Fussy?Weak Eater

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Posted by: Algetha | 2012/05/21

Q. Fussy?Weak Eater

Good morning Ladies

I have a 3yr old son who has never been a big eater but lately its a concern to me. When he was younger I literally forced him to eat something, now that his a bit older I have to bribe him to eat. His diet mainly consists of oaties,fish fingers chicken pops and 2minute noodles. He refuse to eat vegetables, except an odd potatoe now and then. His at creche during the day and the teachers say they dont have a problem with his eating habits. Its at night and over weekends that it becomes a major problem. What can I do or what do you suggest I give him to boost his appetite. Many thanks

Regards

user comments

Posted by: AJ | 2012/05/22

Hi, my daughter is 6 and eats very little, I have changed her chocolate milk to Ensure just to give myself peace of mind..

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Posted by: Nadine | 2012/05/22

My daughter is 3 and has also always been a terrible eater. A few months ago her weight dropped to 10.5kg and the doctor was also concerned. He did bloods to test for Anemia and for food allergies etc and everything came back negative (thank goodness!). what she was doing was eating a hand full of nik naks and then not eating and lunch or supper and then the next day she would eat a few nik naks again. Now, with the recommendation of the doctor I have cut out ALL " junk" snacks (chips popcorn juice sweets etc) and she is only allowed a banana or joghurt between meals. Then at meal time she gets what we all get and if she eats or not is her decision. He says that if she isnt full up on junk sje will eventually feel hunger and eat proper food that will put weight on her! Its tough! But I have seen a slight improvement!

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Posted by: Ally | 2012/05/22

My 3yr old is the same. I now keep snacks for him on the bottom shelf of the fridge like small tomatoes, cheese blocks, yoghurt and fruit juice. I also someitmes make him a one-egg omelette and cut it into shapes with a cookie cutter.

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Posted by: didi | 2012/05/21

My daughter is now 8 and was just the same when younger. i would find ways to entertain her to get some food down. Even after she started school, we still had to feed her. Her dad would sit with ehr every morn & feed her cereal. And we had all sorts of cereals. I would take her grocery shopping and ask her to pick things she would like to eat.

Meal times were a nightmare. I would prepare a few different things for her. Now we have no problems with meal times. What a change from the little one that refused to eat.

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Posted by: Sherry | 2012/05/21

I know you are concerned. But I have learnt, is that children will never starve themselves. They will eat when they are hungry. My LG who is now 5 years old, still eats like a bird, she only pecks at her food. However, when there is food that she likes she''ll polish her plate.

I''ve always been a believer that my child will not be spoilt and will eat the same food as we do. I''ve never cooked her special food. She had to learn what certain foods taste like. And I''ve let her discover it herself. We are all different and have our own likes and dislikes.

If your son eats during the day at creche, then that''s great. Alot of children will eat what other children eat (as long as they see it for themselves).

You are doing a great job, if he is at a healthy weight and has his vitamins then I''m sure he will be fine.

Good luck!

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Posted by: Annie | 2012/05/21

My little girl is 22 months. Also a bad eater.
But she eats a creche. I have seen this on a security tape - amazing!
So when she is at home I dont bother to much about eating. I give her food, if she eats it great, if she dont just to bad, but she has to sit down with us at least for a while.
Some evenings she sits crying and don''t eat one bite. Then suddenly she will eat one night. I dont make a fuss either way. If she asks for more, I give her more (after her plate is finished)

On weekends its the same, but I would try to offer her something she likes at least once a day. And I give her vitamins.

Does it makes me a bad mom? Perhaps. But I never force her to eat.
Normally she would eat meat. Chicken and bacon are her favourite. But last week one night I made greenbeans, I did not even offer her some as she never eats this. So she took some from my plate and nearly finished it all.

I believe their bodies will tell them when they need some food group. And she eats healthy at creche.

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