AIBU to stop giving my toddler proper lunch?

[lola88]

He doesn't eat it anyway no matter what I give him it ends up in the bin, he eats his breakfast and dinner fine but has no interest in lunch.

Today I've given him a bit of my sandwich a yogurt and some bits of chicken tikka ( because it can go back in the fridge) and some dunkers which he's ate a good bit off. Is it ok to just give him bits of mine and a snack instead of proper lunch? I've been told he will never eat lunch if I don't make him I'm making the famous rod for my own back by pandering to it but I can't afford to be throwing food away every day.

Just to give you an idea usually get would get sandwich or soup or an egg, but I've tried everything from breakfast food to dinner food and he's just not bothered. It also doesn't matter if we are at home our out or any other things like tv being on or off he still doesn't bother

[mrsjay]

My dds used to eat bits and bobs of things dd1 was a terrible eater so if give her what I knew she would eat sometimes dunker or a bit of toast with some cold meat and some fruit just feed him what you know he will pick at

[wamabama]

Mine always have cold lunches. Sandwiches, breadsticks, hummus, fruit, cucumber, carrot sticks, rice cakes, falafels, cold pasta, avocado, celery, yogurt (not all same day obviously!) etc.

I think it works best for lunch because it's right in the middle of the day when they're just wanting to go, go, go and have fun, not sit and spoon in a hot meal. Whereas breakfast and dinner they're more relaxed and up for sitting calmly to eat a warm meal method in the madness!

[RobotElephant]

First rule of parenting: ignore anybody that uses the phrase 'rod for your own back'. (and quite often do the opposite of what they suggest)

[bigkidsdidit]

I do the opposite, big hot lunch and picky dinner. DS had cheese, ham, cucumber, strawberries and bread and butter tonight. I really think it's a rare toddler who eats two good hot meals a day. Ime, anyway :)

[mrsjay]

I think whatever works tbh I used to be really strict and loony about eating and trying to force dd to eat it really imo causes more hassle than it is worth that is when I chanced when she was about 2 and gave her a bit of this or that for lunch and just did the same with dd2 if it works it works

[lola88]

Thanks I feel so much better now. DS is very big for his age so I get a lot of people saying 'he must eat you out of house and home' followed swiftly by 'gosh he hasn't eaten much' when they see how little he eats everyone (including me at times) expects him to eat well because he's big and quite far forward I have to remind everyone that he's still a baby not the 2 year old he looks like.

I can't remember who asked sorry but he is a milk monster and has a nap about 10/11 with a bottle to go to sleep bad mummy he also has a bed time and morning bottle i'm trying to cut down on the amount of milk in the morning and nap time bottles he won't take a dummy so his bobo is he's comfort he has maybe 20oz a day 9 of those at bedtime

[rainbowfeet]

My 16 month old is the same, so I usually give him bits & bobs at lunch time... Don't want to hijack but can I ask ... Similar age how many bottles of milk do you offer?!
Mine has bottle couple of hours after his breakfast (then naps) then lunch & a couple of hours later I offer another bottle then dinner & dessert & then bedtime bottle. (He doesn't always drink them all) I recently tried cutting out afternoon bottle to see if he'd eat more dinner but didn't make any difference!
I do sometimes worry he doesn't eat enough, he is bang on 50th centile but only put on 2lb in 5 months, (don't get to clinic that often) going this week to see if he has gained!

[lola88]

DS has 3 bottles usually about 7am 11am and 7pm but some days can have 4 some days, I know I should cut out the day time bottle but it's the only thing that sends him to sleep and TBH I don't have the patience to spend 2 hours trying to get him to sleep for 30 mins.