18 month old eating issues....

[Bootsalex]

My little girl has generally been really good when eating, ate everything and anything to an extent. She went off food a few months ago which i put down to teething.
Now, every evening is a battle! She just refuses food without even trying it, turns her head to the side and screams.
In nursery she eats everything (even stuff I didn't think she liked!!).
I've done the eating together and getting it in before she gets too tired and I've taken advice from others about offering only her dinner and give her time, if she doesn't want it then don't offer alternatives.
It's just a waste of my time making her meals as they're usually thrown on the floor!
Anyone been in the same situation?!

[Wilson99]

Try leaving healthy snacks out like fruit or veg that she can help herself to when she's alone. It sounds a bit like a power play and she wants the control so give her some and see if she appreciates it. Good luck!

[justfivemoreminutes1]

Just come across this thread, I am in exactly the same situation as you OP-my 20 month old DD just point blank refuses her meals...I'm at my wits end! She used to be good with food but the last couple of months have been a nightmare.

She loves bread and cheese, and sometimes demands these at mealtimes-I too have been trying the 'this is you dinner, take it or leave it' approach but with no success so far.

Has anyone tried anything that has worked?! x

[strawberrybubblegum]

It does sound like a control thing - especially since she eats at nursery. I don't think they consciously turn it into a battle, they just have an instinctive need for autonomy.

Don't let it become a battle - it will just escalate, and you can't win this one! Disarmament is the only solution. Remember that it's your job to put healthy food in front of her, and her job to decide whether and how much to eat.

There's a great book called 'getting the little buggers to eat' which I would really recommend. Helped me to relax about food, and slowly improved things. Now at 3, things are acceptable if not fantastic.

Get a children's multivit, and remind yourself that if she's eating at nursery then she's doing ok!

[strawberrybubblegum]

Sorry it's called getting the little blighters to eat