Anyone elses LO not like trying new food?

lriel526 · October 2011

My DD is 14 months old and getting her to try a variety of food has been somewhat of a nightmare. Overall, she likes food from the different food groups, but won't really try anything new. I don't worry about her breakfast because she eats that without any problems (bagels, pancakes, waffles, oatmeal w/ fruit, etc.) However, if I try to add some butter to her bagel, or syrup to her pancakes/waffles, she spits it out and refuses to eat anymore.

She has lunch at daycare and will eat well if they have chicken nuggets, hotdogs, fish sticks. Anything else, she will not eat. I get so discouraged when I pick her up at the end of the day and I see the word "No" next to everything they tried to give her. She will not eat any type of sandwich, spaghetti, lasagna, etc.

Dinner is tricky because when I get her home, she is hungry, which doesn't give me much time to cook. Therefore I feel like I resort to the food I know she likes and can be heated up quickly. That usually consists of either chicken nuggets, fish sticks, hot dogs, or mac and cheese. She will eat veggies and then either apple sauce or yogurt. If I cook regular chicken, she MIGHT attempt to put it in her mouth but then will spit it out and throw it on the floor. If she sees something new on her plate, she tries to hide from it by covering her face or again, throw it on the floor. I certainly don't want to be a short order cook and lots of people say she will eat it if she is hungry, but I feel like my daughter is too stubborn. I have attempted to give her food and if she doesn't eat it, I take her out of her highchair and dinner is over. She is then super cranky and won't stop crying because she is hungry. When I give her one of her foods I know she likes, she devours it!

Any advice on how to get my LO to try to new foods? I know that eating chicken nuggets, fish sticks, or hot dogs all the time is not healthy but I feel like it is better than no food. Is this just a phase? Please tell me she will become more adventurous when it comes to her food, the older she gets...

KingRay09 · October 2011

I don't have any advice. Just wanted to say I am in the same boat as you, except it sounds like your lo may eat more than my dd. Some days I have to give dd the plum organics pouch food just so she will get some food in her. I really hope this is just a phase.

Doylesa · October 2011

My DS was kind of like that for a long time. He was a great eater and would eat just about anything until about 14 months. Then he would barely eat and has pretty much just gone through stages of wanting to eat and not. I've talked to the pedi about it numerous time because it was totally stressing me out and everytime he just said that kids will be kids. Just let it go but still offer him healthy options, but if they don't eat it, then they don't eat it.

MrsMommyQ · October 2011

DD is very similar. She has about 10 foods she loves and that's it. And, like the PP, if she hasn't seen one of her favorites in a while, she forgets that she likes it and I have to force her to taste it to reminder her that she does, in fact, like it.

For now I'm just going with the flow. She eats a ton of fruits and veggies, so that is my saving grace. Between them and a multi-vitamin and milk, I think she's fine.

One thing I noticed is that if I give her the food that she loves AND some of what we're eating -- just put it all on the tray together -- if I walk away for a second she'll usually try it. She doesn't always like it. But last week she ate a bunch of kidney beans for the first time, and now she's also added zucchini to her list of veggies she loves. 2 new foods in 1 week is huge for us.

So while I don't have much advice, I say just feed them what they like for now and keep offering the new foods. They'll get there eventually.

ladykibman · October 2011

MrsMommyQ:
One thing I noticed is that if I give her the food that she loves AND some of what we're eating -- just put it all on the tray together -- if I walk away for a second she'll usually try it. She doesn't always like it.

This is good advice. I am in the same boat and I am super frustrated. Coming home after a long day of work, I have in my mind this grand plan of dinner for her (of course, in that daydream, she eats every bite of my scrumptious homemade pasta) and she throws it all against the wall or on the floor or in her hair and will only eat edamame. It is hard not to worry that I have a picky eater on my hands, but it is great reassurance that, as PP said, "kids will be kids" and there is nothing "wrong" with her. I think I will try new foods on her tray and walk away, cause sometimes I think DD throws it cause she is trying to make me laugh or something (quite the goofball!). I will keep at it! Thanks for the post - it is nice to know I am not alone!

wonkatalia · October 2011

Wow, your DD is eating WAY more than mine! I'm still giving mine purees regularly just to get her to eat SOMETHING besides cheerios and fruit!

She was eating just about any veggie I put in front of her, but now she just mashes them or puts them in her hair...not her mouth.

She refuses to eat bread or meat, too. I have always been a super picky eater, so I'm very worried that she's getting my eating habits. Sad

Want a personalized experience?

Anyone elses LO not like trying new food?

Re: Anyone elses LO not like trying new food?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards