2 Year Old Eating

Put water in the sippy cup and see what she does.

Try teaching her more words, and have her elaborate more on what it is she really wants. Just like before a baby can talk at all, you kind of figure out what it is they want by their actions and what not, try going back to using that alittle bit, while she learns more words. Also if it is only a short period of time since she already had something and wants "more" tell her to wait a little bit longer and if in maybe an hour or so she still wants it, then give her a little, not as much as you gave her before. :)

Most times children will not eat or drink if they really don't want it. That is one thing we cannot control. So if she is asking and eating and drinking what you give her then she must be hungry. Some kids do not consume alot at one sitting and snack throughout the day. My daughter would sit at the dinner table and say mommy I am full and we would allow her to leave the table. While the rest of us were still eating she would come back and finish. She is 20 years old and the same way now. Sometimes we laugh when we are out to dinner she will say I am so full and then five minutes later finish her plate. I wouldn't allow snacks if she didn't eat her meal. Also maybe offer more food at meals. If she is having a growth spurt she may be extra hungry. I would enjoy it while it lasts there is nothing worse then trying to get a child to eat that just doesn't want to.

Hi Alison,

That is great that your daughter has learned such a useful and powerful word! I would definitely give her more food (perhaps just a bit if you think she isn't hungry and it might go to waste) as she may be hungry AND perhaps more importantly so she can receive the positive feedback and reinforcement about her "powerful new word" which will encourage her developing language skills.

Also, at this young age, many children don't have lots of energy reserves and eating more frequently is normal and perhaps healthier says some experts (but not others).

Good luck, I know it can be challenging when their wants/needs become more sophisticated but their still figuring out how to communicate them.

Take care,
J.

Alison,

Just as they say a child won't starve him/herself, I don't know that she doesn't know when to stop. Perhaps she is going through a growth spurt and really doesn't feel like she is getting enough. What does she do if you give her more of whatever it is? Have you even tried?

It sounds like you are very structured and while children need that, a parent can go overboard. One of my closest friends was like this and at 6 1/2 her son has a very hard time adapting to anything other than the structure as he is used to it. Needless to say, he has trouble in school now and is seeing a therapist!

well this seems pretty simple, if she's asking for more, give her more! She may be going thru a growth spurt..our children are growing by the minute and sometimes they just need "more" to eat and drink.

Have you tried sign language with her. It can help with speach delay in teaching them to communicate there wants and needs. You can teach her a lot of different food words and otehr actions like play, run, jump, anything she likes to do so she can let you know if it is sometihng else besides food she wants.
We love hte Signing Time series of DVDs for our kids, I know htere are others, or if you have a speech therepist for her, discuss the option iwht htem.
Best of luck!
K.

I would just give it, why hold back? After a couple times you should learn if she's just doing it to do it or if she really wants it and then you can handle accordingly. Not give as much, give in a container that you can put in the fridge for later. She's also learning the independence of asking for and wanting more so just go with it, whats it going to hurt? Maybe she's going through a growth spurt.