TWO AND A HALF YEAR OLD WHO HARDLY EATS

[mamof2boys]

Can anyone help please?
This is the first time, I've posted but I'm hoping someone out there may have some words of wisdom. My little boy totally 'controls' meal times which I now dread. At breakfast, we are lucky if he sometimes eats some fruit. He won't entertain toast or cereal - this usually gets thrown across the table. He does apparently eat when with his childminder (beans and spaghetti hoops) - even toast at toddlers! He would eat toast at home if I smeared it in Nutella - the little rascal.
My oldest son is a fabulous eater - and we all sit together as a family at meals. We've tried giving him no attention for not eating right through to practically doing cartwheels when he eats a crumb!!
He is absolutely tiny and has been under paediatrician for his weight (now discharged). Any tips on encouraging a positive relationship with food for a very stubborn toddler?
Thanks x

Lots of good advice on this thread.

Mam, you could be writing about ds2. Nearly 4, he is still under a paediatrician due to low weight (under 12 kg). His diet is very restricted, made worse by multiple allergies - he eats soya yoghurt (but will ask for "help"), apples, twiglets, salami, hoola hoops, egg-free mayo, couscous and that is just about it.

As Dizzy says, let him eat what he wants, as no food is worse for him than "bad" food. We used to dread mealtimes, never went out for meals and hated having people over if it would involve them witnessing a meal - awful times. Slowly it has improved. It is hard to do, but again, as Dizzy sayes, try not to stress. Personally, I leave food around the house for him and make no comment as he munches his way through a whole bag of twiglets whilst he plays.

Like you, my ds1 eats anything and everything, so ds2 came as a shock. I still hope ds1 will share half his appetite with ds2!!!

Hi ladies,

Thanks for your messages - much appreciated! I definitely don't want to create any food issues with him - just can feel really frustrating when you have cooked and he eats zero.
Going to try the things you have suggested.
Thanks again x

Ds (2 and a half) just went through this. Nightmare! Would only eat breakfast, yoghurts and raisin's here and lunch at nursery 3 times a week.
I started putting the food on sharing plates in the middle of the table which he loves as he gets to choose what he wants on his plate and I also let him help cook (well stir) and he is eating much better now. Even eats sandwiches which he wouldn't have a bar of!

Maybe try something like that? Also make sure there are no distractions around when it's meal times.

Good luck, I know how stressful it is!

Pancakes, drop scones and puff pastry bites have been my life saver with by DS who is a finicky eater. I can hide all sorts in there!

Also I got him one of those little snack pots - he will graze on sultanas, craisins, dried apricots and yoghurt covered fruits. If I put his leftover bits of toast etc in there he'll eat those too.