fussy eater 18mths old

[cateliza]

Im in despair! My 18mth old wont eat much, throws any food I make on the floor. Ive tried all things from baby jars to home made food to convience food....does anyone have any ideas? Should I offer other things if he doesn't like what I give him? Should I just let him go hungry until the next meal?

You have my sympathies.

How about giving more finger food meals, sandwiches, slices of fruit and cooked veges. At least they are easier to prepare than cooked meals like shepherds pie etc and less frustraing when they are thrown on the floor. Back off and don't 'hover' over them while they are eating. Give no attention for poor eating or throwing food on the floor. Keep half an eye but concentrate on something else.

I think fussy eaters can play up to the negative attention if you let them.

I'd still offer mid-meal snacks but only small and healthy. Don't let them fill up on water/squash/fruit juices before meal times.

Tell me about it!! Feeding my LO is a constant battle! If he refuses his regular food, I usually offer him substitute finger food.

Cheese sticks, toast and dip, fruit slices, boiled egg, omlette, noodles, macaroni, boiled veggies are all his favs. So basically I just give him what he likes and like the earlier poster said it saves the heartache too

I offer my ds what we are having, if he doesn't eat his meal he doesn't have anything. I try not to make a fuss, or insist that he eats so he's not getting attention for not eating. Then I offer him a healthy snack an hour or so later. I usually find if he does this then he eats all of his next meal!! If there're things which I now know he will never eat I don't give them to him for a few months, then re-introduce. Toddlers won't starve themselves, if they're hungry they will eat. Also I've found if someone (MIL) offers him say a bisuit quite close to meal time, he refuses to eat any of the meal!

However, if he's poorly I let him eat whatever he will eat.