How do I change my 17 month olds picky eating habits before it is to late?

Question

I have a 17 month old girl that is becoming a picky eater... I think most of it is my fault. As a first time mom, I have just always made my daughter her own special meal. So she rarely ever ate what we had, but whatever meal I made for her to eat. Now that she is used to getting her own special meal, she refuses to eat what we are eating. I thought about doing the "if you don't eat what we are eating then you don't eat at all" approach but she is already small for her age (80% height but only 10% in weight) so I hate to deprive her of any nutrition that she would need... Also, there are a few things that she likes and I feel like thats all she eats all the time (mac and cheese, hot dogs, sausage patties, ramen noodles, yogurt) but I feel like that is all she ever wants to eat, so that is what I make for her because I know she will eat it. I was still giving her baby food fruit up until a few days ago, because the only fruits she will eat normal are strawberries and pears!!! pls help

Answer 1

start slow and give her things that she would normally not want with something she does. For example: make her a hot dog but cut it into little pieces so she is not eating a whole one, and you could also give her smaller amounts of mac and cheese with some fruits and veggies on the side with some cheese or ranch dip. Or you could even give her some mac and cheese with carrrots and brocolli chunks in it. Plus if she refuses to eat something, get toys r us catalog and tell her if she eats her food you will buy her something she wants from there (ex. a barbie) and when she doesnt you will take it away. this method is good for potty training too.

Answer 2

I agree with the others. One thing though, don't let her have candy/sugary snacks and drinks when she dosn't want to eat. Kids this age really like sweets and will refuse to eat a healthy diet unless a treat is involved. This is a big no, no !

Answer 3

Stop enabling her behavior.  Fix ONE meal for the family, if she doesn't eat don't force her don't fix her anything else, don't allow her any snacks before bed.  Nothing to eat until breakfast.  She won't starve to death missing one meal.  She will learn that she is no longer in control and rather than go to bed hungry another night she will more than likely eat what is placed in front of her.

Answer 4

I have an eighteen month old who does the same thing.It's just their age. It will pass eventually.They all eat when they are hungry.Just make sure that when they do want to eat, it's something healthy. You are doing fine though. It's so normal to worry like that. My mother always tells me they won't starve themselves so just let em eat when theyre hungry.

Answer 5

She's still a little young for mandates.  Start varying the food and have games about trying things.  (If you try a green bean, you get a piece of strawberry, etc.)

If she's still that way at 2.5-3, do what my Mom did.  Let her sit there until she eats what's on her plate, or give it to her the next day for breakfast.

She'll learn she better eat when it's given.

Answer 6

she is just being 17 months old and sounds like she is doing a good job lmao relax and just try new foods don't pressure her to try it she will eventuly

Answer 7

My daughter is almostly exactly in the same percentages as your child, underweight and over height, and she was picky in her eating habits. I allowed her to have choices at mealtimes, but only what we were eating. If she didn't eat I didn't worry because I knew she would eat the next time. If she wanted a snack, I picked 2 choices of something healthy. If she wanted neither, no worries, she would be hungry later. Now she eats what we eat, sometimes alot when she is growing, and sometimes not so much. I don't worry too much about her because as long as she looks and acts healthy I know she is eating as much as her body requires.