So, I have to admit that I’ve been so distracted starting Baby Girl on solids that I’ve forgotten, er, ignored the fact that Toddler Boy isn’t such a great eater. He’s so darn picky.
My biggest challenge is getting him to just try something new. It’s so frustrating when I offer him something I know he will like but he just won’t even take one single little bite. For a while we enforced the “one bite” rule and I told him he couldn’t get down from the table until he tried at least one bite of everything on his plate. Turns out he’s stubborn. He would literally sit at the table for 30 minutes after my my husband and I had left the table before finally trying a tiny bite.
Sadly, he has developed a sweet tooth. Not surprising given that I am his mother and have the biggest sweet tooth on the face of the planet. But, I don’t want to bribe him to eat his meal by dangling a cookie in front of him. He shouldn’t get a reward for doing something he should do anyway (eat dinner), you know what I mean?
I hate to make mealtime a fight. I just don’t want to make it a battle – it should be a pleasant, nice time for my family. And, frankly, I love eating and want my kids to love it, too. Seriously, it’s food, kid! EAT!
What are your toddler mealtime battles? How do you overcome them? Any advice for this mama?
MamabearMills
June 15, 2009I wish i had advice for ya! Im in dyer need myself for eating help! my girl won't eat barely ANYTHING! no lie! She's almost 2 and still gets most of her nutrients from formula because she doesnt eat erg!
tiny giraffe shop
June 16, 2009we're in the same boat…my 3 year old won't eat. period. i've tried taking away milk/juice and that doesn't even work. she simply won't eat. how can you not want to eat? i'll never understand it.
i'm holding out for my newborn to get old enough to teach my oldest how to eat…that's a lot of pressure!
danaj
June 16, 2009Honestly my niece eats everything but she has a sweet tooth. I give her as much fruit as I can and try to give lots of new stuff to try.
The Shopping Mama
June 16, 2009So, ya, how can you be so uninterested in food. I wish that was MY problem. LOL.
Michelle, I agree about not being a short order cook. My son eats what we eat (or a slightly altered version). It's hard enough for me to get one meal on the table, let alone two meals!
Debbie, I have Deceptively Delicious and really haven't tried much from it. But, now that I'm making pureed foods for the baby I think it will be easier and more realistic to make some of the recipes.
Kristy
June 16, 2009I find for my daughter that giving her an option between 2 things helps a lot. Do you want chicken or hamburger. She is so independent, this helps us out.
Ali and Josh Holt
June 17, 2009really funny, my nephew hates junk food. I guess we can credit that to my sister who feeds him fruits and veggies all day long, he is one healthy baby!
christy
July 1, 2009I spent years as a nanny specializing in multiples (birth-6yr).
Now I'm a mother of a 16mo old. The key is to start early. My daughter ate baby food from a jar, ONCE, during the hurricane. I made all of her food, poured into ice trays and saved them. It was super easy. I pretty much made whatever we were eating with adjustments to her age. WholesomeBabyFood.com was a great resource for recipes and ideas on what to feed at what age. Plus feed as little sugar as possible till they are 2, works WONDERS!!! They can't scream for something they don't know exists! We even ate icecream at Ben & Jerrys the other day and she didn't even ask for any. Just ran around the store.
If you are working with the toddler who was raised on yucky jar food, you have one real option. No parents (or nanny) likes to do it, and it will be rough for a week but you'll be trilled with the lasting results.
Offer what you know is yummy and good for them. They don't eat it? Don't worry, they won't starve. If it's lunch they won't eat, then save it for dinner. They don't eat? Throw it away. Start over the next day. For those kids over 4, watch for them sneaking in the kitchen!
Frittatas can have veggies, meat, cheese, (leftovers). A grilled cheese can have mixed veggies inside. Both of these are super easy, and low mess!
Jessica
July 10, 2009I try to give my girl a mix of things that I know she will like and new things to try. Sometimes she eats a ton and sometimes not at all. I figure she will eat if she is hungry. She is definitely not wasting away, her yummy tummy and cute rolls are signs of that!