Toddler eating...not happening!

By MACSUNSHINE Mar 19, 2017

Ok help! My son is 14 months old and just refusing all food. He was very good about eating until the last few months...we are down to cheerios, pretzel and fruits (blueberries are demanded). Also he is nursing way more than I had hoped at this age. I officially stink at weaning :wink: .

To top it off we are dealing with food allergies that were just diagnosed. Any tips for getting them to eat? He does go to daycare and I was hoping seeing his peers eat would be helpful but he eats even less there and comes home demanding the boob. So I guess my question is two fold but to me they go hand and hand, the more real food he eats the less hungry he will be for nursing. TIA!

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12 comments

pachamama
nectarine / 2436 posts

Mar 19, 2017

@MACSUNSHINE: my son went through a similar food strike. I really stressed but the pattern I'm finding is he gets weird about food, then soon gets over it. His most recent food pickiness was at 12 months or so, but I realized he was teething! Sometimes when they go through developmental milestones they also get picky.
Some babies are pickier than others but I would say persist in trying to get him to eat healthy and honestly I have learned when they're hungry, they eat!
LindsayLou
persimmon / 1322 posts

Mar 19, 2017

My 18 month old goes through phases where she eats significantly less and is far more picky. It usually coincides with teething, and usually doesn't last more than a few days or a week tops. I try not to stress about it, and make an effort to not make it a struggle with her. I try to just offer a variety of foods like I normally would, and make sure to include a food she'll currently eat.

Also, for what it's worth, 15 months was a turning point for us for weaning. I remember thinking at 13 months that she was never going to be ok with weaning, and that it was going to be a big traumatic thing. But I just slowly stopped offering during the day, tried to redirect her as often as possible, and tried to go at a pace that worked for both of us. By 16 months, we were pretty much down to nursing at bedtime, night wake ups and morning. Now at 18 months, she only nurses at bedtime.
MrsSRS
nectarine / 2987 posts

Mar 19, 2017

We would nurse for just a few minutes to take the edge off/calm down, then go to the table for a meal. Maybe worth a shot to try limiting the length of nursing, then offering food, then another activity like reading a book or something, then nursing more (so nursing isn't associated with leaving the table either).
MACSUNSHINE
apricot / 285 posts

Mar 19, 2017

@pachamama thank you! He was a good water and now just isn't so hoping it will pass.

@lindsaylou @mrssrs thanks, I am grateful to be able to still breastfeed him but I worry it is taking away from his interest in food. It is reassuring to hear you say that. The reducing the sessions is a good idea! My husband has about had enough of it..he is anxious to get going on baby #2. As am I but I can't bring myself to force him to wean. I am trying to be patient but having that illogical thought of him only eating blueberries for the rest of his life! Thank you!
Dahlia
clementine / 935 posts

Mar 19, 2017

My DD did the same thing for a few weeks right when she was about 16 months. It drove me absolutely nuts. She even knew where we kept the foods she liked and would go beg by the fridge/cupboard. I just kept putting other foods on her plate, and after a few weeks she would eat again.

As for nursing, DD was totally into it but I was over it. I had a t4 day trip when she was 16 months, so we went cold turkey from 4 sessions a day to none. It went surprisingly well, so if you do feel like weaning it can definitely be done!
PixieStix
apricot / 322 posts

Mar 20, 2017

Agreeing with others. Probably just a phase. I think we had the same thing around the time when he dropped his favorite healthy snacks over a few weeks. We went from black beans and oranges to basically bread and chicken or something. We nursed for a long time, too. Eventually he found new favorite healthy foods. Just try not to let the guilt get to you and ride it out. Your kiddo is still super healthy!
wrkbrk
pomelo / 5084 posts

Mar 20, 2017

@Dahlia: Dude. Same. Our 15 month old DS stands by the fridge or cabinet and points.
Dahlia
clementine / 935 posts

Mar 20, 2017

@wrkbrk: She just learned to say "pouch" and I can't decide if it's better or worse now. She doesn't sit there and point and whine, but it's a lot harder to say no when she asks so clearly!
wrkbrk
pomelo / 5084 posts

Mar 20, 2017

@Dahlia: Awww! Adorable! He will sign for anyone else but if I am home ... pointing and tapping. EYE ROLL. Haha.
Mrs. Microscope
pear / 1788 posts

Mar 20, 2017

Do you eat breakfast and dinner together? Or at least family dinner? Eating with him might help, as opposed to feeding him separately and eating tour own dinner later. Just keep offering food, he'll be fine!
Rocker2014
persimmon / 1367 posts

Mar 20, 2017

He's a little young for this, but did he ever have bad food allergy reactions immediately after eating? He may associate food with getting sick, and nursing with eating safely.

That being said, it probably is just a stage
MACSUNSHINE
apricot / 285 posts

Mar 20, 2017

Thanks all! I assumed I was not alone but sometimes they throw you for loops. Oh he points endlessly and hangs on the fridge handles for fruit. We do make a point to eat together and share whatever food we are eating...he then throws it on the floor for the dog (maybe a conspiracy). We will keep at it and eventually he will give in. I will be working 12-14 hour days in April which may be what we both need to adjust the food.

He luckily has not had a bad allergic reaction, just one time after having PB for months he had hives. We have only had the blood test so far so I am trying not to stress about food and breastfeeding until we know the whole scope of his allergies.

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Toddler eating...not happening!

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