Toddler eating behavior

[meiram]

Well, here it goes.  My daughter, who is 2 yrs and 9 months has figured out another way to drive me bonkers. Here is an example:  I asked her this morning what she would like for breakfast and she said "cottage cheese."  So fine, I dish out her cottage cheese, she takes a bite or two and then says "no, I meant yogurt." I told her to eat her cottage cheese, since that is what she asked for and then I would give her some yogurt.  She left it on the table and didn't eat another bite of anything until I gave in around lunch time.  I wouldn't mind her changing her mind once in awhile, but it is much more frequently than that.  
Some other considerations:  she is/always has been on the lower end of the weight curve, about 25th percentile.  Some days she will eat only bites, some days she will eat like a starving person.  She sometimes gets very crabby if she doesn't eat well.  We don't have much junk food to in the house.  
I just don't know if I should go along with her whims or let the food that she picked sit there until she gets hungry enough to eat it.  I am trying not to let her see that it bothers me, but she's not dumb.  

[margypops]

I had a skinny daughter so I do know we worry about it, and thats why we give them the choices so they will eat something, you may be right about sitting with her, its worth a try if she sees you eating she may do the same, they dont stay skinny it seems to be around this age group ...Good Luck

[meiram]

Thanks for your advice.  I had another thought that my MIL sits with the children when they eat breakfast and lunch.  I use the time that they are eating to get things cleaned up around the kitchen.  Maybe I will try sitting down and eating with them instead and see if that makes a difference.  I just feel a little stressed about her not eating because she is so skinny.  People have begun to comment.

[mammo]

She is at an age when they want to be in control and push boundaries.  It's good to offer her a choice, but just two.  Ask if she wants eggs or yogurt?  She's also into the stage where they become very picky eaters, and we are grateful for any morsel we can get into them.  She has learned that her grandmother either doesn't ask and just makes what she feels she would like, or just gives her two options.  She is playing you, and all of us have been there, they often train us very well! LOL Make sure she doesn't fill up on juices and milk, and she will eat if she is hungry. Take care..

[margypops]

Sorry I have to say that her granma probably isnt as soft as you, and maybe doesnt give the choices, dont ask what she wants, put a nice dish of fruit, ceral or yoghort for her, you have got her into the habit of  being  fussy, if you want to do give her choices dont let her have several, ask 'do you want yoghort 'then she says yes , thats what she gets .its not her its you who are enabling the issue .Then let her at it, get busy doing something else, it is giving her too much attention, at breakfast,.I think as you said you are going along with her whims , and she loves being in control. They are Angels are'nt they LOL.

[meiram]

Oh, the other thing is, she doesn't do this with her grandmother who watches her 2 days a week at our house.