Help. My DD will hardly eat.

[blessedmama59]

My DD is almost 16 mo and just picks at her food. I know this is very typical toddler behavior, and she still nurse very often. I am worried bc her iron is low, and she will not eat meat. She does like beans, salmon, and eggs, but eats just a few bites. Sometimes she will eat almost a whole egg, but it's rare. Most of the food ends up on the floor. She does love fruits and veg so I drizzle them with EVOO or butter to add some fat. She also just started regularly drinking cow's milk, so I know that will help too. I guess I'm just worried that this is creating future issues and power struggles. I don't want to force her to eat, but I also want her to get used to eating food. Her weight is fine (26 lbs) so that's not a worry, for now. I got her a liquid multivitamin, and she will absolutely not take it. Please assure me that this is okay.

[AFWife]

How long has this been going on? If it just started I'd wait a few days (or a week even) and see if it changes.

My DS is the same age and his diet is never consistent. One week he ate everything in sight and the next week he barely picked at things (drank plenty of milk though) Sometimes it's teeth, actually, so check her gums. He also got sick a few days later (fever) so be on the lookout for that as well.

Apparently I did this all the time as a toddler and my ped handled it like this: When a normal toddler grows taller they don't eat as much, when they fill out they eat more. It's a cycle. My mom told me that frequently growing up and it's always stuck with me. Even Dr. Sears mentions it in his Baby Book.

[blessedmama59]

Originally Posted by AFWife

How long has this been going on? If it just started I'd wait a few days (or a week even) and see if it changes.

My DS is the same age and his diet is never consistent. One week he ate everything in sight and the next week he barely picked at things (drank plenty of milk though) Sometimes it's teeth, actually, so check her gums. He also got sick a few days later (fever) so be on the lookout for that as well.

Apparently I did this all the time as a toddler and my ped handled it like this: When a normal toddler grows taller they don't eat as much, when they fill out they eat more. It's a cycle. My mom told me that frequently growing up and it's always stuck with me. Even Dr. Sears mentions it in his Baby Book.

It just started recently, more within the past month or so. It does seem to be a hit or miss, one day she eats plenty, then the next hardly a bite. She loves popcorn, cheerios, or anything really carb-y. I try not to give her those types of things too much, but somedays it's all she will eat. She is cutting her molars, so that could be part of the issue too. I'm hoping once they come in and she chews better, she will be more willing to eat meat. I know that my breastmilk is supplying her with everything she needs, but there will be a point when she needs more, ya know. We are also considering night-weaning soon, so that will cut out a huge chunk of calories.

[tallulahma]

i think your breastmilk is better than cow milk... they grow into wanting more foods naturally- both my girls were picky and they eventually do eat...

also, remember when they are still breastfeeding, look at their nutrition through weekly time frames... and it will appear more well rounded (usually)

things that are good sources of iron are

blackstrap molasses
dried dates & turkish apricots
raisins
watermelon
raspberries and strawberries
cherries
avocado...

also pumpkin and butternut squash- those can be added to baked goods and sauces easily.

[blessedmama59]

Originally Posted by tallulahma

i think your breastmilk is better than cow milk... they grow into wanting more foods naturally- both my girls were picky and they eventually do eat...

also, remember when they are still breastfeeding, look at their nutrition through weekly time frames... and it will appear more well rounded (usually)

things that are good sources of iron are

blackstrap molasses
dried dates & turkish apricots
raisins
watermelon
raspberries and strawberries
cherries
avocado...

also pumpkin and butternut squash- those can be added to baked goods and sauces easily.

I keep telling myself that she will grow into solid foods naturally and when she is ready. I just get worried sometimes when I read or hear about toddlers the same age who eat as much as an adult. I've tried giving her molasses, but that was a big failure lol she does love dried fruits and sunflower seeds.

[tallulahma]

Originally Posted by blessedmama59

I keep telling myself that she will grow into solid foods naturally and when she is ready. I just get worried sometimes when I read or hear about toddlers the same age who eat as much as an adult. I've tried giving her molasses, but that was a big failure lol she does love dried fruits and sunflower seeds.

i know, I am the same way... I cannot tell you how many times I have looked up the list of iron rich foods... lol

my girls were both sooooo picky! my dd1 is still picky- my dd2 is no longer pick¥*at almost 2.5- BUT she doesnt eat a very high quantity.... and is also still nursing.

i mix a little molasses into smoothies and yogurt and hemp milk...little bits in lots of places...

[tallulahma]

also- have you heard of chia seeds- I sprinkle them on the kids food and make a pudding out of them. they call it tapioca pudding.

http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.a...cle/Chia_Seeds

[Llyra]

I wouldn't worry about it for a minute, unless there were other signs that she was not healthy and thriving. This kind of pickiness is really so common at this age that I think it's safe to call it the norm, actually. All you can do, I think, is keep offering a variety of good food choices, and let her decide how much she wants to eat, and avoid getting into struggles over it. If she eats, that's fine. No big fanfare. If she doesn't eat, that's fine too.

In my experience, it happens to most kids at some point between a year and three years old, and it tapers off gradually once they're three. But each kid is different. My DD1 lived on air at that age-- she ate nothing but sliced peaches and whole-milk yogurt for so long. But she's six now, and just fine, and a big, sturdy kid. And DD2 at that age ate more than me, and is still thin for her age and height. DS was somewhere in between.

The thing though is that a healthy, neurotypical child will eat as her appetite guides her. When she needs more calories, she'll eat, and she can be trusted to know when that is. As long as you place sharp limits, of course, on addictive junky foods like sugars and white flour. Which it sounds like you know!

[blessedmama59]

Yes, I have heard of chia seeds, just never tried them. I'll pick some up soon! She loves plain yogurt, so maybe I can sneak the molasses that way. She is well and thriving, no question about that. Thanks for the replies, ladies. I do feel relieved in knowing this isn't much to worry about.