https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 19 Apr 2026 21:54:39 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-3-year-old-refuses-to-eat-at-meal-times#post-2927089 Sat, 28 May 2022 13:41:34 +0000 Chuckles 2927089@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Umbreon: I hadn't thought about it, but I think having them stay at the table a little longer makes sense for some kids. If my son knows that he's doing something fun after a meal, he'll say that he's finished really quickly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-3-year-old-refuses-to-eat-at-meal-times#post-2927088 Sat, 28 May 2022 12:26:25 +0000 Umbreon 2927088@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This actually went a bit better this week. I've been trying to put one food that I know he will like and we also told him he has to sit at the table until either he finishes or we all finish.</p> <p>Glad to know this is normal... sure is frustrating though. Thank you for the tips everyone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-3-year-old-refuses-to-eat-at-meal-times#post-2927073 Mon, 23 May 2022 14:11:35 +0000 jennlin821 2927073@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've had great success with the philosophy:</p> <p>Parents decide what and when to eat.<br /> Kids decide how much.</p> <p>I always make sure there is one thing that I know my DD likes. For example this week we are having grilled tofu, grilled peppers, corn on the cob, and sweet potato. I know that she likes sweet potatoes and I made sure to leave some peppers raw for her because she doesn't like them cooked. She can eat as much or the sweet potato and peppers as she wants. We don't force her to eat one bite of anything, just offer the other things. She will occasionally try and like, or try and dislike the other things. She also has fruit for dessert, but can eat it with dinner - as long as she understands that the only fruit she's going to get. </p> <p>We've been doing this for about 3 years, just around when she went from eating everything enthusiastically to only wanting pb&amp;j at every meal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-3-year-old-refuses-to-eat-at-meal-times#post-2927072 Mon, 23 May 2022 08:40:32 +0000 hilary 2927072@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kids are now older (9, 7, 7) but this is such a frustrating phase and even now sometimes they go through a kick of loving something then refuse going forward (normally just when I get used to incorporating it or thinking it's an easy go to meal). We also try to make sure there's at least one thing on the table that they like (and often this is sliced up cucumbers) and then serve what we serve. Two things that help us that don't necessarily add extra work..<br /> 1) keep some elements separate for more picky kids - like meatballs are on the side so kids who like red sauce can add that vs kids who don't like red sauce can have buttered noodles and a couple meatballs on the side, or keep some plan cooked meat on the side and then add the teriyaki sauce to the rest because not all of my kids like flavor apparently<br /> 2) Serve family style and ask them to put the food on their plate. For some reason my kids eat more if they serve themselves and I just ask for them to try a tiny bit of each of the main elements and if that's a single noodle ok, they tried. </p> <p>Our pediatrician once told us that 1 our of every 3 (foods/meals/days) was a good thing to aim for in food.<br /> Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-3-year-old-refuses-to-eat-at-meal-times#post-2927069 Sat, 21 May 2022 19:04:25 +0000 Chuckles 2927069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If everything else is pretty typical (no concerns about major sensory issues and weight gain/growth is fine), I wouldn't worry at all. Kids' growth also slows at points and they genuinely need less food than seems possible. If he's eating large amounts of foods at snacks, I would decide whether you're fine with those being his main meals or whether you want to cut him off after a small snack so that he'll be hungry for other meals. And I really like most of Ellyn Satter's Division of Responsibility at meals - <a href="https://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/how-to-feed/the-division-of-responsibility-in-feeding/" rel="nofollow">https://www.ellynsatterinstitute.org/how-to-feed/the-division-of-responsibility-in-feeding/</a></p> <p>All of this is so normal! Kids are learning what they can control and how to express preferences and opinions. But, at least for me, it's so hard to accept because I feel like there's this ingrained feeling that I'm not doing a good job as a parent if they aren't eating. