2 year old is refusing to eat

[Katsimp2022]

Hi everyone I’m sure this is normal,

my 2 year old has never been a big eater but he is seriously refusing to eat, he likes crackers and butter that’s it obviously he loves naughty things like quavers and digestive biscuits and custard but we really limit them but he is refusing all different types of meals homemade meals , pre-made I give him so many choices in a week even in nursery he isn’t eating well

he still has a bottle at nighttime

does anyone of have any suggestions

thanks

How long has he been like this for? If it’s just been short term a few days etc I’d probably just keep offering and wait it out. Just the usual suggestions like involving him in choices, meal making get him involved, eat together so he can watch & copy etc x

How long has he be doing this and is he within the NHS weight guidelines for his age?

I would:
Stop buying things you don't want him to eat
Provide three healthy, child friendly meals a day and sit down and eat with him.
Serve a buttered cracker with/on the side of his meal
Don't make any comment about what he's eating or try to persuade him to eat.

This is great advice. Labelling food as ‘naughty’ is not good though. It’s completely normal for toddlers to be like this. Unless there’s a weight or health concern i wouldnt worry. Just keep offering 3 meals and 2 snack; ideally include a ‘safe’ food each time. Eat together. No pressure or even acknowledgement about what she does or doesnt eat.

I’d go with offering a selection of things too, and I think offering custard/yoghurt/fruit as a dessert sometimes reinforces these foods as treats/rewards. There’s nothing wrong with crackers or custard in moderation so offer them at the same time as other items.
Sit down and eat with him whenever you can, and eat the same things so he can see you eating healthily

It's worth reading up on the division of responsibility in feeding. It's very liberating.

Thanks everyone no it’s been about week or so one day he eats really well and then another refuses, I’ll try and sit down with him and eat I agree to stop offering him what I call naughty food it just I don’t want him to go hungry so I’d much rather he eats “naughty” food than nothing xxx I’ll keep trying xxx

But that’s fine jf he has some days where he eats more? Dont focus on each day; look at what he eats over a week or two.

If the crisps etc arent there he can't eat them. I would sit down at meal times with your child, have your food. Don't make a fuss. Let him eat what he wants. If he doesn"t eat during meal time cover it up and put it on the side. Let them know it is available when they're hungry.

Sometimes they just dont feel hungry, sometimes they know they will get a alternative food if they wont eat. It's hard, but don't make a deal out of it, they will eat when they're ready.

He has learned that if he doesn't eat he can have Quavers or whatever. And they are designed to be very appealing so of course he would rather have them. Every meal and snack time offer a range of healthy foods on one plate at the same time and leave him to decide what and how much of if he eats. He will soon eat if he is hungry. If you don't get on top if it it will only get worse.

I do feel for you OP, it can be worrying when they don’t eat as much as you hope.

I think you need to start trusting him a bit more though. DC of this age are really good at self regulating how many calories they consume.

They can also appear to eat very little some days and lots on others. It’s all very normal.

I’d recommend not offering any alternatives for a week and not encouraging him to eat. This should stop you focusing on one particular meal as you’ll see what he's eaten over the week. It will also help him realise that if he doesn’t eat, his favourites aren’t going to magically appear.

Also agree with putting a little of something you know he will eat alongside a meal. So for instance if you’re offering cottage pie and broccoli tomorrow night you could put a small buttered cracker on a separate plate. That way it’s his choice what he eats but at least he should eat something

If you’re worried about his weight, height or energy levels perhaps you could take him to a weigh in Clinic?

My nearly 2 year old goes through spells like this too OP. She just asks for cake and is particularly fussy when she’s ill or feeling under the weather though.

All you can do is keep trying. Keep offering them healthy alternative. We usually say eat some of your dinner and then you can have desert after (usually Greek yogurt with fruit)

I have also found when I offer her food from my plate she’s more likely to eat it (even though it’s exactly the same thing as on hers!).

Thank you tbh we offer him food from our plate almost
every day and he rearly takes it so tonight we are going to
all sit down to eat dinner and see if that makes a difference no not worried about his weight he is a small child so he’s in proportion regarding weight/height just wished he ain’t healthy (better choices) either when I offer it to him he just didn’t take to it just frustrating more then anything

Watch this video to help with toddlers refusing food.

How are things now @Katsimp2022?