Does anyone know how to encourage a toddler to eat?

Question

My 13 month old is still breastfeeding and doesn't seem to want to eat a lot. I try to give him finger foods, baby foods, milk, juice, water, cereal, etc....He is very active and smart, but on the small end of the weight scale. His brother was the same at this age, but was not breastfed as long and would drink milk a lot. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

Answer 1

D'you know what? I agree with the 1st answer. My 14 month old is still breastfeeding also, but he loves to sample whatever we have (but I never give him anything spicy or seafood or nuts/peanut butter). My 3 yr old was like that, now she eats plenty of things. It's probably just a phase.

Oh good grief! Ignore that idiot TD J, you do not need to stop nursing until he's ready. Peronsally, my cut-off is age 3, but my 3 yr old self-weaned at 22 months. You must already know that it's normal to nurse at 13+ months though - you're obviously intelligent. Cheers!

Answer 2

Each child is different. My daughter is almost 13 months and she still eats baby food. Her gastrointestinal dr says it is fine. She is small and was 8 weeks premature. She started baby food at 7 months though. Her tummy was just too sensitive for food sooner, so logically she would eat table food later as well. I think as long as your baby is gaining weight, whatever you are doing is fine. I would just offer a variety of foods often..if he is hungry, he will eat. I have noticed that sometimes babies go through spells where they don't want to eat a lot, or want to eat a lot. When babies hit a growth spurt, my dr says their appetite increases. As long as your baby is healthy and not underweight, I would not worry about it. I am sure he just had his one year check up and if he was say anemic or anything you would have been told. All you can do is what your are doing: offering a varied menu. You sound like you are doing a great job. Try not to worry so much. My daughter is on the small side and her dr said he would rather her be on the small side than overweight. Best of luck!!

Answer 3

My baby was the same way - he got his teeth late, only had about 3 when he was 13 months, so he ate baby food later than is typical. He is in the bottom 10% - 20% of his weight range and has been since birth, but my pediatrician says he's fine. She said it was normal for them to not want to take time to eat, and to just have a lot of snacks on hand because at that age they end up getting most of their calories from grazing. She did say not to give him more than 6 ounces of juice per day (he loved it) as it could make him want to eat less. He is 3 now, and it is still difficult to get him to eat. Some babies are just meant to be smaller. Trust me, when your baby is 3 and still wants to be carried around, you will be glad he is on the small side!!!

Answer 4

I remember the pediatrician asking me about my kids eating habits at 12 months and the 18 month check-up because at those ages they do become a lot more picky. I never had a problem with my kids eating but I don't think you have anything to worry about. If he is getting breastmilk and he is still growing and developing then don't let his weight bother you at this point. Not all kids are big kids- they all grow and develop at different rates- I can guarantee your little guy will eat when he is hungry and he will hit a growth spurt and be just fine- heck he's fine now! My 3yr old is always in the lower percentile for weight and she eats *all* the time! She just has a great metabolism and since she never sits still for more than 2 minutes at a time, well she's just on the slim side for kids her age...but Dr has even said there is nothing to worry about. She's growing in height and in weight just a little slower than other kids her age! We may be the lucky parents that won't have to worry about overweight children... lol ...j/k ;o)

Answer 5

I think it is great that he is still breast feeding!

I don't want to alarm you, but there is a condition called "failure to thrive" I know a little boy who ended up having some Occupational Therapy to help him with food issues. His problem was with texture, he would only eat smooth foods.

So I guess I would advise being aware of the textures you are offerring him. Also, my ped has told me when my daughter does not eat, I should keep offerring. So if dinner is at 6 and your son does not eat much, offer him more food at 6:45 or whatever.

good luck!

Answer 6

At 13 months, your child should be eating whatever you are eating, just cut up small....no more baby food!

I also have a 13 mo. old; however, she eats most anything. If she gets fussy at meal time, I will take a bite of whatever I am feeding her just to show her that it's OK....it's not yucky.

Answer 7

Arrange the food in fun shapes on a plate
Buy him a special plate, with sections to make it appealing
He definitely should be on more solid foods by now. Offer the solid foods first

Answer 8

Don't worry too much. It's our instinct to know when our body needs food and drink. Babies have more awareness than we adults.
We used to overeat without knowing if our body can take that much. We eat when we're depressed, we eat when we are over-joyed, we eat when we feel insecure.... but we never let our body rest and release toxins.

Answer 9

it fairly is totally confusing to get a toddler to devour. My toddler is 17months previous, and because she became approximately 8months, she has been sitting in her highchair on the table with us on a similar time as we devour. needless to say, as she have been given older, she eats what we are ingesting and that i devour along with her each and each night. So she is used to the reality that at mealtime, we take a seat in our chair on the table, so because it is one bonus precise now. I constantly attempt to make nutrition that i understand or think of she will like, it is particularly confusing through fact she won't devour maximum meat. So i attempt to pair the beef entree with a vegetable and sidedish that she likes, inclusive of broccoli and pasta. i pick nutrients in keeping with nutritional value by and vast, then in keeping with speedy to coach. i'm getting domicile at 5:00 and he or she is starving so i attempt to have some thing arranged the night in the previous that would in simple terms bypass interior the oven. additionally, I make issues which will make stable leftovers. for occasion this night we are having: -meatloaf (meat is blended with spaghetti sauce, oatmeal and an egg), with grated vegetables interior the middle and cheese on actual -mashed potatoes -peas even with the reality that I in no way cook dinner a 2d meal for her if she won't devour what we are having, i will furnish her any leftovers that are interior the refrigerator. I additionally do not join the "no desolate tract until you devour your considerable direction" thought. In our domicile, desolate tract is often fruit or yogurt, it fairly is a factor of a healthful meal and should not be used as a "reward". To be truthful with you, some nights dinner contains bread, cheese and yogurt given it is all she will devour! as long because it fairly is healthful, i don't rigidity too plenty. i understand that each and each physique infants bypass with the aid of this section, and all you're able to do is furnish healthful nutrition possibilities and variety healthful ingesting behavior. something is very plenty as much as them! stable good fortune.

Answer 10

No, don't attach an age to when they have to be eating adult foods. all baby's develop differently, your baby will take food eventually keep offering the variety make it fun they'll take it.