What to Do If Your Kids Won't Eat?

Just as each child is different, so is each child's eating habits. It's possible that a child who doesn't eat much may have a medical issue, but she may also just prefer playing to eating or she may just be a picky eater. Don't let your child's eating habits stress you out. With your help she can stay healthy and happy.

  1. The Eating Environment

    • If your mealtimes are noisy and chaotic, your child may feel too overwhelmed and stressed out to eat. Give children advance notice before meals so they are prepared to eat. Make mealtimes more comfortable and pleasant by forbidding fighting or yelling and making a rule against using cell phones, toys or other devices at the table. When everyone is relaxed and focused on family time and eating, children may be able to focus on eating too.

    The Food

    • If your child is a picky eater, she may simply not like the food you are serving. You can't allow her to eat nothing but mashed potatoes and cereal, but you can slowly incorporate new foods alongside the dishes she does enjoy. Make foods more child-friendly by cutting them into smaller pieces or using cookie cutters to form them into shapes like dinosaurs. Serve food in small portions, since this will be less overwhelming to children. You can always give out seconds or thirds if she does like what you serve.

    Get Children Involved

    • Helping prepare food helps children in several ways. Children may be more willing to eat food if they've prepared it to their own liking, and helping out in the kitchen also teaches children about kitchen safety, following recipes and participating in house work. Make preparing meals seem fun to your child by buying her an apron and her own set of measuring cups. Let her help choose recipes and shop for groceries along with measuring and mixing ingredients.

    Visit the Doctor

    • If your child still refuses to eat, a visit to the pediatrician may be in order. A doctor's visit is necessary if your child is losing weight, has stopped growing or if her lack of nutrition is causing her to become listless, confused or irritable. The pediatrician may be able to diagnose a physical problem that's keeping your child from eating or be able to recommend other methods that will encourage her to eat.

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