My Daughter Won't Eat! - Glendale,AZ

My son is also 10 months old and is getting his upper two front teeth. He was always a really good eater, but isn't doing so well right now. We have found that putting some baby orajel on his gums prior to meal time seems to help. We have also found some things that he just always likes to eat....like chicken breast, spaghetti, melon. We keep some of that on hand for those times he doesn't want to eat whatever we're having for dinner. We also found that he will not eat baby food any more. He will only eat table food. Good luck....I am sooo ready for teething to be over!!

Hi E., I have an almost 10 month old also and she kind of does the same thing with foods that need to be fed to her. I think she's experiencing some of her independence, she loves to eat finger foods now and will hardly let me feed her the soft ones anymore! Maybe you could try that and she if she takes it. Good luck!

We as parents may decide what and when to feed our children, but the child decides whether or not to eat and how much they’ll eat. Remember that children eat when they’re hungry and don’t starve themselves. Children have a natural ability to sense when they are hungry and when they are full. If you insist that your child eats more than they choose to, you are likely to be overriding this natural ability.

Let your child decide whether they will eat and how much they will eat – don’t get involved in these decisions.

Hi E.,

Because a baby's stomach lining isn't fully developed until age one, feeding them table food before age one can cause food sensitivities and allergies. Everything a baby needs in his/her first year should be available in mother's milk. Your daughter should be fine. :)

Best wishes to you!

Warm Regards,
G. Van Luven, H.C.
Healthy Habits Wellness Center, LLC
www.HealthyHabitsWellnessCenter.com
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she could be ready for big people food. my son did the samething when we gave him what everyone eles was eating he was happy. he eats what we eat now and is 10mon with no teeth we just cut it small.

Welcome to your first (?) power struggle. Don't be in a hurry to get her on solids (even if she has been doing it for a while or she is "old enough". Most kids will not starve themselves (with the exception of developmentally delayed kids - which with the locked lip and head turning I would doubt that she is). Give her some time. It will probably be similar with potty training and sleeping. You need to find your style of parenting with her, but forcing her/power struggles are not a good idea in general.

If you want her to eat more solid food, you may need to cut down on breast/bottle. If she's eating breast/bottle without problems, I wouldn't be worried. I wouldn't force her to eat and as soon as she locks lips or turns head I'd put everything away.
One more thought, is she getting enough personal attention or do you think she may prefer the breast or bottle because she can use this opportunity to be close to you physically?
Also are you feeding her while they're are other distractions around or do you feed her while you/your family are eating so she's not left out?

Chances are that as soon as you posted this, or as soon as you do call the doc, she'll start eating again!

Try giving her foods from your own plate (bake a sweet potato, mash it up on your plate for yourself, then give her some bites. Or give her a couple green beans (soft cooked of course if you use fresh green beans) from your plate. Little kids are way smarter than we expect them to be (and dumber in other ways but that's a whole 'nuther story!) and they KNOW they have bland baby food and YOU have YUMMY big people food. They want THAT!

Another thing, she could be in between growth spurts. No kid ever starved itself when food is available. (possibly she has a hidden stash of cheerios somewhere you dont know about HAHA).
Cut out any snacking (if there is any) an hour or two before time to eat. That was a problem with my little guy, he only picked at his food when he had free access to snacks whenever he was hungry.

You say she is teething. That could affect it too - texture, temperature, etc. Try a variety. Mix it up. She could also have just gotten bored with the "same old thing" you've been giving her.

It sounds like your daughter has reached the fun stage of experimenting with her independence. My kids each did this between 9-10 months. I found the easiest way to feed her was to give her some cheerios or other finger foods on her tray, and while she is distracted trying to pick it up or get it in she will open her mouth for a bite from you without even thinking. Of course, you will find that she will still turn away when she is full. Sometimes she is just too busy playing to eat, and she has also figured out by now that she gets full faster from a bottle/breast than from food. You might also try letting her hold a toy while you feed her. Of course, you'll want to make sure it's washable because it will get dirty!

At this age, I wouldn't consider this a power struggle or any kind of act against you. Maybe she is teething. Maybe she's not enjoying food. For some kids that's natural. At her age, food is not nutritionally necessary. Breast milk is MUCH more important still for her needs. Food is supplemental. You can offer her food but don't force her. If she's hungry she'll eat. But my kids did this when their mouths hurt from teething, so it will likely pass. Perhaps offer her a frozen teether or wet washcloth to numb her gums and maybe she'll eat. Or maybe not. Just offer more nursing if you're worried about her intake.