11 Sep 2011 3 Comments
Mommy SOS: The Picky Eater Stage
My now almost 2-year old used to eat anything but for the past week or so, it seems like he became an extremely picky eater. All he wants is milk, junk foods, and some fruits (thank God). He eats a couple bites at every meal and that’s about it. Most of his food would end up splattering the high-chair and the floor. If I try to feed him, he would just say “NO” while pushing away my hand.
I know that picky eating is very common at this stage and according to his pediatrician, it’s developmentally normal. As growth slows down, children eat leass because they need less. However, as a parent, it’s hard not to get alarmed when your child suddenly slam on the brakes and refuse to eat his once favorite foods.
I have tried everything to get him to try other things and it hasnt worked. Anybody else has gone or going through this? Any creative deas on how to handle this stage?
Sep 13, 2011 @ 12:20:12
We’re there. We’re struggling because my daughter is already so skinny that it is affecting her weight (but not as much her height). I get caught in a trap between not wanting to give in to her pickiness but also wanting to make sure she gets enough protein and fats. Current solution is that she gets on a kick and wants one thing or another – right now, pancakes for breakfast and yogurt all the time. Both of those have some protein and fat that she desperately needs so she’s allowed to have yogurt basically anytime she wants, except dinner. At dinner she gets what we get and has recently at least tried it. If she doesn’t eat at all then I try to get her to eat a bedtime snack. As for forcing them to eat what they’re refusing, I don’t think it’s worth it at this age and most of what I’ve read recently says the same. They’ll either out grow it or you can talk more about it as they get older and understand better. (Though we’re also still talking about it now – there’s a couple of Sesame Street episodes on picky eating/eating healthy and a Sid the Science Kid as well.)
Sep 12, 2011 @ 10:06:34
Hey Joy! You’re not the only one out there! Danny (my third) is probably my pickiest eater. He eats a lot of things but doesn’t always want to eat when we’re eating. Grr. He does love milk and fruits and veggies (phew) but most do grow out of this if we continue to introduce new things. I do have a niece though who hardly eats anything and even though her mom has been super worried the doctor monitors her and says as long as she is growing and stays on her curve on the charts she must be getting enough. We’re all made differently! Don’t give up…they’re not two forever! :) Good luck!
Sep 12, 2011 @ 10:06:28
We hit this milestone several times but it doesnt seem to stay a long time for Jaxon. We have been very fortunate that Jaxon loves his veggies and fruits – I did notice that he does get tired of the same stuff if we give it to him every day for a week. I always give him a choice and let him choose – that way he feels that he is in control. Jaxon has never been a junk food person – he does love ice cream and gummy bears so I make sure that the ice cream are fruit base and normally organic and same for gummy bears (penguins at times) – that way I dont feel guilty about giving him sweets. He also knows that he gets those after he eats. Sometimes we did give snacks (grapes, blueberries, chips) on his play table so he can snack while playing.
Im not sure how Jordan is but Jaxon eats only 1 item at a time – so when it comes to dinner/lunch we have to make sure protein comes first then veggies than if he is still hungry carbs..
i also noticed that he eats much more if we eat with him
good luck and just remember its only a phase but try to make it fun :)