Toddler Food On Holiday For Fussy Eater

[upsydaisy]

Hi, My boy is 18 months old and we're taking him away soon (we are staying in a hotel in England)- he is a fussy eater (won't eat anything too dry or lumpy) but will usually eat baby jar food. My problem is that he will only eat it warmed up (can't blame him, they are a bit mank if cold) But I know where I live nowhere will heat baby jars up anymore ('health an safety') and those flask things don't heat the jars up much. We will be eating out quite a lot and am getting worried about what to do (will I end up having to buy a cheapo microwave to feed him in the hotel room??) Cheers! x

[annie0000]

At 18 months, I would be tempted to give up the jars before you go - it won't be easy, but I can assure you that he won't allow himself to starve. Offer him proper food and milk and other drinks in normal quantities and he doesn't eat it take it away and give him his usual proportion of snacks and meals. I can guarantee that he will at least try some other food and he will probably eat at least one decent amount within 24 hours - irt sounds hard, but it is probably the only way that you will get hoim off the jars and it would be better to do it before you go.

If you really can t face it, try him on bags of dried cherios, fruit, raisins and cold puddings e.g. mullerrice or custard - at least they are more portable - savoury meals are more of a problem. You will also find some places like the family type of pubs that will warm them and also places like ikea if you are stuck.

[ethanryan]

my son is 2 and a fussy eather. we like to give him a healthy diet but i think when you go away it dont hurt to let them have some goodies. we take things like snack size sausage rolls, mini savoury eggs, cocktail sausages. as they are all cooked and can eat them cold, just take a small lunch box for him why not take stuff with you and make him sandwiches up before you go out.
another one of my sons favourite is little tubs of pasta that you just add water too, you can buy a mash one too. pot noodles things like that are easy as you could get a thermal flask and fill it with boiling water before you go out.
can he not eat the childrens meals served in restaurants, sausage and mash etc.

[upsydaisy]

Hi - thanks for your replies. Perhaps I didn't explain quite how fussy he is - he will not eat sandwiches,toast, bananas or any other fruit unless truly blended and hidden (custard or rice is the only way of getting fruit into him as we can hide it) in fact he will only eat really quite wet food with lumps no bigger than the size of your little finger nail. Or, very dry crunchy food such as crisp breads rice cakes bread sticks! Believe me I've tried only giving him 'proper' food (by the way I do cook for him at home - I just have to whizz it up very small) but he gags or refuses to eat (and I mean for days) I'm hoping pasta off kids menu will be our saviour! Ethanryan - those pots sound pretty handy too - I will look out for them - cheers xx

[tigwig]

upsydaisy I know exactly how you feel! My now 4yr old USED to be exactly the same and would only eat sausage rolls, yoghurts, toast and chicken nuggets, nothing else! I tried absolutely everything to get her to eat more including reward charts an drefusing to give in. One time she didn't eat for 3 days then I decided enough was enough and let her carry on with the food she did like. While people would think she was trying it on I knew it was beyond faddy eating (I am a nursery nurse and know what is faddy eating and what isn't) Like you holidays were a nightmare and unless we found somewhere that served the food she would eat she went without even though we knew she was starving she couldn't not wouldn't eat. Eventually she was referred to a psychologist and was on the waiting list for so long she cured herself!! She started trying very small mouthfuls of new foods bit by bit and with praise and encouragement gradually built up into eating normal portions. There is light at the end of the tunnel for you too I am sure. Can you not use a bottle warmer for his jars? I am sure they would heat it up enough because the longer you leave them in the hotter they get! Good luck and have a nice holiday, remember most kids do eat when they are hungry apart from mine of course so even if he lives on breadsticks for the whole holiday he will be fine!

[meltoadhall]

children will not starve themselves, put whatever you are having in front of him and then eat yours if he eats it fine if not dont let it become a power struggle.
mine were eating spagetti bolonaise at 18 months and loved garlic bread, as long as he is drinking dont worry as I said before children will not starve themselves and if you make a food diary of every morsel that goes in his mouth you will soon see this.

enjoy the holiday and dont stress about it.

[skyep]

Hi upsydaisy -
There are those mini hob things you can buy, like a two ring electric boiler. Argos sell them - www.argos.co.uk item number -
421/9938 also 422/8730
Be careful if you buy one with toddlers about! xxx