Driving me mad

[kellylou]

Alex is driving me mad! He pretty much will never eat an evening meal. I really want him to eat healthy and not pick at snacks but after he has been having the odd treat of ice cream or biscuits he now won't eat evening meals with me or his nan's. I have tried everything but all he will eat is pizza, dunkers, spaghetti hoops on toast, eggs, crackers.

Please help me mummies who have been through this....I can't go through 9 mths like I did with him not sleeping, I need to nip it in the bud quickly1

 

[Kayelle]

I would make sure the naughty stuff isn't available, and try and make the stuff you want him to have more fun? Sorry don't know his age, but like make a smiley face on the plate etc?

 

[kellylou]

He will be 2 in december. I think I have giiven him too much of the same stuff as he used to love jacket potato, lasagna, braising steak now he has a few spoonfuls and that is it and I struggle to know if he has had enough.

 

[ZMD]

i could of wrote this exact post. my LO will be 2 in October and is a nightmare with food, she used to love chilli, bolognese, lasagne, pasta bake etc but now hardly touches any evening meal. i think perseverance is key, try not to get stressed and dont offer an alternative xx

 

[pinkyprincess]

Is it not a phase that all toddlers go through? I understand it must be frustrating!

 

[BevG]

it is a phase, id give them what u want them to have for tea, tell them how much of it u expect them to eat and let them get on with it, no excuses or bribes and if they havent eaten it in an hour id clear it away and not give them anything else. if they do eat their tea u can reward them with a treat item or just praise them lots. they wont starve themselves to death by not eating their tea if theyre eating other meals fine

 

[DW1978]

He should be at the age where he can understand now that if he doesn't eat, theres nothing after. I used to show my little one what was for afters (yoghurt, dunkers, ice cream, crackers or whatever) and then say lets do 5 more mouthfuls and then you can have the yoghurt. At first he will tantrum but then after that hopefully he will get it and start eating for you. Or could you offer the things he likes along side other stuff so have spaghetti hoops as a small side dish for say roast chicken and vegetables so hes getting a bit of both, just to get him accustomed to other foods again?

 

[kellylou]

Thanks ladies, he is getting his pointy teeth all 4 again at once so think this has been another factor, have been keeping him away from treats inbetween meals and asked grandparents to do the same which they have. This week he has been eating a bit more, by saying if you eat a few more mouthfuls and you get yogurt etc he is eating a few more and not leaving much. I feel so bad as I always struggle what to give him but he ate a heinz toddler meal today the whole lot something he hasnt touched for a couple of months so I think variety is the key as well as perserverance but I have not given in and given him something else

 

[DW1978]

Well done! I'm sure he'll grow out of it soon hun x

 

[hugsy]

I was watching that jo whats her name from nanny 911 this morning n the had same prob and she jsut said dont give alternatve so if thee boy didnt eat what was in front of him he had no dinner and wasnt aloud to play with his toy, i only see the en so not sure how they started off d but apparently it worked although with a slightly older boy think he was maybe 4 rsomething

im dreadin that age lol