13 Month Old Stopped Eating! Too Much Milk???

My pediatrician says 16oz max on the milk. Also, he could just be in a slow growth stage and need less food. When he is hungry, he will eat.

I've had similar issues with my son. I reduced the number of milks per day and he gets milk only after finishing his meal (not necessarily clean plate, but a decent amount of food). He can have water all he wants so he shouldn't get thirsty. Kids will not starve themselves. You're child may not eat much for a short while, but should start eating a little more soon, if you don't give in and he realizes that he won't get milk until he eats.

Yes he is getting too much milk My daughter did the same thing and the pediatrition told us to give her about 1/4 of the milk we were giving her because milk helps to fill you up. At first she would fuss and say she wanted more milk but after a week or so she started eating regularly again

Are you feeding him cows milk? Milk produced by cows was intended for their own young (all 300 lbs young), the hormone levels alone are pretty intense for humans. I suggest Almond or Rice milk (Soy milk has estrogen levels in it, I dont recommend for boys). It is natural milk from natural grains instead of milk designed to nourish a body as big as a cow.

When my son was that age (and thereafter, too, through his teen years), I observed that he would go through several weeks where he would be voraciously hungry and eat everything in sight. Then he would suddenly start eating substantially less for several weeks, after which he would start eating like crazy again. Over time, I also observed that he his sudden 1/2" growth spurts were correlated with each of his voracious periods. I concluded that his appetite was related to his growth, neither of which were constant and both of which occurred in spurts. Observe your son. If you see that his eating/non-eating spells correlate with his growth spurts, don't worry about it. It is his body responding for his need for the increased calories he needs to grow. When he gets hungry, he will eat! Of course, if his appetite does not pick up over time and he doesn't grow, then you might want to consult your pediatrician.

When my kids got done with a growth spurt they wouldn't eat nearly as well as they used to. Did he just grow a bunch? If so, he might be in between growth spurts. Plus, they say that kids will eat when they are hungry. Just make sure to give him good foods when he does eat right now.

For your peace of mind you might take him for a check up. Tell his pediatrician everything you wrote to us.

Good luck to you and your 13 month old son!

You may want to check if he is teething. When my son teethes he loses his appetite and he is at the right age.

Typically, somewhere around 14 months, babies' growth slows down and they do not need to eat quite as much as they have been eating. That may be part of what you are seeing. The milk may be the other part. He doesn't need more than about 12 oz a day so he may be filling up on the milk. Try offering only an ounce or two at a time instead of a whole cup. If you use a smaller cup, it will look like more. Between meals, he only needs water to drink. If he doesn't want it, he's not that thirsty.

My pediatrician told me when my son was that age that they need about 15-16 oz. a day of milk is all. I made the bottles he drank slightly smaller and just be firm for a couple of days. He may get grouchy but wont die of starvation. His appetite will come back for sure- you will be amazed!!
Good luck!

I'm a mother of two boys --- 4 and 16 months. I've had the same problem with both boys. As a solution we did the following --- don't serve milk with meals --- serve water. If he doesn't like water, put a splash of juice in the water. Give him milk at snack/nap time instead. Our pediatrician said 16-20 oz. of milk is plenty. 24 is probably too much. Make sure he's taking vitamins --- we do polyvisol drops. Also, now that he's mobile --- he's probably more interested in moving than sitting and eating. For meals, I'm a firm believer in sitting at the table and eating. But for snacks, I put snacks out on the coffee table for my boys to graze on. And, eating (or not eating) is a way for your son to exercise his independence. But don't worry, he'll eat when he's hungry. He's normal and you're doing fine. One other thought --- introduce him to new foods. He might be bored with what you're offering.

