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Original poster

How long did the fussy eating stage last for your DC

11 replies

tiredalot · 26/02/2020 08:48

Since DD was about 18 months after getting a sickness bug she became a fussy eater. I knew it was common so just carried on trying to keep calm and still offer her a fairly good variety. I imagined it could last a good few months. However she will be 3 next month so this has been going on for 18 months. Is this normal? I'm beginning to worry she will always be fussy.

OP posts:
Damntheman · 26/02/2020 08:55

My 3 year old is still deep in it, my 6 year old came out of it at some point between 3 and 4 so I'm living in hope. Think your DC sounds totally normal to me! You're doing the right thing, I got stressed about it with my son and I think that made him dig in and last longer..

Puddlesplasher · 26/02/2020 08:59

Up to the age of 5 or 6 DD would eat anything put in front of her. She started becoming fussy after that and now age 14 she is extremely fussy. Sad

mistermagpie · 26/02/2020 10:35

The whole entire time really, but mostly from about 18 months. He had all sorts of 'rules' about food and was incredibly fussy.

He's 4.5 now and my mind has been blown over the last 3 months in the change in him, he honestly will give anything a go now and mealtimes are so much less stressful.

I'm not sure what brought about the change recently but about a year ago I decided enough was enough. I just cooked a meal that DH and I and my other son wanted to eat and put that in front of fussy son. If he didn't want to eat it that was fine and no comment was made - no cajoling, no bribery, no 'just try a little bit'. This is easier said than done, but I literally said this is your dinner and if he said he didn't like it I just said (in a cheery, breezy voice) 'no problem, don't eat it then'. If he said he was hungry then we repeated the above until I thought I was going to lose my mind. There was no alternative offered.

It has taken the best part of a year, and yes he went to bed hungry a lot, but gradually he started trying little bits and now he'll eat pretty much everything.

I'm not sure if it was the regime above or just his age but it is much better now.

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spiderlight · 26/02/2020 11:02

Mine is still pretty fussy at nearly 13. DH is even fussier than him, though, and he's in his 50s! Drives me mental because they don't like the same things at all, so I end up cooking two different meals most nights.

Ann87 · 26/02/2020 11:05

My DD was a great eater as a baby and toddler veg the lot.. from the age of around 4 shes been terrible, she wont even try anything even things she used to eat she wont touch anymore it's a nightmare at meal times. She now 6 and I'm hoping she grows out of it soon

Vicky19 · 26/02/2020 11:13

My DD was a really poor and fussy eater all through child hood from about 18 months ... best advice any health visitor gave me was let her eat what ever she want including sweets as it at least means she getting calories into her her body will eventually crave the goodness it needs .. got so bad at 6 I had to remove her from school as she wouldn’t eat lunch or even packed lunch but now as a teenager has a very healthy relationship with food ... ever child is different so your DD will come out it when she ready just try keeping in stuff you know she will eat

Themarvellousmrsm · 26/02/2020 11:18

How long did the fussy eating stage last for your DC - 26 years! Sorry that's no help to you whatsoever. He was a great eater until about 3 then suddenly became super fussy.

The other 2 are good eaters though and were always willing to try new foods.

Portulaca · 26/02/2020 13:13

Still going strong at 13 & 10 Hmm Both weaned on variety of foods but became v fussy at toddler stage. Disclaimer - both have autism. Restricted diet but I have become expert at hiding veg in stuff so they eat more than they think Grin

JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff · 26/02/2020 13:17

DD1 went from about 18 mos like yours and is just 5 now and there is a teeeeeeny bit of give now. She asked for pasta with sauce the other day, having previously cried when offered it Hmm It's hidden veg sauce which obviously she doesn't know! And she ate lasagne too last week, which is another first (also hidden veg).

My problem is DD is so petite; I am fairly sure she is underweight. So I can't just let her go to bed hungry as she cannot lose anything, really.

ExpletiveDelighted · 26/02/2020 13:17

Both still fussy as teenagers. It's a bit frustrating but could be worse.

goose1964 · 26/02/2020 13:27

My DD was fussy until she had her second

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