My 22 month old daughter never wants to eat.?

Question

I have tried everything. She usually only eats a cup or two of diced fruit. (4oz cups) She drinks a lot of milk throughout the day and will sometimes eat what we eat. but usually she just throws it on the floor. Depending on what it is that she throws, I usually make her pick it up with me to try to get her to stop doing it. She only weighs about 18 lbs. Most 2mo olds are around 25lbs. She was 5lbs 12oz at birth and has stayed in about the 5th percentile. the doctor only worries if she doesn't gain any weight at all, but it really scares me. She also had pretty bad acid reflux as an infant, but we haven't seen any signs of that for about a year.

Answer 1

My 2 year old daughter don't wanna eat that much she picks a lot! But her doctor says that it is normal for small children to act that way! She eats things that she isnt suppose to like paper! I find her doing that a lot! But kids do it!!!But there is days that she eats real good! Your child will get out of it!! It's all good!!! Just dont worry they will eat when they want

Answer 2

Don't let her get by with throwing a fit. It is not acceptable. Reduce the amount of milk you are serving her. Insist she at least try what you are eating for supper. Then you can give her something else if you desire. She needs to be eating vegetables and meats and not just sweet fruit. It might even be better if she were not in your room at daycare. See what the other people do when their children ac t like that.

Answer 3

First, don't give her milk in between meals. Milk is very filling and if she gets it whenever she wants, then she won't be hungry for real food. If she wants something in her sippycup, give her water and save the milk for meal time.

Second, give her 3 or 4 healthy choices to eat. She can pick what she wants. But make it from what you are eating too. The last thing you want to become is a short order cook. She may not eat all of the food groups in one day, but over the course of the week, it should add up. It sounds like she really like fruit. That's good, but not if you give her fruit first. Try saving fruit for dessert.

Third, teach her now that throwing food is not okay. If she throws food, say "You can eat nicely or you can play by yourself in your playpen while we finish." Then when she throws, calmly put her in her playpen or room or somewhere safe, but away from the group. Thus, her call for attention has failed.  Don't get angry. She will not like it, but she will understand your actions.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Id maybe find a food thats had alot of calories and feed some to her maybe 3 times a week so she doesn't get under weight, and maybe make some fruit salads wih sugar ?

Answer 5

Wow, she seems way underweight.  Surely she has some favorite foods--you 've got to give those to her.  Don't worry about calories or anything else right now.  Eating has apparently become an unpleasant activity for her, and you're going to have to tempt her back into eating.  I doubt she'd starve herself to death, but she could get unhealthy this way.  Doesn't your pediatrician have any advice?  She might need something like Ensure to get her weight up.   Fruit's healthy, but that's what people eat when they want to lose weight.  She needs more than this.

Answer 6

My friends little girl wouldn't eat for weeks after a choking episode.  Maybe your daughter has had some type of negative eating experience that you don't know about because she isn't old enough to verbalize it.  My friend took her to a child behavioral psychologist and hasn't had any problems since.

Answer 7

she doesnt want 2 get fat

Answer 8

My youngest was exactly like that always at the bottom 5 percentile, hardly ever ate, but she did drink a lot of fluids.  I always worried about her because she was so tiny.  

Here is what I did - got some childrens vitamins (dr recommended brand) pedilite (sp? ask dr also) and fed her 6 to 8 small meals a day.  I never got upset when she didnt eat because I knew I would be feeding her again in a couple hours even if it was just some kid crackers.  I did this until she was ready for pre school in which they ate all day long as well. It wasnt until the middle of 2nd grade that I walked into her class and noticed that she is the tallest of them all she is still pretty skinny. Her last check up she is still in the lower percentile for weight but average for height.  In fact she has two half sisters that are 12 and 10 that are shorter then her. They have the same dad and he is only 5'7 but I am 5'9 and their mom is 4'11 so I am going to assume that is why they are not growing.

good luck

Answer 9

It's not abnormal for kids her age to be more interested in playing and the things around her.  She's also growing a lot less than she was before, so she needs fewer calories.  

I do have a couple suggestions, though, as my son went through the same thing and he was fairly small as well (16 lbs at 1 year).  First, make every calorie count.  Absolutely no junk.  

Lastly, if you're still concerned, make an appointment with her doctor to get her weighed now on their scale and discuss her eating.  They should be able to make a good comparison between then and her 2 year appointment.  She may not gain much weight at all, but as long as she doesn't lose where she is on the % chart.  ie she's may be less than the 3rd percentile, but that may be normal for her - but you still don't want to see a huge drop.  

