Sllloooooowwww eater dilemma- advice please!

[Littledragon]

I agree with Reggio. I wouldn't force it too much. One thing I've learned (and read) is that you cannot force a child to eat, no matter how much you want to. I have a 15 month old who wouldn't eat too, for a long time, but soon realized it was problems at home. I think maybe it's a trust thing. She was probably coddled at home when it came to eating (spoon fed, finger fed by mom or dad) so when she got to your care, like you said, she didn't like the way it was run. But now, mom and dad are probably frustrated that their kid will eat for you and not them so they may get frustrated with her. I think she may have a complex. So with you, her eating is something she knows is safe to do, but she's still not sure about it so she wants to take her time and trust you, herself, and her food. I know it sounds weird, but this is what i determined with my little one. Once I left him to his own devices, he eventually took shape. He eats things here he won't at home and I KNOW his dad gets mad because he's told me how frustrating it is, but on his full days here, he eats like a horse! And I think it's bc I don't get mad. i don't force. I just started giving him less food so he woulnd't waste anything, and just let him be. It worked. I would do the gradual thing like Reggio said too.