DS a fussy eater, I am losing it.

[BustleInYourHedgerow]

Yes, another thread about a toddler that doesn't eat. Sigh. But I need some help/support/tips please! DS is 19mo. Every evening turns into a battle and I dread it. He was a super eater up until about 14mo, ate absolutley everything, except pasta, strangely enough. Then it was almost as if a switch flicked. And I thought I had done everything right! At the moment he will eat most fruit, yoghurt, bread and weetabix. He sometimes, but not always eats fish fingers, eggs, beans, tomato soup and pasta in tomato sauce. Tonight I actually had a few hours to spare and made him sweet patoto, carrot and parsnip wedges. He wouldn't eat it. I make my dinner and his at the same time, exact same dinner for us both and tell him how yum it is while eating it, and give in after about half an hour and give him toast. I try to distract him by reading a story, playing, anything but he is still fussy. I've tried to just ignore him and eat mine while chatting to him, doesn't work. Am at my wits end now.

Don't be alarmed now (ha ha, that's the line right?)...
they go through phases like this. I recommend a book called Feed Your Child Well, which has ways to deal with food refusal.

Whatever you do, stay calm and light and happy. Do whatever it takes to ensure it doesn't become a battle. Just encourage, but don't tell him he has to try anything or eat any quantity of food. Praise every mouthful.

I had terrible food issues from a very young age - I still remember the enormous amount of pressure I felt to eat.

Can you try a change of scene perhaps? What happens if someone else feeds your DS? I don't mean to imply that you're the problem here. It's very tough, just know that it will be ok - and change what you can.

Thanks Black Swan. I am possibly a little too alarmed:) He will eat in creche, but only attends 3 afternoons a week, so it's all snacky food- fruit and yoghurt, soup (will eat tomato soup, not chicken or veg). He behaves the same with food for DP. I am worried about creating issues around food- my sister has issues with food because she was a fussy eater and I remember meal times being horrible. Luckily, my appetite is perhaps a little to healthy so I escaped! The book looks good, thanks for the recommendation, I'll buy it next week:) I'm just worried that he doesn't get enough protein, I put lentils or chickpeas in his soup but he won't always eat it, also cous coup in his yoghurt. Thanks again:)