I'd cut the amount of milk she's drinking first and foremost.  16 oz I believe is all she needs at her age.  Rather than her drinking regular milk, I'd consider pediasure.  My son drank if for a full year.  It has excellent nutrients, but more sugar than I'd like, but is an excellent choice to help her get the proper nutrients.  

Because she's probably very active and stopping for a meal can be a challenge, allow her to snack healthy through the day.  Have apple or grape pieces (small enough that she wont choke) sitting out or a banana or 1/4 peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole wheat toast.  Maximize the calories and nutrients.  If she doesn't eat dinner with you as a family, don't worry at this age, just help to make it fun for her by sitting with her if she's eating in her highchair.  If she has trouble focusing, consider trying to let her watch a short 15 minute show (part of Blue's Clues or something) so she'll actually sit down.  Sit with her and encourage her to take another bite.  

Find out what her favorite thing is....ketchup?  Fine...let's dip broccoli in ketchup.  Likes sweet stuff?  Fine, let her dip grilled chicken into a tiny 'polka dot' of syrup.  My son's also particular about what you call things - he doesn't like chicken, but if you call it 'pork', he'll eat it (I don't care what you call it, just eat it!  :)

I do wonder if your biggest problem might be that she's drinking too much milk and filling up on it rather than the other food.

Good luck, and trust that she's eating enough if she's growing properly.  

Also - my son nursed almost 100% until he was a year because he was uninterested in food.  He was small, but still stayed on his own <3% track.  That was when I started him on pediasure and he slowly got to be a better eater.  By 2 he was on just 8 oz of whole milk/8 oz pediasure and ate alright, but it was once he hit 2 1/2 that he became a GREAT eater, and I think part of it was me become a better 'feeder' - I knew ways to encourage him to eat without bribing him and trusting when he was not hungry and watching for signs (ie he always asks for 'milk' when he's hungry, but I never give it to him...I'll make him a nutritious snack - he gets 8 oz of milk at nap time and 8 oz at bed time  to keep his eating of regular foods up and keep it from filling him up).  Feel free to email me directly if you have any other questions about this as I feel like I'm pretty experienced.  It can be really stressful at the time, but looking back on it, all is well now.  By the time he's 3, he'll likely be 29 lbs (October), still small for his age, but it's an increase on his scale and he's getting taller and taller.  And he's healthy and happy - most importantly.

Answer 10

I have had similiar concerns with my son (now 3) when he was younger.  Our pediatrician told us something I found very helpful.  "No child has EVER starved him/herself to death."  They know when they are hungry and when they are not and trying to make them eat when they are not hungry will only teach them to eat when they are not hungry  which could obviously lead to eating disorders.  That being said you need to be sure that what she is eating is nutritiously balanced.  Be sure that when you offer her snacks through out the day that they are also nutritious so that you are not giving her any "wasted" calories.  Try raisins, yogurt, fruit, whole wheat crackers, etc...You also said that she drinks a lot of milk try tracking how many ounces of milk she drinks in a day.  It should not exceed 30 ounces (verify this with her pediatrician).  If she is drinking to much milk that may be what is filling her up.  Try offering the milk only after meals.  As far as the throwing her plate I have no advise my 18 mo. old does the same thing and we are trying to get him to stop.  You could try suction cup bowls/plates but, my son is persistant and manages to pull them up so you may have the same problem.

Answer 11

First of all, there are signs of malnutrition that your doctor would have noticed right off the bat when he saw her--so take a deep breath. :) It's good that you're concerned but don't be scared.  Always ask questions of the doctors and nurses.  They owe you that.

At this age, toddlers start to drop a little weight and yes... eat less.  This is normal.  She was tiny at birth, which definitely has a lot to do with her size now--she's small!  Are her parents large people?  Think of genetics too.  If her height and weight are not way out of proportion on the growth chart; for example, low weight but normal ht.--there is no red flag.  High weight, low height or visa versa, would be abnormal.  Things that might scare you--for real--would be decreased urination, dark circles, dry eyes and mouth (any mucosa areas), discolored bowel movements, and just about anything abnormal where the digestive system and nutrition are concerned.  Good color, good skin turgor, (gently pull a small piece of skin up on the back of her hand and if it falls into place normally it's norm.  if it tents and takes a long time to go back, this is a sign of dehydration), healthy nails and moist mucous membranes should be present in a healthy child.   It's important that you are following her closely though, so keep up the good work.  Encourage her like you do, and try creating fun things with food.  Look that up on the net.  Like cars made with celery and carrot wheels filled with peanut butter!  Those are fun. :)

