Son Is Getting Pickier

My daughter is just a year old and she is on the goldfish diet too. I have resorted to hiding the box until I am satisfied that she has had enough "good" food. Then I reward her with a handful of goldfish. It takes a lot of begging on my part. But it seems to be working!

This is a very normal typical toddler behavior. Make sure all choices you give him are healthy and have them readily available. Vary the foods and the food groups. As others have said if he is not loosing weight he is fine. Also, caloric intake for a toddler should be gauged over a week not a day. They will pick for 2 days and eat tons of food on the third for example. Good luck.

Hi M.! My 16 month old daughter is going through the same thing. She used to love everything, even peas and broccoli and now will only eat chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese for dinner! We have tried offering different things but always end up making her one or the other. What a waste of food! I wouldn't worry about it too much. My doctor says it's perfectly normal and just keep trying. He might surprise you one day! Good luck!

welcome to the world of toddlers! as long as he eats enough in a week of what he needs, he's fine, all kids go thru this stage.. if you get really worried, ask your dr about vitamins.. you could try to make foods different colors or shapes with food coloring or cookies cutters... it's hard, I have two kids who live off air LOL! good luck and keep fighting the good fight and keep offering the good foods too

My daughter went through the same thing and has continued to do it off and on. We questioned the doctor and they basically said a child will not starve themselves. They gave us a couple options. 1. Set out two types of food (not the stuff they want to eat, but stuff that's good for them). Leave it on the table or somewhere he can reach it. If he'll eat it right off, that's great. If not, he'll eventually get hungry and end up eating it. or 2. Give him what he wants to eat as long as it's healthy. PB and jelly or banana and PB are much better options than fruit snacks and chips, so I would say he's doing okay. Our girl would only eat cheerios and they said as long as she was drinking milk and getting her juice contents in, she was okay for a little while. Eventually she grew out of it. We did do the two options thing and left it out and she would pick at it, so it worked to a degree. I think all kids go through this. GL and I hope he starts being less picky for you.

My daughter was and is the same way. Since she started feeding herself she stopped eating a lot of foods. She still eats fruit thank goodness. She lives on peanut butter toast and sandwiches. The doctor says as long as she is gaining weight she is fine. I give her vitamins too. I still put different foods on her plate even though I know she won't try them. However, yesterday she surprised me and tried oatmeal and liked it. So you never know. For both of my kids vegetables are disliked. So, I would make pancakes and put sweet potatoes, applesauce, zucchini, etc in the batter. You can use baby food or mash your own. Put some cinammon in it and they can't taste it. Make zucchini cookies, bread, etc. They loved them. I still do it sometimes. Hope this helps.

I had the same problem with my first two boys and I'm sure I'll have it with my baby too. My doctor told me not to worry too much...as long as they are eating something. This is another one of those phases (yes they suck the life out of you...lol) that shall pass like all the others. lol Just keep doing what you're doing..offering him what you and your husband are eating...eventually he will eat the same thing. Good Luck!

This is sooo normal. Kids slow down there eating after a year old. My son went for his 9 month check up and my doc warned me it was coming after he turned a year old. Don't fret it. My teens when they were young got real picky too. Only 1 has stayed picky out of 4. My oldest used to only eat mac and cheese. The girls it was mashed potatoes and carrots. My oldest was so picky none of his food could touch. If I made spaghetti the sauce had to be seperate from the pasta. He eats everything now. They will eat if they are hungry. If you are still concerned ask your pediatrician. They are so helpful.

i think this is normal, just keep offering everything and eventually he will get sick of just peanut butter and cheese. it's more of a control issue than anything else, just stay cool, like it doesn't upset you and offer lots of choices....my daughter only like her veggies still frozen from the bag, you could try that

Ha ha! My 18 month old only has a diet consisting of mac n cheese, grilled cheese and goldfish crackers. Don't sweat it. He has windows where he'll try new things, but he always goes back to the tried and true. I wouldn't freak, but if it keeps up, check with your pediatrician about vitamins. Peyton is on Flintstones. Hang in there.

Is he gaining weight? If so, then don't worry about it. My daughter is 15 mths old and the same way. She loves grilled cheese and Gerber ravioli, and of course milky. She's having regular BMs and gaining weight. I was a Preschool teacher for over 15 yrs., and I had kids 3,4,& 5 yrs old that were this picky. The would eat something everyday until they got sick of it and moved onto something else. The problem wasn't the child it was the parents who were worrying so much and trying to change the child. Give him the pb & j but try sneaking some veggies and/or fruit in there as well. Dried fruits,veggie and fruit puffs, look in the organic section of your market. It's tough I know but maybe if we stop fighting it and just go with it maybe we'll get some give from our little darlings without them even knowing it. Good luck, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for both of us. : }

When my daughter was two years old, she would only eat bread with butter and I could only get her to drink water. She eventually got sick of that and started eating regular food with us. Of course, during her check up, I consulted the Dr. and amazingly enough she was still gaining weight. The Dr. told me only to be concerned if she was to start loosing the weight. But now she loves to eat. So, with my daughter it was a phase. She is now 7.

Hi M.,
I hope you are reassured that this is a typical phase and that children will eat when they are hungry. So you do not have a problem, just a stage. :)
I was concerned to read that parents might reward their kids with food (i.e. goldfish) if they eat. First, this makes an issue out of "Will I eat, or shall I control Mom?" Secondly, food should not be a regular reward for anything, as we are already in a society that over rewards itself with food. The thing is, we parents have to be careful not to try to solve one problem by starting another. Just let nature take its course. Your son will eat well again.

Hi M.,

Not to worry, this is a totally normal stage your son is going through. My 19 mo old is doing the same thing, and my 5 yr old daughter also did the same thing. As long as he is eating something nutrious...(cheese and peanut butter are just fine) And not just candy or junk food, then I wouldnt worry too much. Keep offering him new foods though. As you continue to do this, over time, he will start trying other things again. Also, I like to make a show of me eating and enjoying something that the baby isnt eating or has rejected. Sometimes his curiosity takes over and he will end up trying and usually likeing what I have been eating. Good luck!

Missy

Hi M.,
When one of ours did this we questioned the Dr. He told us that when the child gets hungry they will eat..Stop the cheese and crackers..If you keep giving into him then he will keep getting so that he will not eat anything except those things..and maybe even say no to them..I would put the dog in another room..I would also try when he throws things on the floor give him a small time out..Then explain that he can not do that..I know he is only 16 months but you will be suprised at what they can understand..When we were told this with ours we thought the child is going to starve but we were told that when they get hungry they will eat...I have to tell you I was scared to try this but the Dr. was right..Good Luck

First, with a child that young, I would first talk to your doctor or a nurse.
Second....he's not going to starve himself. Don't give him the foods he'll only eat, only the foods you want him to eat. He will eventually eat them because he's hungry. This is what my doctor told me once. He won't starve himself. Babies are smarter than you think, hehe.
Another option, have you ever tried to trick him into eating something, like, chicken covered with melted cheese? or ham? Things like that might work.
Even though I have been through somthing simular, I would still contact your doctor or nurse. They might hav eyou come in to watch his weight while you try some thing to get him to eat.
It also could be a phaze. You never know with kids, hehe.
Good luck!
H.