2.5 yr old not asking for any food?

Question

my 2.5 yr old son eats food only if i feed him. He does not ask for any food/fruits even if he likes it. He eats it only if we feed him. He does ask for milk however and becomes very cranky if i refuse. So, if i dont feed him anything, he can sustain on milk the whole day. So to avoid this, i try to feed him. Sometimes i dont know if he is eating because i am putting it in his mouth or because he really wants to. How to make him ask for food - that is breakfast, lunch, fruits.. etc. I think once he starts asking for it, he will eat by himself and not want us to feed him. Thanks for any suggestions.

Answer 1

amen ashly!!  You as the parent have the responsibility to make sure he eats!!!  Most tiny kids like that are to busy to realize they are hungry!!  That is why you should have set meal and snack times!!  Do you make him ask to take a nap??  No, because he doesn't realize he is sleepy until you lay him down!!  Same concept!

Answer 2

i don't have any children but my mom said she had similar concerns when i was 3. apparently all i wanted was cheese (grilled cheese, mac and cheese) when she consulted the doctor she that young children do not starve themselves. if they aren't sick, they will eventually seek food if hungry. if you didn't givehim  any food or milk one day, he would definitely seek food. milk can be pretty fulling which is why he doesn't ask for food. have you gone a day or so not giving him milk?

Answer 3

Why do you need a kid to ask for food for you to feed him?

Why would you go a whole day without feeding him?  Why do you need a toddler to remind you to feed him?  

You know, neglect is also a form of abuse.

Sit him in his high chair, slap some Cheerios in front of him, and let him eat.

Answer 4

He may just be entertained by other things. I have to stop my son who is the same age from playing to feed him. Just make sure you are feeding him three times a day and giving him healthy snacks. I have always tried to give him choices. I ask him if he wants a sandwich or ravioli. Just make sure to talk to him a lot. If his check ups are fine and his weight is ok just keep feeding normal amounts. I am not saying in any way this is your fault because I know that little kids go through stages but just  make sure that nothing is bothering him. It may help to sit down and eat with him when he eats too.

Answer 5

Cool it Ashley, this is not the time to shoot a person when they are down. Do you Have Children?  As for your question, I am a mother of a 2 1/2 year old. I know he has days when he is very fussy. What i do on those days is I leave a lot of dried fruit out. Cranberries, prunes, raisins. The best is when i make popcorn and put , dried blueberries and prunes, raisins and Frito's. Mixed all up. He loves it. It's colorful and fun to dig for the fruit. For now i would throw out any rules about sitting properly and such. I would put on his favorite TV show with his favorite toys. Let him sit in mommies bed with or without you and just let him chill and dig in the popcorn. Just remember prunes are big , I cut them up.

Hope this helps and remember this too shall pass. Mothers must stick together for support. No one else understands unless your a Mommy. It's a Mommy thing

Answer 6

Ashley , I think the point this person is trying to make is the child want feed himself.  The point was not that they are abusing the child.  The person did say to avoid that I feed him.   Well anyway to answer your question I will tell you honestly.  If the child is not feeding himself you should have him evaluated by a DR.   At this age all you should hear coming out of their mouth is ME DO IT.   They don't want you doing anything for them.  If he is not , please have him evaluated for delays.