Trouble with 1 Yr Old Feeding Issues

I say relax. He's only one, and so what if he still wants the bottle. Why did one become this magical age where a baby all of a sudden should be grown up enough to use a sippy cup? He's still a baby so let him have his bottle (it's comfort for him!), he'll give it up when he's ready. If you're really concerened about it, give him both a bottle and sippy cup and let him do his own experimenting and playing w/ the sippy cup, he'll eventually use the cup. But I really don't think you have anything to worry about, I doubt he's going to go to kindergarten sucking on a bottle. Just relax and enjoy the baby stage, they grow out of it waaay too fast anyway, especially when you are forcing it.

We tend to think of the foods we offer babies as the nutritional needs for the day. They on the other hand have an emotional connection to feeding, the bottle is not only easy and comfortable but can also be conforting. He does not care about nutrition and the foods being offered. What he does care about is the loss of something that he finds comforting.

Every baby is different and every baby matures at a speed that is unique to them. So, if your son would rather eat baby food right now and is showing no interest in feeding himself, there may still be an emotional need to have that connection with you.

If you would like to continue teaching him to feed himself at this time, then I would recommend using a childs natural tendancies to get the ball rolling. It is messy of course but then feeding yourself, in the beginning, usually is. Put the baby food on high chair and allow hinm to play with it. I know that playing with food is normally discouraged but a baby tends to put anything they are playing with into their mouth. Through this excercise he will learn to take what is on his tray and put it into his mouth. Begin with foods you know he likes and will want to put into his mouth. Later you can add other foods that he can explore.

At this age they also show interest in the foods that mom is eating. I recommend "sharing" with him. We found that our children would try different foods when they thought they were getting a treat, through sharing. We would start of course with foods we thought they would enjoy and offer them a bite as had our snack, or even during dinner. They were encouraged to take it from our hand in their own hand. We did not share with our utensils. Before we knew it they were beginning to become more and more interested in foods that they would have a few weeks before, turned down.

It is about taking the natural curiosity of a baby and using it to encourage the behavior you want. As far as giving up the bottle. As they become more and more interested in other foods the bottle will become less and less important to them. Using the sippy cup can be encouraged through sharing as well. We would offer them a sip of something we were enjoying and then allow them to see us putting it into the sippy cup. Before long they began to look forward to the sippy cup treat.

I hope this helps. Just remember every baby is different. He will be grown before you know it and all of this will be long forgotten. Enjoy it while you can.

S., just relax! first, he's only one, and while "everyone" says to wean at one, it's really more of a guideline- every kid is different. take baby steps, that's why they're called that! go on his timetable as much as you can. when he's ready he'll eat it. no, he won't stay on baby food forever! :)

S., and most important, he won't starve himself. he's incapable. if you really are set on him drinking out of a sippy cup, stop giving him the bottle. he'll get it. you don't need to hold it for him, he's smart, he knows how to do it. he just doesn't have to because you're doing it for him, and he knows that. don't put flavor in his milk, for pete's sake. you'll end up one of those mom's who bend over backwards to kiss their kids' butts, buying only chocolate milk because "that's all they'll drink". i call horse poo on that. you're only making your own job harder. you said yourself he's chubby - babies are supposed to be - and it means he's not suffering. i'm not one of those tyrant mothers, trust me, but just use a little common sense. do you want to be catering to his every whim? or do you want him to be self-reliant and able to adjust without having a major meltdown? (think being stuck on a roadtrip with *gasp* no vanilla to put in his milk - think of the tantrums!)

and always remember...you have the "twos" coming up...it's tempting to give in and cater to them at this stage because we're just so excited that they're finally eating real food. but remember that the habits you instill today (being happy with what we're given and not expecting made-to-order items) will serve you VERY well in the next couple years. that fit throwing WILL get worse before it gets better. be strong sister! that's what he needs from you. good luck!

S....my advice would be slow down...dont try to make that precious baby of yours grow up to fast!!! My youngest celebrates her 25th birthday this week and it seems like just yesterday that she was a tiny little thing...taking her first wobbly steps...smearing her food on her high chair tray and giving me those big baby smiles that just melt your heart! Relax...your fellow is only 1 year old...dont go on the "timetables" that all of the baby books give you...this isn't a race...maybe he just doesn't have the eye - hand coordination that he needs yet to be able to feed himself. Incorporate some fun things in your play with him to help him learn...hand toys back and forth to him...put things on the table in front of him that you know interest him. Keep offering the sippy cup..he will start using it when he is ready. Dont worry...I guarantee you he will NOT be dragging the bottle to kindergarten with him!!!
Relax...enjoy your little one....they grow up SO fast!!!

If you are going to make a change do it all the way. Give him nothing but the sippy cup. My daughter's intake seriously declined with the introduction of the cup but only for a few days until she realized "this is all I'm getting." As far as the food goes. I would do a few days of just finger food meals. He can feed himself. Again he will not starve himself. When he gets hungry enough he will eat. Be strong, and keep your expectations high(and reasonable). It is just like training your child to do anything else in life. Pick your battle and stand strong, so he knows your word means something.

when you're ready to commit to getting rid of the bottle, i would only put water in the bottle. this way he won't want it. then it is his choice.

I have an 11 month old and we put away all of the bottles a couple of weeks ago. He now feeds himself out of a sippy cup. I took a Friday off of work and gave him plenty of food and snacks and the sippy cup instead of the bottle. By the end of the weekend he could drain a cup in under 5 minutes by himself. It wasn't too bad once I settled on putting all the bottles up. I also found it helpful to put him in his highchair for a sippy cup so he isn't distracted. As for getting him to eat on his own, you should just take the same approach. I think it's easier for them to make a clean break from baby food. He will not let himself starve. Good luck!

Go to the 2 per cent if he is chubby, an also trying putting choclate in the milk in stead of vanilla, my grandson is 3 an loves macroni an cheese doesn't matter if it is box home made or whatever as long as its mac an cheese he don't care. Try the vienna sausage they are small an look like hot dogs. The things we think would be gross are the type of things that a toddler really likes. You could even try a hotdog but instead of either microwaving it or boiling it put it in the toaster oven has a complete different taste. Hope this helps. Diana Z

Are you using a sippy cup or a regular cup? If it's the latter I would try him out using a sippy cup - it might make it easier for him to hold/drink.

I didnt let my daughter feed her self until she was almost two. But im a freak. I didnt want her to get messy and I was afraid she would take too big of bites and choke. As far as getting rid of the bottle, It may be time consuming but maybe hold the sippy cup for him for awhile until he gets used to it and wants to do it on his own. They make sippy cups that are kinda like bottles. Hes still pretty young to do it all on his own. Good luck!

I have an 18 month old and he is just now recently starting to latch onto the sippy more. He has been getting the sippy for awhile at day care but I can't seem to not "spoil" him at home :...the bottle is such a comfort thing for him... I know it's defeating the purpose of the work that the babysitter is doing but in my eyes he's still my baby :)...he still gets a bottle at bedtime (just water) but I am hoping to cut that out soon. I am a single Mother as well (he is my 1st and only child) and what I've learned is that things seem to come along naturally. I try not to look at what "they should be" doing at a certain age and just let nature run it's course. I was so worried about his language development but within the last couple of months he has really started saying more and more words. Hang in there and if you get really concerned I would make a call to your pediatrician.