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Expert Q&A
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| By iParenting Staff iParenting Staff Experts | ||
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I have a 22-month-old son. I feel I am breaking all of the rules for feeding him. About six months ago, he refused to eat in the highchair. Sometimes he will sit at our toddler picnic table and eat while we read books -- for about 10 minutes -- then he is off and running around, and I am chasing after him, putting pieces of food in his mouth. Other times it is in front of the TV. When I leave snacks for him to eat, he usually ignores them. He wants me to feed him. He is not interested in feeding himself. I get stressed out about it since he is small for his age (fifth percentile) and thin. He looks healthy and is energetic and very intelligent. How do I get him to eat on his own?
You are not alone! Feeding a toddler can turn into a circus. You need to establish firm guidelines for eating in your house. Serve three meals and three snacks at fairly regular times every day. Serve food at the dining table only (not in front of the TV, etc.). Sit down and eat with your son. Many times toddlers don't want to sit at the table because no one is sitting with them.
Put a few different nutritious foods on the table at each meal or snack. If he chooses not to eat at a particular meal or snack, that is okay. Let him decide whether he wants to eat or not, but don't give "handouts" later. A healthy child will not starve himself, he will eat more at the next meal.
Children learn to eat well when parents establish regular meal and snack patterns, and let children decide whether or not to eat. A great book that covers these ideas is How To Get Your Kid to Eat ... But Not Too Much by Ellyn Satter.
If you are concerned about his weight, do talk to your pediatrician.
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