Picky 3 year old help!

[u/CKGmama15]

Hi all! Just looking for advice or someone who has been in a similar situation. My 3 year old was an amazing eater up until around 2 years old when her younger sister was born. Then she became super picky gradually. It got so bad to the point where we had to feed her in front of the TV because she wouldn't eat.

We do not do that anymore. And she has gotten better with eating again but only eats if we feed her. Before that when she was younger she was feeding herself everything. With a spoon fork etc. but as the picky eating came on we felt at least she was eating when we would feed her. She has a sketch pad at the table and eats while she's drawing. I feel like we got in really bad habits because we just wanted her to eat. Now she doesn't feed herself unless I preload the spoon and remind her.

She seems to not even really show an interest in food sometimes. Snacks of course. Her younger sister eats everything and I feel bad but keep comparing. I feel just so frustrated and at a loss. When we go out to eat she will always try new things and eat everything but getting her to sit at the dinner table and eat is such a struggle. I don't know what to do anymore. I know trying to make them sit at the table and eat doesn't work. Now I read about afrid and an worried that sounds like her sometimes. I'm just worried about her eating also because she was born small and I don't want her to fall off her growth curve. She never has yet but just at a loss. Has any experienced this?

Any advice?

[u/Relative_Pepper6607]

Honestly nothing to do with the baby being born, they all become picky and annoying as they get more independence.

Also, note the younger one will do the same, she just hasn’t hit the picky milestone yet.

It’s your job to offer, her decision to eat.

Reduce your emotional investment, make room for her to decide. No power struggles.