How do I get my Baby to eat?

Question

I have a 13 month old son who refuses to eat most solid foods. He'll eat tortillas, pieces of Banana's, crackers and bread but that's pretty much it. My question is how do I get him to eat from a spoon or am I asking for too much because right now I'm putting formula, rice, and a half a bottle of baby food in a bottle (as a advised by my Mother-in-Law) and he eats it ONLY that way. HELP ME I DON'T HAVE A CLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

Good greif, please stop putting anything besides formula, milk, or water in his bottle! How's he ever supposed to learn about eating that way?

Definatley offer him more healthy finger foods for him to self feed; I don't think most 13 mo would let anyone spoon feed them (mine certainly didn't).

Some healthy ideas for him to feed himself:
Cooked ground beef crumbles, shredded turkey or chicken
Shredded cheese
Quarted grapes
Steamed veggies
Frozen veggies
Diced ripe avacado

Just keep offering plenty of variety of healthy foods; that's your job, not forcing him to eat against his will.

Until he's eating a more ballanced diet including plenty of iron and vitamin C rich foods, it is probalby best to keep offering iron-fortified formula, not cow's milk or other "milks". This doesn't have to be in a bottle, of course; he is old enough to learn to use a sippy or even a regular cup.

Answer 2

After babies turn a year old, you really want to try and get them off of formula asap. I weaned my son slowly (he's 15 months now) by doing 2oz milk, 6 oz formula, and then every other day, I would add more milk, and less formula, until it was all milk in his bottle. He also only gets his bottle for nap time, and bedtime. Your son is filling up on his formula, so he's not hungry for the solid food, but once he's not getting the formula, he should be more willing to accept solids. I will say that my son is still an extremely picky eater, and doesn't have the biggest appetite. Keep offering them the foods that are good for them, and give them what they will eat in the meantime. My pediatrician recommended a mulitvitamin (1/2 of a mulitvitamin) once a day, but I would wait until he is off the formula, and discuss with your doctor first. Definitely get him off formula as soon as you can though. Good Luck!
P.S. my son is just now getting the spoon and fork thing down, and he's still has some practicing to do. I think they get better with utensils at about 18 months

Answer 3

STOP putting anything besides milk in the bottle! He is full from eating all the SOLIDS from a bottle, of course he won't eat it at the table. He maybe a little young to use the spoon correctly, but he can surly start with his fingers. Also, he doesn't need that much formula anymore, most calories should be from solid foods.

Answer 4

Your baby should already be on whole cows milk from the sippy cup.I have never heard of putting baby food in bottle b-4.He will never want to eat from the spoon if u continue this.Throw away the bottles.They will rot his teeth out.Some babies will not take milk from a cup right away.My 14mth old would'nt take it for a month & 1/2.My doc said if he is getting calcium from yougurt & cheese he does'nt have to have the milk.I put ovaltine in it & now he loves it.It is very nutrious & loaded W/vitamins.I have a feeding chart my doc gave me that i can list for you.
12-24mths Whole milk,yogurt & cheese 4servings daily 1/2 cup
Grain:6ser Cereal,pasta or rice, 1/4 cup bread,muffins,rolls1/2
crackers (2)Fruit:2ser cooked or juice 3oz whole fruit 1/2 medium
Vegetable: 3 ser cooked or juice3 oz whole 1/2 med.
Meat:2 ser. Fish chicken,turkey,beef,pork 1 oz Cooked,dried beans or peas 1/4 cup egg 1
I really hope this helps i can tell u some of the aditional things on the list.Add whole milk now,never force him to eat,feed your toddler 3 snacks a day & 3 meals a day.Offer rejectede foods again,food jags are common at this age,make meals fun:use colorful foods that r crunchy,smooth or warm.Good Luck!!!

Answer 5

At 13 months he should be coming off the bottle. Provide small finger foods that he likes. Consult your paediatrician about vitamin supplements and try to relax. Your son will eat when he's hungry.I don't think putting all those things in a bottle is very good. Eating is a skill that needs to be learnt, it dose not come naturally. Introduce new foods when he is really hungry. try some yogurt, Cheerios, rice, macaroni, grated cheese, apple sauce...etc.

Answer 6

He'll eat solids soon enough. I really wouldn't worry too much about it until he is closer to 18 months. My oldest was still getting most of her food from breastmilk at 13 months and she now eats a well balanced diet, and it's a year later.

Just keep him on formula until he's eating a more balanced diet, as it is more nutritious than regular cow's milk.

Answer 7

My nephew won't hardly eat either he's about the same age. He gags at the sight of chuncks of food. Quit putting stuff in his bottle. Offer solids at each meal-is he drinking too much? Offer food before you offer formula or milk. Your pediatrician is the best source of addvice.

Answer 8

You child will eat when he is hungry. Do worry he will grow out of it. I had the same problem with my son at that age, now he is 10 years old and I cant get him from not eating.

Answer 9

ok
baby I have 2. We all eat together.My 3yr.old still doesn't want to eat but my 6mo.old, I feed her off ofo my plate and she eats things like, eggs and cakes. cream of wheat and oatmeal. Off the spoon. Just feed the baby when you eat. Maybe he"ll see you eat and he'll want to eat. As far as the bottle, he's to old for it. Give him a cup and a spoon and he'll have no choice.