Meal times..

[Feelingit2018]

Is anyone else struggling with meal times with LO.. My DD is 2. She used to be a fantastic eater now she hates everything. I'm at my wits end. Obviously she'll eat fish fingers, chips etc but I don't want the oven to become my best friend. HV came for two year check last week and DD is doing exceptionally well, I also am extremely meticulous with teeth brushing and her teeth if I say so myself are so beautiful and white.. HV said to worry too much as her diet will change continuously and as long as she's eating. She said to aim for at least 3 fruit and veg a day but to not kill myself if there's a day she hasnt. Interested to hear others experiences of toddlers who have suddenly become fussy.. Needless to say its FF for tea tonight.. Anything home made from scratch gets spit out or thrown onto the floor.

I think all kids go through these phases.

One of the best things I was told is that a toddler won't starve themselves. If they are hungry they will eat what is placed before them.

I tend to do the same breakfast everyday which I know they will eat.

At lunch time they have fruit for pudding that is the only option. We might have beans on toast etc for lunch as I know they will eat it.

Tea is a family meal and they get what they are given. If they don't eat it, fine, it goes away and there are no alternatives. Sometimes they cry, but hey ho, that's life. Limit meal times to 20 mins (unless they are eating well)

If they eat their meal, they get a clean plate club cheer and can have some pudding. This is a fruit compote that they both love.

They are still fussy and we have some tantrums now and then, but I hold firm to the no alternatives.

My 3.5 year old is doing really well. My 18 month old is still learning

I agree with the no alternatives definitely. I'm just giving her what I know she'll eat at the moment which is more oven food than I'd like to.. I love cooking and loved making bolognese and shepherd's pie etc but just gets spat out now. We made a big of progress this week she had salmon, mash and peas. She starts back at nursery full time next week and i hope she starts to eat better. She was a fantastic eater at nursery x

My kids are good at eating most things (with the obligatory moan regarding anything remotely vegetably) but my goodness, they are soooooo sloooooooow! A 'good' dinner is 45 minutes. If I only gave them 20 minutes they'd have barely eaten anything, and certainly no vegetables!