HELP! Need ideas to get Toddler to eat Again...

[koe2moe]

more hugs Karen!  Our night wasn't bad but had EW.  No idea why and DS just woke and started screaming for milk!!   Another GS at 26 mo?!?!  My back is killing me...   

I don't know what to make either.   

[Mom to M&M]

Grrrr. had whole banana this morning for breakfast but refused challah french toast. Then was hungry by 10:30 so offered choice of grilled cheese sandwich and broccoli potato pancake. He's refusing both. Guess will offer both again in an hour, along with yogurt and then nothing else? Really annoying! I know his molars hurt after the night we had but come on... Hopefully not another ear infection brewing too...

[koe2moe]

oh no to ear infection!!  yeah we had those with teeting!!!  why does it have to be so horrible and difficult?!  Keep offering those same things, when he's really hungry, hopefully he will eat!!  hugssss

[Mom to M&M]

Thanks Koe. Yea, his bottom right molar (which I know has been pushing through) looks bothersome and the gum is pretty red. He ended up still refusing the grilled cheese (and smashing the broccoli pancake) and having only a yogurt. I guess after his nap will offer the grilled cheese picnic style and if that is refused just go with fruit? Can't decide am guessing he'll be hungry...

[koe2moe]

How's his weight?  He looks normal weight on the photo.  It's just so tough.  We have no real signs of 2nd year molars yet although DS started drooling a lot about 10 days ago and #2 has been soft :X and so many more soiled laundry!!! 

what is picnic style?  Would you just put fruit and the grilled cheese there and try not to look at what he takes?   Also have you tried leaving him to the foods and not sitting nearby?  You probably have. 

I got a report today that DS ate pancakes (more like crepes) and he never ever ate them with us at home or at a restaurant!!!  I think peer pressure does work magic!!!  He's now eating cakes, cookies, chocolate croissant, which he wouldn't touch a couple months ago!  not sure if i should start worrying

[Mom to M&M]

Weight is OK. He has always been tall and lean. He had lost some weight during the last bout of illness that lead to this thread but then started putting some back on.

By picnic style I mean I would just put some fruit and pieces of grilled cheese on his play table in the family room and make sure he knows it's there but then ignoring it. But he ended up ignoring the grilled cheese, had one of those healthy "breakfast" cookies and some diluted juice and that's all. Yes, have tried leaving him to the foods and not being right there. Sometimes that works a bit but not usually. I'm making the stir fry now for tonight. I'll put some pieces of chicken and green beans on his tray but I know he won't take any. I also picked up wonton soup and am hoping he'll eat that and let me put some chicken pieces in there too.

Yay for your DS with pancakes! LOL on the worrying...

[koe2moe]

i want to eat at your place   DS still won't eat icecream.. i tried on Sat  
 
i guess it's like for sleep training, it has to be a time when there's absolutely no discomfort, like illnesses or teething.  Eating would be the same if not more so!  Persevere!!! :*

[squeakersmum]

Just wanted to say I'm still here - uber busy days the past couple of days but will be back!!!

Karen, my wisdom tooth is growing again (who knew that they could do that when you're 29??!?!) and I suddenly fin myself with great sympathy for teething toddlers. I have not eaten at the back on that side of my mouth for several days now and have even been to the dentist to check it's not infected or something. I'm still eating the same as DH, but I have 27 years on these LOs and better tongue/mouth control.

Have you considered medicating before meal times so that his mouth doesn't hurt by the time it comes to actually sitting down for a meal? Don't know how you'd feel about that but if it is his teeth and it's both sides? Worth a shot maybe? Just an idea!

[Mom to M&M]

Ugh. TOTALLY refused dinner, even the soup (he seemed mad that it wasn't chicken noodle soup). Ended up eating about 3 bites of toasted whole grain mini bagel with a dab of PB and some butter. And then a pouch of Plum Baby organic peas, pear and spinach. So TINY meal and had to offer alternatives but healthy at least... I guess will offer some dry cereal in an hour or so in case he's hungry?

Yea, I remember that with my wisdom teeth too and how much my impacted one hurt in my 20s. I have tried medicating before meals in the past and it never seemed to help much BUT I think I'll try again, maybe at least before dinner tomorrow? I can't do it before each meal... Pretty sure it's only his right side (left molars are fully through). But still, I imagine his whole mouth just hurts.

LOL Koe. DD didn't really like ice cream till about 3 but she loves it now

[Mom to M&M]

So I made a batch of pancakes last night using my new griddle pan and spatula and they came out really good! DH kindly taste tested some for me last night LOL and DD is happily eating them with melted butter and a bit of powdered sugar now. But DS is only mashing them up/ruining them. Sigh. Will bring a banana with me on morning errands as I'm sure he'll be hungry at the grocery store!

[koe2moe]

Bring a pancake on errands!!!   so it's not the looks, it's really the mood then

[Mom to M&M]

Yup, did just that. But even then he had only half a small pancake. Then he ate his banana and some cheerios. Apparently pancakes are only good out a a diner or the like? Going to offer sweet potato fries and the famous chicken sausage (but in patty form and made with turkey) at lunch. Dinner tonight is my new favorite bolognese recipe - in his case over mini wagon wheels.

[koe2moe]

i want to move in with u!   i made bolognese also but for tomorrow's dinner.. tonight having thai green curry (a very toned down version) with poached chicken breasts. 

Or just keep the pancakes as a treat when you eat out!  I was thinking of making my own banana orange juice/smoothie but i'll probably just leave it for the shop, a bit like IKEA meatballs.  Now when we ask DS, do you want to go to IKEA, he says.. meatballs!  

[Mom to M&M]

LOL Koe - come over anytime! Thai green curry and poached chicken sounds SOOOO good too. And LOL on the Ikea meatballs too.

Yea, pancakes might just have to be that way! Seems all he wants for breakfast lately (when home or on errands) is banana and dry cereal. Healthy at least!

[koe2moe]

i'll just keep giving him bananas.  My boy despite eating well was on 2-3 bananas per day for a very long time.  The other night when he ated the fish pie, he ate yoghurt and then a whole banana.  When DS was ill, all he wanted to eat was bananas.  Probably has some soothing effect for those gums!