Not Eating - Arlington,WA

This happens to my kids periodically. I've learned to not worry about it. Kids are excellent at regulating their own calories. Sometimes they're just not that hungry for a few days. She will go back to eating. Trust me! And sleeping through the night has very little to do with full tummies usually. It didn't help my kids at all! They started sleeping all the way through the night at about 2 1/2.

I have no idea if this is typical or not but it is with my kids and I have just decided to let it be. All three of my kids were fantastic eaters until around 12-15 months at which time they became highly inconsistent. They will go days without hardly eating a thing then they will eat like savages for a week. It sure seems to be connected to growth spurts and deciding what they like to eat and not eat. In other words the thrill and excitement of food has dwindled and now it is just a chore. = )

As long as she is healthy weight and flourishing, I say she is fine, just let it be. You can also mention it to the doc at the next appointment but I am sure he/she will say the same thing, she is fine. Kids have a way of eating what they need unlike us, ha ha.

Good luck.

Yeah, my 15 month olds are doing the same thing due to teething. It's horrible and yes, they're also not sleeping through the night... I have just tried to give them what they like most - yogurt and milk, crackers, cheese and fruit. Try and find the one thing she likes best and just give her that. My boys' gums are too sore to eat hard things, so soft stuff is best. Good luck!

I'd say it is probably pretty normal to have non-eating spurts, kind of like how they have feeding frenzies at times. Kids eat different than adults. They eat only when hungry. :-) Which is good.
I would say during these times of not eating, try to give her foods that are high impact foods, rather than foods just to get her to eat. Focus on high fiber and protein and vitamin rich to give her the best boost. Snacks should consist of that too.
If you think her growth is being affected by this stint of non-eating, follow up with your pediatrician. But my guess is she will be back to eating before you know it and you won't be able to feed her fast enough. That is what always happened to my daughter....and it still does!
The only other thing I can think is maybe she is getting a cold or might be sick and you not realize it. Half the time I can't tell my daughter has a cold because she is still just as active. But her eating curbs way back.
Good luck.

Hi M.,

I can't tell from your post how long it's been since your daughter has stopped eating much, but if it's just a day or two it's possible your daughter is about to get a cold or the flu. This always happens with my son, who's not a great eater but becomes really reluctant to eat, about a day before he comes down with an illness.

As the others have said, we try not to push it. Good luck!

Kids eat when they are hungry, they arent like us who eat for pleasure. I wouldnt worry about it. She is probably just in a no growth phase right now and her appetite is somewhat diminished. This will pass and she'll back to eating normal again before ya know it. Just make sure that what you are offering is good, healthy stuff so she doesnt get malnourished while on hiatus.

I'd go to Portland Family Homeopathy. Dr. Palmeri is great & she helped our little guy out a lot with his non-existant appetite. Now he eats much mor, but is still very picky. Here's the contact information, I always make appointments online: protandfamilyhomeopathy.com Good luck!

Kids eb and flow with how much they eat. My oldest out ate my husband at 18 months, but at 21 months she was living off air nearly. Just keep offering her nutritious and balanced foods and let her choose what she eats. Allowing her to self-regulate will serve her well later in life. :)

She also might havea cold right now and those often reduce appetite.