DD3 refusing dinners

[SpicyNoodleSoup]

In the last week or so, my DD3 has started refusing all dinners. I ask her what she wants, cook it and then I am met with flat out refusal.
I don't think there is anything wrong because she will happily eat cake and biscuits if I let her.
Is this a normal phase that they go through?

No dinner then no cake and biscuits as she obviously isn't hungry.

Check she isn't ill and then if there is nothing wrong she just isn't hungry.

My DD has a habit of eating loads for a few weeks then hardly eating anything. Those few weeks are associated with a growth spurt.

Also try to cook stuff you can reheat in the microwave later/next day or she can eat cold.

Fairy normal. Just don't let her fill up on sweet stuff instead. Take it away and don't make a fuss.
Offer a simple no frills snack before bedtime so she doesn't wake up hungry.

I have said to her that there is no cake or biscuits and no alternatives to the dinner she has chosen.
I only offer her fruit or veg between meals but sadly DH is a soft touch and will give her treats which drives me mad!
I don't think she is poorly. I was wondering if it is just a power play thing.

It's not a power play.

She simply isn't properly hungry as processed food isn't filling food.

Might daughter has always had phases like this. She can go all weekend and have had 1 meal.

We keep offering food, try to be accommodated and make her foods she is more likely to eat. For our own sanity not making overly elaborate dishes that take time to make. It usually passes with my daughter from a week or two by the time it gets to a month or two we are a bit more fraught. It does help to have paediatric and dietetics input for the reassurance she's not going suffer from it.

The thing is she keeps telling me she has a rumbly tummy and tummy ache because she is refusing the food so I do think she is hungry.
Funnily enough, she has just asked me for her dinner back and is eating it now 🤦🏼‍♀️

Funnily enough, she has just asked me for her dinner back and is eating it now

Well done!

She now knows what hunger feels like. So when she feels like that again she will eat.

My DD is 2.5 and only eats when hungry, if she doesn’t eat her dinner it’s fine, but if she asks for food later she gets her dinner heated up and given back. Your DH needs to get on the same page though.