How do I break this bad habit I have let develop...

[whereisthesun]

DS who has just turned 2 has started on a very fussy phase of eating a few months ago and in desperation I let him watch thomas on the computer one day during supper, that meal time was a dream I have let this develop into a really bad habit where he wants to watch TV during every meal and is now also teething with his molars which is making him extra picky and he literally eating hardly anything. it feels like meal times are getting out of control with demands for TV and huge tantrums if I don't turn it on and then refusing to eat anything when I do - I'm dreading meal times and have a newborn so don't have the energy for these battles - how can i wean him off the TV and get his eating better?? ANy advice would be great please.

Cut yourself some slack. Eating in front of the tv isn't a crime. It won't turn him into a delinquent. Fight this battle when you're feeling more on top of things.

Do you eat at the same time as him and the same food? Children learn from us (obviously) and eating together can really help fussy eaters. Never make a fuss about him not eating anything, never withold pudding or treats for the main course and, as I said, have food with him.

We let our DD have tea with the TV on the weekends and one day in the week but all other meals she is with us and the TV is off. This did cause tantrums originally, but we stuck with it and she's fine now (part from the odd shout).

HTH a little.

oops - as the others said, you've got a newborn, don't worry about it just yet - TV was a godsend to me when by DS was born. Once your up to it try some of the things I suggested.

I did this when dd1 became super fussy - then dd2 came along and I used the tv for an easy life.

When I started weaning dd2 at 6mo I told dd1 that we woudl be eating at the table so that she could teach her baby sister what to do. Dd1 is still fussy but the interaction with her baby sister seems to help the process of getting some food in her and she doesn't often throw a hissy fit that there is no tv.

I let them have breakfast in front of the tv though - I am going back to work soon and will need my virtual babysitter if I am to get us all out of the house on time !

So you can break the habit - but if you have a newborn now is probably not a good time to force the issue. His eating will probably get better once he has fogotten what life is like without his baby brother/sister.