Toddler never wants breakfast

[mountainboo]

Hi. My son is completely disinterested in breakfast regardless of what it is. He has been this was for approximately 6 months now (he's 3 years old). I've tried everything and we have always been consistent with eating all our meals at the table. We eat cereal and toast daily and I always give my son the same but he barely eats anything, in fact I have to spoon feed him (not forcibly). I have tried yoghurts, fruit, toast, cereal and even coco pops. I realise there are some that just don't like breakfast but at his age shouldn't he be hungry at breakfast time? I have recently become concerned about possible lactose intolerance which I shall investigate further, do you think this could be affecting his appetite?

[hc4361]

Is his appetite generally good? Is he a good weight? Lots of energy?

[boxtops]

If he's not hungry, I would just leave it, as long as he's getting plenty of fluids and eating properly during the rest of the day.

[ummmm]

Does he drink in the morning?

I've never eaten breakfast...it actually makes me feel sick.

[mountainboo]

Thanks. Yes, he has a huge drink first thing in the morning. He has bundles of energy throughout the day. He is fussy and I would say his appetite is on the lower side of average but we try to give him the important things. With that said, when it comes to puddings, he has absolutely no problems... funny that!

[ummmm]

I wouldn't give it a second thought then. Maybe offer a mid-morning snack.

[Lore]

My (almost) three year old is exactly the same. Except on a Saturday when there's a possible full English on the menu. Some days he'll have a go but on the whole, he likes nothing more than a cup of warm milk and sometimes half a slice of toast.

[brenda]

Would a smoothie type drink be of any value?
My OH who has dementia often refuses to eat ;proper meals, and I have found the attractive colours of a smoothie very helpful. Just a quick whizz int he blender and you have got it .Just an idea for you . Good luck.

[mountainboo]

Yeah, thanks very much. He seems to like smoothies so maybe I'll give those a go instead.

[pretty_snowdrop]

As long as he has a big drink, he will be fine. The drink is probably filling him up so he isn't hungry.

[k8bailey]

Just a thought - if he's having a huge drink before he tries eating, he could feel full?

My daughter is a similar age, if she refuses a meal I just let her, she'll eat later. As you say some people just like eating in the mornings...I don't, always hated breakfast my mum even cooked me soup and pizzas in the mornings or let me eat ice cream just so I'd had something before school....i won't be so soft with my kids!

[smoochiegal]

Hiya, try not to worry too much... loads of kids go through phases. I know loads of people who don't like eating first thing in the morning. Have you tried him on the same type of food at different times of the day... maybe he doesn't like cereal or the butter you use or maybe variety of bread u use. I think spoon feeding him could help create a habit of 'breakfast time is a meal where mummy feeds me' if you understand what I mean. My son is 17mths and goes through stages of not wanting to eat something that he was perfectly happy to eat the day before. He also moans and doesn't want to eat at dinner quite often so we now put his plate down and pretend to ignore him, he then gets on with it. If you really are getting worried about it ring your health visitor up at the surgery for a chat. I'm sure everything will be fine.

[smoochiegal]

just had a quick look at the other answers I agree... my little one was having a bottle of milk in the morning and would then turn his nose up at breakfast, u could try and give him some water and the milk or drink that is filling after he has eaten :D

[jamesnan]

Have you tried pancakes, with chocolate spread, fruit or just sugar. Definitely try smoothies, with a mixture of fruit and yogurts with fruit juice, blend well, and serve in cup.
Tell him that he can't have any breakfast, so just to go and sit somewhere else - that may work because he knows you are trying to get him to eat it. After a few days of that, he may want to join you for something.

[Canary42]

Give him a nice large bowl of porridge !