Ok , so I think this is normal but I just want to make sure. My son is going to be 11 months old tomorrow, and just in the last week or so he has not been letting us feed him his pureed food ( we make it ourselves), he has also not really wanted to eat his table food. We give bits of fruit and veggies, and he used to be good with picking them up and feeding himself and now, he's just not eating. He shakes his head and waves his hand in front of him. I am nursing, and he's been fine with that, actually nursing more, so I know he's getting his nutrients, but I'm just not sure what to do about getting him to eat solid foods. We've tried all kinds of stuff and he's just not interested. We think he's getting a couple more teeth, so I'm not sure if that is it, or he's just becoming picky. I'm not as worried when I'm here, cause he can nurse what he needs, but when he's at daycare, he'll get his milk in the bottle and it's obviously a set amount.
Any suggestions, reassurance, feedback, would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Thank you everyone for your feedback. He actually has started eating more, and let me feed him so oatmeal this morning. I really think it was a combination of another tooth coming in, it has broken through and him starting to do some cruising. We've made some toast with his veggie puree and put some cheese on it and he seems to like it and my husband was trying some different veggies tonight. I appreciate the reassurance that these are normal phases that babies go through. First time going through this, they really need a handbook or user guide.
Thanks again.
My son didn't want to pick up things with his hands he wanted to use a fork and spoon just like mom, dad, and sissy. He wanted to be a big boy. That's how we got him to eat his bites.
My (breastfed)son used to do this also. It would last a week or 2 and then he would be back to normal. Just keep offering him food as normal, don't get panicky or he will pick up on that, and he will be back to normal soon. He still is getting most of his nutrients from your milk, so he will be fine.
sometimes ear infections are a-symptomatic. my daughter's are. the only way I catch them are minor changes in her eating patterns. might be something to look into!
best luck!
sounds like he is sick wiht a yeast infection or ear infection or soar throat. my son did this and eventually stopped drinking too it was a yeast infection in his esophagus they found by scoping him. dont let it go too long or he could get sensory issues and anxiety to foods.
You have to take your cues from him. You can't make him eat, and appetites vary from day to day, week to week. Just keep offering different things, and let him choose. Medicate for teething if it's a concern. He won't starve.
Without having read the responses so far- Real Quick-
My daughter seemed anxious and interested at about 9 months and took a few bites here and there between then a 1 year, then decided she wanted nothing to do with food, just to nurse. I let her nurse on demand until she was ready to eat (about 16 months) and then she ate with great gusto. She has always been healthy and the dr was fine with it as she was gaining, etc.
I nursed her on demand for quite awhile, I think until about 2 and then sometime soon after that, we started distracting her sometimes if I needed to do something besides sit and nurse :) She eats everything I put in front of her now at almost 3 and still nurses a few times a day and once at night (at least!)
Hope this helps! I would not worry unless you sense gagging or there seems to be a problem swallowing or something sensory going on.
:)
M.
You might have him checked for strep throat or ear infection just to be safe, especially if he seems more clingy, can't sleep, or cries more when laying down or swallowing, or tugs at his ears.
Hi S.,
I'm not sure if this will help, but we went through the same thing! He was eating pureed food just fine and starting on table food like cheerios, sweet potato chunks, carrots, etc. Then suddenly at 11months he didn't want any of it! It was so weird. For a while I went back to feeding him baby rice and oatmeal cereals and stage 2 type baby foods. Then he started eating pieces of bread. Now that we're a week from 12 months, he's almost back to normal. He's eating more table foods. The only thing is he won't pick up pieces of fruit like peaches or pears. He doesn't like their sliminess I guess? But if I give him those on a spoon he's fine. Its so weird, but I'm glad he's eating more now. :)
My two kids ate pureed food for such a brief time. I went staight for the table food and nursing. Let him eat what your eating, or a variation of it. If he doesn't want it, it's ok, but keep offering, not forcing. Eventually he will get curious and want to try. Eggs, banannas, avocado, cheerios, pear, bread with a little butter or peanut butter, there are a lot if things he can safely eat. Give him more independence. My two year old tried chopsticks and did great. She was already good with a fork.
lots of icky molars are coming. he will do this many times over the next year. keep nursing him and you know he is getting what he needs! so many people wean now and then thier kids end up failure to grow, on pediasure or chocolate toddler formula....their is a reason these products exist and its because we early wean our kids in this country... so sad!
also keep offering the foods and dont give into "all he will eat are goldfish so that is what i am going to give him"...
My grandfather always said the kids will"take/get" what they need when they are ready and that seems to be what may be going on here. since you are nursing him he is getting what he needs and if the teeth are coming in that may be bothering him. watch to make sure he still has the usual energy and is active as normal and if that is the case then he will eat when he gets hungry and drink when he is thirsty. Now if he is slowing down then maybe check in with his doctor to make sure nothing is going around that might be making him feel bad. I hope he is not doing this as an attention getter? Watch for that too-and I bet you know what to do if and when he pulls that kind of stuff. Don't worry Mom he will do fine!
Just keep nursing him on demand! You're doing fine. Our son was exclusively breastfed till 9 months. He started baby food and a week later table food, BUT there were still days where all he would consume was breast milk......... I just followed his lead.
