Suddenly won't eat for me!

[JasminesMummy]

Help anyone!!!

My 20mth DD has always been a really good eater, except for teething times etc..., but suddenly last weekend she just decided to refuse any savoury meal that I offer her. I am not doing anything differently and am at my wits end as to what to do about it. On Saturday she ate absolutely nothing (I didn't offer puddings) but when it got to 4pm I gave in a gave her a yoghurt and a pear just so that she had something in her tummy. She does still have milk when she wakes in the morning and last thing at night and is ok with that.

The curious thing is that she is eating really well at nursery still. Also had problems with getting her to nap when she's with me (always been fine with napping too!) but now she has taken to screaming and then only sleeping maybe 20mins - max 1 hour (usually 2hrs). Also started to wake at 5.30am no matter what time she goes to bed!

This morning she went back to nursery and I stayed for breakfast time and guess what? She scoffed a bowl of weetabix and a banana!

I'm hoping that this is just her testing her independence and that it's just a phase - any ideas gratefully received.

She was poorly for a few days about 3 weeks ago -but was fine for about a week afterwards.

p.s. I'm not a soft touch!

[RTKangaMummy]

do you think you would be able to cope not feeding her yoghurt and pear next week

and ignore her instead of trying to feed her so she loses the power she is tryoing to get over you

[JasminesMummy]

I could cope - it just feels cruel, but I guess that's what she wants me feel, right?
Do I let her go all day with nothing? How many days can she keep this up without becming ill?

[kelli22]

i have always said if my dd wont eat what i give her then she goes without until the next meal time, when she starts to play me up i say you dont have to eat it but you wont get anything else this usually makes her want to finish all of it or most of it at least.

[kelli22]

oh meant to say she will eat when shes hungry so dont worry, offer her something that you can keep wrapping up and putting in the fridge like a sandwich or something when she sees that she will only get offered the same thing she may eat it to move onto the next thing its just a phase im sure

[RTKangaMummy]

kelli has said exactly what I was going to say

as long as you don't give her more milk {which will fill her up she will be sorted} so keep that as you are atm

yes it is a phase IMHO anyway

[auntymandy]

put a normal meal infront of her. If she doesnt eat it then give her her pudding. end of meal.
My 2.5 year old does this from time to time. He can have fruit snacks when he likes.
In an attempt to make us all eat healthier I am going to try and eat a rainbow of colours each day..well thinking about it.
Red..pepper, Orange..carrott..Yellow melon and so on. could turn it into a game if you have a child that wont eat! Maybe add a treat colour if you manage it..Brown..chocolate!!!

[JasminesMummy]

Thanks both - I hoped that but needed the reassurance! Any ideas about the sleep part??

[RTKangaMummy]

DS always got up at 6am it doesn't matter when he went to bed

Will give your sleep prob some thought and will be back later with ideas by which time will prob have been sorted by others

[JasminesMummy]

RTK - thanks, why oh why is there no instruction manual attached to their feet at birth?
Until 3 wks ago she slept 6.30-7pm through to 6.30-7am - Occasionally longer!
I'm just doing the same as always lunch 11.45-12noon, short play/chill out with me, and straight up to bed at 12.30, quick kiss and leave the room. do you think this is another stab at independence? (she's a monster by 4.30-5pm bumping into everything and tripping over she's so tired)

[RTKangaMummy]

Sorry, I can't think of anything atm

DS didn't have a prob with sleep perhaps start a thread asking for tips on sleep

I am sure there are loads of parents with the same prob.