Toddler won't eat at new nursery

[Queazy]

Hi all

My nearly 2 year old started a new nursery last week. They are lovely and very caring, and I think she really likes the environment. The problem is she's a fussy eater - she has cows milk protein allergy, which isn't an excuse but has contributed to her not eating many different sauces etc. She hasn't eaten tea on any day she's been there and cries for it when I pick her up.

They've said she starts getting nervous when she knows they're all about to sit down and eat. I feel awful as she eats at her childminders, but I wanted to mix up her childcare as she doesn't do any activities or messy play/painting stuff there. I've tried to introduce different foods etc, but she just doesn't like saucy food or spices. I'd really value any ideas or techniques you've used to encourage more varied eating in a little toddler.

I'm going to speak to the nursery again next week too: I know she needs to eat or go without to a certain extent, but can't help feeling sorry for her as she settles in.

Thanks all

My DD didn't eat much at all for her first couple of weeks at nursery. Suddenly it changed. She started at 15 months and I think having previously been in a childminders where it was very homely, was probably a bit overwhelmed with the new environment and so many eating at once.
Now she runs in smiling and waving and eating is much better.

Hopefully over time your daughter will start copying the others and eat more. A lot of my friends feel their kids eat better at nursery than home!

My fussy 18mo took a while to settle in after a change of nurseries. She went from eating brilliantly at one to not eating at her new one. Was a bit stressful but we rode it out and after a few weeks it started to settle down. I'd say don't give a full tea when she gets home - maybe a yoghurt so she's not starving, but not so much that she gets into the habit of holding out for tea at home.

And ask nursery what they're doing to make her less nervous during meals. Maybe she could sit on one of the nursery nurses' knee for a few days till she gets comfortable?