https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 27 May 2026 11:01:25 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/self-feeding-frustration#post-1859793 Fri, 12 Sep 2014 08:35:51 +0000 aegie 1859793@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shopaholic: I think all toddlers go through this phase .. but what worked for me: I made kimbab with just kim and bab and put them on a plate. She could eat them, or not. I just left them there for her to graze on through out the day. I gave her rice + soup, but just enough soup so that it's almost all sucked up by the rice so there isn't enough to splash around. And lots of small fruit and veggies. I started using those bento pick/forks because they have animals on them and it made her want to eat her food more. The more I let her graze on her food (and not snacks) and stopped making dedicated meal times, the more she ate again. </p> <p>It's frustrating. Especially when they stop drinking water. So I also let her drink out of water bottles (like poland springs) with a water bottle conversion cap (green sprouts has one) and that made her more excited to drink water. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/self-feeding-frustration#post-1858979 Thu, 11 Sep 2014 19:53:00 +0000 QueensBee 1858979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds messy and frustrating! </p> <p>Maybe you could try giving her foods which are "easier" to eat with a fork? For example, LO can't seem to get scrambled eggs on a fork very well, but he has more success with small squares of french toast. I think they are easier for him to stab. </p> <p>I think cutting back on snacks could definitely help when you're home, but I also understand if you don't want to be caught out and about with a hangry toddler. The food journal is also a great idea. It's totally possible that she eats more than you realize!</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/self-feeding-frustration#post-1858908 Thu, 11 Sep 2014 19:27:37 +0000 hilsy85 1858908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep I agree that it's normal. And when I was worried about the amount LO was actually taking in, I started keeping a food log--writing down everything that he ate. I realized that even on days when it felt like he didn't eat much, he actually was eating. Not a lot, but he was eating. And he would go a few days with eating not much ,and then have a few days of eating a lot. </p> <p>I also agree with cutting down on snacks--or make them healthy snacks! Like frozen peas, diced turkey and cheese, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/self-feeding-frustration#post-1858854 Thu, 11 Sep 2014 19:09:26 +0000 Rubies 1858854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>From my experience, it's frustratingly normal and I really think she'll eat if/when she's hungry. Are you able to eliminate snacks to get her to be hungry enough for meals? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/self-feeding-frustration#post-1858848 Thu, 11 Sep 2014 19:07:54 +0000 shopaholic 1858848@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our feeding frustrations continue. Now LO only wants to feed herself with utensils. But really probably 90% of food is just pushed around or wiped all over the place. Anything she doesn't want is thrown or she is really upset and insistent that it absolutely cannot be near her. And I'm not allowed to help her feed herself anymore. Three weeks ago, my water-guzzling girl stopped wanting water. I can't really just "take away" food when she starts playing with it and making a mess because I feel like she doesn't eat or drink anything anymore. I think she's just subsisted on snacks, crackers, and bananas the past few days. </p> <p>So frustrated with the mess and stress at this point. Any tips on what to do in this phase or better food suggestions? My normal guarantee, yogurt, is driving me nuts. </p>