Is she getting enough nutrition?

[Kayleesmom]

My 19 month old daughter is starting to turn down everything I feed her. The only things she is sure to eat is mac and cheese -or any kind of pasta for that matter- cheese slices, and bananas. She does ok with grits in the mornings too. I have tried every kind of meat every different way I could fix it, with no luck. She wont even eat eggs. Every now and then I can sneak something into the mac and cheese but she sometimes catches me and spits out the meat. I even tried smearing some of that ground meat paste you can buy in a baby food jar into a grilled chesse sandwich. That didnt work either, but then I cant blame her on that one... it was pretty gross! :)

Needless to say, the dr said her iron level is low. I'm also wondering if this could be causing her extreme irritability lately...? I know she isn't getting enough protein. Anyone have any suggetions for such a picky eater, and has anyone had one whose temperment went off the deep end during this phase??

[MommaC]

I think that phase is pretty typical. Give her some of what she likes but require her to try new things every day (even if it's just one bite). Keep in mind that it can take up to 15 tries for a child to accept a food. Don't get too emotionally invested in it. If she's hating meat, look for other sources of iron and protein. Beans, cheese, peanut butter, milk, etc. count for protein. I'm pretty sure that leafy greens involve iron. Entice her with the idea of dipping: salad dressings, peanut butter, hummus, jelly, ketchup, honey mustard--whatever trips her trigger! Good luck!

[Kayleesmom]

Yeah I know about the 10-15 tries thing, but she is turning down food she used to eat. I never thought of the dipping technique though, I'm gonna try that for sure. Thanks for that advice!!!

[MommaC]

Could she be teething at all? Sometimes kids get more choosey when they're working on teeth... Hope the dipping helps. :) Keep an open mind. Try things you think might be disgusting...like dipping meats or veggies in maple syrup. ;)

[Kayleesmom]

Im starting to think there may be a new tooth trying to come down somewhere that I just cant see yet.

She loves sweet stuff too, I never thought of the maple syrup idea. I try not to give her too much sugary stuff, but if it she gets protein and iron out of the deal then the pros outweigh the cons :) Thanks!!

[MommaC]

Yogurt is sweet and a bit healthier than syrup. ;) And if she's pulling the all-out refusal thing, try to think of ways to give her choices (if she's old enough to make a choice). She can choose between this plate and that plate, this dip and that dip, does she want to eat it first or second, etc. Giving her choices within the realm of your desire helps her to feel like she has a measure of control while you get what you want. :) Win-win! Be excited about meals. If you're excited about foods and dips, she might be, too. Serve something she likes and something she should have. Take turns choosing what to eat. Take turns closing your eyes and letting the other put a bite of something in your mouth. Good luck!

[my2crazykids]

I am actually on this site to look for ideas to help me with my 19 month old son...dinner time has been a complete bear the last few weeks. He has popped all 4 molars and 2 bottom eye teeth so I feel bad, but he is eating nothing at dinner but yogurt, cheese, fruit. His breakfast seems okay, but I cannot get him to eat a decent lunch or dinner. He tries what I am cooking, but spits it in his bowl. I also tried the dipping...no such luck. I tried taking him out of his highchair and letting him sit at the table with us in a booster...didn't work either. I am going nuts. I hate that I spend an hour cooking a great healthy meal and he'll have nothing to do with it. Any other suggestions mommys??

[MommaC]

I would probably give his mouth a chance to calm down. He's not going to develop any major deficiencies in a week or two, so just follow his lead. Still give him what you've made for dinner (a little bit so you don't have to be sad if he wastes it), but don't be afraid to give him something he's willing to eat. Don't stress. He'll see it. Play it cool; take it in stride.

[my2crazykids]

Thanks for the input.

I guess I am worried he's not eating enough or getting enough vitamins. My 4 year old ate anything put in front of her and had chubby baby fat...he seems so skinny compared to her. And and the screaming to get down or throwing his food on the floor when I know he has to be hungry is getting really old after weeks on end.

[MommaC]

What does the pediatrician say?

[mtnmama1]

Too much dairy can block iron so you'll want to watch for that. Dairy can be a good source or protein (1 cup of milk = 1 egg) but it has its drawbacks.

Sometimes picky eating can be a control issue. For reasons I have yet to figure out, kids like things better when they help make them. A 19 month old is not too young to bring into the kitchen, see if that helps.

Another good source of iron is fortified cereal and bread. If she'll eat toast with jam on it or a half cup of cheerios, that's a fair amount of iron for a little one.

I personally kept a multi-vitamin on hand for picky days and didn't make any sort of an issue about food. I understand the poly-vi-sol is very bad tasting but we used Schiff's which tasted like orange juice with a mild vitamin aftertaste (I know, I tasted it). I only ever gave her a quarter dose because anything more than that made her constipated, but it kept her iron levels normal. We didn't have ongoing picky problems, she'd just have her days. It at least made me feel better that she was getting a vitamin.

[my2crazykids]

His ped says he is growing perfectly and is taller than my daughter so he is a little slimmer. I think I am just worrying too much. I have to remember not to compare them...every child is different and he is a healthy, active little man. And in the end...he'll eat when he's hungry and what we get in him...great! Thanks for your help.