What To Do When Your Toddler Refuses to Eat | Dad University

When a toddler refuses to eat, it can be a frustrating situation. You are wanting them to be healthy and enjoy food, yet the toddler doesn't want to eat. While picky eaters can be tough, a toddler refusing to eat can be even more difficult.
In this video, Jason goes over some things you want to make sure you are not doing with your toddler when they don't want to eat and then offers some thing you can do to get them to eat.
Mealtime is supposed to be enjoyable, not stressful and cause anxiety for you or your toddler.
Be sure to comment below about your experience with your toddler refusing to eat.
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[@DadUniversity]

Hey Guys, hope you enjoyed the tips. If are ready to become the best version of yourself as a father and want to go from confused to confident, you would love my Parenting Program. Book a call with us to learn more: www.daduniversity.com/application/?=ytc174

[@timorassoalfasona3681]

Hi my 9 year old daughter won't eat anything she is vegetarian even she doesn't eat fish. And I am cook and only fight we having its about eating. Any suggestions plz

[@Sangam64]

Sir my 5 years boy is not eating properly and I am seeing he is becoming thin day by day . If I don’t force him he don’t want to eat . Doctor don’t say anything how can I deal with this ? Can you please help me

[@kaw8473]

Back in caveman days, parents brought home a half starved squirrel, a frog, mushrooms and bug infested fruit and my son refuses to eat cheesy ravioli.

[@zanelong6399]

I once showed my kid starving kids in Africa because he didn't want to eat my awesome cooking(i cook really good).. he didn't care. I was tryna tell him to just be grateful because other kids don't have much.

[@RobMedellin]

​@@zanelong6399a kid in that mood probably won't take in that l Important lesson. Better when he is savoring something and very joyful. And maybe still they won't care.. But sooner or later.

[@viv_n_mumma]

😂😂😂

[@danielajativa9494]

Jajajaja you're right 😂

[@beaniebaby_rei]

Lmao 😂😂😂😂

[@Armageddon11011989]

😂 I was a picky eater, my parents just didn't feed me for a couple of days when I threw a fit. After that i learnt to eat all my food and not complain

[@brittanybbirdsong2592]

Unfortunately I'm a adult and is still a picky eater now I'm dealing with my 3yo that's picky 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@dj.j5099]

I was a picky eater...but as I got older, I'm eating literally everything 😂

[@kirst.7318]

@@brittanybbirdsong2592same but mine is 1.5 yrs,, I think a lot of it is due to the environment and watching me eat., cus I’m super picky.. he’ll take bites, and then be done…. Over wasting food, tbh. That’s y I’m sticking to spaghetti-os and chef Boyardee, I don’t get eat 3 meals a day.. I take medicine and I just dont. I snack. I know I have to change, it’s hard working overnight… and he likes to run around and eat…

[@AdventuresAwait123]

LOL

[@hildaamethyst528]

@@kirst.7318why do you think you you are picky?

[@florencemujawamaria1728]

As a first time parent it’s hard to understand them

[@naisaechao8549]

My 2.5 yr old daughter refuses to eat. All she wants is her milk in the bottle. What can I do to get her to eat?

[@richelleblackwelder746]

Let’s talk about when your kid loses 2lbs in a year with this approach…regulating my emotions doesn’t get him back on his curve.

[@melaniemcbride4753]

Such great advice. Thank You!

[@tw5991]

Appreciate the info, toddler seems to not want certain things but I need to change it up. Good ideas and perspective

[@Fauxrising2022]

What do you do when toddler refuses to eat but throws a fit when you try to take they’re plate away. Also my toddler takes a bite then goes off to play. It’s a struggle to keep him seated and focused on his food.

[@Safisworld_]

My daughter does this and I find she’s not done eating but I would also be trying to feed her and she wants to use the utensils herself or eat by hand try that…it’s frustrating, just hold on, we got this! 😢

[@mzrereo4-lyfe350]

My one year is refusing like will eat certain table foods then walk off or move face away I'm so stressed out but I'm gone keep trying I'm sure my toddler will eventually start eating the food

[@HasanC_25]

You have read my mind, was searching the channel for this specific video! What do you do if they don't eat their food but want snacks instead (crisps, chocolates)?

