dd 16mths would eat most things now wont even consider them, is this normal??

[becksmummy]

Hi, not sure if this should be in the weaning section (are they still weaning at 16 mths?) but hope someone knows the answer!

dd has always been a good eater and would try eating most things that I gave her some she loved some not too sure but would always have a few bites to try it, now it has completely changed and she will only eat the few things that seem to be her favourites (pasta, bread, cheese and fruit) and everything else goes on the floor without going anywhere near her mouth! Even things she has previously eaten well!

is this just a phase? How can I get her back to trying/eating a wider range of things?

Pretty normal, I'm afraid (the vague theory is that as they get more mobile and more able to (hypothetically, in evolutionary history) wander off into the forest and find interesting berries and things) they also get more fussy about what they eat.

DS would eat almost anything as a baby, then cut right back. He's expanded his range out again now but is fantastically inconsistent -- he'll eat something one day but insist that he doesn't like it another day . I think being at nursery helps as he'll eat stuff there (when surrounded by other children all happily eating it) that I know he'd probably reject at home (on the other hand, I think that's where he picked up his plaintive lament of "It's got vegetables in it..." so it's probably swings and roundabouts).

Just keep offering foods and she'll probably pick up over time. When she gets older you can also talk her into trying small bites of things (DS will do that now, although some of his trial bites are microscopically small). Are you sitting down together for meals? That can help too, if she sees you eating the same thing.

I think this is pretty common in toddlers, DD went through a stage at around that age where all she seemed to eat was toast. At least with your DDs favourites, she is getting a pretty good balanced diet. I think advice is to keep offering other things - although I know I found this really frustrating, cooking up something only to throw it away time and time again. DD gradually got more adventurous again, she can still be a bit fussy. Mornings I stuck with what she would eat (toast or porridge), as I didn't have time to mess about. She always seemed to eat what was on offer at nursery (peer pressure? ). Evenings I tried with something cooked, but had pasta pesto, toast, cheese etc as a back up, so I knew that she would eat something.
DD is now 2.4 and her diet has broadened out again, but still fussy. I think it is all part of being a toddler and exercising their will.

I had the same with my DD at about the same age, it broke my heart when she turned against the gorgeous home-made spag bol and other things I lovingly used to make her from nice fresh ingredients!
They do seem to go through phases of liking/disliking various foods after the initial period when they will have a go at most things. Now's she's more used to it and beginning to assert herself it's not really surprising she's wanting a say in the matter.

I notice most of what you say she likes is things she can pick up and eat, maybe that's significant and she likes the control and ease of finger-foods rather than spooned food. Pasta, bread, cheese and fruit isn't a bad diet and you can try to expand it by offering things that are similar but not her usual brands/types, without getting upset if she refuses. I do think it's best at any feeding age to make no fuss over mealtimes - just offer it and encourage her to try it, but remove it with no fuss if she digs her little heels in as then you get into a battle of wills which becomes somethng more than the initial issue.

Also try to eat with her so she might be tempted to try something from your plate, this often works as they don't want to feel they're missing out!

Anyway it IS normal and she will change all the time, so keep offering plates of small cut up items in different colours - good luck!

Thanks everyone, looks like it is a normal phase!

and I think as you say she has learnt that she can now say 'no' and refuse something (which she does to a lot of things not just food at the moment!)

She does have mainly finger food anyway as she doesnt like being spoon fed and if there has to be a spoon (yoghurt) she has to try and do it herself, I do eat at lunchtime with her but not at teatime as I eat after she is in bed so might try just having a small portion of what she has and see if that helps?

Will keep offering and fingers crossed it will pick up again

Hi Becksmummy, I was just wondering if you'd got anywhere persuading her to eat ??

My DD 15 months, is currently refusing to eat everything she previously used to wolf down ! Tried her with her normal weetabix this morning, she had 3 spoonfuls and 2 she gave herself then refused any more. For lunch, I made omelette (I had it too) and she ate only the mushrooms out of it. Last night I gave her her tea (mashed potato, cheese, asparagus, and steak) then walked into the lounge with my tea (exactly the same but with corn on the cob instead of cheese) and the went ballistic. Refused point blank to eat any of hers until my DH gave her one of his corn on the cobs. Couldn't believe she wanted it so much !!

My sympathies are with you ! Just wanted to let you know you're not on your own with a little one exerting their authority ! The way I see it is that as long as she's having plenty of fluid and milk still and having bits of what I give, it can only get better !!! (I've been giving her formula as her bedtime drink so she's still getting all the nutrients etc).

Good luck !

Hi sohappyicouldcry, its good to know someone is going through the same thing!!

I have decided much like yourself that I will still give her the meals and just let her eat the amount she wants, I dont think she will go hungry as she previously liked food so much! She still drinks her water and milk so is having plenty of fluids.

I have found that she seems to also want out of her highchair as soon as she is in it and wondering if thats another reason why she isnt eating much so she can then get out quicker?

hope the phase doesnt last too long as I hate throwing away food that she would have previously eaten (but our dog is at least enjoying this phase as she gets most of it!)

Also meant to add, I have had similar experience of your 'corn on the cob' incident, if I have something different to dd she knows straight away and wants what I have got instead of her own! (or will even want what I have if its the same as hers it must just look more interesting on my plate!)