how can i get my baby to start eating? i am a 1st time mother and i tried feeding him off of a spoon or fork and he refuses to try or even eat on his own. my son goes to day care and i am very concerned, he will only take a bottle
At 11mos, my son would only eat very cold applesauce for 2mos. Drove me batty and we chalked it up to first year molars. He went back to normal eating until 22mos, where he's on some "typical toddler eating strike" (so I'm told by the peed), where he only drinks water/juice and barely eats (like half a nectarine in 3days). He's lost 4lbs, but the peed says he's in same perentile and doing just fine. Still drives me batty!!! Good luck :)
Hi-
I work with kids with feeding issues. does he gag with foods or just turn his head to refuse? does he eat any baby foods? have you talked to the pediatrician?
One important thing is that you never want to force feed. That being said I would recommend if your child is eating NOTHING (except formula/breast milk from a bottle) than you may want to consider getting an evaluation from a pediatric feeding specialist (maybe occupational therapy or speech therapy depending on where you live). you can get a referral from your pediatrician. If he truly has a feeding issue the earlier you work withhim the easier it will be.
Feel free to message me with any questions
good luck
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Her gets EVERYTHING he needs from breastmilk/formula right now, so it's not really a big deal. Do you have family meals? You should sit down at regular times with him either in your lap or in a chair and everyone should eat. Put food in front of him. He doesn't need purees, just small bits of whatever you're eating. He can use his fingers or a spoon.
I would definitely let your pediatrician know ASAP if he won't eat any food from anyone. He's way too old to not be eating any food.
It's very common for a baby who is prone to allergies to keep themselves from eating as a self-defense mechanism in order to protect themselves from exposure to something which they could be allergic to.
If you continue to offer things occasionally (very casually offer them), that's fine. He should also be on a WHOLE-FOOD multivitamin to ensure that he's getting everything that he needs (synthetic vitamins such as Poly ViSol will not be used by his body as well as a whole-food one would be).
He may surprise you & start eating a drumstick one day! ;-)
My daughter really got into feeding herself at that age, didn't want anything to do with a spoon/fork coming towads her face, so we tried lots of finger foods: black beans, tofu squares, grape quarters, banana disks, raisins, avocado cubes (yay for messy!), apple cubes, etc etc etc. Just keep offering various textures, colors, etc, he'll find something that strikes his curiousity.
Definitely talk to a doc if you're concerned, they may have some further recommendations.
He is only 11 months old. I would relax. Most of his nutrients come from milk right now, and for a couple more months if need be. Let him play with some food, and even take some starter foods (or whatever he is on) to daycare. I know that my son will eat some amazing things at daycare because the other kids are, but at home - nope! You can also try things like Mum-Mums to let him hold and control. Does he show any interest in food that you are eating?
If he won't eat anything, even at daycare, and doesn't show any interest, you can always call your ped and see if it is something you should be concerned about. I'm no expert, but I would hold off worrying until you need to.
I recommend you check out the book "My Child Won't Eat!" by Carlos Gonzalez, MD
