Hello. My 11 mo. old daughter has been eating less and less food over the past week and demanding more formula. She looks at her empty bottle and cries for more rather than eat the delicious food I've prepared for her. It's not an issue of her not liking the food; she shakes her head "no" before I can even get a spoonful in. She just cut 2 teeth at the exact same time. Could this be the reason? She is also defiant at naptime which NEVER used to be a problem. Thankfully, nighttime sleep has not been affected. She seems to have new onset separation anxiety as well. I'm trying to figure out if all these things are somehow related. I can't leave her side for a second without her crying! This is not like her! Any ideas?
She might have an ear infection, sometimes refusing to eat or lay down is a sign. Not all babies run fevers so you might want to get her looked at.
Maybe the teething is traumatic for her,mine liked to eat those frozen mini pancakes when teething makes her miserable. Also small pieces of banana on her tray. Some kids want to feed themselves when irritated. My 15 month old went through the crying at nap time about 4 months ago, she would cry it out and be ok, eventually it passed. She does get clingy when feeling bad. It's probably a phase.
My son did this same exact thing. I couldn't figure it out and duh, it was teething. You won't see anything teeth, but sure enought that is probably what it is. Try tylenol tomorrow and see if that changes her mood. Also, she may be scared to chew food because is afraid it may hurt her mouth. Try cool foods like yogurt or cool applesauce. She will come around. This sounds just like my son. He would just spit the food right out. Just keep offering it to her. leave a couple of pieces on the table and see if she will pick it up and eat it herself. Don't push her too much. Give her a soft spoon and let her help herself. Also try giving her food first thing in the morning instead of a bottle. After a week or so she should be back to her regular self again.
If the "no eating" and serious mood changes persist for more than a day or two more, take her in to have her ears checked. This is exactly what my son does when he has an ear infection (and he doesn't run a fever with them, so the fact that she hasn't had one doesn't rule out an ear infection.) I hope it's just teething, but better safe than sorry.
Hi. Just some ideas re: eating, I give my son 13 months something to hold when I am feeding him e.g. a spoon then while he is occupied I sneak the food in. It works for us. He also likes to play around with the food and try to feed himself a bit. (gets messy - but he eats!) The separation thing sounds familiar too for that age. My son started the same at that age and now at 13 months is not so upset about me leaving the room (or house with a babysitter). good luck!
R.,
Will she eat 'people' food? Table food - what you eat basically. Instead of spooning it in let her pick it up by herself. Chunks of banana, steamed veggies, over cooked ziti pasta, french toast cut up, grilled cheese cut up. There are a lot of food like this that they could eat. Try this and see if she changes.
Good luck,
L.
It is definitely teething. She finds you comforting, and food probably hurts her to chew. She will be okay with not eating as much. It's perfectly normal. It will pass soon. :-)
Remeber hearing about the "terrible twos", well it was a lie! The "terrible twos" can start much earlier. I had much the same experience that you are having and I found it to be a combination of teething, trying to find her independence and really needing to make sure I'm always here for her. My Belle is almost 22 months now, and she still has her 'super cling' moments, but, I promise, at some point you will be able to leave the room with out her attached to your hip! Your girl may also want to switch nap times. Are you still trying for two a day? Then switch to one, a.m. or p.m., and see if that's a little easier for her. And, of course, when you start to really need a little space (say to use the rest room alone!) you can always try the boob tube for a few minutes of respite! Noggin is a sweet and gentle channel without commercials, geared to preschoolers, and you'll only feel like a bad mommy for sticking her in front of it for a minute! Good luck, just remember ... this, too, shall pass!
