Fussy toddler! HELP ME

Hi Tawny. Have you tried a different environment. Have you also tried feeding off the high chair. Is he interested in your food at all.

How much milk does he drink in a day? What happens if you take him out of the high chair and eat elsewhere?

@Nimo hiya, I haven’t tried a different environment, I always feed him in the lounge, he used to be such a good eater but the last few months it’s gone wrong somewhere! He just wants to be running around all the time but I’m not wanting to get in the habit of getting him out the high chair as that seems to be what he wants 😂

@GMF he has about 6oz when he wakes up and about 3oz before bed at the moment, I always offer him 6oz! He just runs off if I get him out the high chair, he never sits down ever really he’s always on the go😫

@Tawny does he snack well during the day at all? Like finger foods it could be that he’s going through teething.

They become fussy little bite size foods can help variety of options also model eating together helps me.

@Nimo he likes finger foods better as he’s mr independent at the moment! But even with finger foods he just finds it a massive game to throw things off the high chair so he’s barely eating anything really!

My toddler who is two and a half goes on and off food like a yoyo! I’ve learnt to just roll with it. It’s upsetting at first but they will never starve themselves. I’ve had advice from drs etc and as long as they’re drinking it’s nothing to be concerned about. Some weeks he eats for about 3 children and others he has absolutely nothing. Finger foods is always his favourite and it’s just trial and error. I’ve also found breakfast is his favourite meal, as he’s wide awake and not tired so he kind of sets himself up for the day then. The only other thing is to check inside his mouth for any sores etc.

It's normal for them to go off food especially if they are teething. It might be worth trying eating in a different setting. For example sit on the floor with them and eat something in front of him. If he pays attention to you offer him a bite and share a meal/snacks that way. It's hard and frustrating especially when they have been eating well before. My little boy was the same but we've persevered and always try to eat together and make meal times fun. The hardest bit for me was not putting any pressure on him to eat. If my LO doesn't eat his dinner that's fine but if he is hungry later he gets a portion of his meal rather than snacks and treats. Hope this helps!

Sorry I can’t help but just wanted to say I’m going through the exact same thing with my 17 month old daughter right now! Only thing she’ll eat is fruit like berries and grapes. I’ve made her meals and she’ll take two spoonfuls then start chucking everything on the floor. Weetabix used to be a safe option, which she used to love she only has half how and that’s if I spent 45 min feeding her slowly. I’ve found putting little bowls of picky bits around her play area works for e.g a bowl or cheese cubes and grapes and she’ll eat it. It’s mentally draining I completely understand!

It’s completely normal… I got her a low table and chair and she starts eating but end up just wanting to paint, run anything… my doctor told me to watch the week intake and if it’s ok it’s fine… some days are better than others

@Emma no way! My little boy is the same, loves strawberries, blueberries that type of thing which is good but I’m like my boy you cannot survive on that alone surely 😂😂

@Becca that’s such a good idea about saving a portion of his dinner for if he gets hungry later! Will defo do this, thank you for the advice I really appreciate it xxx

@Tawny gotcha, not too much milk then! Some people don’t realize when they’re filling up on milk too much and get stuck in a cycle of them not being hungry enough for food. But that’s definitely not too much. Some kids are definitely grazers and it’s hard for them to sit in the high chair! I think it was around that age we switched to a booster seat which made my son feel more a part of things I think. For the throwing you can also try only offering a bit at a time. Also if you keep giving it back to them a million times they can start to think it’s a game. I would just put it back on the tray once and then if he keeps doing it just say like oh you must be done with this now. It’s totally normal for toddlers to be selective though. Keep offering a wide variety with no pressure.