Ideas for feeding a 15 month old

[SusanPC]

So, I've taken pride in making almost everything my daughter has eaten---made all of her baby food purees, make batches of freezer food for her (homemade pasta sauce, chicken nuggets, veggie bites, etc). Until a couple of weeks ago, she'd eat almost anything put in front of her...and lots of it. I've tried to give her varied foods to keep it interesting and want her to have a wide range of foods she'll eat. I try not to over-do particular foods so she doesn't burn out on them.

All of a sudden in the last week or so she has stopped eating nearly everything I put in front of her. Broccoli, which she usually gobbles up....she'll eat a bite or two and shake her head no. Same with other previous favorites.

I know this isn't uncommon and when this happens I don't force her to eat. But, it is getting me down. Any seasoned mom's have any advice on what to feed her or how to handle this. OR just reassure me that this stage shall pass?!!?

Generally, I've been cooking lots of stuff from the Annabel Karmel cookbooks, Ruth Yaron, etc.

[Kerri]

Hi Susan!

Yes, this shall pass. How are her molars? That could be why she isn't eating. Also, keep in mind that she isn't going to be growing as much this year and won't need to eat as much. Mine almost 15 month old has just started eating it seems like, but my almost 3 year old has stopped. ARGH!

[LaraW]

Do you do family meals and feed her the same food you are eating? I remember that it was about that age, that the social part of eating started to take root and we made sure to sit down as a a family and eat our meal together.

I think if you just continue to offer a good variety of food, and don't make a big deal if she picks at things and/or refuses them it will pass.

[SusanPC]

Thanks for responding.

Her molars are in....or at least have popped through. She seems to have nearly a full mouth of teeth!

You are probably right about mealtime. My DH travels extensively for work....so really we only do family meals on the weekends. If we are in a restaurant she'll eat nearly anything put in front of her. So, I know you are probably on to something, because she is eating off our plates (we really don't order kiddie meals). Maybe I should eat with her even if DH is not at home....

This AM she had a banana waffle and applesauce and ate ok....seems to be lunch and dinner where we have the challenges. Of course, she'd eat Yo-Baby for every meal if I let her....and she is pretty good with fresh fruit. Probably b/c it is so sweet.... She loves peaches at the moment.

[NewMrsG]

My daughter is now 3 and since the time she was probably a year and a half old, we've had the very same experience. We call them "eating days" and "non-eating days". There are sometimes that stuff she normally loves just doesn't appeal to her at all. I think I remember reading somewhere that it has something to do with development of taste buds and things that taste good at one point might taste bad at another.

I've also read that the amount of food toddlers need is really small and

Our approach has been that what's for dinner is for dinner. If she doesn't want it, she doesn't need to eat it. We try to include at least one thing that we know she does reliably like, like a veggie or potatoes, or something, and then she doesn't get seconds until she takes at least one bit of the other things.

She's been fantastic the last few months. And is probably the only little kid on the planet who we have to tell that she can't have any more brussels sprouts until she eats some pasta. :)

So I would totally not worry about it. It WILL pass!

[TKay]

It's been a while since I had one that age, but I will never forget this sage advice, offered by our dear pediatrician:

"What you offer them is up to you. What they eat is up to them."

It really helps relieve the desire to make them eat enough--or make them eat what you want them to eat. I have a seven-year-old who is ridiculously picky. We had dinner at a friend's house this weekend and the wife/mom was running around, opening pantry doors to find something he'd eat. I told her not to worry about it. There was plenty of food out for him to choose from. The fact that he didn't eat was his choice.

I know you're not at that point, but I do feel for you. It's so hard when they shake things up. You feel like, but wait! We had a good thing going here. ;)

Good luck. Sounds like your little one's a great eater and she'll work it out.