Hun, I hate to tell you this, but your DD's eating habits may go to pot for another 18 months or so. And it's nothing you're doing - promise, so please stop beating yourself up. I'm no expert, but my DS1 is a shocker when it comes to eating.
I've talked to many other mums of older toddlers, and it seems many of them have kids who go through a picky/fussy eating phase. Unfortunately our DS1 is still going through it, and he's 2 1/2. He ate brilliantly as a baby, but around 14-16 months of age, he started to get fussy and wouldn't eat some foods. It's hit and miss nowdays - he'll eat a whole meal one night, and won't touch it the next - or the next. I give him vegies every night - he'll eat carrot or broccoli for 2 or 3 weeks, then won't touch them for 2 or 3 months. No kidding. Interestingly, he eats well at daycare - peer pressure!
When he's being particularly fussy, I try and get DS1 to graze during the day - that way if he doesn't eat all his lunch or dinner, I know he's still eating. I often wonder how they can still have the energy they do when they don't eat, but apparently toddlers don't need to eat much to keep their batteries recharged. Sigh ... if only we adults worked the same way!
Having said all that, if you have any concerns for your DDs health, then get her checked out by a dr to make sure it's nothing more serious.
But if she's happy, healthy and drinking (bottles and water), then it sounds like she's a normal toddler. Um, dare I say ... "Welcome to the fussy eaters club"
sweetheart, you have done nothing wrong at all.
I have a 4.5yo who still has phases.
Sometimes it's as though toddlers can live on air. I promise you that unless there is something seriously wrong she will not let herself starve.
I'll give you a great example. My little guy (who has had all his teeth including 2yo molars since 11mo) decided a while ago that he would eat nothing else but frozen peas. I kid you not. That is all he ate except BFs for a full fortnight. Soon he had forgotten that and was back to eating proper food.
My number one tip in surviving toddlers eating frustrations is don't make it a battle. No matter how much you're seething with frustration on the inside, smile and cheerfully maintain your stance. If they get one iota of an inkling that there might be opportunity for a fight, they'll dig those little heels in lol.
thanks so much girls.
Youve all made me feel so much better I know i have to stop offering her sweets, so that she only gets sweets if she eats her dinner. or whatevs.
Every baby needs their own instruction manual haha!!
I agree they need their own manual instruction book and a switch to turn them off too
DS has definitely had phases and teeth was a major contributing factor.
My tips (and feel free to ignore them)
*definitely don't make it a battle cause then it becomes a way she is testing the boundaries and asserting her resistence.
*avoid the sweets/sandwhichs after tea - or at least make it every 2nd/3rd night, try to reoffer her tea an hour so later. I have had DS finish eating his tea after an hour or so. I also went through a period that if DS didn't eat his tea then I would offer the sandwhich/yoghurt etc... when I realised it was becoming a nightly habit that I put a stop to it.
Goodluck, hope she starts eating better for you soon.
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sweetheart, you have done nothing wrong at all.
I know i have to stop offering her sweets, so that she only gets sweets if she eats her dinner. or whatevs.
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