Where has my brilliant eater gone?

[becca18]

Hi, My son is 21 months and used eat almost anything put in front of him. But for the last few months he has started to refuse to eat all but a very limited selection of food and is now getting bored with those. He covers is eyes even when getting stuff out of the oven. Everyone tells me this is just a stage but it seems to be lasting a long time. If I take him out of the highchair he sits and cries. Should I be firm and stick to it?

[hiann]

Its tough isnt it? I'd stick to it if poss. Can you try giving him his main meal in the middle of the day: ven now sometimes Rhys wont eat dinner at 6pm properly.

Now I'm playing bad mum with him and whereas before I would give him something else even yogurt or rice pud to fill him, now he's 3, I dont! He's old enough to understand that if he wont eat I'll give him something else so now I play hardball. Sometimes but if I bring his meal into the family room and he gets distracted playing I can get him to eat some of his dinner. Not ideal but at least he is getting something!

[cole]

In the same place as my little boy. He is 18 months and use to eat so much of everything now he eats very little. I remember Georgia was a shocking eater. She could live on a pea all day but for the past year (is is now 3yr 7 months) she has been an excellent eater.

I think what I am trying to say is that stick with it, it is probably a phase. Teething maybe.

Hugs hun you are definatly not alone xx

[JulesFM]

I'm at my wit's end too! My 16 month old boy has always been a great eater, until a couple of weeks ago. He'll wolf down his morning weetabix, but just wants snacky things all day, cheese, yogurt, fruit, cheerios...! He'll eat his lunch (sandwiches etc) at the childminder 3 days a week, but come 6pm when mummy serves up dinner - no way! Oh, unless it's pasta of some sort!

My mum thinks I should be tougher and not give him anything if he won't eat his tea... but i'd rather he have a yogurt or cereal than nothing at all. He just cries if i play hardball. i don't know what to do! Even distraction techniques aren't working...

I'm expecting a baby girl in 8 weeks so I can't afford to be pandering to him every evening. any ideas as to tasty finger foods to tempt him with? He can use a spoon & fork really well. But I'm not a great creative cook!

[lottiesmummy]

Im having the same problem ! my daughter used to eat really ok.Then she was poorly (cold, cough and really not herself) then wanted bland food and ths was a few months ago.Now she will only eat bland food now XX

[cathyg]

sounds similar to my lo, used to be a fab eater, in fact couldn't stop him eating, but soon as he turned 18 months, he became fussy & refused meals. i just try to cook him what i know he'll pretty much eat. sadly theres not much veg he will eat now, but i make up for it with fruit puddings, dried fruit snacks etc. i try to play hardball but that doesn't really work, encouragment works better & the promise of a pudding if he eats "3 more spoon fuls", works well as does stickers if he eats it all up. or if he trys something i know he doesn't really like. i know soon enough he'll be eating out of house & home!. x