L.,
If your son is anything like I was growing up and like my 3 boys were growing up, he will go through phases. As long as you don't see a significant drop in his weight he should be fine. When I was growing up I ate like a bird; one week it was hamburger patties, the next hotdogs. My oldest son would not eat veggies from the time he was a baby and still to this day does not like veggies much, but he is a healthy 6 foot, 215 pound 17 year old that still adores pizza. Kids know what they like and their bodies know what they need, so I really don't think there is anything to worry about. Just keep a close eye on his weight and his appearance (if he is malnourished you will be able to tell by his skin, hair, eyes, etc.) Just experiment with different foods and allow him to let you know when he is hungry. I know it makes it hard to keep them on a feeding schedule, but as they get older it gets harder anyways. Good luck!!!

It is very normal for babies to stop eating as much after they turn one. He may be getting a little too much milk, but not an extreme amount. Milk does have a lot of nutrients in it too, so it isn't like he is just drinking kool-aid or something that isn't good for him. Just keep offering the food and he'll eat what he needs to. Most food things are just a phase and next week he could be eating more than ever! Good luck!

I am a mother of four young children and I can say that your child is perfectly fine. Children go through different stages in eating. When your child refuses healthy food for snacks you need to back off snacks. Other than this or if they get to where they are dehydrated you are fine. I had a baby girl who ate more than her four year older brother from the time she was one until she was two. All of the sudden she quit eating almost all together for a while. She would bounce back and forth. She is now four and she STILL goes through eating waves. It all has to do with growth patterns and you will soon catch on to how your son's growth patterns affect both of you. If your son is eating a whole bunch you should see a slow down and him being really tired for a while. At the same time he will be cranky quite a bit. This means he is growing a whole bunch all at once. Relax, this is the swing of things for years to come. If your child is healthy your are doing fine. I am not a big milk fan, but for young children there really isn't a reason not to give them milk if they like it.

I think it may be a growing spurt. I've noticed with my two children, and my friends children, that when they get into a growing spurt a lot of their habits change. An example is the eating, give it about a week or so, then see. You may also see a chnage in sleeping pattern. It only lasts a little while and then they automatically adjust again. I do not think that you are giving too much milk, be happy he is drinking it up- it seems to be what his little body needs right now. Hope this helps...

I am a mother of 7 chilren. They range in age from college down to pre-school. This waning of appetite occurs throughout early childhood I've noticed. If your child is active and healthy then he is probably fine. If your concerns persist you may consult your pediatrician just to bring you peace of mind.

M. of Boise

I think it has something to do with the age. My 14 month old daughter recently stopped eating everything i put in front of her as well. I think it has something to do with growth, when they get over that spurt they don't need as much. My daughter is also very very active. I don't think i would give less than 24oz of milk. That's one in the morning, the afternoon, and at night.

Relax, he will be fine. Experts in the parents guides I have recently read say that most toddlers become picky eaters at some point. It has to do with their growth patterns (it slows down when they are tots), and the fact that they are more mobile. If little cave babies went around eating everything they could put in their mouths they wouldn't survive! Don't stress it and if you are worried, try pediasure or vitamins. Lately, my daughter only wants cheese and fruit, so I figure she needs calcium and vitamin C right now. He'll come around. Don't stress it:) You'll both be happier to just roll with it. Food shouldn't be a big deal.

Hi L.,

I wouldn't worry about him too much. I remember my daughter going through phases like that. Your son will continue to go through phases like that for most of his childhood. My daughter is now five and she has always liked veggies and fruit--all the good stuff, but every once in a while, all she wants to eat all day everyday is cereal with milk, of course, even when she has a lot of other great options. I worry a little about her getting the nutrition she needs, but she usually goes back to eating whatever I give her withint a few days. You may want to try some new foods. He may just be getting bored. I think that's how it was/is for my daughter. She may eat cereal for a week, but then she always goes back to eating fruit, veggies, etc. So, if he wants milk, let him, but keep offering food and he'll eat it again. Also, I wouldn't spend an hour trying to get him to eat it that might be what he wants is just that hour with you. If he doesn't eat it in the first few minutes, just leave him something he can eat on his own while you do something else. Then stop the meal time when you're ready to do some play time with him. He'll learn to eat when it time to eat and that you'll spend some time playing and having fun with him afterwards. So don't worry. They still need a lot of milk at that age and it seems pretty normal.

