21 month old not eating dinner but asking for yoghurt wwyd?

[foxessocks]

My 21 month old is usually a good eater but this last week she seems a but off her food. I'm used to a toddlers appetite going up and down from day to day and week to week so I'm not concerned about how much she is eating overall. She has a bit of a cold at the moment too which probably doesn't help things. I'm just wondering what you do if your toddler picks at their dinner (for example tonight she ate maybe 6 or 7 peas and a small cube of fish!) then ask for a yoghurt (which she usually has after dinner anyway). Do you give the yoghurt regardless of how much dinner is eaten? Or do you refuse the yoghurt and try to explain why? Dh thinks one thing and I think the other! Not sure if it's relevant but the yoghurt she has is just plain natural yoghurt so not really that much of a "treat" as such although I suppose it is to her because she does love it!

[ImperialBlether]

She might have a sore throat. If she's normally a good eater, then just give her what she wants.

[MartinRohdesBellybuttonFluff]

I would give her the yoghurt. She probably doesn't feel well and doesn't want to chew or swallow anything crispy or lumpy. The yoghurt will be nice and cool on her throat.

Waste of time trying to explain why (if you withhold the yoghurt) to a 21 month old.

[Fugghetaboutit]

I just follow their lead tbh especially if she normally eats well.

When ds is off food I don't make a big deal and just make him porridge instead.

[manana21]

I'd give it another week to make sure she's well then withhold the pudding. My dd like me would eat only chocolate if she could though but she would also only eat yogurt when poorly

[boopdoop]

My DS is 20 months and can do the same when not feeling 100%. I will give him the yoghurt as its something he has every day after tea, not really a treat, and id rather he was eating something.

[confusedandemployed]

DD is a good eater and I have learned to listen when she says she doesn't want something, because it always means she's a bit under the weather. I would give the yoghurt and watch like a hawk for signs of getting better - and offer normal food in the meantime.

[CottonSock]

I will give pud if she tried each bit of main meal, doesn't have to finish (although mine is a little bit greedy and usually does).

[rudolphistheboss]

I'd give her the yoghurt. 21months is not really old enough to understand the explanation as to why she can't have it and if her throat is sore and nose bunged up then eating is difficult. I try not to make a big deal of 'clean plates' as I'd rather the dc learnt to eat to appetite. If they've not eaten much I will try 'have one (two/three depending what you think) big bite(s) of dinner then we'll get a yog'.

[PrincessHairyMclary]

Could you use Greek yogurt as par of the meal? Perhaps as a dip of some sort. If not give her it accompanied with sliced fruit / berries.

You could also try something like taramasalata/hummus and pitta bread / veg it looks like yogurt and will still be cold, it's fun to dip and she'll get more nutrients than picking at a hot meal and a yogurt after.

[Speederman]

I do. Ds2 is doing this right now - started the day before D&V hit but can start several days before an illness

I'm Just grateful he eats something

[Trinpy]

I like Princess' idea.

My rule is I give the yogurt because he would have one anyway, so I don't see it makes any difference, but I only give one so he can't fill up on them.

[3littlebadgers]

If she is ill, I'd let her have what she can manage! Bless her, I hope she picks up soon

As a side DS became very anaemic as a small boy, mostly due having tonsillitis on and off, but the paediatrician warned us against having yogurt (and any dairy) with main meals as the calcium inhibits the intake of iron. We would normally have yogurt as DH is turkish, and it is served with every meal near enough. I never knew about the calcium thing. I know it is not what you were asking it's just I never knew and I wish I had.

[knittingbee]

If not ill, I don't give my kids pudding if they don't eat their dinner.

[2ndSopranosRule]

Personally I wouldn't give the yoghurt . At 21 months

[2ndSopranosRule]

Posted too soon...

At 21 months you aren't far away from a child who will refuse to eat because they will learn something nice will come afterwards. We've been there at about that age. My SIL is having a terrible time with my dn because if dn hasn't eaten she gets chocolate and cake later on to "fill her belly". Dn now refuses to eat anything (she's 2.2) besides the treats to "fill her belly".

[foxessocks]

Thanks everyone! It was definitely just a phase because of her cold I think. She has been eating her dinner again this week! She had 3 (toddler size) fajitas a couple of nights ago so I think we're back in track for now anyway!

[Fugghetaboutit]

Ds will do this every few weeks, pretty normal for us