What to Do If Your Child Refuses to Eat
My Child Isn't Eating Much: What Ontario Parents Need to Know
When your child suddenly picks at their food or refuses meals altogether, it's natural to worry. The good news? Most eating changes in kids are temporary and nothing to panic about. Children are actually pretty good at eating what they need over time, even when it doesn't look that way day to day.
What's going on?
Kids go through phases with food, and it's completely normal. Their appetites naturally fluctuate based on growth spurts, activity levels, and even the weather. Toddlers especially can seem like they're surviving on air some days, then suddenly devour everything in sight the next.
Sometimes poor appetite happens when children are fighting off a bug, even before other symptoms show up. Stress, changes at home or daycare, and new developmental milestones can also affect eating. Even something as simple as drinking too much milk or juice between meals can fill up their little bellies.
The key thing to remember is that healthy children won't starve themselves. If your child is active, playing normally, and seems happy, they're likely getting enough nutrition even if their plate looks barely touched.
What you might notice
- Pushing food around the plate without eating
- Taking tiny bites or eating very slowly
- Refusing favorite foods suddenly
- Asking for snacks but not eating meals
- Seeming full after just a few bites
- Only wanting to eat certain foods or textures
What helps at home
Keep offering regular meals and snacks without pressure. Let your child decide how much to eat from what you serve. Try to make mealtimes pleasant and avoid turning them into battles about food.
Limit drinks between meals, especially milk and juice, which can be surprisingly filling. Water is best for thirst between meals. If your child is sick, focus on keeping them hydrated and offer whatever foods appeal to them, even if it's just crackers or toast.
Sometimes kids eat better when they help prepare the food or when meals feel special. Try involving them in simple cooking tasks or having a picnic lunch on the living room floor.
When to worry
Head to the emergency room if your child shows signs of dehydration like no wet diapers for hours, extreme drowsiness, or very dry mouth and lips, especially if they're also vomiting or have diarrhea.
Contact your doctor or text Arlo if the poor eating lasts more than a week, if your child is losing weight, seems unusually tired or cranky, or if you notice other concerning symptoms like fever, vomiting, or changes in their usual personality.
The takeaway
Trust your instincts and trust your child's body. Most eating phases pass on their own within a few days to a week.
You can always text Arlo and talk to a provider in 5 minutes!
References - [Feeding Your Toddler](https://caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/health-conditions-and-treatments/feedingyourtoddler) - Caring for Kids (Canadian Paediatric Society)
- [Poor Appetite](https://aboutkidshealth.ca/article?contentid=1471&language=english) - AboutKidsHealth (SickKids)
- [Healthy Eating for Children](https://ontario.ca/page/healthy-eating-children) - Government of Ontario