Ds1 27 months only snacks won't eat a proper meal.

[Racheyg]

I need some help/advice ds1 is 27 months and was a good eater, easy to wean and would eat anything. For the past year he has stopped eating meat and chicken. He has now even started to turn his nose up at veg (which he used to love) if I let him he would live off fruit and cereal. I'm at a loss on how to keep him healthy.

He is always so distracted and would rather play than sit and eat. As he goes to bed at 19.00 it's difficult for us to eat together as oh doesn't get in till 6ish.

Anyone got ideas or meals that I could try ds1 on?

I think the snacking vs meals thing isn't always that straightforward tbh. I've got 4yo ds and 18mo dd and they both regularly refuse their actual meals (or eat little) but just cannot wait until the next meal without completely melting down. Annoyingly, they'll often eat anything offered by other people! But ds has always had a mouse appetite so we've been of the mindset, at least he's eating. Dd has just started majorly protesting when it's teatime and she wants to carry on playing, but we endure the 5min tantrum (in her highchair) then carry on. We all eat together generally at 5ish and bedtime is 6.30pm for both.

Beans on toast isn't a bad meal you know! Try noting down what he eats over a week and you'll probably see it's fine and covers all food groups. I remember ds in particular would clearly eat from specific food groups at points: so he'd gorge on protein one day and carbs the next. They know what they need and as long as you're offering healthy food, I don't think it matters whether that's little and often or sit down meals (within reason).

I don't see an issue with Grazing/snacking. My DS is a bit younger (16mo) but often will refuse 1 or more meals a day. In these situations I make up a little grazing tray with various healthy-ish bits and bobs that he can pick at when he feels like it. Or if the meal works I just leave that out on a low table for him to come back to when he wants to. I'm often surprised at what he ends up eating. 3 meals a day at set times is a strange concept when you think about it. Why not just eat as and when hunger calls? Would certainly help people regulate their appetites a bit better in some cases.

We also don't force sitting at the table I a high chair to eat (obvs doesn't work with the grazing concept anyway). Myself and DH always sit at the table for meals but if DS wants to get down part way through then fine. Sitting still for a whole meal must feel like a super long time for a toddler especially if you're not particularly hungry and the time your parents decided you should be. In laws frown heavily on this but I don't care. Plenty of time for him to learn about table ettiquette.

When my SIL looks after 2yo DD (older though, she's 35 months) she snacks all day - on healthy things (crudités, cheese batons, hummus and pitta, things of that sort) but they're available all the time. When it comes to us feeding her dinner, she is so uninterested it would be funny if it weren't so frustrating.

When I have her over the weekend, she doesn't get snacks - mainly because I don't snack. She gets breakfast, lunch and dinner. If she asks for something in between meals, as long as it's over an hour before the next meal, she's offered fruit or similar (but she does only ask rarely). And she eats much, much better. That's how noticeable the difference can be. I'd definitely give not snacking a go. Also, make sure that you're eating at the table each time so there are fewer distractions (tv, toys, pets, general 'getting off the sofa and having a wander').

Good luck :)

misty apparently when with grandparents (both sets) he eats everything they give him and he snacks way more - it so confuses me. Hence the post. Thats for making me feel Im not the only one.

Watch I started to give ds1 snacks as family members did it and I thought I was the done thing. Im starting to think he would rather have little and often.

Odog Ds1 often leaves his lunch has his nap then eats it as an when he his hungry, so he is a little grazer.

I dont let him snack on unhealthy food ( the odd treat if good thou) he loves fruit (i know lots of sugar) but not a fan of veg (anymore)

since I posted I have stopped ds1 from snacking and he still didnt eat his dinner yesterday or today, he must hate my cooking :( but he did have beans on toast for lunch as he had active morning (goes to little kickers) so maybe thats enough to fill him up.

watch sorry for got to add he has a small glass of milk in the morning, about 2-3 oz. but drinks water throughout the day. ( or a very small amount of squash)

rachey that sounds fine to me. If it's not majorly affecting your lifestyle of just let him graze. Plus toddlers tastebuds are more sensitive to bitter tastes so many genuinely don't like veg. Mine doesn't really neither do I much . Try to have a read of toddlercalm by Sarah ockwell smith. She's not for everyone and I find can be a bit dramatic about 'damaging' your toddler but I found her section on toddler eating habits really interesting and helpful.

I would chuck out all the snacks and encourage him to eat proper meals. Particularly avoid giving snacks in the run up to meals.

Alternatively if he will only graze, let him graze on his main meals rather then snacks

Kids will often only eat a couple of meals a day rather then three meals. You really mustn't get stressed as it's normal. I'm sure he's on the percentile charts and not starving

You have had lots of good advice already but I must add - don't panic over this. If the child eats healthily and they eat enough, then there's nothing to worry about. There are so many things to worry about getting perfect, but good enough is good enough!

Gosh some rude comments on here

Rachey it sounds very normal to me ..There is nothing unusual about eating little and often..why not if it's healthy?

And I also offer something else ocassipnally if the toddler won't eat...its normal as a mother to want them to eat!

Thanks all,
If it continues I guess he just isn't a "meal" child and would rather eat little and often.

I'm doing a roast today which he normally wolfs down (well the veg anyway) so fingers crossed.

His dad was extremely fussy eater as a child up until he was a teenager maybe he is just like his father :)

Hope you all have a great Sunday x