Concerns about eating

[AZDad]

Our son is a bright, happy 21 month old, but we've been having some challenges with his eating lately. We try to eat at regular times so eating is a routine event, but with two working parents, it can be difficult. Also, in order to make him feel more comfortable, we've abandoned the high chair and use a booster seat one on of the kitchen chairs. There are three major areas where we're concerned.

1 - Many times it takes an act of God to get him in his booster seat. We always put the food on the table first so he can see there's a meal waiting for him. However, more often than not, he puts up a huge fight, screams and goes rigid. If we are able to get him in, there's at least a few minutes of crying before he calms down.

2 - If we can get him to eat, most recently he'll only take one or two bites and then start playing with it. What's more troubling, is that he usually starts dropping his food on the floor, or just throws the dish off the table (food and all). Sometimes it's a big humorous because our little Shih-Tzu ends up with macaroni or other bits of food on her back. We try to keep her away during mealtimes, since we figure that he's trying to feed her. But then that ends up having it's own set of issues as she scratches and barks so we'll let her in the kitchen.

3 - We're also trying to get him to use utensils. One of the books we read said if they're not using utensils by 18 mos, there's probably a development problem, so we're a bit concerned. He'll take the little spoon or fork in is hand and bang on his food, then usually ends up throwing it on the floor, and begins using his hands to eat. Any tips on that?

Any comments or feedback is greatly appreciated.

thanks

[Kaytee]

Well first throw that darn book away!!!!!!
Second the only thing they want from a child your sons age is to try to eat with a utensil. Not hat he can, but that he has tried before.
Next issue on throwing food: If he throws his food once, give it back, if he throws it a second time, don't. I don't mean don't feed him either. Just no more plate or fork, or sippy cup. Whatever he is throwing take it a away. If he throws just the food: Give him one small piece at a time. If he throws it, well he's not hungry.
On to the not eating part: ok it is a VERY VERY VERY VERY rare thing for children in the US to have malnutrition. Of course I am not refferring to kids who are abused or poor diet. I swear to you, as long as your son is a normal healthy little boy (no sensory issues or otherwise) he wil eat when he is hungry. They do not eat much at this age. Think how little he grows each year compared to when he was an infant. He just doesn't need as much energy from food as he did.
If you are truly concerned about his eating, please speak to his doctor. To me it sounds pretty normal but only you know your son. You may want to consider a multi vitamin for him also if you are that concerned. I would highly suggest getting an all natural one from a vitamin store though. The ones in regular stores are not the best. They are usually way more vitamins and minerals then a child needs due to the fact that they are not obsorbed well into the body. You want to try to find a natural, non synthetic form of the vitamins. They are usually in liquid form and can be added to applesauce or something similar to that.
Good luck

[Anna78]

What your son is doing sounds pretty normal for his age. At that age Kayla refused to eat anything at all, she would take one bite and then throw it on the floor. Evie would only eat banana sandwiches, so I had to plant other stuff in them for her to eat it.

If he doesn't want to eat it then don't make him, if he is truly hungry then he will eat, but if he is just going to mess about and play with his food, then there is no point trying. Also, theres no need for him to be trying to use utensils properly at his age. Sure, keep them at the table so hes used to them being there, but even my 3 year old will pick stuff up on a fork, then take it off the end at eat it with her fingers. As long as he has an idea of what it is for, then he is doing great

[fallon]

I remember when my daughter was about that age it seemed like she wasn't eatting a thing. Dinner was always a fight and there was no such thing as going to a resterant. Her doctor told me as long as she wasn't losing weight we didn't really have anything to worry about. by the time she was about 2 1/2 she was back that the table having meals with the family without a fight. When she was almost 3 she even had her table manners down, and wuld ask to be excused before leaving the table. Just hang in there, it sounds like what he's doing is normal and will most likely pass as he moves on to another phase of growing into himself