NWMR: Change in toddlers food habits

[l504]

My 3.5 year old is suddenly not eating anymore. I assumed he was eating at daycare and being picky at home, but they told me that he is "eating like a bird" there too. Is this a phase? Otherwise seems fine, but I am concerned now that I know he's not eating at school either. He does complain that his tummy hurts, but it's generally when I ask him to pick up or do something he doesn't want to do.... So help me out, what would you do?

[k3am]

DD goes through phases, as long as she seems overall healthy, we try to ignore them.

If she's acting like herself but not eating, NBD. usually a few days later, she's making up for lost time.

If she's sad/quiet/tired/ridiculously grumpy/etc and not eating, then we might pay a bit more attention and/or schedule an appointment.

[l504]

Thanks, K3!

[tas1883]

DD goes in phases where she either eats like there isn't enough food to fill her up or doesn't eat much of anything. It makes it super hard to figure out how much to cook at dinner. I either get lots of leftovers or I don't end up eating much as she eats most of my share on top of her share.

[leap08]

I think it's a phase and pretty normal. Both of my girls have gone through picky/non-eating phases. Our doctor even warned me that lots of 3 year olds go through a period of reduced appetite. For us, this period has always ended after a few weeks and has coincided with a growth spurt.

[librarychica]

Jan 29, 2015 11:23:07 GMT -5 tas1883 said:

DD goes in phases where she either eats like there isn't enough food to fill her up or doesn't eat much of anything. It makes it super hard to figure out how much to cook at dinner. I either get lots of leftovers or I don't end up eating much as she eats most of my share on top of her share.

This is us too. A few weeks ago she wanted nothing, picked at dinner and was picky. This week she is eating like a stereotypical truck driver.

Oh and my test for the " I'm tired" when I ask her to do things is to tell her to go lay down if she's tired. Only once has she actually been tired. That might help suss out the legitimacy of the tummy aches.

[l504]

Jan 29, 2015 13:20:05 GMT -5 privacy said:

I guess I'll be the odd one out. Yes it can be totally normal. And if it's only been a day or two I wouldn't worry about it. But if it lasts longer than say a week, I'd make a doctor's appointment. I know some food intolerance can cause tummy aches etc.

We're approaching 5 days. Just hung up with daycare and he didn't eat today. I'm going to talk with him tonight, as much as you can with a 3 year old.

[l504]

Jan 29, 2015 13:28:49 GMT -5 privacy said:

Another thought...has he been pooping normally?

DD will eat like a bird if she's constipated.

That's a good thought! Yes, that could be part of our issue.

[k3am]

privacy - I don't think you're the odd man out. I think picky/minimal eating - in a vacuum isn't necessarily cause for concern. Picky/minimal eating with other symptoms is.

[Deleted]

My DD is going through something similar. She seems to be eating less, but also has the same tummy ache problem. She complains of her stomach hurting at random times almost every day. We called the doctor and she told us to cut out dairy for a week. It helped a little but not entirely. She is now back on yogurt and cheese, but off cows milk, but still complaining. I took her into the doctor and the doctor said tummy aches can be normal and if she was acting fine and still eating something then she was fine. She recommended giving her a fiber gummy and increasing the fiber in her diet. She said that sometimes, even if they are regular, they may not entirely evacuate their bowels and that what is left can give them a tummy ache. I don't know if it is all in her head, because chewing gum, eating candy, drinking water, and spinning around all seem to help as well.

[l504]

Jan 29, 2015 14:29:15 GMT -5 @mamazbo said:

My DD is going through something similar. She seems to be eating less, but also has the same tummy ache problem. She complains of her stomach hurting at random times almost every day. We called the doctor and she told us to cut out dairy for a week. It helped a little but not entirely. She is now back on yogurt and cheese, but off cows milk, but still complaining. I took her into the doctor and the doctor said tummy aches can be normal and if she was acting fine and still eating something then she was fine. She recommended giving her a fiber gummy and increasing the fiber in her diet. She said that sometimes, even if they are regular, they may not entirely evacuate their bowels and that what is left can give them a tummy ache. I don't know if it is all in her head, because chewing gum, eating candy, drinking water, and spinning around all seem to help as well.

Thanks for the advice! Riding our bike and m&m's seems to cure our ailments too!