How to get an 18 month old to eat???

Question

My 18 month old (who is in the process of getting some molars) is a fincky' eatter all of a sudden....today I took her to the doctor an she is 34" long (70% percentile height) and she is only 22 lbs.....which she is only in the 20th percentile for weight......So- my question is how do I TRY to get her to gain weight. She eats good occassionally then there are some days she just doesn't want anything....Is this normal? Any tips- etc....for getting her to eat more?

Answer 1

Actually they will only eat when they want to. My daughter just went though a day where she only wanted to snack. My daughter is 19 lbs in in the 5th percentile of her group. You can't force them to eat more and unless the DOCTOR has said anything to you then don't worry about it. My daughter is 30 inches ling (23rd precentile, again I would check your precentages) and my doctor said she IS underweight but doesn't LOOK underweight because she has a SMALL (almost non existant) belly and cubby little thighs (from me).

It is NORMAL and you CAN'T force her. But if you want you can make yogurt smoothies. You can make it from that baby yogurt that is EXTRA thick and just add some whole milk to it to make it drinkable or you can use regular (not low fat) yogurt and add a little LESS on the whole milk (then when you use the extra thick ones) and that will give her a quick meal on the days her teeth are really bugging her or use frozen fruits.

Here is a growth chart where you can track her weight and it gives you a precentile and you can do it by the month. According to this chart you daughter is in the 95th precentile of her height and 25th for her weight, a LOT higher then my 19 month old!

http://www.mybirthcare.com/favorites/babygrowth.asp

Hope this helps.

It really sounds like you daughter is going to be tiny like mine is and if she is REALLY active that might just mean she has a wicked fast matabolism!

Also do NOT force feed her or give her pediasure without a doctor's approval, I started giving my daughter flinstones first pediatrics (check with your doctor first) and both are made for kids not getting the proper vitamins, not for gaining weight.

If she loves or even tolerates fruit email me and I will give you a recipe for fruit smoothies with veggies in it (she will never taste the veggies). :-)

Answer 2

I have three children and another on the way, so this is just speaking from my experience...all kids are different. If chewing seems to be the problem - try softer foods: soft fruit cereal bars, yogurt, etc. and add more milk to the diet. Also, know that when your child is truly hungry they will eat no matter the pain. You are not starving your child and this "weight loss" period will end.

Answer 3

She does not need to gain weight! She is just fine. My daughter is in the 5th percentile in weight and is just fine. She was 22lbs at 2 years. Don't worry about the percentile. It is based on other kids who are overweight in this country.

She will eat when she is hungry, just be sure to offer her lots of healthy foods. :)

Answer 4

try a variety of things (portable foods that they can carry around with them)...apple slices without the peel, mandarin oranges, turkey deli meat, jello, etc...my children never eat a "real meal" but sort of snack on finger foods all day long...if you find something she likes stick with it until she tires of it...i had a friend whose son only ate yogurt for a looooooooooooong time...and he's a healthy 9 year old now! best wishes!!

Answer 5

I am 20 and have a 13mo.old sister. I cant tell you how annoying it is!!! I'll give her food thinking she is hungry, but then she will grab my food, and not EVEN touch her food. Then when we are on our way out the door, she will start trying to eat. All that I have come to accept, is that these babies have a schedule of thier own, and will eat when and how much they want. Plus they only eat as much as thier fists. But i liked the idea of pedisure, and it is very tempting to want to shove them food, but i think it makes it worse, i think.

Answer 6

shes going through a stage..

she'll get over it..my 14m old is 32inchs/26lbs at last checkup..and she goes through the stages too..expecially when teething.

try some pediasure...so she gets her vitamins and nutriets.

or feed her yourself..force feed maybe?