He doesn't eat!

[stansmomma]

Can anyone tell me how I can get my 19 month old son to eat??? He has milk at 6am then half a weetabix at 9am and usually have lunch between 12 and 1. He will eat mashed potaoes, beans, any vegetables, etc but it's the tiniest amount, couple of mouthfuls and then he pushes it away, he will eat a bowl full of fruit and yoghurt but meal times are becoming a nightmare! I don't know what to do, am I worrying over nothing? He doesn't eat meat at all really, apart from the occasional mcnugget and it's a bite, does eat fish though, and he's not under weight by any means, he's also super active never sits still!! Help!!

First of all, try not to worry - hard I know

Toddlers actually need a remarkably small amount of food to get by. Sometimes it seems they don't need to eat at all. I remember reading somewhere that a 2yo only needs 2 tablespoons a day (numpty disclaimer applies)

He will be taking in more than you think, I can guarantee - he certainly won't be starving himself

If he's bright-eyed and bushy tailed and active, I wouldn't worry. Keep offering and don't get into a battle about it

I was in your exact position with DD1 and was tearing my hair out :( but it will be fine and he will be fine

Thank you, sometimes it's just reassuring to know I'm not the only mummy struggling!

My worrying toddler is now a tall, active, gorgeous 12yo :o

Good luck and try not to worry x

My DS went through phases at that age. One month he'd be eating everything in sight and the next he'd have forgotten to eat completely if I hadn't reminded him. I put it down to growth vs not-growth phases.... not very scientific but there you go. In his not keen on eating much phases I used to go with 'picky' lunches, snacks and suppers ie. cut up fruit, little sandwiches and sausages, tempting cakes and offer them several times a day rather than hoping he'd eat a big meal three times a day.

Hi, you might want to pop over to the Development board where there is a thread called The Incredibly Fussy Eaters... - you are not alone.

my dd was the same at that age. she's 8 now and still eats like a sparra!

what i have found is that she wont eat much for a while, then scoffs everything in sight, then she grows about an inch. I've also noticed that she eats more after she has done a massive poo!