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-3-year-old-refuses-to-eat-at-meal-times#post-2927065 Sat, 21 May 2022 14:58:42 +0000 togetherthroughlife 2927065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would suggest following FeedingLittles on Instagram! They are a feeding therapist / dietician combo and they are amazing! They have the best way of explaining things like this and coming up with creative solutions. They actually have paid courses that you can get on their website but in my opinion they offer SO much free content on Instagram that is a wonderful resource. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-3-year-old-refuses-to-eat-at-meal-times#post-2927064 Sat, 21 May 2022 13:30:38 +0000 karenbme 2927064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They definitely are about control right now and want to choose what, how much and how, so don’t get too down about him asserting himself. Our approach is very similar to BHbee’s. Incorporate at least 1 favorite food into each meal and just serve what we serve. Have you thought about letting him help with small parts of meals? Something like stirring or sprinkling could help him feel more in control of different foods that you make (and might consider more nutritious). Also giving DD a choice of pieces “which chicken do you want?” rather than “here’s your chicken.” Has been a successful strategy for us for foods she doesn’t like, too.</p> <p>Ultimately, though, as others have said, don’t worry. Your LO is not going to starve himself or become malnourished. Our pediatrician literally told us that nothing but white foods for six month or a year isn’t going to do any long term damage. So unless your doctor is worried know he’s probably fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-3-year-old-refuses-to-eat-at-meal-times#post-2927063 Sat, 21 May 2022 09:22:00 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2927063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, 100% I would cut the snacks out. Kids won’t starve themselves. Even my most stubborn will sometimes skip a meal because he “doesn’t like it,”, but eventually he gives in and will eat! All kids go through these phases so it’s totally normal. And from someone that has older kids (11,9,6,2), it’s easier if you set the precedent when they are young. The kid that I was most “strict” with as a preschooler is the least picky now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-3-year-old-refuses-to-eat-at-meal-times#post-2927062 Sat, 21 May 2022 08:17:32 +0000 Jessiemuller88 2927062@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m in the same exact boat with my 2.5 year old twins. I would just ride it out. I wouldn’t cut snacks. I’m sure he’s getting plenty of nutrition from what he does eat throughout the day. It’s so so frustrating, but I’m sure it’s a phase. I keep offering the same meals and snacks, but I do make sure there are 3 hours in between snacks and meals, otherwise they are too full to eat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-3-year-old-refuses-to-eat-at-meal-times#post-2927061 Fri, 20 May 2022 20:27:22 +0000 bhbee 2927061@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think this is pretty normal, but very frustrating! 3 is all about control so he may be testing it. Ride it out, yes. Give one thing you’re pretty sure he’ll eat at every meal and then serve what you want to serve is what we do. We don’t limit produce so that’s always an option. If that’s a banana (or 4 bananas) at every meal, ok. He’ll be fine! Sometimes I will serve things to their liking (like cut a certain way) and sometimes not. Do what makes in manageable for you. My middle child is not very food motivated and we have just learned to let it ride. He eats what he needs but it may not be every meal for sure. </p> <p>hugs because it’s hard :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-3-year-old-refuses-to-eat-at-meal-times#post-2927060 Fri, 20 May 2022 18:33:12 +0000 Umbreon 2927060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Help :crying: </p> <p>It could be his favourite food and he wont touch it. Out of the 5 days this week MAYBE he ate one lunch and half a supper. </p> <p>Today he refused WATERMELON for his snack. What the heck.</p> <p>I've had luck with smoothies so I make them with spinach for extra nutrients. </p> <p>Otherwise he will only eat peanut butter, banana, cheerios and yogurt without a fuss.</p> <p>He used to eat everything and now he will have a bite (If I'm lucky), say "yum!" And refuse to eat any more....</p> <p>Do I just ride is out? I worry if I cut out snacks he wont eat at all. </p> <p>Should I give him "snack" food at meal time and cut the snacks out? Maybe he would eat yogurt, peanut butter and banana for supper....??</p> <p>Yesterday we had a salad with apples. I gave him some cut up apple on the side of his food and he ate it and asked for more. Today, I gave him apple and he took a bite and refused the rest. </p>