my 2yr old wont eat!

[Cheron]

Hello I have a 2 1/2yr old daughter and for the past yr. she has not been eating well. In the beginning I just figured she was a small eater and would be very petite. But its becoming a problem now, at least I think it is. Ive had two dr.'s and 3 nutritionist tell me similar things and I ve tried them all. Now Im getting concerned because she's 22lbs(underweight) and her iron is low. She's not a picky eater and tells me when she's hungry. She gets fed breakfast, lunch and dinner and snacks in between but more than half the time she just wont eat. She will sit with food in her mouth, play around and ask for milk. Then an hour goes by and she hasnt ate half a piece of toast. Ive tried pediasure shakes, high protein meals, shes taking vitamin  drops with iron and I feed her whenever she asks no matter the time and I do that because throughout the day I'll be lucky if she eats one full meal. It's very frustarting when dr's keep telling you your child isn't getting enough nutrition and they start lookin at you funny like its something Im doing or not doing. Please help Im all ears and worried she might have a more serious problem...

[margypops]

What I see here is a big fuss being made by you and possibly other family,regarding her eating,understandable I would say, however she is enjoying all the attention, does she feed herself ..children of this age like to be independent and allowing her to eat on her own is a good thing, lots of great finger foods out there ,dont give her milk at feeding time it fills them up .Don't feed her whenever she wants, again its the attention factor, feed her at the times  when you eat, she will have more appetite that way , mac and cheese, chunks of cheese, pasta, rice, chicken pieces, fish sticks, fruits, yoghort, puddings  crackers,eggs beans, peas, .there are young children foods in the freezer compartments .Lessen the interest in her eating and in my opinion it will get better  good luck ..