Sadie is a VERY picky eater.
I have read dozens of books and articles with different advice, but the one concept that stuck out in my head the most was this:
It is my job as a mother to provide my child with healthy food choices. It is Sadie's job to eat them.
That's in. No forcing the food in her mouth. No begging her to take "just one more bite" or to "just try it." I put the plate in front of her and she gets to choose what and how much she eats.
I read this bit of advice a while ago and while I mostly abided by it, I still didn't get it completely. I would give Sadie dinner, but if she didn't eat I would either give her extra milk or a veggie pouch in hopes that she would have some nutrition. When you have a child that is only in the lower end of weight, you waiver between wanting them to eat health and wanting them to eat in general. Doesn't sound so bad because both options are healthy right? Except she started to rely on the pouches and the milk.
It wasn't until I read a blog I found on Pinterest by The Diva Dish that it just clicked. This mom got it. She went through the same thing as me. I'm embarrassed to say that the list of food my Sadie would eat verses what her daughter is even smaller. But I thought to myself, if she can do it, so can I.
So I did it. I typed up a schedule with colorful pictures. This is what we follow on most days. Although Sadie is still young, I try to point out on the schedule that it is snack time/lunch time/bed time/etc.
When it comes time to eat, she gets three items on her plate. Two that I know she has eaten previously and one new item. She also gets a 6 oz zippy cup of milk with her meal instead of the 8 oz we were giving after. If she doesn't eat what is provided, she doesn't eat again until snack time comes around. I offer her one or two snack items and that's what she gets.
And guess what, most of the time she eats them! Yes, it took a few days, but it has been two weeks now that she has tried foods that she wouldn't before. The child will dip just about anything in Ketchup, I've learned. She also tried bacon the other day! I know, bacon isn't that great, but when you have a child that wouldn't try meat at all, you get pretty excited for something like bacon.
We also realized we were giving her about 24 oz of milk a day. We have cut that back to 18 oz and I believe she is also eating more because of this. She eats a whole banana almost every morning. A whole one. She used to just take a bite or two. I am so proud of her and can't wait to see what new things she will try as she progresses.
There is still food we put on her plate that she doesn't eat, but she usually touches them a bit and looks at them. I try to sit with her and point out each food by name. She may not eat it now, but she's not throwing it off her plate and that is success. I will keep offering these foods to her in hopes that she will one day try them.
So to all other mom's out there struggling with a picky toddler, I feel your pain. But these simple steps really have helped take the stress off me. I provide the food and she can eat it or not. That is up to her. I know one day when she is old enough, she will be asking for seconds.
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