[@MissMadeleineee]

Thank you

[@Daniel-fl5oq]

Thanks, I will try a different way to prepare my baby's food.

[@davidoff-sensei1260]

What are you meant to do if they will not eat dinner for example, but then are hungry before bed. We have tried 2 options ... the 2 bad thats all you get option. (he just wont eat it and go to bed hungry) the other option is give him something else ... like cereal. At least he is fed ... but then that obviously just happens more often and he knows he to just do that. (almost 5 years old)

[@user-eb5vu8uz8k]

I’ve noticed that my son is refusing to eat because he has too many cups of milk. But hoping he starts eating soon

[@brookeweaver426]

What if they refuse to eat what you made but keep crying that they’re hungry? We make VERY kid friendly meals and nothing funky. My kids just refuse to eat anything I make. I’ve tried cute shapes like halloween spider waffles with whipped cream and halloween sprinkles…they still won’t touch it. ☹️

[@DadUniversity]

how old is your child?

[@hannahsinger4381]

My little boy is the same, he is 2. And I have made it worse because I would just give him pouches when he wouldn’t eat as I was worried about him not getting any nutrients but now he won’t eat normal food

[@queen.alvona]

Tip number one: leave the toddler alone and don’t give him any other food. He will eat eventually

[@russianrick8403]

I have a child that will refuse to eat until he becomes physically distressed, because he has grown so hungry, but then he can’t eat, because he is distraught. It is a constant battle to convince him to take a little time out to eat so that he can enjoy his time playing instead of becoming distressed and antisocial and unable to eat.

[@Buffbrot]

Amazing Video. Really liked your advice, especially because it differs from the standard tips and still you establish it from a neutral and kind of psychological standpoint

[@DadUniversity]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@janalgos]

So what do you do if they constantly refuse to eat at meal time, but later on say they're hungry thereby throwing off the family schedule because you need to stop and have another meal time for them?

[@DadUniversity]

Depends what age but their rythm and timing for eating may just simply be different than yours. While I agree family meal time is important, it is possible to have our bodies require different things at different times. Your options are to let them be hungry and they can wait for a meal, or let them eat when they need to and maybe they sit with the family during meals. The latter is not a great option. If I could skip dinner and then be given snacks when i want them I would probably choose that too, but it doesn't mean it's a good idea :)

[@seemaroy50]

My toddler is not ready to eat food seems like he is scared of eating food as we both forced & scared him on not eating food. Plz suggest what to do?

[@nataliemarrero6122]

My son is 14 months he refuses to eat food with texture and his doctor told me he having issues with growing because hw wont eat anything like protein n veggies i offer him pouches sometimes that is unsuccessful

[@Benjamin-mx7lc]

What if my daughter eats and then suddenly goes down from her chair and then play? We usually fight over it and it sucks. She used to eat her meals smoothly. But since she's been seeing some other kids eat and play, seems like she applied it to herself. 😢

[@Safisworld_]

I’m having trouble with this now, so when she doesn’t eat protein what alternatives cannot offer right on the spot? She’s 2.

[@velikoslovog7526]

Everything said here is so true, through and through :D

[@nadiashah4272]

My son dont eat his dinner amd Gry all night for food like after 3 o clock😅

[@joshuahann7596]

Love the ideas ! Thanks mate , Love from Australia.

[@suchismitamahapatra9574]

My kid is 3 year old from last few days he stopped eating food and hardly he take 1 meal i.e 1roti at night. What to do please suggest. He skipped his breakfast and lunch ,not at all showing interest to eat food . I am worried ☹️

[@seadd1]

Mine is 2 and don’t want to chew :( She feeds herself, but soft food - mashed, yogurt, omelettes. Will keep persisting :(

[@igbo_girl]

I came here very frustrated. 13 months old, wants only chicken and a little bit of ground meat. Wants nothing by else and for the food she has chosen, wants to have it just once a day. How am I going to make up her calorie needs with just chicken once a day? Can she continue to grow well on milk??

