Hi everyone,
I have a two-year-old toddler who normally has a pretty big appetite. However, over the past few days, I've noticed that he's not been eating as much as he usually does. He'll pick at his food and take a few bites here and there, but he's not finishing his meals like he usually does.
I'm starting to get a little concerned because I don't want him to lose weight or become malnourished. Should I be worried about this change in his eating habits? Is this normal behavior for a toddler? Is there anything I can do to encourage him to eat more?
Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Hello,
I can empathize with your concern. I have a 2-year-old son who is also going through a phase where he is not eating as much as he usually does. However, I believe that this is just a normal part of toddlerhood and nothing to worry about too much.
While it can be frustrating when your child is not eating much, what has worked for me is offering a variety of healthy snacks throughout the day to make sure that my son has something to eat. I also try to make meals more fun and engaging by using colorful plates or utensils.
At times I have noticed that my child refuses to eat while seated, so I give him finger foods that he is happy to walk around with and eat at the same time. I also try to make mealtime a family affair where we all sit down and enjoy our meal together - this tends to make my son want to join in too.
And as much as it may seem tempting to bribe with rewards or punishments, I try to avoid this as it can make mealtime seem like a chore.
If you're truly concerned about your child's lack of appetite, it's always best to speak with your pediatrician, but in most cases, children will eventually come back around to their old eating habits.