My daughter (age 2 years 9 months) is becoming increasingly difficult at mealtimes, sometimes refusing to eat anything at all.
Ever since she was born I have made a point of having good, home cooked food, and eating together as a family. But she often refuses what I have cooked so I have started offering baked beans as an alternative.
My husband thinks falling back on baked beans (sounds messy, doesn't it!) will make things more difficult long term and I agree, so we are now thinking of embarking on an "It's that or nothing" approach, with no alternatives and certainly no pudding unless she eats some of her main course.
Has anyone done this, and did it work? I'm worried that she might lose weight and she is already skinny, having been small at birth (5 lb 13 oz). She is bright, energetic, settled, sociable and obedient in all other respects.
We are expecting a new baby in 6 months and don't want to be cooking separate meals. We would not a) force her to eat anything, bribe, cajole or punish her b) offer anything that we know she doesn't like c) expect her to clear her plate, only to eat a reasonable amount (whatever that is). We would be more understanding if she was ill, but usually she isn't.
I think she is learning to manipulate and her "likes" and "dislikes" seem to change, so I can't be 100% sure if she doesn't like something! For example, she will often eat bananas for me, but not for her childminder.
We certainly wouldn't ban baked beans, because they are nutritious, but it's the principle that counts - a hungry child should eat what they are given, within reason.
Sorry it's so long. Any advice welcome!