maybe. talk to your pediatrician. if you think he likes the milk too much or is not getting the nutrients, maybe try giving him baby formula instead. but definitely talk to his doctor

This sounds a lot like my two year old. He has never been a good eater. Pediasure is great for getting the extra vitamins. I also used carnation instant breakfast (just half a package) in the mornings, once in a while. You can still offer milk, but try only giving him a half of a cup at a time (4 oz). I also found that if my son helped in preparing the food, he was more likely to at least try it. He's an excellent egg cracker now! We also play a game with the food. He's a little older than your son, but it might help one day... We smell the food first, then lick it. Then put a small bite in our mouths. Sometimes that's all he'll take, but other times he realizes that it's good food and eats the rest! Just don't give up!

I actually worried about the same thing. My daughter is 21 mos. now, but she still has some days where she doesn't eat anything. Maybe a total of 4 bites all day. But the same as with my other daughter, I only make them eat when they are hungry. If that is all she wants then fine.

With the milk thing I don't agree. Milk is very good for them. However, I do not give her any during the day. She has about 10-14 oz. in the morning after breakfast, and then she has anywhere from 8-28 oz. before she goes to bed. I give her flavored water or juice all throughout the day. I did learn about giving the milk to them all day with my oldest, because that did fill her up and then she wouldn't eat. That is why this one only gets it first thing in the morning and right before she goes to bed.

My pediatrition told me to document how much she ate in the course of one to two weeks not just a day to day basis and I have seen patterns emerge. Some days she doesn't eat much, just drinks more milk, other days she eats better. The goal with a child this young is to get the proper nutrients over the course of a week or so. also that servings for them are not anywhere near what they are for us. Thier tummies are so little. He won't starve, he will eat when he is hungry. I have my daughter eat at least one or two bites if she still insists on not eating at that point I let it go. It was amazign when I started charting what she ate and comparing that over what she should have in a week, I felt a lot better about it and had something to take back into the pediatrition.

The milk he is getting is perfect that is the amount he should be having during the day. However, serve the meal first, then the milk. He will get a full feeling if he drinks up all the milk first. I still have to do this with my kids as they will guzzle down the milk then eat half of their dinner complaining they are full. Tell him that he can have a drink of milk after every three bites of food. He will eat, he won't starve himself. He also will go through spurts of growth and be super hungry then it will taper off, that goes up and down for a few years.

He needs to eat. He is too old to have milk be is main source of nutrients. However, making it a power struggle will just make it worse. Offer him less milk and more food. If he says he is thirsty give him water. He will eat when he gets hungry enough. As long as you don't see signs of malnutrition I think things will resolve themselves.

Don't worry about it! Babies will eat as much as they need. My son went through the exact same thing- I thought exacly what you thought. The problem ended up being two things. His growth had finally slowed down, and he was teething. Literally a week later he was eating everything in sight! It was around thirteen months that I started trying to feed him new things as well. My son is now 19 months old and will not eat a banana b/c he got so sick of them! There are lots of new cook books and online recipes for baby/toddler food. If this eating habit goes on for a long time, I think then you can be concerned. Good Luck!

Hi,
I am thinking he's probably out of a growth spurt. Kids are amazing at knowing what their little bodies need. I wouldn't worry too much about it, just keep offering him choices. good luck

Your son may just be trying to push the limits. And some kids stop eating when they are between growth spurts. He'll eat when he is hungry. I also feel he is having to much milk. He doesn't need so much. Does he have it in a bottle? It may be time to curtail some of that. I hope this helps. Try not to worry because kids will eat when they get hungry enough. Good luck!!!