18 month old suddenly fussy at mealtimes?

[SapphireSunday]

DD has always been happy to eat a wide variety of food and would usually put away an impressive amount.

But over the last few weeks this has changed and most meals she will eat a tiny bit (mostly whatever carb is there), and simply refuse or throw the rest on the floor. She will then ask for a yoghurt. This is good I know she likes as she’s always eaten it before.

My mum is very keen that I don’t ‘give in’ and not give her a yoghurt until she has finished her dinner, but she literally clamps her mouth shut and I can’t exactly force her. My close friend has told me to just let her have what she chooses otherwise food will become a ‘battleground’ but neither approach feels quite right to me.

Has anyone else had a fussy phase that could offer some helpful advice please? At the moment she seems to be just having her breakfast and then lots of fruit but hardly any dinner or lunch!

Can she understand bargaining? "You can have a yogurt if you have two bites of lunch first"

Works with getting my 18 mo to drink (usually)

This phase can last about 15 years, so it's good to let them know early on that they have to eat proper food and not just dessert

Does she always get a yogurt?

Solid Starts on Instagram or their website are great resources for sudden picky eating or toddler food refusal.

Oh and make "good" food available. The other day my son wasn't interested in his snack. He sat at the table not eating it for 10 min then i set him down, but left the snack where he could see and reach it. He played, and an hour later the snack was gone.

Try to avoid forcing/bribing as it creates an unhealthy relationship with food and the illusion of good/bad foods. I'd keep giving variety and let them eat why they want, also if feasible could leave it out as they will often go back later when stomach has settled a bit. Also healthy snacks in between meals if not eating much.

I’m a fan of Ellyn Satter’s division of responsibility when it comes to mealtimes. Your responsibility is to decide what the meals will be and and when they will be served. Your daughter’s responsibility is to decide what she eats of the options and how much to eat. No bribing, cajoling, aeroplanes, threat of pudding removal, ‘two more bites’, ‘daddy this broccoli is so yummy, DD is missing out’ or pressure for her to eat more than she wants to.

Make sure there’s food she’ll eat, either serve family style or plate up tiny portions (she can always have more if she wants) to avoid overwhelming her. If you’re happy for her to have a yogurt, then serve it alongside the main meal rather than its own course, so it’s not a reward or otherwise for eating anything else. It’s just another part of her meal.