I'm having a very difficult time feeding a 16-month-old ANYTHING. He won't eat even his favorites. He won't eat meat, veggies, grains, and now he eats barely any fruit. I'm very worried about him. I still breastfeed, but have tried very hard to keep it to nap and bedtime. But I find myself nursing him just because he won't eat a thing. Does anyone have the slightest idea what I can do? I've talked to a ped. and all they told me was to cut back on the nursing.
My son is the same way. Been that way since I stopped nursing. I find that if I don't let him snack at all that he is more likely to eat what is in front of him. He still won't eat any fruit, veggies or grains either but he's growing fine. I give him lots of milk and 100% fruit juices. My Ped said its just a phase usually they grow out of. Best of luck.
try to offer new foods, I am always suprised at the things my son likes that I think he will not like. I have also heard that the more you try to pressure them to eat the less they want to, so try to keep it light. My son always wants whatever I am eating so that is what he eats, he probably figures its good if I am eating it. good luck.
I was told when I went thru this with my daughter that no child will ever starve themself....they might be off for a couple of days but they will always eat. The key is to be sure that all you offer is healthy food but let them pick what they want SOMETIMES and when they think they have a little control it helps. Also I would heed your doctors advise and take him off the breast that is probably just confusing the issue.
GOOD LUCK!
In my experience (and also based on things I've read) there's not much you should do. First of all, around this time, appetites naturally decline because they need fewer calories -- they stop growing as rapidly as in the first year. Secondly, at this age, they start seeking autonomy, and refusing to eat certain things is a way of doing this.
As another responder said, the important thing is that you are OFFERING only healthy things. Do not fall into a trap of offering sweets etc just so he will eat. Continue the breastfeeding if you want, but do not try to increase it. Has your son started milk (bottle/cup)? Offer this at various times during the day. At the 18 month appt, your pediatrician will tell you if there is reason for alarm, when he weighs your child.
In the meantime, do make sure to (try) to get your son to take whatever vitamins have been prescribed. As long as he gets the vitamins and a little bit of protein and calcium, he should be fine. According to Dr. Brazelton (whose philosophies I really like), a child this age should eat a pint of milk (or the equivalent in other dairy products), 2 oz of iron-containing protein (meat or egg,or iron-fortified cereal), one oz. fresh fruit or juice, and a mulivitamin. If a child gets this amount of nutrition daily, he is receiving a sufficient diet.
is he teething? that will definitely change their appetite. he will eat when he is hungry - i wouldn't worry unless it continues. i have a 15 month old in my daycare and she won't want to eat for a couple days then she goes back to normal.