[@Lucy-vx9nn]

What do u do when that child is 83 and only eats bowls of sugar, literally....

[@csabraxas]

Let them. At 83 you know sugar is bad for you let the man live his last years in peace.

[@sandeepdaniel3849]

Liked the video even before watching 😊! I’m Not a dad yet but your content is very helpful.

[@DadUniversity]

I appreciate that!

[@sourboydrummer]

Any advice when a child refuses a meal; she doesn’t appear hungry and is windshield wiping the tray. We end meal time, tray away and take our 21 month old out of the chair to go play while the other twin finishes her meal. Then we offer milk after the meal is over, usually a half cup to both twins. Should we still offer the milk to the twin who refused the meal?

[@DadUniversity]

No, don't offer the milk to the twin who refused. She likely isn't hungry which is ok.

[@gwyvkr.0]

my toddler only ear biscuits and bottle of milk. What to do? Its almost 7 days🥹🥹🥹

[@RonPhillips420]

My 2 year old only eats Jimmy Dean breakfast bowls pb&j spaghetti and potato wedges

[@nicolenadia1]

You’re the one that introduced your kid to that processed junk food. It’s your fault, bro.

[@RonPhillips420]

@@nicolenadia1 I can understand your ignorance but no it was not me. The logical assumption is that it is my fault but it is not the only answer

[@TheBeardedVeganBY]

This gave me confirmation in so many areas.

[@genesishernandez7079]

My two year old won’t eat breakfast or lunch or dinner 😭😭😭

[@Gottham8]

Did it change and if yes, what did you do?

[@ghazalahussain4529]

Same boat😢, any suggestions?

[@IamAlexJustice]

Could there be a mental problem? Like maybe in the kids mind he doesn't need to eat at all, but in reality others can see the kid is skinny as heck and needs food asap?

[@adamukassim6121]

Hi,Please, my 2 1/2 year daughter has refused to eat any main meals for the past 6 months ago, only snacks and medical they said there is nothing they can do since she is not losing weight, but also tired and frustrated and is affecting my relationship with my husband ,he thinks am not doing enough for the child, please I need a help. Thank you.

[@saadomaawiye3332]

I have the same problem my toddler is 2years old literally refusing he’s main meals for a month now soo annoyed 😢

[@Nero.H]

My toddler refused to eat unless he can watch his tablet while he eat, which is an ok tradeoff.

[@sammacias38]

I need help my grand child does not eat when we eat his parents lit him when he want he dose not have a time to eat like dinner they let him eat at 10 or 11 at night I’m trying to have a dinner time when I have him don’t know what to do

[@igbo_girl]

Parents are obviously already having a hard time. Don’t be the grandparents that blame parents

[@aperez6775]

Hello

[@apriltriggs2737]

If you dont give them something else they go hungry. My boy would rather starve than eat something he dosnt like.

[@DadUniversity]

Eventually they eat :)

[@freja33]

i eat but not as much as most peppole

[@smclemente19]

I offer options & my 20 month old will just play with both not & not eat or cry & I know she's hungry but she won't eat much of what I'm giving her.

[@SRC503]

Try jasmine rice with butter or salted and/or drops of soy sauce. Cup noodles but drain the water

[@MicahDoesIt]

So let them starve? That’s horrible

[@KristinaKage]

No child willingly "Starves" - they will eat eventually. It may not be chicken nuggets dipped in ranch every day.

[@MicahDoesIt]

@@KristinaKage my daughter still picky antsy advice

[@NatashaKooFeminineSpace]

@@KristinaKage My child refused to drink until she got constipation. She refused to eat anything but rice crackers for a while and lost weight. So yes they will starve themselves and lay around without energy.

[@regalaganesan4477]

My son only prefers noodles and refuses any other kind of solids