One of my biggest challenges as a mother has been the "I don't wanna eat ANYTHING" stage. Really, what's the deal with toddlers that refuse to eat. Well, not in its entirety. But going from a bottomless-infant to a "belly-full-toddlers" makes wanna pull my hair - some days anyway. It's gotten better.
So here it is the deal. A and D have gone through that stage, and I know that my kids are not the only ones. I've asked moms, friends and family about it and it seems like most kids go through that stage; some earlier some later. Anthony didn't seem to stay in that for a long time but our little David seems to like it, because more are the days that he doesn't wanna eat that those he actually wants to. Now, I'm not saying he doesn't eat anything at all. He does. But he doesn't really do a full meal like he used to. He now grazes as a goat and eats all day long, and I try to make it count with healthy stuff. But knowing that his weight is really on track help me not to worry so much anymore.
Since they were born I made their baby food, purees, soups, everything. I would supplement with baby food jars when some of my days as a full time student would drain me to the point I would barely make dinner. It was exhausting.
What I'm trying to say is that I at least know that my little ones have been well fed, and to this day I still serve David a whole meal when we are sitting eating together. 9 out of 10 times he chooses not to eat it and yes, I just say to myself : "Maybe tomorrow will be the day". However, I've found that he will eat very good if I make him a soup and in each spoonful there is a goldfish. It works like magic! He eats every single bit. And when I see that empty plate it feels like an angelical moment with the clouds opening, sun shinning through and the angel-like singing.
My mom says that I am now paying for what I did to her when I was little. She told me I wouldn't eat anything and I would make her cry. Oops! Sorry mom.
So there it is. I think that's been one of my biggest challenges so far as a mom. I was raised with healthy homemade foods and meals, and I wanna do the same for my kiddos. So far I have, but it would be even better if they actually ate it don't you think?
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I've been thinking about this all day today...and I think you should cut out his snacks. Sounds harsh, but that way he'll be forced to eat 3 meals. He'll catch on after a day or two!
ReplyDeleteI went back and read my baby book about N and saw I had to do this briefly with him. He went to bed one night and had hardly eaten all day, but by the next day, he was ready to eat all 3 meals!!!
Thank you Emily! You know, I've done that before and he would still not eat, and I've even spoken to his Dr. So, I think that as long as he eats whatever it is that it is healthy, he will come around. A did, but this little guy seems to be taking longer. Like I said, he'll have a good breakfast and late lunch and some healthy smoothies and snacks along with it but is not consistent. I think it's been more difficult because he was such a good eater that he stuffed himself up until he could not more. We'll see...
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