Results tagged “eating habits” from Momtourage: Need Advice?

Parents often tell me that their toddler doesn't eat anything, yet most of those toddlers are growing and developing fine. First step is to check with your pediatrician and make sure that your daughter is truly gaining weight and growing appropriately. Here are a few reasons why she may not be eating what you think she should:

Unlike adults, children often don't tire of eating the same thing every day. As long as it is healthy and he eats it, I wouldn't worry too much about repetition. When he stops eating it, then it's time to get creative or try new items.

She CAN have almost everything you eat, as long as it's cut into small pieces. Infants actually learn to eat by mashing food with their gums, so even toddlers who don't get their first tooth until they're a year old do fine with soft pieces of grown-up food. I find that one-year-olds love eating small pieces of steamed veggies (such as carrots and sweet potato), whole grains (pasta, cereal and bread) and chicken. Take whatever you eat, cook it a bit more if needed or mash it slightly so it's soft, cut it into small pieces and serve it as finger food. Thick yogurt works well when it comes to learning to use a spoon, and most infants and toddlers love it.

The real question to ask is: are the treats interfering with mealtime, appetite or causing arguments? I don't worry about the occasional lollipop, because the portion is small. I do worry about larger baked items. A two-year-old requires half the amount of food his 9-year-old sibling needs. Depending on the size of the cookie, it could crowd out the more nutritious food he requires. I don't recommend sneaking treats to the older kids and hiding them from the little one; it might work sometimes, but eventually you'll get caught!

It does sound like your son is obsessed with exercise, as your doctor has indicated. This could be a result of low self-esteem.