the dish. Our son now likes, macaroni & cheese, string cheese wrapped with deli meats, wheat tortillas with veggie spread and deli meat, wrapped and sliced, honey glazed tofu and peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches....BUT, he will only eat them if they are cut to the size of a nickel. Also...we try not to give him the Gerber graduates but some stores do offer organic Gerber graduates and he likes the ravioli. We've mixed the ravioli (leaving them whole) with half a jar of butternut squash and it was gone in no time. Good luck!

You could try giving her some apple sauce, string cheese and yogurt. These are soft and show her different tastes and might help the transition.

They also have those kiddie meals (tv meals) they might work)

They also have those pizza bites... there is a company that makes something similar but it contains broccoli for those that can not get their kids to eat it.... the kids cannot tell that they are eating broccoli.

I would just look for items that you do not need many teeth to eat.

Only having 4 teeth could be a problem. HTH... feel free to contact me....

R.,
Yes, get her off the milk! We only do it as a treat and when they eat food and take vitamins, I don't worry about their nuturcian.

I don't think that you should worry about it, except this could be a really bad habbit. It is really important for her to try new foods. When the children are young it is important to develope a wide variety of diet.

I also have young kids close in age. They are 14 months apart. I keep them active so that they get really hungry and they eat so much better!

Make sure that you give them a really good vitamin. I add mine to a fruit and yogurt smoothie. They love it!!!

I would love to talk more with you re this, if you are interested?
T.
www.tesabartell.myarbonne.com

R., My son is also 15 months old (on April 22) and he still east stage 2&3's we also offer him table food. We useally give him table food while we eat adn then finish his meal with jar's. He eats table food at daycare but is alwasy starving when he gets home. Remember she is still a baby, no matter what anyone says. Chewing table food is difficult with out may teeth. I totally support you in feeding your child what you feel is best. Go with your gut. I you need to more support do hesitate to contact me. Your doing great.

Hi R.!

I've got two picky eaters (each picky with completely different foods)!

I am an advocate of adding seasonings and sauces in order to get them to eat their veggies. Ranch dressing works like a charm with my kids. I HIGHLY recommend getting the "natural" kind (like LiteHouse), as the standard brand has a lot of bad stuff in it.

The more you give her things you know are bad for her (like nuggets and crackers), the more you will create cravings for those bad foods. Best to stick with FRESH fruits, veggies and whole grains and use "Cheerios" as a "special" snack.

Hope this helps! :)

Warm Regards,
G. Van Luven
Healthy Habits Wellness Center, LLC
###-###-####

She's only 15 months, she only has 4 teeth. Don't rush it. She'll be begging for food from your plate when she's ready. Kids develop differently, at different rates. Go with your gut. YOU are her mom, not the doctor. She needs nutrition, so what's the only way she'll eat it? I'd go with that. Don't worry, she won't be 16 and still eating stage 3 jars... she'll decide when she's ready. Doctors don't always know everything.
At our 4-month visit to the pediatrician, I mentioned that I thought my son was teething. The doctor said, "He's just drooling because babies drool. He won't get any teeth til he's around 7 months old". His first one popped through 2 weeks later, and when we went back for his 6 month visit, and he had 2 teeth already.
Point is, you're the mom. :)

Power play, for sure. It's not bad because, yes, it is all they can control. But, if she's allowed to 'win', she'll test you more than necessary on so many other things until she thinks she gets the same 'positive' results (whatever it is she wants). I am amazed with the amount of misery our boys will tolerate because they think they'll convince me to eventually 'give in'. Often they think this because they've been engaging in a behavior for some time that I was unaware of before it became a problem.

On a side note, imagine if we got everything we wanted immediately, or even after some suffering! I can think of multiple crushes in the past I'm grateful didn't 'work out' for me. Ug!

Giving choices is a good, positive thing to do. My 18-mo old doesn't like a lot of food, but we've also learned he wants to feel in control and challenged. SO, if we help him use his fork and try to conquor that challenge, he's excited to eat.

Otherwise, I have heated the same meal up to five times, serving it only (no snacks) until at least half of it was eaten. They came to learn it really tastes better the first time.

I have also learned not to put much AT ALL on their plates. They have a much easier time stomaching food, or even asking for more, when they don't feel overwhelmed with the prospect of eating a large amount (especially if your first child eats well, like mine).

Yes, have you tried mincing her food? My son has very few teeth, no molars, and so will only eat minced food very well. Even sandwiches, I'll chop up.

We also don't allow fussing. Immediately unpon uttering a fuss, they are given a negative consequence (very thorough hand spanking). Most people don't choose this kind of consequence, but there are many. They very quickly learn that being pleasant is happier. Now, if they choose not to eat any of their meal, they sit pleasantly until everyone leaves the table and their same plate is then offered at the next eating time. It also teaches stewardship, not wasting the food we've been blessed with.

HANG IN THERE and yes, give yourself some space when you need it. God bless.