Help 2.5 yr old won't eat!

[Piglet28]

I've tried everything and i'm at my wits end!

He will only eat really plain food, bread, pasta, cheese, and fruit but thats it.

I've cut out all his snacks (i.e. sweets, crisps, chocolate) he only has a piece of fruit.

I leave him to eat whatever I cook, I sit and eat my dinner with him but he refuses to even put it in his mouth, I've tried sneaking a mouthful in but he just spits it everywhere. He just won't eat meat or veg. I've tried mashing it like baby food no luck.

If he doesn't eat his dinner he gets nothing else!

He used to eat everything when I weaned him, but now nothing and it's driving me bonkers!

He isn't underweight, but is slim... i'm just starting to get worried about it affecting his health.

Any advice or tips would be a great help!

Thank you x

[alowVera]

Do you give him set meals or is he a grazer? My dd1 couldn't eat a set meal until she was 4, but she would graze on fruit and smaller snacks throughout the day.
I have also found that in this hot weather neither dd's eat much.

[Piglet28]

He'd 'graze' on crap all day, show him anything healthy other than fruit and he won't touch it! He has set meals breakfast lunch dinner (all with me eating too) but it's dinner where he just won't touch it if it's meat and veg :(

[kajosem]

I had the same problem with my son. I spoke to the doctor who gave me sound advice and that is leave him hungry! A child never died of voluntary starvation. When he is ready to eat a meal he will do so, but it's hard I warn you. I persevered and eventually my son did learn to eat the meals given. Don't make a fuss just clear away the meal and don't let him eat till the next meal. Eventually he will get the message. Sorry if this is harsh but it does work I promise you.

[kelloo1]

You are not the only one! my DS is exactly the same, same age as yours. He ate everything when I weaned him but now no matter what I cook he only eats plain looking food, bread, chips and he loves yorkshire puddings! He won't touch veg or meat even though we all have the same at meal times, he just pushes his plate away and says pudding. If he doesn't eat his meals though he goes without but it doen't seem to make much difference! Like you I cut out his snacks and sweet stuff but he still doesn't eat any better. Is your DS at nursery? Mine is and he eats everything when he is there (or so they say!) he eats meat, veg and even has seconds! I told my HV but she said he looks fine so don't worry. The only advice she gave me was to not give him anything if he doesn't eat his meals and he will soon learn. he has been like it for months now and like you I am worried about his health. Nothing seems to work!

[pranma]

pasta/bread cheese and fruit is a healthy diet-I'd feed him what he likes and gradually sneak in a bit of new food.All mine[dc and dgc] would eat pasta with a home made veggie sauce[tomatoes,carrots,celery,onion] blended smooth after cooking with their own little dish of grated cheese to add.

[Piglet28]

Thanks for the reassurance everyone! Feel a bit more relieved that other's are having the same problems! Will just have to persevere I guess! x

[Piglet28]

Oh forgot to add that yes he does go to nursery 2 days a week, and is exactly the same there! Just gets up and runs about if he dosen't like the look of lunch!!

[debtfreeiwish]

my son is exactly the same all he seems to live on is scrambled eggs,toast,sandwiches(plain stuff really) he used to love veg,potatoes,meat etc but now no matter what i give him he just either says no or spits it out we all sit at table at meal times but he just is not interested, to be honest i used to worry like mad about it but after speaking to hv he's a good weight and it's probably a phase which i hope will pass,i just ignore his behaviour now.just so glad i'm not the only one going through it x