Picky eater…Pulling my hair out!

[Anonymous]

Ariella was never a picky eater. She was never GREAT but she’d eat. Lately, she refuses to eat, PERIOD. Whenever I offer her food, she wants milk. Even if I offer her food and give her a glass of milk, she drinks the milk and leaves the food untouched. If I tell her that I’ll give her milk only if she eats her food, she starts screaming that she wants milk only. UGH! I find myself running around after her just for her to take a bite and It’s getting ridiculous. What the heck’s going on? I’m afraid she’s not getting any nutrients she needs. She loves bread but she can’t live on bread and milk alone. Any suggestions?

[hellbennt]

sore throat? upset tummy? 2-yr old molars coming in?

hmm…

Ari goes through times when he just wants milk…

not sure though, bcse it doesn’t last long…

can you make smoothies and sneak some nutrients into her milk? try pediasure? wish I had more suggestions…

[Anonymous]

Laura, this has been going on for at least a month. All of her teeth are in. She’s becoming impossible all together. I don’t understand why she’s so cranky all of a sudden. Nothing suits her anymore. 🙁 Could it be jealousy? She wants to be the baby?? I don’t know!

[Anonymous]

Brodie was this way until a few months ago when I started only letting him have 1-1.5 sippy of milk when he wakes up in the morning & 1 sippy before bed (but after dinner). It took about a week but now he eats SO well (not a great variety but so much more quantity than he ever did). He gets water most of the day… some juice after nap.

It’s hard b/c they are so stubborn but if this is something you want to do then make a plan & stick to your guns. For what it’s worth we also limit Brodie’s bread/wheat as well b/c he (like your Ariella) would eat only bread & milk if we let him.

HTH & good luck!

ETA: before I limited his milk he would NEVER drink water (ever). Now he actually asks for it, drinks it well, etc… I was very surprised.erinntx2009-04-15 22:40:12

[Anonymous]

I think it could partly be just a stage, but if you constantly give in then she will probably just go with it as much as possible. I would limit the amount that you put in her cup and tell her when it is gone she either eats or gets nothing else. You would be surprised at the fact that she might just start eating again. The milk has tons of calories and will actually fill her up and not make her hungry so she may actually be getting too full from her liquids. Good Luck.

[Anonymous]

I think a lot of toddlers would fill up on milk & bread or even juice if they could! Landen loves juice b/c he is not too keen on the taste of his milk and I have to really watch that he does not fill up on it.

Landen is my really good eater (variety and all) and I can tell when I’ve let him have too much of something b/c then he does not want to eat.

Kade is my picky boy, but kids on the spectrum are usually very poor eaters and tend to stick to “safe” foods.

I am sure for Ariella, it’s just a stage where she is probably trying to see if you’ll give in and give her what she wants. Sounds pretty typical!! Landen can SO be like that! LOL

[Anonymous]

It could be stage, but since she really needs her nutrition, i have to agree with Erin: stick to your guns and try to negociate with her. Of course easier said than done. I hope this stage passes quickly.

[Anonymous]

I notice that she asks for milk when Ilan’s drinking. She never mentioned it until she sees him drinking it. Hmmm

[Author]

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