Ask Me Help Desk - Toddler not eating in daycare

Hello, my 3 year old son does not eat at day care at all. I can't understand why? I don't know if he does't like the food there or what. We've tried everithing, we even brought some of our food there so it's something he likes and knows, but it didn't work either. He is not a good eater at home too. If you give him something new or something he doesn't feel like eating at the moment he'll trow up. If he feels a piece of meet with the soup (chicken soup) he'll trow up. And in the same time he eats big pieces of sausage or other things that he likes. Every meal is a nightmare for us-wheather he will or not trow up this time? We tell stories so he can eat. Doctor says the child is playfull and grows normally so it's OK. But I know it is not OK. It wasn't like that before. He used to eat almost everithing and a lot more than now. He's not fat because he runs all the time and does't get tired. Ever since he started day care he doesn't eat lunch and it's about 5 months now without lunch. He lost weight-not a lot but still, he's not growing like he used to? And he is hungry, because when I get him from day care he eats a lot, but it's 4.30 in the afternoon which is not a lunch time I thing. I am concern about his stomach staing empty whole day. Is there anything we can do? Please help.

Is there a set time at lunch for daycare? And if so, is that the only time he's allowed to eat there? Maybe he's not hungry when he's got the chance to eat?

Does he get along with the teacher and other kids? Even now that I'm an adult, there's some people I still don't like to eat around. I had a co-worker who just always had to comment on if I was eating. It didn't matter if I was tasting a bite of something or sitting down for a meal. It was so irritating. I would wait until he left the room to eat. Is it possible your son is having a problem with someone at daycare?

Quote:

Originally Posted by justcurious55

is there a set time at lunch for daycare? and if so, is that the only time he's allowed to eat there? maybe he's not hungry when he's got the chance to eat?

does he get along with the teacher and other kids? even now that i'm an adult, there's some people i still don't like to eat around. i had a co-worker who just always had to comment on if i was eating. it didn't matter if i was tasting a bite of something or sitting down for a meal. it was so irritating. i would wait until he left the room to eat. is it possible your son is having a problem with someone at daycare?

Thank you for your answer. Yes, they have a set time for lunch and snack and this is the only time they can eat. He eat snack there-at about 3-3.30-probably he is very hungry by that time, but this is the only thing he eats there. We thought about he's not being hungry and we also thought about going to day care without having breakfast so he can eat breakfast there or eventually get hungry and eat his lunch there. But we are afraid if he still doesn't eat his stomach may hurt or get sick or... I don't know. The teacher said it's better to have breakfast at home-at least his stomach is not empty all day and home breakfast is better than theirs. May be we'll try this. I spoke with teacher today and she said if we want to try she'll keep an eye on him and eventually give him something to eat if he is hungry even it's not lunch time yet.
Other then eating he doesn't have problems in this day care-he likes both teachers, he's happy and plays with some of the other kids. He used to go to another day care and he didn't like one of the teachers there and he used to cry and not want to go but ever since we found the current one he doesn't have those problems. I don't thing that's the matter.

Maybe something smaller or lighter for breakfast?

What if he helped pack his lunch? Maybe if he's more involved in what goes in he'll be more likely to eat it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by justcurious55

maybe something smaller or lighter for breakfast?

what if he helped pack his lunch? maybe if he's more involved in what goes in he'll be more likely to eat it.

Yes, I'll try this. Smaller breakfast for a few days maigh help. Lunch is provided by daycare and they don't allow outside food.

Could he be allergic to the food they're serving?

And at the end of the day, kids will eat when they are hungry, if he gets tired of getting hungry in the afternoon, he will learn to eat.

Many times they will act out for the attention they get if and when things change ( like going to day school) they may figure if he acts out enough, he may not have to go perhaps,

I found if they refused to eat something, getting hungry helped them learn to eat what they were offered at a meal the next time or two