What to do When Your Child Won't Eat

There aren't many parenting challenges that cause more concern, conflict, and sheer frustration than a child who won't eat. Attempts to balance your youngster's need for proper nutrition with their finicky tastes can drive you to the brink of insanity. Take heart! Today's video has some straightforward, effective tips to help end the battle at the dinner table.

[EmmaKumaSama]

its always so easy to talk about the theory. next time please invite a toddler over and show us how you do it in live

[swiftermom]

this video brings tears to my eyes. I have been struggling with feeding my son to the point I get very anxious at every meal time -" here we go again, another battle begins" I ran out of ideas of what to feed him and almost every meal turns into a yelling match!! Your video was so on point and helpful. It feels good to know that I am not alone in this. Thank you so much for your advice.

[StitchAndMakeUSA]

Eat every 2 hours ? My 2 year old will not eat for two days and still refuse to eat

[cap]

My two toddler's brought me here. When I was growing up it was eat or go hungery.

[DamiDimension]

Our doctors said "give her more time and let her get hungry first" Video said "feed them every 2 hours or they loose interest in food". I am more confused now😕

[msezbreezy]

I needed to see this my 15 month it’s always a battle. I will start doing this and relax. Thank you!

[whitniankney]

I had no idea that they had to eat every 2 hours! Thank you.

[iriesounds]

My youngest son was worse, when it came to eating than my two oldest kids put together. He would rather snacks or drink than eat food. The wic nurse told me to refuse to give him the drink until he eats, but I had already tried that and it didn't work, he turned around and walked away so I gave him the drink fearing that he would get dehydrated. His doctor told me not to worry about it that he will eat when he's hungry. When he was in the hospital with pnemonia the Dr was not gonna release him because they couldn't get him to eat anything, but when they seen that I was able to get him to eat, the Dr released him. His eating habits were so bad that his taste seemed to change like every week, one week it was chicken nuggets and the next week it would be pizza rolls. As he got older, it got a little bit easier, he was still a picky eater, but some days he would eat all day long and other days he would just pick at his food. Right now he is 21 years old and he is still a picky eater, but I can't really say too much about that cuz I am also a picky eater.

[maucanread]

This is so helpful, I have a 2 years old son and won’t eat anything I gave him, it’s a constant battle and everyday I am trying to just let it go and let him choose if he wants or what he wants to eat. But as a Mom it’s so hard knowing that the amount he eats is so little and he is a premie baby so his weight is less than what it should be.. 🙁

[KgwittheTEA]

You set me free today ! I was tremendously scared something was wrong but that’s exactly what my 2 year old does and I have to get on a better schedule

[karengood]

I realy needed this coz I was fighting alot with my daughter to eat like some times I felt like crying when she don't eat..thanx alot

[dacoldestbiatch]

hi. I have a 1 1/2 yr old daughter. She is 19 pounds and 10 ounces. at the moment my daughter is a picky eater. I spoiled my daughter with milk. She drinks milk, juice, and water if I had juice in it. I want to encourage my daughter to drink water as well eat more chewable food. At breakfast time I feed her oatmeal mixed with yogurt or applesauce. I feed her baby crackers, fruit, and vegetables throughout the day. she doesn't want to eat the fruits and vegetable I give her. I mix fine cut slices of fruit into yogurt thats how she eats fruit. I've given her pasta (soft noodles), finely chopped shredded chicken, mixed veggies, and cheese. she doesn't want to eat it. food my daughter has to chew she spits out. she cries. I placed food in front of her she picks the food up with her fingers and throws it on the floor. Recently what I have been fed her is Gerber's graduate meals. they can be heated up in the microwave for 30 seconds. She seems to love those. I just want my daughter healthy. I want her to be a good weight. she's petite, well proportioned, and energetic. she has more appetite for liquids than solid food.

[ranesmakhalil]

My doughter she is 11 months, she is refusing whatever I give to her, she just want to eat her self but she couldn't have enough food. Thank u this video really help me😊

[malo]

I cook really delicious food and give my son numerous options but he still refuses to eat 😞😞😞

[christinat]

I am going through this now with my 19 month old son. Meal time is such a fight which ends in me crying and begging him. It doesn’t matter what I serve he will NOT eat it. He might put a few bites in his mouth a spit it right out . I’m honestly loosing my mind. He’s loosing weight and it’s breaking my heart. He use to eat 3 meals a day and 1 or 2 snacks now I can hardly get 1 full meal in. He goes to school 3 days a week and the teacher has even mentioned how she’s concerned . He will just sit there and watch the other kids eat. Please help !!!!

[adao.]

Thank you this worked on my 16month old..I'm so grateful

[ali]

This almost made me cry. Thank you so much. I'm laughing with the relief of knowing there is a way through this for me and my daughter. Thank you

[mercedescivic]

I know this is an old post but I have hit a bottom again with my 3 yr old.. I have a long back story to his eating history (we have been to feeding therapy and after 6 visits all we gained was him throwing tantrums when trying new foods and he got a bloody nose at the last appointment I took him too. He in under weight but does gain weight at his 3 yr wcc he was 25 lbs. I told his pediatrician about his behavior at thhe appointments etc. and he said he is gaining weight so if you want to stop going I am ok with that. He will not go in a high chair (use too, now a full punching scratching tantrum if I attempt it). In this video you mentioned milk/juice and grazing. I have been told to let him graze and top him off with his milk or if he doesnt eat its ok to give him milk (vit D choc that is high in fat and protein(he gets before bed) and one carnation instant breakfast a day at like 3) because he is so small. I have been told many things by one person and told different by another which i why I stopped feeding therapy.. It just got too overwhelming on top of other issues my son has (speech delay, which he attends an early learning program at his elementary school through our school/state system as well has we did an at home early intervention program at home before he was 3). So long story short the milk? also the grazing? Any help or advice will be much appreciated!!! It's been a long rough road from the pregnancy until now and I try to convince myself its getting easier and we'll get through this but I'm starting to doubt again. I don't know where else to turn as pediatricians and primary childrens feeding therapy hasn't helped him much. Thank you for your time!

[FD-t]

Thanks Dana.. That's a relief.. I have been struggling with varieties and timing and what and when.. I m relieved that he will eat when he wants to and stressing will only make the situation worse.. Really appreciate the video :)

[dianarodriguez]

I am experiencing this with my 2 years old daugther and I feel I'm.gonna explode of frustration, worry and anger at the same time. Nothing works with her, even the sweet food she rejects it. There is no favourite food or snack for her, I feel desperate. By other side I feel the pressure from my own mother as it was my fault. I can't stop feeling frustrated with the motherhood stuff now😢