Toddler food rejection

[Bearbookagainandagain]

Hello,
Would anyone have any tips regarding toddler rejecting food at home?

Our 2yo is home 3 days a week (Fri-Sun) and can get through that long weekend on a diet of yogurt, fruits and toast. Most meals are rejected with "I don't like it" before he has even tried, particularly vegetables or new food. He will sometimes eat the proteins and some of the carbs. We don't give alternatives, and often re-offer the same plate the next day.

We don't really know why he is so difficult at home, when he does try new food at nursery. Also he might enjoy a food one day and reject it the next, there is no "safe" meals anymore which is real pain.

We know it's quite common behaviour but is there anything else we can do apart from waiting for it to get better?

Don't offer the same plate the next day. Eat with him and role model happily trying all the new foods you are offering. Put zero pressure on him, if he tries something don't make a big deal of it, if he rejects it just tell him you're sorry but that's what you're all having for dinner today, but it's fine if he's not hungry. I know it's hard but pressure of any kind is so triggering for some toddlers and they'll dig their heels right in.

Try and get him involved in the preparation/shopping etc to park his interest a little.

*peak 🙄

Hi OP! We're having a little of this too, though DD (20 months) is getting a bit better now. She'll eat most things at nursery, of course!

Are you eating at the same time as him? That's helped us when we can manage it. We also put a range of different food in front of DD at the same time - i.e. no food hierarchies like savoury before sweet etc. Stuff we know she likes, as well as stuff we want her to try. Dipping things in a sauce can be fun/novelty for them, so you could try that. We got one of those plates with a little well in the middle for sauces/houmous.

DD has a high chair, and will sometimes choose to eat in that, but she usually prefers eating at her learning tower table. We let her choose where, and which bib she wants. We also keep the food out for longer than we used to, and sometimes she'll wander off and come back to it. We don't offer alternatives to what we've already put out either. We try not to make a big deal of what she does or doesn't eat, full stop (in front of her!). If she's hungry, she'll ask for food, but if not, she won't starve if she doesn't finish lunch.

I know the waste is criminal but like others have said, I wouldn't offer the same plate again the next day. Good luck!

Ride it out. My 2 year old did this and then suddenly a few weeks ago it literally changed overnight and he started eating all his meals.