For the past week, the baby has been refusing to eat most of his meals. The only foods he would take are Rusks and bananas (he does enjoy trying to eat inedible stuffs like books and tissues, which is driving me up the wall!). Everything else goes untouched and into the garbage. Mealtime used to be easy and pleasant, now it's turning into a nightmare with all the screaming and foods flying across the room. But thankfully he's nursing as usual, otherwise I would go totally berserk. I don't know if it's the flu or he's just turning into a picky eater. I really hope it's not the latter.
David Geller, pediatrician
Toddlers can be finicky eaters. One minute they're in love with a particular dish — spaghetti, for instance — and won't take a bite of it the next. Or they'll decide they hate blueberries without even having tried the fruit. Kids this age are becoming aware of their ability to make their own decisions, sometimes to the frustration of their parents. They also enjoy pushing the limits you impose upon them to see what response they get.
Even though it seems impossible, most picky eaters get enough calories and nutrients from their regular diet, so don't worry that your child will starve if he doesn't have a versatile palate like you do. If your child is gaining weight and getting taller, and has had no developmental problems, he's doing just fine. Make sure his diet is healthy and that the things he does eat aren't junky fare, such as chocolate, chips, or candy. Keep encouraging him to eat all types of food. If he refuses, don't force the issue. Eventually, he'll try foods he once shunned. Don't stop offering them, though — if you never present him with a varied selection, he'll never learn to eat them, and the list of foods he won't eat will grow longer.