My 2 year old is not eating?

Question

My son has been on a not eating binge for the last week or so. He eats a bite here and there, but, never a entire meal. Not even close to an entire meal! He is skinny already and don't want him to lose any weight, but, I don't want to give him junk either. I know he would eat the junk (chips, cookies etc.). I don't think he has eaten anything except fruit and a few cookies in 2 days. He acts perfectly fine, just not hungry. Is this normal? Is it just a phase? Oh, he did eat 2 bites of a grilled cheese for dinner last night! Should I just wait it out or give him the stuff I know he will eat?

Answer 1

a phase? My son has been in this phase for 3 years. Its extremely frustrating! If you give them too much milk they will never eat, my doctor calls him a lazy eater if he can drink over eat he will. Limit the milk to 2 or 3 times a day at the most it will fill him up and don't let him have any snacks only meals.My son now 3 years old eats only peanut butter sandwiches, pancakes, and chicken.  Most of all don't try to force him,  make eating a happy time, eventually when he's hungry he'll eat.  Don't worry too much as long as he's healthy he's fine.

Answer 2

I've seen this happen a few times with my children.  I think it's just a phase, but you might want to make an appointment just in case.  What we did, is just try to get them to eat here and there throughout the day.  We would hand them a cracker and/or piece of cheese every time they were in the vicinity of the kitchen.  Even a 1/4 of a piece of toast with peanut butter, pieces of fruit, a spoonful of yoghurt or pudding, 1/2 a hard boiled egg....you get the idea.  We always made them come and sit at the dinner table with us even if they didn't want to eat.  The doctor said that a child will not starve himself to death, so not to be too concerned.  Just don't feed them junk food instead of healthy food.  They eventually come around, really !!

Answer 3

My wonderful pediatrican who has 40 years experience once told me that every year at the largest pediatric convention in the country, a panel of doctors sit down to discuss the biggest challenges of parenting toddlers.  Inevitably the question of "how do I make him/her eat?" comes up.  And every year, no one has a definitive answer.

His advise to me was continue to offer a variety of foods and when they are hungry, they will eat.  In other words, cook it and they will come :)

My middle son, who is 5, looks like he's malnourished he's so skinny.  But he eats when he wants and has been healthy since birth.  Most mornings, he refuses breakfast, eats barely any lunch then eats so-so for dinner.  About once a week, he totally pigs out (usually when I make Mac and Cheese).  I've found going outside and playing then making dinner helps.  He seems to work up an appetite for dinner around 7pm.

Experiment and find out what foods are favorites.  If they are junk, then you can offer those here and there but keep most meals healthy.

If you are concerned, schedule a well-visit with your child's doctor to check in on his height and weight.  Chances are, he's fine.  Just being picky toddler.

Answer 4

dont know

Answer 5

kids go through these phases my eldest son did and it lasted for almost a month. i tried everything even bribery to get him to eat but he wouln't budge. the best thing to do is not make a big fuss of it but praise him when he does eat something and when he doesnt just ignore it. make sure you give him plenty of fluids. juices and milk would be good. just to prevent constipation. if the weather is too hot where you are then that can also put kids off there food. it will pass and it is normal but if he seems ill at any stage see your doc. just make sure you leave out little snack where he might be playing you'd might be surprised to find he'll pick away an it whilst playing. it worked for me. good luck

Answer 6

Kids are known more to eat a little bit here and there and not really sit down to a full on meal and eat it all.

My son is almost 6 now and has always been in the bottom 5-10 percentile for weight.  He's not a heavy eater and it really used to make me upset.  Then I realized that when he's hungry, he'll eat.  He's also a sugar fiend and will do whatever he can to get it.  We're good about holding him out and not giving it to him until he eats something healthy.  It happened just last night.  Didn't touch dinner but wanted desert.  I was going to send him to bed without eating rather than give him sugar.  If they don't eat right away, they'll always make up for it later.

Answer 7

I was going to ask does he drink to much milk.  Even after my son turned one he had a thing for milk.  He was drinking wa too much and not eating as much as he should.  It has passed though.

Answer 8

my 2 year old did the same thing. except he wouldnt eat anything. i finally got him mto eat some baby food, then i tried bbq. and now he eats. so try feeding him baby food. or try something new.

Answer 9

For one he must know you are distressed about this.  For another, being 2 is all about self determination and gaining new skills - like being able to decide to not eat even if mom wants me to eat.  I'd not offer anything other then what's for breakfast/lunch/dinner, and he will eat when he's ready.  

Yeah it's normal, my 2 year old is pulling this right now.  He won't eat for two meals and then decides "I'm hungry!"  And eats twice as much as usual.  For now I am letting him call the shots about when he is hungry.  I am also offering two things to eat, he can choose one - which helps some.  And yeah this kid is skinny too, he's on the 50th percentile for weight but 95th+ for height, so I am not interested in him loosing weight.  Even with this baloney he's been pulling he's grown 1.5" and not lost weight in the last 2 months.  I know with my son, it's just him being a 2 year old.

Answer 10

my nephew is the same way. almost 2 and eats like a bird. picks at things all day long but will never eat anything close to a large amount of food. i was told at work (a daycare center) the child will eat when they get hungry enough. you can either wait it out or give him the healthy choices he likes i suppose

Answer 11

I would just talk to his doctor if you are concerned. I think he is fine. You should try getting him to drink milk. If not plain milk get him some thing to make it chocolate milk. I think you can get that at walmart, but it isn't real chocolate it is healthy for them.  I forget what the name of it is. I think he will eat when he is hungry though. But again if you are concerned just ask your doctor. Good luck.