Parenting Forums

Posted: 03 July 2008 at 8:12pm | IP Logged

Edward has never really been a problem when it comes to food. He's not wonderful as far as eating is concerned but he's ok and he eats most of his meals. However for the past 3 days he has REFUSED dinner.

Its been different things each time and things I know he times (tuna risotto, oxtail stew, chicken pasta) but its like he's made his mind up before he's got to the table that he wont eat. I havent let him snack during the afternoon so he should be hungry.

He just point blank refuses to eat and no amount of coxing, threats or bribery make him eat. He tries telling me he doesnt know how to eat (which is silly as he's been feeding himself well for AGES).

If he doesnt eat it thats it - nothing else is offered even when he tells me later he's hungry - and no treats like extra stories or tv before bed but it seems to make no difference.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Posted: 03 July 2008 at 8:20pm | IP Logged

• Madz sorry I'm no help Hun, I've been having the same sort of problems lately with Molly and I'm just hoping it will get better and its just a phase - i know she wont starve and if she was that hungry she would eat so I'm keeping my foot down and not giving her anything else (she does eat quiet well during the day its just tea time), she also has fed herself for ages but now asks me to feed her as she says she cant do it herself !!! i do just to get her to eat something but some nights even thats not working, i thought maybe thats come in because i feed Jessie but i really dint know I'm just hoping it will get better - good luck xx jue xx 

Posted: 03 July 2008 at 9:05pm | IP Logged

Hun i know the heat affects the amount kids eat. Also being tired also affects it.

As you know from kristian he doesn't eat alot, try not to make a big fuss...it should rectify itself. Some days kids just aren't very hungry (bit like us), try eating a small portion with him and go with the over phrase if he does it.

He also might be scared about going to school and being a big boy etc.

Is there anyother changes? Is he worried about anything at all?

Good luck hun but try not to worry....

Posted: 04 July 2008 at 9:12am | IP Logged

My DD can perfectly feed herself when we go out and about and visiting family but despite the fact she will be four in September I have occasionally resorted to putting the food on her fork or spoon for her then passing over the cutlery with food. It stopped her waking at 3am hungry (which she did before when we just left it).

We can generally say it when she's tired after an exhausting afternoon nursery session. She also went through a phase, which has now passed, of wanting to be a baby by lying in my arms on the sofa and saying I want to be a baby.

If he's not waking up early hours hungry then I'd leave it. Children will not starve themselves.

Finally I have noticed my DD preferences for food have changed in the last 6 months from eating almost anything to being a little more selective but nothing that's concerning.

Posted: 07 July 2008 at 8:22am | IP Logged

Yup, Lewis is doing this too.  And hes not snacking or getting treats either.  Definately think its a phase and he will eat when hes starving lol!  Im also at a loss of what to do, think we just have to go with it for now

Good luck and hope things improve soon xxxxxxx