3yo refusing breakfast

[LeoTheLateBloomer]

DD is becoming more and more difficult with eating. Recently she's started insisting she's not hungry at breakfast time but then gets really hungry later in the morning. By this time we're generally out and about doing stuff so all I can give her is whatever snack stuff I have in my bag. If I give her too much (ie as much as she wants) she doesn't end up being hungry at lunch time, then we have the same problem in the afternoon, evening etc so getting a proper meal into her some days ends up being a real battle.

We rarely have whole days at home but when we do I'll just give her an early lunch or supper to make up for the lack of an earlier meal but it's not always that straight forward.

Any suggestions as to what I can do to encourage a decent breakfast? It worries me when she goes off for a day at pre-school on an almost empty stomach.

[Jibberoo]

No help but sharing your pain. Ds 3.8 is at nursery spits even harder toget him to eat breakfast before! Hopefully will pick up some ideas here

[Sirzy]

I can't eat for a few hours after getting up and know quite a few people the same.

Can you not put some fruit in your bag for when she gets hungry? Surely pre school have some sort of snack too?

[SkiBumMum]

It's possible a control/independence thing. Do you let her choose breakfast? Pour her own milk? Butter and jam her own toast etc? Mine really like yogurt with grape nuts and a banana or inventing weird toppings for porridge. Maybe ring the changes and tell her she is a big girl so can choose what she has. It's a great time to give choice as there are so many options but all in your control as you do the shop and there are no unwanted distractions on offer. Worked in our house....

[LeoTheLateBloomer]

I do Sirzy and so does pre-school, but it's never enough and she just want's to keep eating because she's so hungry by then. She's an early riser so by the time we're having breakfast she's generally been awake for a good two hours.

[ATrust]

Interesting that she wants to eat while out but not at home.

Do you think maybe it could be your cooking ?

[gourd]

It?s normal to not feel hungry having only just got up ? ours often runs around a bit for half an hour or so before wanting stodgy porridge but will often have a banana or pear in the car or just a date/fig or raisins in car on way to CMs then have her porridge there. Either get child up earlier or if not possible, perhaps try offering just fruit first thing, and take more fruit, dried fruit, cakes/sandwiches, yogurt etc in your bag if it is just that child isn?t hungry first thing.
Or if you think they are just bored and want more variety, try bagels, pancakes, oat cakes or crumpets with nutella or cream cheese, yogurt, or scrambled egg (takes a minute in microwave) on toast or just on it?s own if they aren?t bothered with carbs first thing..