Fussy Eating and Hurtful Comments
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My son doesn't eat sandwiches (but does eat toasties!) - have you tried making some muffins with flavours he likes? Can hide veggies in them and also egg muffins if he likes that? Sausage rolls? Pizza type flatbreads? Same with fruit in oat bars, just some portable ideas with more nutrition worth trying 🙏🏼
I know this sounds bad but your FIL probably actually can’t remember how fussy toddlers can be. Next time you hear something like this I would say to him that his generation are filled with chronic anxiety because of the parenting they received. I wont have my boy go hungry because he doesn’t feel like what’s on offer I’m sure your FIL gets to pick his own meals! My son was the best eater ever! Had such varied and healthy diet and would eat loads of in the last few months he has turned so picky, has went off every fruit except strawberries and basically won’t eat a dinner unless it’s bolognaise or lasagne. The only time he eats well is at nursery but even there he is refusing lunch now and having a sandwich instead. I was worried but not anymore. Apparently it’s totally normal at this age and it’s more to do with them not actually being as hungry because their rate of growth has slowed right down and they don’t need the same calories. They will eat normally again age 4 xx
Does he like milk? They can get toddler milk right up until age 3. I give my boy this once a day with well baby liquid added. The formula is fortified with calcium, vitamins and minerals and DHA. The Wellbaby has the full amount of vitamin D that they need and iron and zinc as well as other vitamins. At least this way you know they are still getting the essentials while they go through this stage. Also, the snacks you’re giving are fine and won’t have all the trans fats that mass produced bread used in a cafe has. So don’t worry about what he’s saying about you. We are blessed to live during a time where we have options available for our children ❤️ x
And if it makes you feel better, my best friends son from age 2-4 basically refused to eat anything except plain pasta with butter 🤣. He’s eating normally again lol and is perfectly happy and healthy.
@Lle thank you. He wasn't there most of the time but always has an opinion about everything I do as a parent. Just gets very stressful. The time we went out was awkward because it was brunch time and I thought we would be back in time for lunch but we were a lot later. Just one of those days. But I'll definitely try to make the effort to give him food where I can before going out. I've tried fruit for snacks but he refuses to even try it. He used to eat fruit like sweets between 12-18 months.
@Georgia I've tried the muffins and homemade snacks like porridge and fruit bars. Muffins he won't eat because I'm assuming they're not sweet. And he won't even try the other bars I have made. He won't eat meat or any type of bread anymore. Do I just keep offering and if he won't try it not give him anything else? I don't want him to think that by refusing he'll get what he wants that way 😅 it's all so stressful
@Lana that's really helpful to know about those biscuits, thank you. I only give him things like that in emergencies if I know he won't eat anything out and about. But most of the time we're at home so I can offer him more choice. I'll steer clear of those from now on. I used to make my own snacks but it got to a point he would refuse so I just turned to things like processed items for emergencies. I need to stop being lazy and just start making things again. I eat fruit and veg in front of him but he still won't try any of it like he used to. I try to show him it's nice but it's probably me giving him the odd few biscuits which isn't helping.
@Chelsea yeah I'm so worried my boy will go hungry all the time. I made pancakes for breakfast and fruit and he refused everything. Hasn't eaten since yesterday evening. So I end up giving him cereal which he will eat. No idea if that's the correct thing to do. It's so frustrating isn't it. Once in a blue moon my boy will eat a banana. But he refuses apples, grapes, strawberries, raspberries, kiwi etc. He will eat his evening meals only if they're pasta, spaghetti, noodles, or rice based dishes. But will pick all the veg out. I can't use a food processor because he has sensitive hearing and gets hysterical even if my partner takes him upstairs. He has milk, he's still breastfeeding a couple of times a day. He also has a multivitamin. Thanks for the advice, I can't see it ever ending but it must do at some point 🤣 x
Fussy eating can be down to genetics more than what parents actually do, don't beat yourself up too much! Here's an article to show the haters https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yj7nqe7zgo.amp
You’re not doing anything wrong. Toddlers can be picky eaters… I know mine is… I try to feed her before going to a restaurant so I don’t have to worry about it… but his comments are unnecessary, and was he the one raising his own children and feeding them 100% of the time? Because kids eat what they will eat esp when out and I highly doubt he really knows what he’s talking about.. I also doubt he’s a pediatric nutritionist.. so if you’re really concerned about what your son is eating you can consult with one.. but honestly I’ve had a pediatric nutritionist/speech pathologist recommend I give my toddler veggie straws as it’s good for “mouth mapping” .. I doubt that’s all you’re feeding your child also