Hi there
My daughter is 2 yrs and 3 months. Generally she's a good eater, likes her fruit and veges. She eats plenty at breakfast, morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea. Sometimes she just won't eat much for dinner though. Often it's because she's had afternoon tea a bit too late so she's not hungry, or we've driven home in the car from somewhere and she's hungry so she's had a late snack. Obviously I try to avoid that.
Sometimes she just won't eat much for dinner, just a few mouthfuls. Occasionally she won't eat anything at all. What I'm wondering is - if she does that - should I still offer yogurt and fruit for "dessert". That's what she gets for dessert every night. I know they say you shouldn't offer dessert if they haven't eaten their dinner since it teaches them that they will get the sweet stuff even if they haven't eaten any dinner. I don't really consider it dessert in a way. It's part of her calcium requirement since she doesn't really drink much milk (I offer at naptime and bedtime but she only has a few sips. I keep offering just because she likes it and it's a good habit I figure). She only gets treat food/icecream etc if we're at a special occasion. Now that she's more verbal she's starting to sometimes refuse dinner and say "yogurt". So far I give her yogurt and fruit if she's eaten at least a mouthful or two of dinner. If she refuses it all (which isn't often) then I take it all away and don't give her any yogurt or fruit.
I'm wondering what to do. Should I give her yogurt at a different time of the day perhaps.
Hoping someone can help me!
