I have the pickiest eater on earth help!!!!

MissLauraQ · July 2009

I'm a bit upset about this - but Willow doesn't eat hardly anything - just milk milk milk all day long. Dr says she's not getting nutrients. And I agree.

this is not how I raised Alex but I did that by myself and so I did it my way. Willow has grown up on cerels and fruit - and sometimes we caan't get that into her. With Alex by this age he ate a meat and veggie at every meal.

Not Willow - sometimes I beg her to eat SOMETHING, anything. ANd it ends up being goldfish crackers and yogurt.

I was away a while and she's now go some bad habits and they aren't breaking. Last night I placed chicken, peas and tootoes in front of her - she at least ate a bite of each - and that was it.

I just don't know what to feed her, she won't try new things - and she just wants milk all day long (think over 30 ounces)

Michelle: Ann said she thinks Willow is worse than Wayne, if that gives an indication of the severity

babyaustin725 · July 2009

I can't really help, but gosh, I'm sorry this is happening.

Tillman was always a huge milk drinker, too. We started really limiting it, because we figured that was filling him up. He now goes through phases where he'll have a lot of milk, but a gallon lasts us close to 2 weeks now (no one else drinks milk).

I'm sure you've tried it, but if not, maybe offer her more water and less milk and see if she is more hungry and willing to try what you put in front of her. Also, maybe consider giving her some pediasure instead of milk if you continue to struggle so she at least gets some of the other vitamins and nutrients she needs.

How is her weight gain?

blueLu25 · July 2009

I agree with pp about limiting the milk. I think ds would drink a gallon a day if we let him, so he only gets a cup after a meal, and if he is thirsty while he eats, he gets water.

We also were just on a veggie strike, and I found that putting a little ranch dressing on veggies did the trick. Maybe there is something like that she will eat? And since she likes milk and yogurt, have you tried chunks of cheese? Or putting cheese on veggies or milk? Sometimes we just melt some chedder on it, or a sprinkle of parmesean. DS eats a lot of grilled cheese, pasta with different sauces/ stuff in it, etc. Maybe try ravioli? Thats a tough one! GL!

MissLauraQ · July 2009

Her weight is fine - she looks fine

We give her water - she only wants it sometimes - we've even tried Juice and she won't drink it - can you believe she won't drink juice???

WatchPot · July 2009

Does she take vitamins?

I'm in the same boat, my kid eats nothing but pancakes, mac n cheese and yogurt at home, but he's a great eater at day care. I can't figure out why he'll eat for them and not for me. We keep introducing the foods we want him to eat, hoping one day he'll eat it. We cheer and scream and dance when he takes a bite. Sometimes he'll be interested in what we are eating so we can get him to at least try something if it's on our plate.

I know I'm no help but just want to let you know you aren't alone.

babyaustin725 · July 2009

MissLauraQ:

Her weight is fine - she looks fine

We give her water - she only wants it sometimes - we've even tried Juice and she won't drink it - can you believe she won't drink juice???

That's good that she's doing okay weight wise.

Tillman also didn't care for juice until he started preschool. Still, though, if he says he's thirsty and I ask him what he wants, about 85% of the time, he'll say milk.

AshleyKimberlyn · July 2009

You're not alone. We have an appointment with a dietician for Gage.

I was just posting in the mommy check in that he will go days only eating fruit and bottles. I swear he eats his weight in blueberries a day. He hates meat but sometimes we can get deli meat in him. And we've recently got him to eat veggies my steaming them and putting a little butter and Salad Elegance on them. He'll eat a whole thing of green beans and carrots that way! I agree to just give her water during her meals and cut back on all the milk.

Good luck!! Hopefully it's just a phase and she'll start eating soon!

tfarabians · July 2009

Cruz has always been that way too! He would much rather drink milk all day than eat anything. I do give him a gummy vitamin everyday so that I know he at least gets that. I was feeding Cruz mac and cheese 3 times a day for a week or so because that is the only thing he would eat. I try to get at least 1 good meal in him a day. Our toddler class teacher told me that as long as he is happy and thriving he is ok. Malnurished children sit in the corner and are lithargic and aren't active.

I always try food before milk but at some point they are going to eat...you don't see many 5 year olds who drink nothing but milk however I understand your frusteration!

tfarabians · July 2009

MissLauraQ:

Her weight is fine - she looks fine

We give her water - she only wants it sometimes - we've even tried Juice and she won't drink it - can you believe she won't drink juice???

Cruz won't drink juice either or chocolate milk for that matter!

pinktulips · July 2009

It takes several times of putting food infront of a toddler before they will want to eat it. and then, just when you think they have it figured out, they go and change what they like/don't like! Drove me crazy with Luke!

On of the many attempts to get Luke to eat, we ended up using sprinkles for about a month. He would eat anything I gave him if it had sprinkles on it. Don't know why, thought it was a bit gross, but it worked. I know kids who go through a ketchup stage that is similar.

Have you looked at the Deceptively Delicious cookbook? I have it, but haven't made anything in it yet. There are some yummy looking recipes in there though.