16Mt Son So Picky with Food

My son was a great eater and then he had a little stomach virus for a few days that ruined everything. I was having the problem you described. I asked for advice on mamasource and the most common was to offer him something and if he didn't eat it, too bad. I hated putting him to bed knowing he hadn't eaten much but I figured one or 2 days wouldnt be so bad. I told myself that if after this, he still wouldnt eat, that I would just give in and cater to his pickyness. Well after the first day, he woke up so hungry that he ate his entire plate of omelete and cottage cheese. I was having a hard time getting him to eat egg so I was very happy. Then I skipped his usual snack and waited until lunch in which I offered him a large portion of sliced cheese,carrots,and chicken nuggets. He ate EVERYTHING. I was so happy. Then at dinner, he almost finished his whole plate of meatloaf and corn. The next day I made his aportions a little smaller and went back to giving him yogurt and fruit for snacks and now he is back to being a good eater.
The Moms told me that my son would not starve himself and that if he knew I would give in and give him what he wanted, that he'd turn down what I originally offered him. But if you do not offer him anything after he turns down the food you give him, he will eventually figure out that if he doesn't eat, he won't get anything else. Also, if your son is the type to snack all day, its easy for him to turn down food if he's not really hungry. Try waiting longer periods in between meals and seeing if that helps.
Also, I find that my son will pretty much eat anything if I serve it with a small side of ketchup. And if I cut it longwise rather than in bits, he loves it. When I feed him meatloaf, I cut it into strips before giving it to him. He prefers to feed himself. Banana and melon, I cut in long slices too. Same with cheese,hot dog weiners,nuggets,meat,chicken,potatoes...pretty much anything that needs cutting. Mashed potato,yogurt,cottage cheese,corn,etc I put in a tiny little plastic bowl and he will spoon it into his mouth himself. He makes a mess so I always take his shirt off before a meal but at least most of it gets in his mouth. :)

Well I don't really have advice, but I am going through the exact same thing! The advice you got was good. I have been trying the whole hold back his food if he doesn't eat it bit and it is starting to work a little. It might take a few more days, but I have a good feeling. Last night my son went to bed without dinner and I felt horrible, but you know, he slpet fine and ate a big breakfast! The adivce about ketchup and cutting the food different ways and letting him use his own spoon is good. I am going to try all of that more often my self. Good luck!!

I'm blessed not to have very picky eaters, but I followed the advice of my daughter's first doctor, which has been reiterated by her second doctor. As long as there are no allergy issues and you don't give them chokable foods, once a kid starts eating, you really can offer them everything- just don't offer it all at once. If you decide that he's having chicken and rice and peas for dinner, then that's what you're serving and that's it. Don't make them eat it- just don't offer anything else till the next meal or normal snack time. And, offer a food to a child at least 10 times before giving up on it- different tastes and textures can be overwhelming, so it may take that many times for them to like it. I just got my 3 1/2 year old to like peas again. (She loved them till about 2, but wouldn't touch them for at least the last year. When we had peas, that's what went on her plate in the vegetable slot, and she finally tried them again this week and pronounced them "not too bad!").

Hi B.
First thing, both my sons were very picky and still are.A real good example my 9yr old eats peanut butter sanchwiches every day for 2yrs(not kidding) my husband use to have a fit, he likes to eat different things every day. I on the other hand can eat pizza for days, or spagetti for days for one meal. In addition to eatting peanut butter, breakfast maybe a waffle and orange juice or tea.For lunch at school he takes a peanut butter sanchwich. On those rare occasions that he likes the cafeteria food (only potatoes and chicken nuggets) he will eat that food. He gets home and will have another peanut butter sandwich.He does this at least 5 days of the week, the other days he might have a hot dog, spagetti, or chicken breast. In addition he takes a childrens vitamin everyday. He has gained weight appropriate for his age. Sorry letter so long but so that you understand that even as young as your child is he will eat enough for what his body needs. I would feed him until he learns not to throw the food, the food needs to be in him, not around him. My son for some reason will try news foods with his dad, that he would not try with me. I guess its a guy thing? I would try that, ask your husband to try a new food with your son.My older son eats better now, but I described by 9 yr olds eating habbits. Let your son eat the foods he likes see if daddy can convince him to try new foods once in a while, he will eat better later. If you are concerned about him receiveing enough nutrients get him over the counter childrens vitamins, or ask your doctor if he could suggest a brand for you.Eating is one of the few things children can control 100% the more you try to force feed the more they will not eat. Dont make it a struggle, start writing down how often he eats and what he eats and discuss it with your family doctor if you really feel he is not eating enough.If you keep a schedule (u can be flexible) you will be feeding him when he is hungry, when he throws his food he probably is not hungry, this is his only way a letting you know that he is not hungry. Hope I gave you some insight on what to do, good luck.

He is going through a phase. My daughter who is 30 now did something similar all she wanted to was eat hot dogs (18 mos) and I had to let her it them. After a while she started eating other things. Don't force them, they will be alright. I even asked the pediatrician and he said the same thing. As long as they are eating something, they will be alright. Don't rush them to grow up let them be kids. Every one matures at their own rate. S.

My three year old struggles with what he will eat as well and similarly loves applesauce. One thing I have found successful is grinding up meat with a little water in a food processor and then mixing it with applesauce. My son will not eat meat unless it is ground up and mixed with something else. I think sometimes the texture just bothers them. Another thing to try when giving him food is to just cut whatever it is into very small pieces. I don't know why this works but it helps. For instance I will put peanut butter on celery as a snack which my son wouldn't eat but if I cut it up into very small pieces he loves it.

There is also a book out by Jessica Seinfeld about "sneaking" healthy foods into your kids diet. I have heard a lot of good about it: http://www.amazon.com/Deceptively-Delicious/dp/B000UZNREG...

And seriously just push through, sometimes it's just a phase. Good luck!

I agree with the previous poster, it is time for condiments!! I even use yogurt and applesauce for dipping things like french toast or waffles. My 18 month old changed around 15 months, but ketchup saved us for sure. He will dip brocolli in there, and I really dont care! He likes eggs with ketchup too. Also, as hard as it was, when I started giving RJ his food in a bowl with his own fork things got better! Messier, but better! He LOVES using a fork and will eat lots more with it that without. OH, another help was grated parmesean cheese. We discovered that one when he refused to eat pasta one night, but saw his sisters with the parm cheese, wanted it, and then ate the whole bowl! Good luck, my 18 month old is still pretty picky, but these things did at least help. And really, dont worry, he will be ok. Try giving him vitamins, it should make you feel a little better at least! ~A.~