Bad eating behaviour!

[beckyherbert25]

My 2 yr old is going through a very upsetting stage where he refuses to eat point blank. He has a good breakfast of porridge and yogurt but lunch and dinner may as well not happen! I offer all the things he used to like and try new things but he will push it away and have a tantrum. Not letting him snack between meals isn't working, he normally sits up at the table with us which doesn't work any more and neither does going back to a booster or high chair. Help! I don't want to get angry with him but I feel so frustrated and upset.

[NorthEasterlyGale]

Any chance he's teething? Maybe if he's getting the back molars he just eats breakfast because it's soft and easy?

Our 21 month old goes through phases of not really eating too but as he's okay weight wise and has vitamins, we tend to just ignore it to be honest. I take the attitude that if he's hungry enough he'll eat!

[findingherfeet]

Have experienced similar with my DD (2.4yrs) pushing plate away 'I don't like that!' (Even when it usually something she likes) drives me and hubs up the wall, it can be really hard to stay calm and do the poker face thing...and I worried desperately about whether to give her an alternative.

It's partly defiance with my daughter, partly knowing it gets a reaction from mummy and daddy but also she cottoned on that after dinner comes pudding, we have fruit or yoghurt but nursery has proper yummy puds and on three embarrassing occasions she said 'no thank you just pudding'

We are very clear that there is no pudding if she doesn't eat dinner (even if I do then give in an offer a sandwich there's no treats) and nursery gives her a sticker for eating her lunch, which she is delighted with so a reward chart might work?

She will 'just try' something if I ask because I think that gives her an element of control to say if she likes it or not (quite often she'll reluctantly try a bit then eat up!)

Keep offering, it does seem to pass.

[findingherfeet]

We also had a few TV dinners (normally something I'd hate) but change of environment/relaxed and distracted meant she'd eat healthily without thinking about refusal!

[LastAvailableNickname]

Little ones are strongly influenced by what Mummy and Daddy actually do. Eat some of his food off of his plate and make the appropriate "MMmmm!" noises. Actually do it - He'll copy and later on, he'll refuse to let you steal his dinner. I used to say "Ooooh! Is that for me?" and pretend to pinch it - this often works.

And don't worry about getting angry, get good and angry if you like! It'll pass and you'll know where to stop before there's a problem. Remember, he's 2 and he's got to do as Mummy says, whether he likes it or not.

Good Luck!

[beckyherbert25]

Thanks for your replies, all very useful and it's just nice to have reassurance and realise it's not just you! He has actually eaten a lot better today, either that or I just feel more confident and not worrying as much!

Thanks guys!