Okay, Toddlers and food again!!
Moms View Message Board: Parenting Discussion: Okay, Toddlers and food again!!
I know this topic is constantly coming up, but DH and I are getting concerned. Natalie is 19mths and small in weight. Her eating is getting less and less! She used to be such a little pig, but now she eats next to nothing everyday. She just had a check up a few weeks ago, but we're still worried about the food. Looking for reassurance or suggestions!
Today she ate:
Bkfast-2 graham cracker sticks
half cup strawberry pudding
(no longer eats toast, waffles, pancakes, hates eggs, and is slowly starting to cut out the fruit even though she used to love it)
Snack-Fruit puffs
Lunch-less than one hotdog, half piece of cheese, 4bites of applesauce
Snack - 4-5 bites of an oatmeal creme pie, a few teddy grahams
Dinner - maybe 2 bites of a porkchop and one bit of mashed potatoes
Cup of milk before bed (always)
Does this seem like nothing to you? It does to us. This is everyday, just change the foods. Like yesterday for lunch, she ate not one bite of chicken (which she formerly shoveled in like it was her last meal) but ate a bowl of cauliflower, which she still really likes.
If she weren't so small anyway (24lbs) maybe we wouldn't think about it so much, but she is. She drinks lots of water during the day and about 18oz. of whole milk for the day. She's always been a thirsty kid, even when she ate a lot more. I've thought of cutting back on drinks, but really all she has is water. (Milk at bkfast, dinner, and bed) How can I refuse her something to drink, you know?
Any suggestions or just reassurance would be great! Her tummy is so small (always been thin in the middle but I have a tiny waist,too) that she can barely wear 18mth. pants because the waist is so big!
In the pics you just posted, I think she looks good. Kids just eat less, once they hit a year. I know sometimes my kids would eat almost nothing and then every once in a while, they would eat everything in sight.
Deanna,
No advice, but here's what Matthew ate today:
Breakfast:
1/2 cup of oatmeal mix with 3 tablespoons of fruit yogurt.
1/2 a banana
Morning Snack:
Smoothie ~ 6 oz of whole milk, 1 tbls of plain yogurt, 1/4 banana, 3 frozen strawberries
Lunch:
1/8 cup of steamed Zucchini
1/2 of macaroni with spag. meat sauce
1 small piece of French bread (off the end very small)
6 oz of whole milk
Afternoon Snack:
2 oz of juice with 6 oz of water
1 fig newton cookie
Dinner:
1/8 cup of Mashed potatoes (did not eat it all)
1/8 cup of Ham
1/8 cup of corn
6 oz of whole milk
The last time he was weighed was in September (18 months) and he was 35 lbs, he's a boy though. My neighbour has a daughter the same age and she is teeny tiny compared to Matthew. I think she's still in size 4 or 5 diapers whereas Matthew is wearing size 6 (Pampers).
Not sure if that helps but it might be a bit of a gage. All children are different I wouldn't worry so much.
Try some different foods or different ways of presenting (without going crazy). Buy some kids cook books they always have cool presentations that I would never think of.
Matthew loves to dip, he loves to dip toast in yogurt, he will dip anything into to ketchup and he likes plum sauces for things like breaded chicken.
You could also try some canned fruit if she is objecting to fresh fruit, maybe she's texture sensitive right now. Matthew did not love mash potatoes, he had a hard time swallowing them, so I offered him smaller bits or would put the corn on top of the potatoes.
Ok so much for not giving advice. If you want to share this information back and forth for a few days just so we can compare let me know, I'm happy to share.
Thanks a lot Heaven!! Just seeing what your Matthew is eating makes me feel better. She seems to love both fresh and canned fruit, but now is gradually turning that away as well. She typically likes vegetables though (potatoes the least),but just eats small amounts of everything! She seemed to like ketchup for a few days, but no more. Doesn't like (anymore, but did once):yogurt (I've tried a million flavors!), peanut butter, & not too hot on breads.
Just seems like the only thing she actually *really* enjoys anymore is cauliflower. She has about 24oz. of water with maybe 2T. of juice/day. She doesn't lug a sippy around though. She just goes to the fridge when she's thirsty. When she's done, it goes back in, so it's not a comfort item for her.
One thing I haven't tried with her is oatmeal, simply because we don't eat it so I haven't thought of it. Maybe we can try that. She sleeps fine at night and doesn't wake up starving (obviously!), but it's hard not to worry.
I'm glad you shared Matthew's menu Heaven - thanks a lot! 
