2 1/2 year old v food

[jojo75]

Hello,
I have a 2 1/2 year old son who is very healthy, well built actually big for his age anyway he has become an extremely fussy eater, He has never been great at eating. I have always made his food so i have tried to feed him healthily. Abut 2 months ago he got the sickness bug for about a week and it seems since then he and food don't go, He gags if he eats more than a few spoons of food and i am at my witts end. Any advice would be great Thank you

[pastafreak]

Be patient with him, and don't by any means turn mealtimes into a battleground. He may associate food with sickness and as a consequence be frightened of eating too much. He is also at an age where he needs to assert him self and this is one way he can do that. give him small amounts to start and don't make a big deal if he only has a bit...he won't starve. Toddlers are very resiliant!

[laurencelolo]

i have brought up my kids and other childrens too and over the years have learned the do and dont.
this is my advice but check with your gp.
never encourage too much food after a bug. but increase the fluid cos he could be highly dehydrated. during a bug we lose a lot of body fluid take this seriously.
avoid pure juice ,fizzy stuff, but encourage water with little honey and little sqreezed lemon juice? NO snacking and he is going to taste you for that.
r establish a good family meal around the table . give him a little to eat even if it is 2 spoonfuls.
Ignore the tamper tantrums but reinforce the good manners around your table.if he refuse to eat, fine warn him you are about to take his food away.
be firm , and patient. snacking: i use to peel some chuncky carrots and give it to the childrens or piece of banana.
no crisps and rubbish and do not show anger. good luck and it works.

[laurencelolo]

always giving sound advice pastafreak!!!! x

[Plocket]

It's a difficult age and we went through a similar phase with our daughter.

I think you need to give him time, and talk to him about food. Try asking him what he wants to eat and if it's baked beans or something similar for a month then so be it.

When he's a bit older, see if you can involve him in the cooking process so he can see what goes in, say if he doesn't like things, and generally see what food is all about. Even if it's just stirring a bowl he will feel more involved.

It's hard work but it worked for us - our daughter is much more likely to eat something if she's involved in the preparation. Good luck!

[HeathRa]

I've found that offering choices is helpful. "Do you want apples or grapes with your lunch?" This gives your child a sense of control over what he's eating, while still limiting him to healthy choices.