I am sure you offer her food throughout the day because you are so concerned, but if you don't, try splitting up mealtimes into many snacks. Also, something that works for my daughter is letting her eat anyplace she wishes (within reason). She too could care less if she eats or not, but I have found that if I allow her choices - i.e. what she eats, where she eats and when she eats it gets better. I would also say that if she wants milk, ask her to eat a snack before you give her the milk (i.e. apple, graham crackers, etc.) How much does she weigh? If she is with the normal range and your ped. isn't worried, don't stress. Another piece of advice (coming from a family with some eating issues) don't make food a huge issue. You don't want her to associate feelings of sadness or pressure with food. -Good luck!
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My daughter (2 1/2) doesn't eat anything! She will seriously go for 3 days only eating a handful of grapes. The Ped told me the same thing many of you have been told, she will eat when she is hungry. I tried cutting down her milk intake to only 3 sippy cups a day of 1% milk. Milk is the only thing she asks for. All of the food ends up on the floor. I worry so much about her not getting the nutrition that she needs. I make sure she takes a vitamin everyday. I tried bribing her with chocolate and icecream, but that doesn't work for her. She just doesn't care about food. I am out of ideas. Anyone have any suggestions?
Christine Gerdes
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I think toddlers go through stages like this and then it does pass. Does your daughter do swimming lessons? I find this makes my children starving afterwards. So if that isn't an option try feeding after some exercise. I think little healthy snacks throughout the day are fine instead of big meals.
Maybe you could try having a couple of friends over with children then do some eating. She might eat if she see other children doing it.
My son who is 3 next month was the same, I had a nightmare feeding him as soon as he turned 1. I tried giving him choices but I found it put even
more pressure on him and he still refused to eat! It became such a problem and stress that I had to sit back and look at the way I was with him at dinner times and re-evaluate my methods! I realised he wasn't going to sit at the table with the family and eat and as he was causing so much havoc my
husband and I weren't eating properly either.
As much as it goes against all my values I now sit him in front of his favourite TV programmes, he has his own table and chair and I put his dinner in front of him and leave the room. Eventually he started eating! Even though it could take over an hour!
He still has issues about eating in front of people at a restaurant etc but at home he sits at his table in front of the TV and eats 3 good meals a day.
Although he can sometimes get wrapped up in his programme he has to be prompted to eat but I try not to make a big deal out of it.