Welcome to my world, sweetie...it's very frustrating. My son's menu is WAY worse, so please don't feel bad.
Sometimes too, when they are starting to get sick, they won't eat nearly as much.
As far as the pickiness, just keep a close eye on the iron intake for anemia. Iron enriched foods that we use are just plain cereal...Connor likes the multi-grain cheerios and they have an AWESOME percentage of vitamins and minerals.
Also...I've noticed that, ever since he's been able to move, he's less interested in eating. So, I've broken down to feeding him some cereal while he sits on the floor and watches a morning video. I can usually "sneak" in some healthy food that way. He might get up and walk around, but he's still eating it and that is what matters.
I've also noticed that, in the day time, he's more excited about moving around than eating. So, that means he eats more at dinner time.
Here's a typical morning:
Breakfast
8 oz of milk
1/2 cup cereal (Kashi or Cheerios)
1/4 cup frozen fruit (blackberries, rasberries,etc.)
Snack:
1/4 cup raisins, cranberries, or apricots...it's the only thing that will get him in the car these days.
12 oz of half-juice/water
1/4 cup goldfish
Lunch:
1 Nutrigrain bar
1 stick of cheese (either cheddar or jack)
1 slice of bread
Some sort of fresh fruit..strawberries, grapes, etc.
Snack:
Same as above
Dinner:
Iron fortified yogurt (The only thing he'll eat with a spoon, so we do it right before bath time for obvious reasons.)
Soy crisps
8 oz milk
Yogurt covered raisins
As you can tell, he loves loves loves dried fruit. The only setback is the diaper that results from it.
He literally eats the same thing every day...and, yes, I still try meat, veggies, and pasta every day and he still refuses it. He breathes real heavy like it's torture to even look at.
Hang in there!!!
Thanks, too, Heidi! I appreciate seeing Connor's menu also. It makes me feel better to know Natalie's not the only one!
We've tried 10 kinds of cereal and Natalie just doesn't want it. SOMETIMES she will eat a few cheerios, but definitely not on a regular basis. I got tired of trying different ones, and since DH and I don't eat cereal it was just turning into a big waste.
Yesterday's menu that I posted seems kind of "junky" to me, but honestly I'm resorting to just about anything she will eat! (Ex: strawberry pudding for bkfast!) I have been following her around for afternoon snack as well. Sometimes she just gets mad about getting in her high chair. (We've tried the booster, too, but that doesn't seem to matter.) It's frustrating to waste food.
Natalie does like raisins, and I have some dried apricots that we haven't even opened yet. I'll get those out today.
Thank you!!
Very normal! A good article here:
Ask Dr. Susan About Toddler Nutrition
Q: Help! My toddler has become such a picky eater. Should I be concerned? What can I do?
A: Almost all parents worry about their toddler’s eating habits at some point. Feeding a toddler can be a frustrating experience for several reasons. First, toddler eating patterns are quite different from those of infants because toddlers grow more slowly than infants. On average, infants triple their birth weight by the first birthday, add another “birth weight” by age 2, then after age 2 only gain three to five pounds per year until puberty approaches. With decreased growth rates and corresponding decreased calorie needs, many toddlers have apparently smaller appetites. Toddlers also begin to develop definite food likes and dislikes, sometimes seemingly overnight. Combine these factors with a toddler’s growing sense of independence, and mealtimes can become a challenge indeed!
First, don’t stress too much. I have never seen otherwise normal toddlers starve themselves. In fact, in studies of toddler eating habits, researchers find that toddlers naturally eat the right amount of food to meet their calorie needs. Some days children eat little and some days they may seem to eat as much as you do. When their intake is averaged over time, they are consuming exactly what they need. If children are gaining weight appropriately, then they are eating the right amount for their bodies.
Second, remember that portion sizes for toddlers are rather small, about one-quarter to one-half of an adult serving size. For example, an adult serving of meat is 3 ounces (about the size of a deck of cards). A toddler serving of meat is only 1 ounce (about 2 tablespoons). An adult serving of milk is 8 ounces; a toddler serving is just 4 ounces. Judging these proportions can be tricky. Many of us have developed an unrealistic sense of normal serving sizes as food manufacturers and restaurants continue to serve us increasingly large portions. (Think 16 ounce steaks, muffins the size of softballs, and 64 ounce sodas!)
