My son is a year old and very picky. He still being breastfed but doesn't want to eat solid food. He had a big appetite for a while but has declined. He does eat a lot from me but not enough solid food. I worry that his weight lose is unhealthy and may affect his growth or health. Any ideas?
wean him off the breast milk. at one they are supposed to start drinking milk. take him to the pediatrician if you are worried about his weight loss and talk to them about your concerns. he is filling up on breast milk and is not eating solids.Feed him yogurts which have DHA like the yo baby yogurts by stonybrook farms. They sell them for reasonable price at walmart.
Whatever you do, do not make a big issue about his eating. He will learn a lot from you depending on how you react. Just as if I refused your offer of food at your house, I'm sure you wouldn't make an issue of it. Always offer small bites of food when it is time to eat. If he doesn't eat it, don't even discuss it. Just act as if it is normal not to eat it.
When he has another growth spurt, he will be very hungry again. He will probably start trying foods again then. And don't be surprised if he likes something one day and then doesn't the next. If he continues to lose weight, then be sure to check with your pediatrician.
Be sure to never discuss his eating habits in his hearing range. Some kids learn that it is an easy way to make mom and dad very excited and they love to see their parents overreact.
Do not be in a rush to wean your baby. Human milk is for humans cows milk is for cows. Your milk has all he needs and even changes to help him when he's sick... Allowing children to SELF WEAN has MANY many benefits. Research extended/toddler breastfeeding. At one year only 60% of their immune system is developed.
There is research and life in other countries supports it... but some kids don't want solid foods till about 2. Your milk has all he needs. BUT if you want him to eat more try different textures and temperatures. Also remember their taste buds change every 3-4 DAYS, so try foods again and again. My son was picky about temperatures , but it took me a while to figure that out. Especially when they are getting their mollars hot or cold hurt them.
Why would you stop mom's milk and give your kid cow's milk? I nursed my son till he was over 2 years old. He went through a phase where he would heavily nurse and decline solid food. I would do what Megan suggested, and offer him food first before the breastfeeding. Also, try introducing him to fun foods like tube yogurts and string cheese. Just wait till he gets 2 and 3...sometimes toddlers get so picky, they seem to exist on barely any food! As long as he is still making wet and dirty diapers, you have nothing to worry about.
One of my friends had this problem with her son, so she changed her schedule to feed him food first, before BF'ing him. For example, if she would nurse him before lunch, she'd feed him food first (even if he ate nothing, she still put it out) instead of nursing. It wasn't an instant thing with him, but he's 2-1/2 and eats very well :) Good luck!
i'm sure he will be fine! around his first bday my son went on a food strike. he seriously wouldnt eat anything. even thigns i knew he loved. its last almost three weeks and then he started eating me out of house and home.
