Anyone elses 4-5 y/o never want to eat?

oldie+newbie

DS has always been a horrible eater.  It's always been a battle asking him over and over to eat, we've set a timer, acted like we don't care how much he eats..etc...He will literally eat 2 bites at each meal then say he's full. He drinks milk like crazy we have put it up and only offered at meals thinking that was feeling him up but still no change. We quit giving him snacks. He will be 5 in Dec. and weighs at the most 32-33lbs.

lollitots

My 5 1/2 year old is only about 4 lbs. more than your DS. She also is a millk junkie. We limit the milk to two half-cups (she still spills like crazy so I don't pour full cups) a meal. That helped a little. I just ask that she eat a few bites of everything served, and then don't worry about how much she is eating. If she is full and growing then I consider it all good.

veloelle

Page Zenya, she's had food issues and tried a lot of stuff. I've had issues w/ my 5 year old since she was born, but grown out of a lot of them. I'm on my phone and cant write a ton. I think Z will be very helpful.

SalisburyBride

YES!!! I hate meal times! Breakfast is usually pretty good but lunch and dinner will be the death of me. He does the same as your DS, 2-3 bites then starts the "IIIII'mmm dooonnneee." But then asks for a snack an hour later. We started saving whatever is left on his plate and offering that as his snack when he asks for it unless I feel that he has eaten enough then he can have a normal little snack. This has helped him to eat a little more at dinner time. DS#2 will be one in a few days and he eats way more than #1 does so I know it's not just my bad cooking! He finally broke 30lbs over the summer so he's on the small side like your ds.

Zenya

I have had tons of issues with my son's eating but it's food aversions (like he gags and is very afraid of new foods).  Doesn't sound like your DS' issue?

I'd totally cut the milk.  Maybe a cup a day total.  It sounds like he's just not hungry for food b/c he's drinking all his calories? 

JOEBunny

DD is 5.5.  I give her milk only as a snack, usually about 8 oz after dinner.  She is a terrible eater.  I just limit snacks, liquid other than water, and pretty much only give her fruit between meals.  She still seldom eats what I would consider enough calories, but what she does eat is healthy, and that is what matters.  DD weighs 33 pounds.  I also give her iron supplements (in the form of fortified food like oatmeal and some types of nutrition bars), since she does not eat enough meat to get iron.