Strange Eating Patterns

As a mother of 7 I can say your son's eating habits are perfectly normal, My oldest (15) would not touch a veggie to save his life, and still doesn't he is a meat and potatoe's guy, just like his dad, My 2nd (14) would hardly eat meat and today is a vegetarian, My next two (13 &14) are a little more "normal" in thier eating habits, My 5 year old only eats cereal somedays, but has to take a bite of everything at dinner, the same for my 3 year old although the only food she has any interest in is cheese samdwiches, and last but not least my 8 month old he so far eats anything I give him with the exception of sweet potatoes, he gets that from his momma :).
Don't over stress it unless he isn't gaining weight, and your doctor becomes worried, most kids eat a lot one day and barely anything the next, their bodies let them now what they need and when to get it. Enjoy these months with your son I love that stage it is by far the funnest.

My son turned 2 in March and is the exact same way. I was concerned about it but I talked to my sisters who also have children and they said it's completely normal. MY son ALWAYS eats really really good when we eat out at Ming's (chinese on 84th St.), so if he hasn't eatten good for a couple of days we'll go there. That may sound strange, but it makes me feel better! This way I know he's atleast getting something in his little tummy. When we go to Ming's he eats what I eat which is garlic chicken with broccoli and only broccoli, then he'll eat the egg drop soup and the hot and sour soup mixed with all the veggies and he'll also eat my husbands veggies. So, if you're too concerned find that one thing that will always be eatten really good and have that for dinner every couple nights when you get concerned. As I said it may be strange but it works for us! Good Luck and I'm sure everything will be just fine

My 18 month old daughter is going through this right now, some days she will just eat applesauce and rice chex and then other days she will eat steak and veggies all day...who knows. My best advice is to relax and just let him do his thing (within reason of course)
My husband stresses our daughter out at the table by trying to micro manage her dinner and when we just leave her alone and go about our own dinners she eats...she makes a mess but that is how babies learn. Good luck and I'm sure he'll eat more when he's hungry more.

I agree with Tina - it's normal for eating patterns to vary. If you are concerned, keep track of what he eats every day for two weeks to see that there is a natural ebb and flow. As long as he appears healthy and is growing, there is nothing to worry about. Ask the doctor at his 18 month check up to ease your worry!

I hate to say it but yes very normal.
my son is like that.. and has really always been like that.
he's 3 now. and like right now his favorite is sitting in front of him and he's hardly touching it.
he won't starve. .as i've been told..lol
i've been told too it could be growth spurts on occasion.

my daughter on the other hand will eat everything in sight all the time! and she is very skinny and tiny..lol 24lbs and 2 1/2

things i have read say not to try to force them to eat or make them 'finish everything on their plate' type of deal.
make for an emotional eater to please the parents. and not eat because they are hungry. with so much emphesis on over weight kids these days i 'try' not to push my son to eat eat eat.. it's hard though.. because like you said,,ya don't know if you should be concerned.

i know my one nephew who is 8 is a very light eater.. and specific.. i wonder if it 's a boy thing..lol

good luck..

Like all the other responses, yes, I think this is very normal. Both my boys - 17 months and 3 yrs - do the same thing. I fretted about it with my first and don't get too concerned with my second. If your son learns to eat when he's hungry, and not eat when he isn't hungry, he will easily maintain a healthy weight his whole life. Food is fuel for growing and energy for playing. His body tells him when he needs more fuel. Fortunately for him, he pays attention to it! If we all did that, the diet industry would be a thing of the past. Good for him! I know it's hard not to worry but he'll be fine. Just be sure he isn't filling up on junk food between meals. My oldest learned that if he didn't eat what I put in front of him, I'd eventually give him his favorite foods, which made him picky. I didn't make that same mistake with my youngest. :)

Hi J.,

You son's eating patterns are not strange at all. Has he had a checkup recently? Where is he on the growth chart? If all is normal there then I don't think you have anything to worry about. On the days that he will eat, make sure you are feeding him nutritionally sound foods (NOT chicken nuggets, fish sticks, mac/cheese) with lots of fruits and veggies. On the days that he won't eat, make sure to offer him good foods again. Maybe yogurt with active yeast, slices of fruit, milk shakes made with milk and frozen fruit (add a little vanilla yogurt), banana or zucchini bread and then sit back and enjoy your little boy. When he is hungry, he will eat.

Good luck and DON'T WORRY!

I have a 22 month old son, and he has been doing the same thing for about 6 months. I never know whether he's going to eat a lot, or just pick at his food. Sometimes he'll eat more than me, and other times he won't eat anything. I asked the dr, and he said this was normal. That as long as he is eating a decent meal during the day not to worry about it.

that's perfectly normal. my kids sometimes eat in waves. As long as you offer them balanced choices, they may eat it when their ready. My dau. loves bread products. If we fix hamburgers, she'll leave the burger and eat the bun.

something to think about is that in decades long past it was often the breakfast meal that was the "most elaborate." something simple hand-wise food for lunch, and then a light repast/snack in the evening. thus, folks were not going to bed while still digesting and they were burning off those calories from earlier in the day.

Maybe try upending the meal day and give him a good solid breakfast w/proteins, veggies, etc. Because he probably is most hungry in the morning.

Hi J.,
Your 17 month old is normal. Children go through a stage when they eat everything in sight and won't hardly eat anything for the next several days. I have been through this several times with 4 grown children and 10 grandchildren. Relax, he is a boy, when he is around 13 you will have to take out loans to keep the fridge full. Don't worry. Enjoy him.
Thanks,
D.