To just stop offering DD breakfast and lunch?

[turkishdeelitee]

Because she literally never eats breakfast, just point blank refuses. Also refuses lunch for five out of seven days a week. She does eat an OK dinner if it’s something she likes. I’m fed up and worried. She’s nearly 3.

You missed the part where you explain how I avoid this, I think.

The three year old isn’t dictating, she’s not eating at all! Do you suggest OP forcefeeds her??

What is her weight and general health like?

I have wondered but she eats things like chilli. She’s obsessed with ham but I really don’t like her having that.

Yes. Sit her down. Tell her she can't go/leave still she finishes her food.

She’s petite but in proportion and perhaps a bit leaner than a few months ago but then she’s grown. She does have milk and I will cut that back (she only has it after dinner) but I’m often desperate to get calories into her in the form of something healthy!

Don’t stop offering food; keep it relaxed and no big deal.

My friend had this with her DD: she did eat at nursery as she copied the other children, so see if she does that.

Keep offering things you know she likes, and try not to show stress about it around her. Consult your health visitor and GP if you haven’t already, as they may have suggestions you’ve not yet tried.

Have you had her checked over by a doctor?

Oh, you’re barking mad, that is all good then 😂

AFRID is more about safe foods and safe textures it is not just about a type of food.

If ham is something she will eat i wouldn't refuse her it, it's not amazing food but it's calories and protein she's not getting otherwise

@Thesausagelady

noooooo! She’ll end up with food all over the sofa!

Yeah right. Have fun with your DD then.

The post just said “yes” before this.

You can’t do this to a three year old, it’s old fashioned and mean.

Making sure they eat? That they have enough nutrition?

Thanks. I think I’ve followed all the standard advice; at least one thing you know she’ll eat, keep dinner time relaxed, don’t get involved in negotiating or persuasion (I probably have sometimes tried to persuade a bit, it’s hard not to, but not overtly.)

Some days she’s fine. Last week for instance she refused breakfast but had a LOT of strawberries as a mid morning snack, home made chilli for lunch and a roast chicken dinner. Other days she lives on nothing. It’s when those days tip into one another I get stressed out.

Does she go to nursery? How does she eat there?

Well, you can’t; irrespective of the cruelty you actually can’t force anybody to eat, it’s one thing you just can’t do. Same with sleep. I guess that’s why it’s a battle of wills with toddlers 😩

If her weight and growth is normal I wouldn't stress over it, at least for a while. Offer her food off your plate or put a few bites on a plate for her, if she doesn't eat it, don't worry.

I know it's a bit different as it's just one meal but one of my kids never liked eating breakfast. I don't eat breakfast myself. My other kid eats lots for breakfast. Everyone is different.

I wouldn't fuss over it, give her extra attention for it, or start giving unhealthy food like chocolate to tempt her as pp suggested. I think that going to lead to bad habits.

Mixed - like at home really. Some days eats well and other days won’t touch anything.

Thanks @FruitFlyPie . Honestly I was wondering about just not bothering with breakfast and just giving her some milk.

My nephew who’s 2.5 barely eats either. He likes hard boiled eggs, breadsticks, avocado, hummus, crackers, yogurt, mini cucumbers, tangerines, biscuits, crisps, toast and will sometimes eat veg (he ate most of a roast dinner last Sunday which is rare!). His mum despairs but hides it. He’s still on milk but trying to wean it off him. Apparently he eats at nursery. He’s not exactly a small kid either so no idea where he puts food!

Do you get cross about this? I would honestly feign indifference to her and stick to relaxed, low effort options for the time being, whilst consulting the GP/HV. You may find this improves at preschool and she eats a more varied diet/eats more as lunch is often a sociable, low stress time with gentle peer pressure/a lot of encouragement to eat.

Do not stop offering.

How about strawberries and yogurt for breakfast?