[sparkeze]

My DS hasn't been picky since he started really eating solids (8 mo) but the last month or so he's started getting picky! He's now 18mo, is that pretty normal?

He loves eating, but lately he only eats fruits, some veggies, and rice and cheese. He won't eat bread, yogurt, crackers, oatmeal, actually he pretty much avoids all grains except for rice! He'd eat fruit all day long if it was available. I think I need some new ideas! He's much more open to brightly colored foods, and finger foods are best because he's not very good with utensils yet and he wants to feed himself.

Anyone have any suggestions for more grains? Any "meals" I could make him? I would love for him to eat some yogurt or kefir but he's not fond of yogurt lately and he really doesn't like drinking anything but water from a cup. And he still nurses on average every 2-4 hours day and night.

I know for some people it might sound like he eats pretty well, but my main concern is that he really seems hungry sometimes but if I offer him something he doesn't want he stays fussy until I finally offer him something he does want. I've always felt that as long as I offer him a variety of foods he'll eat what he needs but I don't think he needs this much fruit! He's really not getting very much fat if he mostly eats fruits and veggies either.

TIA!

 

[mamabutterfly]

sparkeze -

there was just a thread, if not here then in Good Eating forum, on ideas for toddlers who love "dipping" foods. That's what my dd got really into around 18 months. For ex., she doesn't like to eat toast but will dip toast fingers into almond butter, or breadsticks into hummus. And my dd also *loves* fruit, so I understand what you're saying! Lately I've tried including a fruit she loves in another food (blueberries in yogurt or oatmeal).

i'm going through a similar thing, and also worry about the right nutrients getting in. good luck!

 

[Mizelenius]

Until just this week, my DD (20 months) was about the opposite of your son . . .she'd only eat very high fat & protein foods, with very few fruits and veggies. We stuck to what she ate, for the most part, and offered her new foods in addition to what she was already eating. Sometimes, we'd offer a much bigger piece than normal (a whole slice of bread instead of just a bite) and often that got her to at least try the food. Anyway, she has now started exploring fruits and veggies much more, without us really changing what we do or pushing the issue.

If your son is eating cheese and nursing, I would imagine he's getting enough fat, so I wouldn't worry about the yogurt/kefir. (Although you could try sprinkling some bits of cookie in there for a little change.) You could also add avocado to his diet if you haven't already for more fat. As for grains, you could try different types of bread (a bagel) or something like couscous. I do think, though, that if he's at least eating rice, he's OK. I know that I myself go through phases where I just want one thing, then I get bored and find something new.

One more thing . . .if you don't already do this, you could try switching how your son eats. For example, if you don't already offer a spoon/fork, try that, or you could try letting him eat in a new location.

 

[MamaMonica]

Toddlers do love dipping. This is how I get my 20 month old to eat. My first would eat whatever we did- but ds is picky. Gve him something to dip it in, and he tries almost anything (except beans).

 

[bananasmom]

From what I hear, what you describe is pretty normal. My dd has a milk-peanut-shellfish allergy, so we are sort of limited to begin with, AND she is a little picky. I think she eats a lot of pasta, and have a hard time getting protein in her (she is not bf). She loves her fruits and vegies, and I just keep offering other foods, figuring that if she starts to like even just one-two foods a month, in a few years, that's a lot of different foods.

If he likes rice, maybe other grains that are tiny? Like couscous, barley, etc?

Cut up toast or pasta with a fork (if I spear it, my dd will eat it).

I'll have to try the dipping some time soon.

 

[oceanbaby]

If he likes rice, how about a rice salad, with raisins or pineapple, dressed with olive and/or flax oil, and maybe a little raspberry vinegar. That way he gets the fat from the oil. I did this with my ds with pasta - he too didn't get much fat other than avocado and yogurt, so I would toss pasta with a mix of olive oil and flax oil, and add parmesan cheese, and he loved it.

My only other advice is really not to worry. I've been there and have done the exact same worrying that you are doing. By the time you get it figured out, he will be on to something else. I try to go with the flow, have only healthy options available, and let them choose what to eat, even if it seems like one day it's only crackers. If they are offered a variety of healthy foods, they will eventually get what they need.

 

[kaya3]

My older boy, now 4 was a very picky eater. The best advice I can give you is to think outside the box. Get creative. My son loved black beans and bananas mashed up together! The best book in the world is "super baby food" by ruth yaron. I highly reccomend it. it changed our lives!!! My son didn't even eat bread until he was 2 1/2 because he didn't like the way it flet. oh ya, and try different shaped cookie cutters for things. the star cutter did wonders, and is actually what got him to try bread/sandwiches!
good luck
krista

 

[sparkeze]

Thanks for all the ideas! I will definitely have to try the dipping, I'm sure he would at least have fun with it even if he doesn't actually eat it!

It's a struggle with wanting him to eat a variety of foods, but trying not to get stressed out about it. I don't want him to lose that natural instinct for eating what he needs if I'm making such a big deal about eating, and I also don't want to start something where I'm making him separate meals when he's older because he gets so picky about food. I guess I don't want eating to become an "issue". KWIM? Maybe I'm just so concerned because he's my first child?

:

I had been semi-following Yaron's book for awhile, maybe I'll re-read it for some more ideas. I was kind of turned off by the lack of importance placed on nursing in the book - and I couldn't believe that her kids ate so much quantity of food at such a young age! But I could go back to sprinkling nutritional yeast and wheat germ in foods.

Thanks again for all the ideas!

 

[owen&mama]

I'm in a similar boat, so I've enjoyed reading the responses. I need to try more dipping and cookie cutter shapes, too!

You might also try offering blueberry (or banana or strawberry...) pancakes. My DS polished off a plate of those (with maple syrup for dipping come to think of it!) on Sunday, no problem. I was amazed....

Good luck to us all!

 

[Naturalmomma]

Couscous is a HUGE hit with my 2 year old son. I make it with corn and black beans or occasionally corn and kidney beans. It is very nutritious and a great alternative to rice. You can make it with whatever veggies you have handy. Carrots, peas, beans, etc...
Noah also love hummus. He loves dipping carrots and other veggies.