My Two-Year-Old Has Refused to Eat Solid Foods for the Last Six Months: Advice?

A mom writes in asking for advice about her two-year-old. She says her toddler, who once ate “literally anything,” has refused to eat solid foods for the last six months. All he wants is milk, juice, and sometimes oranges. All day, every day. This mom has tried some old standby tricks, but now she’s turning to the community for further advice.

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A member of the community asks:

“My 2-year-old refuses to eat solid food: Thoughts?

It’s been almost 6 months that my 2-year-old doesn’t want to eat solid foods. When he was a baby, he would eat literally anything (soups, beans, eggs, chicken). Now all he wants to eat is literally junk food and/or simply juice or milk for the whole day. Or oranges, but he gets diarrhea because he mixes oranges and milk! I’ve tried doing the little airplane on him. He used to eat like that also, but not anymore. I tried sitting him on his high chair and nothing also!!!”

– Mamas Uncut Community Member

Community Advice for This Mom Whose Two-Year-Old Refuses to Eat Solid Foods

To see what advice the Mamas Uncut Facebook community has for this mom in need, read the comments of the post embedded below.

Advice Summary

The community offered this mom in need a lot of great advice. Read some of their responses below.

“I’d get his swallowing reflex checked, possibly his teeth too?”

“Try cutting veggies in small pieces: thin baby carrot sticks (like julienne-thin small), make celery into long thin strips instead of wide. Give him something to dip it in: ranch, peanut butter, yogurt. Something that makes playing with food fun and healthy.”

“Talk to your child’s doctor.
Sometimes 2-year-olds just go through stages.
When they’re hungry enough they will eat what you give them.
Sometimes there’s something else going on.
– Sensory issues
– ENT issues
The only way to really know is to have your child evaluated.
With the shutdowns going on that makes it kind of hard.
First, get some toddler milk (milk flavored) and use it in conjunction with milk for the nutrients.
Second, continue offering healthy options. Do a little Lunchable with 1 thing you know he will eat and different options
Third, keep a food log.”

“I’d do a consultation with his Dr first. If Dr says everything is good then it’s going to be more of a routine change. Stop giving the junk foods and try new options.”

“Cut the junk out altogether. He knows he can get it by refusing other food.”

“Give him soft finger foods and let him feed himself.”

“Don’t give him the junk or snacks until he eats a meal. It might take a few days but when he gets hungry he’ll eat.”

“My son did this. He went over a year having absolutely nothing to do with anything that didn’t have a crunch to it. We got creative. They grow out of it. A lot of people will tell you to try to starve the phase out, but I genuinely don’t think that works. I fed him what he wanted, let him guide (within reason of course!) And balanced with Pediasure and a multivitamin. There’s only so much you can do. He’s almost three and a half now and he’ll try anything and eat most things! Just keep offering it. I found a great thing that worked was just getting him familiar with the foods, ask him to touch, smell, lick, and bite when comfortable. Praise anything he will do highly.”

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