3yo DS eating STUGGLES/BATTLES! how to get past the struggles? - Page 2

[littlest birds]

I don't think your child's diet sounds all that limited. I would let my kids live on bread, cheese, and fruit for extended periods if it suited them to do so. Variety just isn't a big deal IMO compared do basic quality.

Also, if your dc had food sensitivities that you no longer consider to be an issue, you may want to consider that he may be intuitively avoiding certain foods that he should avoid. One of my children will not eat tomatoes or strawberries--I've always figured he was respecting his own sensitivities, not being picky.

I limit sweets in different ways. I don't buy much and if my kids start acting like fiends I just don't buy any for a while. I try to give whole grains and other foods near the ame time as sweets--it doesn't seem as harsh on them.

I do want my children to try new foods. However, if they seem to have a strong desire not to eat certain foods, I will not make them. They can simply eat the other things available. If they just seem to be balking because they have one favorite available and don't care about the other foods, yet there doesn't seem to be any genuine aversion involved, then I won't allow them to just eat unlimited amounts of the favorite. I make seconds conditional on eating some amount of the less inviting foods.

I try to keep it flexible, so that I can respond different ways based on what I see in my children. I don't want to set up a rule that becomes a battle that I can never back down from. I honestly will back down any time I think it is right and fair to do so. I just have to say "I changed my mind" or " you're right" or "I was wrong" and then shift to a better expectation.

[jentilla]

Oh I know how you feel! I've been obsessing about what or how much DD eats for like 6 months. She has a friend who eats EVERYTHING and TONS of it. Well, finally I just relaxed about it and she is only exposed to things we want her to eat. Her diet is boring, but all around we work as much good stuff in and she still nurses. As soon as I let up, she tries new stuff! So I defintely think my attitude is realted to SOME of her pickiness. I agree with all the moms that he seems to be eating pretty well. I let DD have a bowl of Oatie O's and raisins and cranberries throughtout the day and I will add a half a peanut butter sandwich to it in pieces and apple pieces, etc when she not looking and then she will eat it. GRAZING & wheatgerm are musts in our house. Also have you looked into kefir? It's a yummy yogurt drink packed with calcium and good bac.

Oh by the way, I have a friend whose 4 now 5 yr old son literally starved himself for 2 days b/c of food issues and would make himself throw up food if he didn't like it. He really believed it was making him sick. They visited us and he ate only a few breadsticks when we went out for pizza-for the ENTIRE day! He's on a liquid vitamin.
Hope that makes you feel better!!!!!!!

mom to O : and crazy for : & married to my BF John

[mommyofshmoo]

Hey PK mama, it sounds like your ds eats fine to me too.

I agree with everyone else about no pressure, not making dessert dependent on anything, etc.

I think it's weird that people think kids will "fill up" on sweets before a meal. If anything I feel like sugary foods make me hungrier (if I'm actually hungry.) I find the same to be true for dd. I see it time and again that I let my dd eat some treat like ice cream or a sweet roll at the beginning of a meal and she proceeds to then eat an entire meal after her dessert.

I also know that kids can hurt themselves with food, but generally not for very long. My dd went on this Pirate Booty kick recently that I decided to ride out rather than fight. She got really constipated! But lo and behold, she's kinda over the Booty now, like a week later. The constipation was annoying, but probably less so than the power struggles would have been.