My 2 Year Old Son

I am a 22 year old single mom of a 2 year old boy. When he was about 13 months he didnt like me feeding him anymore so I figured he would like to do it himself. So I let him feed himself. Now it seems like the only thing he wants to eat is fish sticks or chicken nuggets. I know thats not health for him but for some reason he will not eat off a spoon that I feed him with of to feed himself with. What should I do. I've tried everything but I dont want to force food in his mouth. Is there anyway I can break him out of this habbit with out starving him? Please help me...Thank You

[April2]

Give him a spoon and encourage him to use it but do not force him. There are a lot of finger foods you can give him that's healthy; cut up pieces of fruit or soft vegetables, buttered noodles, cheese cubes, crackers, thinly spread peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches cut in fourths, waffles, pancakes, eggs. He's old enough to use a spoon. Put one in his hand and show him how to feed himself. Expect him to be messy and drop half in his lap for awhile. It takes practive and coordination to master using a spoon or fork. And don't worry if he's fixated on a certain food group for awhile. Kids naturally know when and how much to eat. As long as he's gaining weight and growing still and running around, he's probably getting everything he needs. Make sure he gets enough milk in a sippy cup. Try yogurt. My just turned three year old loves it! Of course, he gets terrible messy with it so I put a bib on him. Keep introducing new foods along with his favorites. Don't make a big deal if he eats it or not. They say it takes several times for you to try a new food group before he'll try it. Just keep trying and encouraging him. If you're really worried that he's not getting enough, give him a children's vitamin every day. Hope this helps!

[gunnersgirl16]

hello my son is 2 years old and now I'm starting to have problems with him he will only eat noodles, rice, chicken nuggets, fries, cheese, cottage cheese,milk, juice or corn.  before he will eat veggies anything we will put in his highchair is really frustrating when they don't eat the healthy stuff I know how you feel.

[pjcontreras]

Hi, lots of kids are this way. I am with the others, espeically April.
As long as he's not loosing a lot of weight, and he's otherwise happy/healthy, I really don't think it's bad. My son was that way for years. Only would eat a few things. He was a slow eater too until closer to 5, and only if it was something he liked a lot. He wouldn't eat a cooked veggie for love or money.
It was only carrots, celery or cucumbers with ranch dip. He wouldn't even do that for a long time.
When he was really small he'd eat everything, but then I did the same thing you did. I let him feed himself when he anted to, and same  thing...
My son's 13 and 5'8, and has a size 10 1/2 shoe today. He's only been 13 for a month!
Do your best to offer variety, but let him try stuff himself too.Have him help you make some 'snacks' for you.Don't worry about a mess, and encourage him to lick his fingers, or give a 'kiss' to a piece of fruit...you do it too. then kiss him. just make it fun.
Peanutbutter w/honey for apples and let him mix it with hands to help you out, or yougart/cream cheese and cool whip mixed together. Let him add some food coloring and sprinkles. See if you can't put some carnation instant breakfast in his milk (if he likes milk) or ovaltine,stuff like that. I am sure you are creative and can think of something messy and funny to make. (spiders, bug shaped cookie cutters to do a little sandwich, have him help.) You know his likes. See if it helps at all to have him help you, with no tv on, and some happy music in the back ground. Also, you can make pretend food out of playdough, and pretend to crunch it, gobble it all up. Have him say diffrent things to eat and make some some shapes like them. Don't worry if they're not perfect. He'll just love playing with you. Also you can have him go to the library, and get some funny books with foods in it, about eating, or about animals eating. Make it fun and if he does try somethimg new, really praise him after he does and just tell him you are so proud of him being such a big boy! Let him pick out something out of a little bag that is full or little trinkets/stickers ect. only for after he's eaten, and he can only pick one thing. Make sure he can see it, and that he understands it's a goody bag for when he's being a really big boy and taking a big bite of whatever...
Also, you could call a nutritianlist/or speech/occupational therapist at a hospital
where there's feeding therapy,(pediatric therapies) and just ask if they've got any suggestions over the phone.
They are usually pretty helpful.