He's just not eating...

[Tweakster]

We had illness, and of course teeth.  He's lost weight and his pants that he finally grew into now are too big again 

And he just doesn't want to eat.  He doesn't want to sit in his chair, it's hit and miss.  He doesn't want anything he used to mow down.

Is this those final two teeth or is it some new fun and wonderful phase we are embarking on at the age of 2?

We don't push it (I don't push it I should say) and really don't make a huge deal over what he is or isn't eating.
But it's getting worrisome to me a bit now.  Can't help it.

[Canwi]

Give me a moment to find my Toddler book, Wendy.  I'm sure Tracy has some good advice in it.
Meanwhile anyone else chime in.

[~Lori~]

Thanks for posting this Wendy...I'm in the same boat with my 19 mth old.  He has NEVER ever been like this.  Usually wants to eat all the time, and eat anything.  I DREAD mealtimes now...I was thinking it may be teething with Tanner...even though there are no teeth yet, the times that I HAVE put my finger in his mouth to feel for teeth without being chomped on, he is very sensitive to me poking around back where the 2 year molars would be in.

[*Liz*]

The 2 year molars put J on food strike (teething always does).

I'm sure that will be why honey. Will he have plenty of milk and smoothies???

J is eating a TON of yoghurt as well as it is one of the only soft things he eats.

[Tweakster]

Yeah you're right.  It's the teeth.  He's struggling with those bottom two.  They are 'stuck' - frozen in time. 

He'll eat yogurt every morning and maybe a bite of toast.  Daycare still reports he's eating good.  Dinner he's just really not interested in.  Last night I made bowtie pasta and he did eat quite a bit so I felt better.

I just struggle to get fruit and veg in right now which means his immune system is compromised.  I think that's my fear, that he's going to get ill again and we all just want to be well!

I think he's probably eating more than many toddlers but it's just low for him.

Must stop worrying!  Thanks :-)

[Shiv52]

Hugs Wendy xx

I read somewhere, prob on here, that toddlers consume the most of their calories before late afternoon so not to worry if they nibble at dinner. So if he's eating well at daycare and having some breakfast he's prob getting enough.

M's just getting her molars now and have to say this is the first time I've noticed teeth annoying her. My normally fab eater is living on yogurt and fruit purée! Hopefully once these teeth are through she'll get back to normal. And same with Finn x

[Mom to M&M]

Just wanted to send along hugs Wendy. We are having major struggles too. In fact about to start a new post when I get a chance!

[~*Nicole*~]

It def. happens. If he's eating some breakfast and at nursery...he's getting enough. He'll perk up again after the teeth. And his pants...I bet he's getting a bit longer again so "thinning" at the middle, then he'll go back to putting weight on and bulk back up and on and on it goes. Add some good calorie rich stuff to things if you think he needs just a bit more. Maybe even offer him more diluted OJ or things with that vit. C to help boost his immune system in the meantime!

[Tweakster]

It's not even that he's not eating.  It's how he's not eating.  He refuses to use his own fork.  'Help mommy help mommy' for every piece.  Last night I loaded two bowties on (yep I gave him bowties again lol) and he takes one off, the other one falls off and away we go again 'help mommy'.  

He asks for more but only to throw it on the floor.  I hate not giving him more when he asks for more but it becomes very clear that he doesn't want it and he just wants to play.  Slam the fork on the plate.  Put the food on the table and mush it around.  Drop bits of food into his open water cup.  Stick his fork into his open water cup.  Throw his cup on the floor and say 'uh oh' and refuse to do anything else but look down at it and then cry when we won't pick it up.  Same with the cutlery or pieces of food.  

I don't enjoy mealtime at all with him anymore.  It's long and torturous lol and at the end he's had about 4 bites. Is it all to blame on teeth do you think?  Or more toddleritis?

[*Liz*]

It is probably teeth - that help me sounds like a clingy pathetic teething toddler to me 

I would just help for now and see where he is going with it. Jacob regained independence as soon as his teeth were in (and I wish I had just left him too it a lot more at the time as really there was no reasoning with him when he was a teething mess).

[~*Nicole*~]

Ava started doing things like this AFTER all her teeth were in. So it wouldn't surprise me if it is some toddleritis as well.

We have the pouring of water/milk from open cup into food. The fork into the open cup. The food on the floor. She does eat better on my lap with me feeding her. Sometimes she wants to be babied. I chalked it up to knowing I had a baby in my belly and I indulge her a bit. But it's SO annoying!

[Tweakster]

Tonight I made chicken nuggets (they are non-breaded - it's a new thing) and oven chips.  Now what kid won't eat that?!  My kid lol that's who.

He's also far more interested in what is on our plate and pretends to want what we have, if we give him some he just plays with it.  Grrr.

[~*Nicole*~]

Do you usually have different food from  him?

[Tweakster]

Nope we all have the same.  It's exhausting - he keeps pointing at our plates and we keep reminding him that he has the same on his own plate.  He will also ask for more of things he already has - like if he has a dollop of ketchup he'll ask for more just to get you to put it on the plate and then still won't eat it...

It's affecting his BM, he's completely constipated.  Last night he hid under the table for like 15 mins working on a poo.  When DH changed him it was all little pellets.

[mmom]

Wendy, I know a PP already mentioned this, but will he drink smoothies?  It is really how I get nutrients into M at this point.