21 month old refusing main meal but eating fruit

[ESussex]

Hi, I'm a nanny and currently look after a little boy who is 21 months. He is teething a bit at the moment, and is slightly irritable and whingy. However this week he has started refusing his main meal (breakfast, lunch and tea), but will eat fruit that I offer after, and snacks in between (fruit, cheesy biscuits, rice cakes and yogs etc). He is usually a good eater, and I know they go through phases so have tried not to get too obviously anxious at meal times and be casual. I also make sure he gets a taste of whatever it is off the spoon in the hope he realises he likes it.

Do I just keep going like this? In the hope he'll start eating again? How much fruit/things he will eat should I offer and when? Any advice would be appreciated.

Tia x

How much and what type of milk does he have? How is his teething pain being managed?

When you say you give him a taste off the spoon - is he being spoon fed? Does he want to feed himself?

He has a cup of cows milk in the am, and a cup at night. He will take more at night if he hasn't eaten much/anything at tea.

He has been given nurofen if particularly bad (three times this week) and also we use homeopathic remedies (hit and miss if they work).

He usually feeds himself, and then I help once he's getting towards the end/bored. He isn't that keen on finger food meals ie sandwiches, dippy eggs (typical man prefers a proper meal).

Maybe try bongela or similar to numb the guns a few minutes before meal time?
Could he have a sore throat? My DS (14mo) has had a tickly cough and I think a sore throat, he's only wanted cold food like fruit, yoghurts for a few days but back to normal now

Was just going to suggest a teething gel too. We used dentinox. Have you tried him with a ice lolly?

Good idea, will try that, and more cold things. Although not totally convinced its the teething all the time, just stubbornness. And am worried he will soon know he can reject the meal and get what he prefers. How much/what and when should I offer things? And when should I not?

PI wouldn't substitute everytime, only if you think he is really in pain or tired. How often do you normally offer food?