I am often asked about milk in a toddler’s diet. A child can switch from formula or breast milk to cow’s milk at the first birthday. Serve whole milk until your toddler is age 2 to meet the child’s fat requirements. Toddlers need more fat than the rest of us because of their still-developing nervous systems. Sixteen to 20 ounces of milk per day is enough for most toddlers. Remember that although milk is a nutritious food and a good source of protein and calcium, it does need to be part of a balanced diet including meats, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Milk contains little iron and lacks many necessary vitamins and nutrients. Children are drinking too much milk if it blunts their appetite and prevents them from eating a variety of foods.
I am also asked frequently about juice in toddlers’ diets. Fruit juice (as long as it is 100 percent juice, not a juice drink) can be part of a healthy diet, in moderation. A toddler needs no more than four to six ounces of fruit juice per day. It is better to eat fruit than to drink fruit juice because fiber and nutrients are lost in processing.
Children who eat a balanced diet should get all of their important nutrients from food. However, if your child is extremely picky or refuses to eat from certain food groups, a vitamin supplement may be helpful. You can check with your pediatrician if you have such concerns.
Toddlers are well known for their unpredictable eating habits. Food jags (eating only one or two foods for days or weeks on end) and food refusals are quite common. Such behaviors result from a toddler’s growing sense of independence and are a normal part of development, but having your toddler test limits at mealtime can be a frustrating experience.
Here are some ideas for coping with a toddler’s picky eating habits:
Set a good example. You can’t expect your toddler to eat and enjoy vegetables if you never do.
Allow your child to get hungry by assuring at least two hours between meals and snacks. You can’t expect a child who nibbles all afternoon to eat much dinner.
Use child-friendly dishes and utensils.
Allow your child to help with food shopping and meal preparation.
Serve balanced meals, then put a small amount of each food on your child’s plate, letting your child decide what and how much to eat.
Don’t try to be a short-order cook, trying to please each member of the family. An occasional skipped meal will not hurt a child.
Encourage your child to try new foods, but avoid using food as a reward or punishment.
Most of all, teach your child to enjoy sharing and eating together as a family!
Resources:
For further reading: The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Guide to Your Child's Nutrition by William H. Dietz and Loraine Stern
Zoe turbed two in Nov and weighs 26 pounds...so don't worry- they go through phases- as long as she is healthy- and she certainly appears to be- just hang in there and keep offering different stuff! Good luck!
Deanna,
I was thinking about you this morning, just a few questions. Do you offer juice or milk before meals? I always give Matthew his drinks after he eats.
What about limiting her liquid intake for a few days? Matthew usually has milk after breakfast and water with a bit of juice at about 10:30 am.
Lunch he has milk again and then I don't usually give him another liquid to drink until about 3 pm after his nap.
Also, up unitl just recently I could not get lunch into Matthew before his long nap. I would give him a snack at 10:30 (water/juice with some fruit or a cookie) then by 11:30 he had to be in bed, he was just too tired to keep up for lunch. He would have his lunch at 2:30 or 3 pm which seemed weird but it allowed me to move dinner to 6 or 6:30 and we could all eat together. He is now back to a 12:30 or 1 pm nap and I give him lunch at 12 but I had to adjust things for awhile because he was too tired to eat.
Anyway just some suggestions.
I give her milk when she wakes up in the morning (about 1/2c.), but she has always eaten breakfast late anyway. Definitely not right when she gets up, so I don't think that's a big deal.
She DOES drink a lot during the day. (see previous post) I just let her have it when she asks for it, it's not lying around. She goes to the fridge when she wants a drink, then we put it away. She drinks A LOT of water and maybe 4oz. of juice (mixed in) each day, just throughout the day. She's so thirsty, and always has been, even when she was a good eater.
Thanks for the suggestions Heaven. I've thought about the water thing, but not sure how can I refuse her something to drink???
Didn't have a chance to read the other new posts...I saw the article posted Trina, but I'll have to check back later. Thanks to everyone!!
Hey Deanna,
I wouldn't refuse her a drink, just give her less than you normally do. If she asks for a drink and you usually give her 4 oz. give her 2 oz instead, if she asks for more you could give her more or ask her to wait for a few minutes and let her go off and play. If she comes back then she's thristy and give her more if not then wait until she asks again.
I don't know just a thought.
That's a good idea Heaven. Instead of just filling up her cup, just portion it. I'll try that. Thanks!!
Oh and I finally got a chance to read the article you posted Trina. Thank you! It is reassuring as well.
It's so nice to come here for advice and suggestions, and if nothing else, to just hear that your kiddo is just like all the others and it's nothing to worry about!
|
Members
