Eating Habits with 1 Year Old

My son is 11 months and not very interested in adult food. He eats yogurt and a Gerber cereal bar for breakfast and almost 2 jars of stage 3 baby food for lunch and again for dinner. He eats in a highchair in the dinning room usually at the same time as me and my older kids(husband works out of town) I try to give him what I am eating but he usually refuses unless it is junk food. Your baby is ok. You shouldn't compare your son to your nephew all babies are different. Just keep offering him what you are eating and eventually he will eat it. He is just not ready, Also he should be having 3 solids a day. It's frustrating I know my older 2 were already eating what I was eating with no problem by now but my little one is just not there now!

Livvy,
Please make sure that what he eats is safe.
Does he still like some of the "chunkier" baby foods?
And (I'm sorry--I have to say it) the child needs to have 3 meals per day as well as maybe two small snacks--no matter WHAT your schedule.

I fed my children when they were your son's age-to avoid the mess and to be aware of just how much they were eating-not throwing or wearing. Doesn't he sit in a highchair? If not-it might help establish mealtimes and their purpose. When you say "our schedule is so ridiculous so we are hardly able to cook and leave him something," it raises concern. One of the most important things-apart from love and protection-is nourishment. It is a priority-and time and focus and content must be strictly adhered to. Does it really surprise you that a baby wants to be taken care of? and fed?

Hi Livvy,

Sounds like you're a busy mom! I totally get it. As a registered dietitian and busy mom as well, I'm concerned about not having set meal times and using the meal occasions you do have to force your child to eat. Waiting for him to talk for you to take the opportunity to put food in his mouth may turn into a power struggle and can be a turnoff to him regarding eating.

Also, as much as parents cringe, smashing food and throwing it is perfectly normal for kids his age and is actually part of the eating experience. Nearly every food you're giving a toddler right now is totally new to him, and he needs to experiment with it. Touching it, poking it, smelling it, even spitting it out (feeling it with his mouth) is all part of the learning process. That's not to say you should encourage him to throw food on the floor - that's really more of a lesson in cause and effect ("I throw things on the floor - it disappears, or mom gets mad..." etc). But learn to let him be a kid. Think about it - if you went to a foreign country and someone placed a strange dish in front of you and assured you it was good for you and that you'd like it, would you just wolf it down? Probably not.

Also, don't underestimate the role you play in modeling good eating behavior. He may be coming up to you when you're eating because he wants to do what you're doing (or, if you're busy as you say you are, maybe he just wants some mamma/cuddle time). Use the time to model good eating and empower him to copy your behavior.

Finally, know that having a 1-year-old feed himself is a really lofty goal, in my experience. My daughter will be 3 next week, and she still wants me to feed her sometimes ("feed me like a baby" is what she says.) I don't think she fed herself regularly until she was maybe 18 months used utensils on her own until close to 2 years old. And actually, we still struggle with getting her to use her fork and spoon!

Kids really like routine and established boundaries. Don't give him food he can smash or throw. Mealtime is over if he throws. Give him cheerios to work on the find motor skills (plain to start - just a few on his tray - but then go to the sweet kind to sweeten the deal - and then transition to regular). Teach him to do sign language for 'more' 'all done' 'please' 'drink'. Then you will know more what he is thinking. Kids totally play on their parents' worries - so don't let him see you really care.

Ya know, maybe he is just not ready for full on real food yet.
His foods, should still be soft, minced, etc.
He is choking... so he is still getting used to things/eating.
No worries.
Don't compare him to other kids.
Each kid is different.
Kids do not ALL do things at the same time or same age.
It just is.

Your Pediatrician is not concerned.
It is fine.

At this age, a child is NOT fully independent about eating/feeding themselves nor able to chew anything and everything.
They choke.
They also often, put too much in their mouths. They do not know about portion sizing. So they always have to be supervised.

He is 1 years old.
He is not his cousin.

Is your son able to pick up other things with his hands, like toys?
Or can he grab things like his toys?
If so, then he has a pincer grasp and can pick things up.
With food, he is still not comfortable yet.
MANY kids this age do and will need help with eating.
Heck, my son when 2 years old, still needed help eating.
Its fine.
They at these ages, do not eat like older kids, at all.

Don't worry.
Or he will get food hang-ups and eating hang-ups. Which can create eating disorders.

Just go by HIS cues.

Kids this age, also have developing taste buds, and do not eat anything and everything.
Just like adults.

He likes to eat from you or Grandma. Fine.
No biggie.
He is just more comfortable with you/bonded.

My kids, LOVED eating from their Grandma or my plate too.
I remember being that way too, as a child.
No biggie.
For some reason, my kids just said it tasted better from me or Grandma.

Feed your son, what he WILL eat.
Food fluctuations and preferences, are normal and DO happen. All throughout childhood.
Just feed him what he will eat and is not a choking hazard.
Don't think he has to eat just like his cousin.

If he is not eating that much throughout the day, is he at least getting whole milk, Or other things???
How is his growth and weight? On par?

My son, has been picky with eating since 6 months old and texture sensitive. We have NEVER... made eating a forced thing or an issue. He has despite that, always been healthy and in the 95th-97th percentiles. He now at his age of 4... has naturally expanded his palate and will eat more variety now. Naturally.
And, he took time to feed himself too. NO biggie.

all the best,
Susan