3.5yrs becoming picky

[malibu_nikkus]

We've had lots of changes - new baby, started school 6mths ago...DS regressed completely in potty training 6mths, totallyrefuses to go.  Now he hates most things we serve and refuses to eat it.  My other kids never did this.  Is it developmental for some kids or stress related (trying to gain control in an area in his life?)? How should we deal with this?

[snowbird]

Could be either. Read somewhere recently that the physical tastes really do change a lot for LOs - not sure where though! So if they say they no longer like it, it could be a totally different taste for them.

I personally would keep offering a variety of food, making sure there's stuff in there that he does like. Let him decide whether or not he eats it. I really believe that our job is to serve it and theirs is to decide what to do with it. I think making a big deal of it/rewarding/forcing just creates issues around food.

LJ has always eaten what she wants, when she's hungry. Never praised her once and we have varied sating patterns. Xxx

[Buntybear]

Hi there, I hope things have improved for you now? It could well be a stage where he is trying to gain control over some areas of his life - and food is an easy one for them to do this with! Agree with pp to keep offering a variety of foods. Ands remember keep it fun! Can you get him involved in the cooking? Change things up a bit? Instead of a bowl of fruit make them into kebabs with a choc dipping sauce for example?