My 2.5 year old has become very fussy with what they will eat for dinner in particular. I feel like I'm stuck a bit because ultimately I don't want them to go to bed having not eaten...

Also, insist on the fact that they should at least try some of the foods. You can propose stuff outside of dinner in a more informal setup. Making a game of it can sometimes work. I used to have surprise yoghurt with my son where we would hide fruits in it together and see who fishes what out of the bowl. Cooking together can help as well, the child can say what he would want and you have an opportunity to explain what a balanced diet is. The food pyramid can help you with that also. I often go back to this documentary, especially the bit where they explain how little kids discover food: https://youtu.be/B7Hh0PY1kks?si=H913zAgcq0FxscHv

@Juliette you can insist on them trying, but when you do and they start screaming and having a tantrum, it isn't effective

That's though yes. Good luck!

I’ve been through this with my 3 1/2-year-old he’s been a fussy eater for about two years. I’ve done all the research in the world and I’ve come up with a conclusion that if he does not want his food I will not say anything I will just wait a bit and if he still doesn’t want it I will say “okay you’re not hungry that’s fine” and show him that I’m picking up the plate and I take it to the kitchen. Sometimes he will say no I do want it and I’ll bring it back and he eats abit. if he doesn’t want it I’ll put it away and try again in half an hour to an hour later. If it’s bedtime, I will say to him, there is no other option. If you are not hungry, you can have a yoghurt and go to bed.I don’t give alternatives. He thinks there’s something else so I tel him there is nothing else, but you can have a fruit or yoghurt. If they’re hungry they will eat. Just remember that

I would not insist on my child trying anything, that’s teaching them not to listen to their own body. Whenever I’m trying something new or something my LO isn’t the biggest fan of, I make sure I add other things I know he will eat. I also do what Amy does and go to take his plate asking if he’s all done which usually ends up him saying no, grabbing for the plate and eating more. If he will not eat his food I don’t offer alternatives at the time, not even a yogurt or fruit but I end the meal and if I think he’ll be hungry later, I’ll then offer a substantial snack after a minimum of 30 minutes so he doesn’t associate it with the meal.

The issue I'm having is he's gone funny with foods he would usually eat too

Hopefully it’s a phase. All you can do is keep offering a variety but I definitely wouldn’t offer an alternative straight away. I wouldn’t worry too much unless their weight starts dropping etc you can also try encourage eating by getting them to help you prep dinner. Also if it’s mainly dinner that’s the problem, you can try front loading and offering more filling, nutritious meals for breakfast, lunch & snacks and having something smaller for dinner.

@Natisha I just worry about him going to bed hungry you know ?

I totally understand. Is it disturbing his sleep at night?

@Natisha he's sleeping OK, but he's started to wake early the last few days and I'm worried its hunger x

Sometimes we'll ask ours to lick it or try to balance it on their tongue, or take a "mouse bite". They might also be craving more control in their life in general. You can try giving very simple options in other areas; "do you want to wear the blue shirt or the red shirt?", "do you want to leave the park now or in 5 minutes?" and see if they ease up on the control battle at dinner. I've heard the half years tend to be a little tricky in general. Ours got fussier around then so we put a *bunch* more tricks up our sleeves, but it does turn around.

I heard it explained that, evolutionarily, it's around the time they get a lot more more mobile, and so they become more skeptical about what they put in their mouth so they didn't accidentally poison themselves with wild berries and plants. I have no idea if it's true but it made me feel better about perhaps it not truly being a sign we failed him. 😅

It definitely could be that. Try get more calories in earlier in the day, add smoothies etc in if you don’t already.

Yes same as Natisha sorry I don’t offer straight away. I wait until later then offer a fruit or yoghurt.

Offer a before bed snack, something healthy ish and filling that they like. A sandwich, yoghurt, a banana, Biscuits and Hommus. It's hard and frustrating when they lose safe foods. But ultimately you can't force them to eat. You can't force feed, punish, bribe etc. All those things make their eating worse in the long run. Serve a safe element with every meal. If they consistently refuse a food they used to eat, accept it's no longer a safe food. I follow the No Pressure approach and it works really well for picky eaters. It's better for my mental health and by putting the control back in their hands, we have gained a few new foods here and there.