How to Get My Two Year Old to Eat?

Hi A.!

I've had trouble getting Anna to eat since birth, so I really do understand the pain you're going through.

Now that she's getting older, I like to leave healthy snacks all around the house. I have found that she will eat as long as she's under control of the situation. It's not a fix, but it's worth a try.

My son will be three in April. We have been going through the same thing that you are. I find it works best for me if I ask him what he wants to eat. I don't force him to eat the same thing that we are eating. Also, he eats when he wants. I leave his meal on the table and he will take a couple of bites and then go back to playing. He will eat eventually. I tried the 'strap him in his chair' and the 'if you don't eat this, you can't have anything later'. He really didn't care. You have to do what works best with your family and your discipline strategy. Good Luck and I hope this helps!

I may have unpopular response to this, but I would just relax first. My son did the exact same thing. A perfectly chuncky one year old suddenly turned into a skinny two year old. After someone told me I should be all worried and take him to the doctor, I did. The doctor told me to chill, leave food (that is safe to) out for him all day long, don't limit what eats or drinks, give him vitamins, and he'll eventually snap out of it. He was right. My son is fine, healthy, and happy. Does he eat at the dinner table sitting in his booster seat? No, he stands. :) He's a busy boy, always on the run, you know! :) And he is willing to eat just about anything now. I think the key is to not make a big deal out of it. They sense we are freaked about it and it gets the opposite reaction we want from them.

When my daughter was 2 we had issues with her not eating meals. She would eat a good breakfast, but refuse anything but snacks for the rest of the day. I decided to cut out snacks and only serve her meals. For the first couple days she really didn't eat much and asked for snakcs constantly (important not to give in) On the third day though she finally decided to eat. She now eats an AMAZING lunch, still not much appetite for dinner, but goes to bed content. She will eat any fruits, veggies, meats etc. I do give her a morning snack now, but not too much.

I think we underestimate how much snack food they get in a day. Kids don't need to eat as much as we serve them sometimes and any child will eat if they really are hungry.

toddlers don't seem to eat much.
my pediatrician suggested leaving healthy snacks within reach in places my son would see them.

If it's really bad, I appeal to his favorite cartoon. He loves watching Diego, so I make up a game that's like Diego: "Can you find food?...no, that's not food....no, that's not food....yay! you found food! can you put it in your mouth? Good job!" repeat.

First off, how much milk does he drink throughout the day. Talk to your pediatrician.....only give him a container like you would buy say for lunch from Kwik Trip throughout the day otherwise water. Do not feed the junk, whether sweet snacks or fruit snacks, i.e., give him what he needs and that is it. It will take a day or two, BUT he will get hungry and he will eat.....try a few thinks that he might like or has liked and just make it balanced and maybe give a little more as he gets a bigger appetite. When he eats do not give him his milk or drink until he has eaten some and again this works better once you stop feeding all snacks, etc.

Have had to deal with this myself, he would only eat oatmeal or have so much milk throughout the day that he was full or almost full most of the time.....so know where you are coming from. Hope this helps

Stop giving him fruit snacks, they are candy in disguise and no 2yr old needs them. Only let him eat at the table. Unless something is medically wrong, he won't starve himself. Try to make the (healthy) food fun and maybe let him help out a bit by stirring or something. Go to the store and let him pick out one of those character serving sets with the plate, bowl etc. Don't let him know how badly you want him to eat-it will make the power struggle worse. Offer the food at the table and he will eat when he's hungry. If he's not eating very much, then every bite counts, so make sure everything is healthy!

How is he doing on his growth charts? Have you ever noticed problems like this before with him? I would probably contact his pediatrician and do a weight check at least. Maybe even try to get a referral to a feeding specialist to rule out things like sensory issues (if the ped. is also concerned). If he's willing to drink, Pediasure would be a good option to get him needed nutrients and calories. Maybe you could get a prescription for it to offset the cost?? There are also otc supplements like duocal that pack in the calories for children who need to gain weight. I do agree that he's at an age where forcing him to eat can make things worse. Make the mealtimes relaxed and let him "graze" during the day if he's willing. Just make sure that the snacks are healthy ones.

Sometimes, it's the show you put on while trying to 'get' your child to eat that they are craving. I have seen kids barely eat anything for weeks at a time, then pig out, in a natural rythym of what their body needs. I brought it up my first couple of kids and my dr told me not to worry, a child who is healthy in all other ways will not starve themselves to death, they will eat when hungry.

hi,
First of all, are you giving him too many snacks in between meals and he's just not hungry?
Have you tried cutting his food in shapes (you can use a cookie cutter ,etc) or putting food coloring in things that makes it look exciting? I would put him in his chair, give him his own spoon/fork and just let him sit there for awhile, crying or not. I know my son really took to the independance of holding his own spoon LOL. But I really think he won't cry if you make the food LOOK fun to eat and give him LOTs of praise when he does eat something. Go way overboard, be silly, dont make it so serious LOL. Food eating party:-)
Good Luck!!

Hi A.!

You have already recieved wonderful responses already, so not much more to add. Just relax, try not to make a big deal out of it. As he gets older it will improve. I have read many moms comment on this site about disciliping their kids for not eating, I think that makes it much worse, and it dosen't see to me you are that type of mom. Remember "this too shall pass!"

GL:)

Hi A.,
He is just going thru a phase. Instead of offering the fruit snacks try real fruit instead. Or veggies!!! Kids love the raw baby carrots because they are bright in color and have lots of crunch!! Make a game of it. Or find creative ways to display foods that look like animals. Say "Can you eat the rabbits tail? Good! Now can you eat his...." it also teaches them parts of the body, etc. He will eat when he finally gets hungry but don't cater to him all the time or else HE will be the one in charge! Good Luck and I hope this helps.
M. S. in Rockland

There is no way to win this battle, but you do need to stay consistant and eventually he will get hungry. Most likely he is not growing, so doesnt need that much food. Its the most frustrating part of the whole process. My sister had one that would only eat a pea and nothing else, except of course some snacks and candy. You need to stay consistant and try to cut back on snacks. If it is possible, maybe let him sit at the table with you both at meals might help too. Save the sweets for dessert, but only if he tries he meal. GOod Luck!

I have a 4 and almost 3 year old, and I have noticed if they get less snacks they tend to eat at lunch/dinner a lot better. Also, I let them help me make what we are having, whether it is mixing, adding or just getting an ingredient out for me. Like everyone has told me, he will eat when he is hungry..even if it is buttered noodles every night.. I think all kids go thru this phase.
hope this helps.

B.