how do you handle your toddler not eating a meal?

Like refusing to eat? Do you make a big deal about wanting them to eat? Obviously I'm not talking finish everything on their plate finish, but take some more bites? Would you say ok don't eat, but no snacks later?
DS is generally a good eater, so I don't like to make a big deal about it at all, but it pizzes me off when 10 minutes later he asks for a fruit snack.

Re: how do you handle your toddler not eating a meal?

I don't make a big deal about it, but I probably do what most people say not to and let him graze. Sometimes he goes back to eat his dinner, sometimes he asks for fruit or cheese and crackers or something. And I give it to him.

Re: how do you handle your toddler not eating a meal?

Re: how do you handle your toddler not eating a meal?

Lately, yes i tell jacen he has to have a few more bites before he gets down. He doesn't put up a fight about it. He just shovels in those 4 pieces all at once.

If he doesn't eat much, i don't really stress like i used to.

But i will offer him some fruit afterwards. But fruit only.

Message edited 3/23/2010 8:58:04 PM.

Re: how do you handle your toddler not eating a meal?

Re: how do you handle your toddler not eating a meal?

DS is also a grazer but if he doesnt finish his meal I usually leave it available for awhile in case he goes back to it.

DS is just over 2 and at his 2 year appt I asked the ped about this as well because DS was always an amazing eater and then he just kinda stopped. Now he wont eat breakfast (which used ot be his favorite) and lunch is hit or miss, etc.

The ped told me not to worry, that at this age its the one thing they really have control over and they are really trying to control more and more. She said my job is just to make the food available but if I make it a power struggle I will be the one to lose!

Re: how do you handle your toddler not eating a meal?

If I know there's something he'll want (like fruit) I'll ask him if he wants it. When he says yes....I tell him "First take 3 more bites of dinner and then you can have the fruit." It usually works

Re: how do you handle your toddler not eating a meal?

I am flexible with meals with my 3.5 year old. Sometimes she just isn't in the mood for a meal; I understand that. If she doesn't have dinner (for example) I will only offer her a healthy snack, like a banana. She can't not eat most of her dinner and then have cookies...that doesn't work with me.

Re: how do you handle your toddler not eating a meal?

I didn't make a big deal and still don't. She's big for her age (if she wasn't I'd worry more) and stubborn- she will really dig in her heels if I try to make her eat. I've had more luck with just putting food out and letting her find it. She grazes sometimes too.

Re: how do you handle your toddler not eating a meal?

it's been hard for us, but we kinda shrug it off and figure she'll make up for it at the next meal ( or the one after that )! I've read not to deprive them of snacks, unless you do snacks/dessert as a reward. If everyone else is having snacks/dessert and your DC hasn't had a great dinner, you can still give them something. Honestly, I forget the reasoning behind it...lol...I'll get back to you on that one!

Re: how do you handle your toddler not eating a meal?

Posted by pinkandblue

[miki is a total grazer, she eats little things here and there throughout the day but even then, she is a picky eater

Re: how do you handle your toddler not eating a meal?

Posted by aliwnec10

Lately, yes i tell jacen he has to have a few more bites before he gets down. He doesn't put up a fight about it. He just shovels in those 4 pieces all at once.

If he doesn't eat much, i don't really stress like i used to.

But i will offer him some fruit afterwards. But fruit only.

Re: how do you handle your toddler not eating a meal?

Re: how do you handle your toddler not eating a meal?

I have mixed feelings. Recently DD has been eating less and less. But she eats healthy - she won't eat pizza, only chicken fingers when we go out to a restaurant, so at least it isn't junk food. At home she eats grilled chicken, tons of veggies (LOVES plain steamed broccoli and carrots), beans, fruits etc. It drives me crazy when I cook and she doesn't eat b.c I know she will ask for a snack shortly after.

I stopped making a big deal of it. The only time I insist she eat something is before preschool so she isn't hungry and cranky. I try to say okay take 3 bites and that is enough. I do sometimes offer to make her something else but ONLY if she will eat it - sometimes that works.

My issue is that when she asks for snacks she asks for a whole apple, banana, pear, cheerios - so she isn't asking for junk. For now - I would rather she have the apple as a snack than not eat but if she starts asking for things that aren't so healthy then I will quash that right away.

BTW I am more worried about her eating b.c she is only like 15-20% for weight. Otherwise I might just say oh well you will just be hungry. My ped just keeps telling me - she will eat when she is hungry.