picky eaters

identicaltwins2be · February 2011

At what age do you no longer allow your child to be a picky eater? Last night I made spaghetti for the boys. They have eaten it before and seemed to like it but last night it didn't go well. We are still introducing foods to them and sometimes a food can be a hit one time and the next time they have it they hate it. I'm not sure why. Anyway, they just turned 12 months so I think it's too early that they eat what is in front of them or don't eat at all but at what age do you implement that? I'm just trying to prepare myself Big Smile

buckeyethor · February 2011

If she doesn't eat her dinner, we will give her a more filling bedtime snack such as cheese or yogurt instead of fruit or crackers. She is almost 2 now but she is only 25 lbs so we are not ready yet to let her go hungry until the morning.

Superchicy · February 2011

I haven't set any restrictions on DD yet. She is super picky, and her tastes seem to change, especially from 12 mo. till now, which our pedi said is totally normal at this age. If she doesn't eat something I try to find something else she will eat, or like pp said give her snacks like cheese or something that is nutritious and filling. We still struggle with getting her to eat, and we tend to feed the same 8 or so foods day to day, and introduce one new thing several times over the course of the week to see if she'll eat it (this week it's broccoli which has been a hit so far).

Once she understands more about consequences, I'll be more strict about eating and once she's down she's done, but for now I am more concerned about making mealtime fun and something she enjoys. That was also the advice of our pedi, don't make them dread mealtime, make it fun, and if all she eats are chicken nuggets and hot dogs just find the healthiest options you can and go with it until she branches out.

sistrkate · February 2011

I'll be honest, Justin is 3.5 years old and we just started this with him a couple of months ago. I have read, and been told, that pickiness like you're describing is absolutely normal for toddlers for the first few years. I wasn't comfortable with the "not eating at all" consequence until just recently. I can't see doing it with a child before they are 3, and even then I think it depends on the kid.

KristenBtobe · February 2011

I don't want mealtime to become a battleground or to foster negative feelings about eating and food with my children. We will wait until after Maggie turns 3 and can understand consequences more before we do a "you're going to bed hungry!" thing. And even then, I don't know that I would. They are learning to exercise their will and being picky is often a way they do that.