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Small appetite in toddler....does this ever change?

5 replies

Basketballerr · 24/06/2020 12:52

My 14 month old DD has always had a small appetite, ive given up comparing her to all these kids i see on instagram inhaling plates of food as it was just stressing me out!
She struggles with lunch mostly and eats a few bites of things. But only has small portions for breakfast and lunch. I only give 1 snack between lunch and dinner (as she normally has lunch around 11.30 before a nap so its a long time before dinner) of either fruit/cheese/baby crisps etc. She virtually has no chocolate/biscuits/cake/sweets. At special occasions e.g easter for eggs and birthday for cakes she either rejects it or has a nibble and doesnt want it.
I very much struggle with my weight/food and have done my whole life so i dont want her to be the same which is why i have done my best to only give her healthy foods and restrict treats.
She also refuses any cows milk to drink (she still breasfeeds) so i try to give calcium in other ways with each meal but with how little she eats its hard to try to give her all the food groups she needs!
Anyway my point is, does anybody have/had a similar toddler? Will she be like this forever or is there some hope down the line she will get better, i can imagine her being the type of child who comes home everyday with their packed lunch untouched or only a couple of bites out of it.

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peachgreen · 24/06/2020 13:08

If she's only 14 months and still breastfeeding then it's not surprising she has a small appetite really - just keep giving her lots of different types of foods and letting her experiment. Don't worry about her intake at the moment - it's vanishingly rare for a baby or toddler to not get enough calories. If she's active and alert, and not losing centiles weight-wise, then she's fine - don't worry!

You could start giving her a baby vitamin if you're worried.

SandieCheeks · 24/06/2020 13:12

www.cwt.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/CHEW-1-4YearsPracticalGuide3rd-Edition.pdf
This is really useful for portion sizes and food ideas for toddlers.

Portion sizes are small - half a pitta bread or half a jacket potato is a portion for children up to 4, so a 1 year old would likely be even smaller.
Is she breastfeeding a lot? Milk is filling so if she is having lots then she won't be so hungry for food.

Basketballerr · 24/06/2020 15:07

She is breastfeeding alot since lockdown and I'm home with her 24/7 before that I'd gone back to work so it was alot less but still wasnt affecting her appetite and I make sure I don't feed her a good 1-2 hours before a mealtime. But she may be filling up enough to not be as hungry for food. Trying to wean her off not having as much is like trying to bath a cat 🤣
Thank you @SandieCheeks for that link it is very useful

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jomaIone · 24/06/2020 15:16

My daughter is 2 and still has a small appetite. You just get used to it! She will eat loads at breakfast time, and then have one bite each of a corner of cheese on toast at lunchtime, and maybe some tomatoes. I Bf Her until she was 16 months and it definitely improved after that. They can't starve themselves, I'm sure she'll be fine.

Glowcat · 24/06/2020 15:17

Yes, it can change.

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