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Original poster

DS only snacking

15 replies

beckerzs · 02/07/2026 12:22

DS is 4.5. Gone very very fussy to the point where it feels like he just snacks all day

Were on holiday now and hes refusing even safe foods like nuggets pasta rice etc

Hes had crackers today and some baby organic gingerbread men

Im trying not to stress I know its a phase and if I whipped out a pack of Jaffa cakes he'd scoff a load!

But its the point now I feel like he eats virtually nothing

Hes not losing weight and he has grown taller slightly !

Any advice or tips? Were all inclusive too we thought that would help he takes one look and refuses to even try the buffet

OP posts:
Peonies12 · 02/07/2026 12:23

As you're on holiday I'd just let him eat what he wants. And if it's hot, he probably has less appetite anyway. Once you get home, work on it then - dont' stress your holiday over it.

Lomonald · 02/07/2026 12:25

I know it is difficult but I think you should stop having so many snacks available . Or have them at meal times so he gets into the routine of eating at meal times are you self catering or hotel ?

NuffSaidSam · 02/07/2026 12:25

I agree with pp. Don't worry about it on holiday. Let him eat what he wants and tackle it at home.

How is he with drinks? You can use milk/milkshake and fruit juice/smoothie to get some nutrition in him.

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Timeforaglassofwine · 02/07/2026 12:28

Agree with above. Keep lots of good snacks, ie cherry tomatoes, fruit, and the crackers and get into a good routine once home. Has he got any signs of intolerance? My dc became very fussy through childhood and teens because of oddly sporadic lactose and wheat intolerances.

Original poster
beckerzs · 02/07/2026 12:28

Yeah we dont have loads of snacks but hes eating little and often like preschool when he goes type of thing

When I do a meal at home its usually a plain alternative like rice pasta egg noodles etc

He doesnt like ice cream or any variants so milkshakes are a no :(

He likes juice and luckily will drink water! Will try a smoothie and hope for the best

OP posts:
Original poster
beckerzs · 02/07/2026 12:29

Funnily enough someone mentioning intolerance, I'm coeliac myself! So I may keep an eye on it as it can be common when a parent has it for a child to or an intolerance

So maybe could be linked???

OP posts:
Undertheeaves · 02/07/2026 12:30

My DD is the same age and is the same with snacks. She won't eat something she perceives as a meal. We use divider plates to make her a snack plate for her dinner and let her eat the bits she wants. A snack plate might have nuggets/fish fingers, fruit, cucumber/peppers, yoghurt, crackers, etc and in one of the dividers we might put a spoonful of whatever we are having in case she wants to try it.

Lomonald · 02/07/2026 12:57

We had a divider plate for 1 of mine she was similar till she was about 8, so I understand how stressful. It is.

I do think they should have "mealtimes" so even if they eat hardly anything they are still in the routine of meal times, i appreciate everyone is different and we do what we have to.

BeSunnyLemonSheep · 02/07/2026 12:58

Why do you let him snack? 🧐

Original poster
beckerzs · 02/07/2026 13:21

Undertheeaves · 02/07/2026 12:30

My DD is the same age and is the same with snacks. She won't eat something she perceives as a meal. We use divider plates to make her a snack plate for her dinner and let her eat the bits she wants. A snack plate might have nuggets/fish fingers, fruit, cucumber/peppers, yoghurt, crackers, etc and in one of the dividers we might put a spoonful of whatever we are having in case she wants to try it.

This is my son!! He eats "lunch' we'll as we have a 'packed lunch plate'

OP posts:
Original poster
beckerzs · 02/07/2026 13:22

We have mealtimes every day so he is used to the meal time itself

And yes if he refuses he does get offered an alternative his usual safe foods x

OP posts:
Lomonald · 02/07/2026 13:27

beckerzs · 02/07/2026 13:22

We have mealtimes every day so he is used to the meal time itself

And yes if he refuses he does get offered an alternative his usual safe foods x

This is all you can do. My dd is 34 and I am sure she has Afrid but it was just seen as "fussy" in the 90s so I just fed her what she would eat, and bulked up with yogurt ,milkshakes when she was going through a difficult eating period, funnily enougb usually on holiday, i did keep to mealtimes though.

LoafofSellotape · 02/07/2026 13:30

You're on holiday, let him eat what he wants and once he's home I'm sure things will settle down. Last week I was eating all sorts of shite as it was so hot.

Original poster
beckerzs · 02/07/2026 20:06

Thanks for all the tips and reassurance❤️

We were all really tired as we got in late last night and kids were very hyper so it was a midnight bedtime - but still an early wake!

So obviously more worried and anxious due to being tired but unsure if that made him extra picky today as he was shattered too

OP posts:
BeSunnyLemonSheep · 02/07/2026 22:14

beckerzs · 02/07/2026 13:22

We have mealtimes every day so he is used to the meal time itself

And yes if he refuses he does get offered an alternative his usual safe foods x

So you’ve basically caused this problem yourself and are now wondering why you have it and what to do about it 🧐

Don’t have snacks, and don’t make him another meal if he refuses the first one.

Recommended advice for fussy eaters is to put at least one safe food on their plate.

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