feeding time

Lately, feeding time has become a time of the day that I dread and doing it 3 times a day is so hard. Between stressing out about what to feed them, preparing it and cleaning it all up, it's EXHAUSTING. I know I probably put the stress on myself unecessarily but Lorien has become such a picky eater. It's hard enough preparing 2 meals 3 times a day but now Lorien won't eat sooooooo many foods that she used to eat. She has pretty much converted back to stage 2/3 foods. I don't know if it's the teething or a texture thing or what but it's so frustrating. I don't want to deprive Arwen of foods that she likes and trying new things but it's so hard to keep preparing meals that Lorien just throws on the floor cause then I have to prepare yet another meal for her. I'm sure it's just a phase and in the mean time should I just forget about trying new things with her and just give her the staples that I know she will eat? It doesn't leave a whole lot of variety but what can I do? Guess I'll have to prepare 2 meals after all. Sorry, just needed to vent ( I don't do it too often but GRRRRRRR). Thanks for listening (well, reading actually )

 

I dread it too! My girls have really been into pouring their milk on the rug underneath their chairs. They will look at me and start to dump their milk, I'll yell, and they just keep dumping like they don't hear me. They will also dump soup, juice, etc. I have been washing the rug in the kitchen at least every other day becuase the milk smells so bad. I feel like I feed them pasta, cheese, meat and corn every day. I totally understand how you feel!

 

I have come to dread feeding time if it's something they don't absolutely love. Heck, they don't even care for my cooking and still prefer jarred food. And if one sees the other turn something down, then he will turn it down too.

Not much help here but you're not alone. B)

 

I dread dinner time around here. It so hard to find things to make that everyone will eat. DS is going through a super picky phase and seems to hate all food he is presented with even if he has loved it in the past. It certainly is the most stressful part of my day.

 

Oh Ladies, you are not alone! I too dreaded mealtime! I couldn't make hubby understand, either; he just said I put too much stress on myself! I guess because of the whole preemie thing I was worrying about them getting enough food well past 2 years old!

One of my girls was extremely picky. I often resorted to giving her stuff I knew she would eat (cereal, crackers). I remember asking an experienced Mom friend of mine about this; if I was "spoiling" my daughter forever for real food, and how I could get out of this rut. She was very sympathetic and said "You can let her eat the cereal & crackers for a good while longer with no ill effects - then you will suddenly decide one day that you and she are ready to branch out and have her eat whatever's prepared for everyone. Don't forget that what's easiest for you during this time frame is also important." So I felt better about resorting to the crackers and such; unbelievably, what she said took a load off my mind.

So I gave both daughters the same "meal" and when Miss Picky Eater didn't eat, I put some bread or crackers out. I moved in the direction of only offering wheat bread (with butter if desired) if the meal wasn't eaten. When she became capable of understanding this, I said "when you've eaten some dinner, you can have your milk". She LOVES milk so this helped immensely. Ever so slowly, she developed likes for other foods; I remember her loving creamed corn, so I made sure to put it on the menu frequently. Also, I remember breakfast was always an easy meal because both girls loved breakfast foods (pancakes, waffles, cereal) so about once a week we had breakfast foods for dinner.

They will be 3 and 1/2 late in July and eating is so much better these days. Miss Picky Eater is still picky, but the range of food is so much improved!

 

I was just commenting to dh how I hate meal times and diaper changes- too bad that is a lot of the day

You spend all this time making them nutritious meals then they just throw all of it on the floor

 

I used to think 3 meals a day was tough. Until my Pedi. said that I should probably add 2 snacks to that. I live in fear of feeding times, because I never know whether I'm going to have my easygoing babies who love food or my monstrous babies who hate whatever it is I put in front of them and only goal at meal time is to throw as much food to the floor as possible and to pretend they're drinking milk only to spit it out all over themselves seconds later.
I've been reading the book "Feeding with love and good sense" which has some really good advice, that is really hard to follow for a mom who really stresses about making sure her kids eat.
Good luck. You are definitely not alone.

 

Ok, so my girls are waaaaaay younger than any on this forum, but in a way this helped me. My girls have done great with solids - until I started finger foods. It is now a battle and, judging from what has been posted, it looks like I'm up against it for a while. So, although I'm now even more panicked thinking about the future, it also helps to know that I'm not alone and I need to change my mindset. So, although you are SOOOO frustrated, just know that you have, in a way, helped me!! :hug99:

 

Feeding time is definately the hardest time of the day IMO also!

QUOTE(twinmom11 @ Jun 13 2007, 01:02 PM) [snapback]290911[/snapback]
I never know whether I'm going to have my easygoing babies who love food or my monstrous babies who hate whatever it is I put in front of them and only goal at meal time is to throw as much food to the floor as possible and to pretend they're drinking milk only to spit it out all over themselves seconds later.


This is our house too! The one staple I can always count on is fruit...mine LOVE it! Veggies- just depends on the day, meat- you can pretty much forget about, spaghetti & easy mac usually get eaten. Any other variety is often in vain. I really used to get upset at first when the food throwing started, but I realized that wasn't helping anything, just making me crazy. So I really try to let it roll of my back, but it can be SOO frustruating at times.

 

I hate hate hate feeding time. They are so picky and it's getting worse. They used to LOVE grilled cheese now they throw it and cry. They only eat green beans and cheese! Mac n cheese on ocassion but forget about eating my cooking. I don't know what to do anymore. They do love breakfast, but lunch and dinner are such a drag. Sorry no advice, just know you are def not alone.