Best wishes to you and the "little" (pun intended...smile) darling.  Sonnie

Answer 12

You might have to force her to eat

MY cousin is the oppisite that 2 year old wont stop eating, thank GOD she is not fat

Answer 13

I don't know much about kids (im 15), but my parents told me that we, us children, liked bland food like rice and bread, you can try that. good luck

Answer 14

Make eating more proteined and weight gaining food sort of a game.  make it fun for her to eat better food for her.

Answer 15

I have the same problem with my daughter. except shes on the bigger side of most 2 years old she weighs 34 pounds...  (tall and thin)  Its good that shes eating fruit at least but dont cater to her ..  my daughter is 28 months old now but she and I fight the eating battle constantly and yes she says I'm done once and if you dont get  it immediately she throws it to the floor also.. she doesnt eat most of what we eat either.. my  mom told me and my doctor agreed  give her what your eating and if she refuses to eat it pick it up  and dont give her anything else..  she might miss a meal or two but trust me she will get hungry enough  she will eat... my daughter generally only eats one meal a day (dinner usually)  I always offer her stuff  but she doesnt eat much of it.. I usually give her a small bowl of dry cereal for breakfast and she munchs on that and then around lunch  she has fruit or  macaroni and cheese or basically whatever I can get her to eat.. (somedays its only a sugar free popsicle).. and then most of the time she will eat dinner..

(ex. spagetti , she will only eat this if I make it with linguine noodles) I have a feeling it has to do with the fact that they're easier to pick up. you daughter being so little at birth probably means she will be a little kid.. My daughter was 7lb.5 oz   and by the way she was colicky and had acid reflux  ( was on ready to feed alimentum and Prevacid  granules for it)  until she was almost 18 months old... I know its a battle  but find a few things (through trial and error mostly )she likes and alternate them.. try something every now and then. and also cut back on the milk .. by 2  they are not supposed to have more than 16-20 ounces of milk a day... Good luck

Answer 16

as long as shes eating something then dont worry the worse thing you can do is fuss her thats what she wants instead offer her food if she dont want it say fine dont have it ill eat it and leave it at that she will then want it kids always do the oppisite of what you want trust me i have a daughter and i was a fussy eater when i was a child for 13 years! It was the reaction you get and attention dont give in to her if shes hungary she will eat try it and good luck.

Answer 17

Isn't it odd that when we are children, our natural desire is to eat exactly the way EVERYONE should be eating?  Several small meals per day.

But we adults forced our children to eat everything on their plates.  Even made them sit there well after dinner time, staring at the plate of food.

And now, our country is absolutely FULL of obese people!!

It's worth some thought.

I think it would do some good to stop making such a big deal of the not eating... it might be her way to get attention.

Answer 18

i have a nephew thats the same gae and he wieghs 27 pounds. when he doesnot want to eat we bribe him. it might work but im not sure. GOOD LUCK. if itgoes on longer, go to a doctor forher. it is a problem. i hope i helped.

Answer 19

Stop giving her so much milk and fruit. I never tell parents to take away milk, but you need to limit her mik  to 4-6 oz three times a day, in between meals only offer water. Do not offer any fruit for a week, At each meal offer only the food, do not put a drink on the table until she has eaten at least half of her food. Drinking too much milk fills their belly, but it does not cause them to gain weight at this age, because they need the solid foods. After she has eaten half of her food then give her milk. Once she realizes that she does not get to eat the sweet fruit she will begin to eat other things. Once she is eating her meals then bring fruit back into her diet. However; same as the milk, make sure she eats half of what is offered or all of it before you even put the fruit on her plate. If she knows she has fruit or something else to eat she will never eat what is put in front of her. She will eat when she is hungry, do not offer her any snacks in between meals either. Make sure she is not grazing in between meals, otherwise she will be too full at meal times. By 22 months she should be picking up all of her mess and I would be putting a discipline on top of that. I start taking children away from the table at 12 months to pick up their mess and then they are put in time out, and then brought back to the table. Be consistent!! When she realizes mommy and daddy are not giving in she will start to eat. 15 lbs is very scary, I have a one year old who weighs 22lbs and is 28inch. My nephew is 2 months and weighs 15lbs.