Worried about toddler

[susiesuelou]

Sorry posting for traffic. My almost 20 month old has eaten nothing this morning for breakfast. She usually eats at least a piece of fruit or yogurt if she's not in the mood for porridge or toast. She can be fussy and throw bits on the floor but I've never known her to refuse literally everything and not even take a bite.

I've tried her with everything I can think of and she is just crying and pushing it away. She's had a bit of milk and few sips of water but that's it. She does have a bit of a cold and runny nose so might not have an appetite. At what point do I need to worry about her?

I wouldn’t worry just yet. As you say with a cold she may not have an appetite. Just try to keep her drinking.

I wouldn't worry at all. So long as they're drinking, toddlers can (and do) go without food for a long time especially when they're a bit under the weather. DS record is about a week but drank water/milk so was fine.

It’s breakfast, it’s one meal, please do not worry. Just offer liquids if she doesn’t want to eat!

As long as she's weeing, I wouldn't worry yet , she might have a sore throat, would she have an ice lolly?

Thanks everyone. She's having sips of water so that's reassuring. Just with it being the first meal of the day it worries me more, as I hate the thought of her having a completely empty tummy. I'd be less worried if she wasn't eating tea for example if she'd eaten other meals that day. I'm sure she will eat when she's hungry. I'll just keep offering.

Ooh ice lolly is a good idea, she loves them! Thanks

I wouldn't worry at all! She may not have an appetite if she's unwell. Refusing a meal now and again even if she's well is normal too. My little one can go a few days on just half a slice of toast or some yoghurt a day for a few days in a row if they're really unwell.

You don’t need to worry. It’s normal for toddlers to skip meals, even 1 or 2 a day. You need to look at their weekly intake, not daily.

It’s your job to offer food, it’s up to them if they eat it and it’s okay if they don’t. She’s said no and she knows her own body so I wouldn’t force the issue.

Does she go to nursery/childcare/classes where she mixes with other kids? Hand foot and mouth is going around at the minute and can give them little blisters on their tongue that make it uncomfortable to eat.