4 year old refusing to eat by himself

Hello!

“hi I need some help.. my almost 4 year old little boy has been eating on his own for ages. All of a sudden at dinner at home and lunch at daycare will not eat unless he is fed. I mean WILL NOT eat.. refuses and skips that meal unless he is fed . any suggestions” Do you have any tips for a 4 year old refusing to eat by himself?

Posted by Christine, 08/05/13

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99 replies
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- - Ellen said
  - 20 Sep 2022
    7:40 am
I wouldn’t make a big fuss about it. In the end of the day a child will eat when it’s hungry. I would offer small portion, allow finger food and ignore / respect refusal
- - mom125971 said
  - 30 Apr 2015
    9:36 am
I wish i had some answers for you, but we are in the same situation! My almost 5 year old does this and it is driving me crazy!!! I’m following to see what other’s suggest. Good luck!
- - gem1991 said
  - 31 Jul 2014
    5:49 pm
I hope all is going ok now!
- - Mellypenny said
  - 21 May 2014
    10:14 am
I know this is a bit old but it was maybe just a stage he was going through? If he is hungry enough though he will eat
- - tobysmummy said
  - 16 Jan 2014
    2:01 pm
Just a stage I’d say,
- - coppin85 said
  - 31 Dec 2013
    7:59 am
how is he going now?
- - kathryn said
  - 28 Dec 2013
    10:58 pm
Have you tried refusing to feed him for those meals because big boys know how to feed themselves and only little babies get fed by their mummies and they don’t get ice-cream
- - ljsalomon said
  - 23 Dec 2013
    9:06 am
I hope he is eating on his own for you now.
- - meltingmoment said
  - 20 Dec 2013
    11:04 am
Is he managing to eat by himself now?
- - snoopy said
  - 31 Oct 2013
    5:32 pm
Hope it is just a short phase, sorry I can’t help with advice.
- - meltingmoment said
  - 30 Oct 2013
    9:54 pm
How is he going now?
- - nswelise said
  - 27 Oct 2013
    5:53 pm
yeah it will be ok just a stage
- - sueban said
  - 25 Oct 2013
    12:38 am
Another stage they go thew, the eat when they are hungry.
- - have a happy day said
  - 19 Oct 2013
    9:58 am
Ignore this behaviour and offer food as normal I’m sure he will eat when he is hungary.Is their a new baby in the family?If there is make him feel special and give him 1 to 1 time.
- - niccilee said
  - 18 Oct 2013
    12:34 pm
A lot of people will disagree with this but it worked for me just dont do it he will no sarve himself if he is hungry he will eat if you just dont do it sonner or later he will feed himself
- - missmanic said
  - 03 Oct 2013
    10:29 pm
Thanks heaps ! Wondering this myself. :p
- - kjgarner said
  - 30 Sep 2013
    11:13 pm
Good luck and I hope it all worked out for you
- - azmaz said
  - 13 Sep 2013
    3:25 pm
make it exciting, bright fingerfood
- - beresford said
  - 02 Sep 2013
    4:24 pm
I would stick your ground he will not starve him self to death so wait it out if he refuses to eat the meal do not give anything until the next meal an so on he will catch on with in a day or two
- - a-edwards said
  - 30 Aug 2013
    6:16 am
I wouldn’t worry. Stick to ur guns and he will soon realize!