Help! Toddler only wants snacks won't eat meals!

[SophMiloQuinn]

Hello... I'm new here and this is a first time post so please forgive me if I'm in the wrong bit or something!

I have a three year old who has always been quite a good eater until recently. He has started wanting me to feed him again (we have an 8 month old who I spoon feed so I think this must be the reason...?) but also he has started to not finish his meals and then ask for snacks all the way until the next meal.

Until now I'd been giving in to him - all healthy snacks, fruit, rice cakes etc. But I'm becoming really frustrated. Why won't he eat meals- I don't give him things he doesn't like but still he'll have a few bits and then tell me he's done - then 15minutes later be demanding a snack because he's hungry!! Do I carry on giving him snacks? I'm worried that he's not eating enough already he's got a very slight frame like his dad.

We have had a few set backs in the last couple of weeks- a knock to the teeth and a glandular infection but neither seem to be bothering him too much and certainly haven't affected his ability to eat...

sorry if that was a bit rambly but any advice would be welcomed!!

[Whatabout]

Stop the snacks. He has no incentive to eat the meal as he knows a snack is coming and he's "winning" the dinner game. He'll soon get that snacks are a privilege not a right and he won't starve. Toddlers are such terrors at trying to get their own way, aren't they? Hope it improves for you

[FinallyHere]

Hello and welcome. There will be loads of people along soon with lots of experience but I just wanted to say. If you keep on giving snacks on demand, what incentive does the little one have to eat meals.

I only realise , looking back, how difficult it must have been for my parents to put up with the grief I gave them, but i honestly cannot remember a time when my parents 'gave in' to pleading. I really appreciate the effort they must have taken, to be like that. Hope it hoes well for you, xx

[rainbowunicorn]

Don't give him snacks. If you are giving in to him then he will just continue to not eat his meals knowing that he will get something else anyway.

[poocatcherchampion]

Non snacking household here.

So that's my suggestion