7.5 months kid ....dependent only on mothers milk...refuses all other food...so keeps crying because of hunger

Question

My son is 7.5 months old.

He is very weak and just of average weight.

The problem is that he does not take any other food apart from mother,s feed.The mothers' feed is not sufficient.

He clenches his lips very tight and refuses to eat any other thing that we try to feed him (cerelac, mashed fruits/vegetable etc.).
So he remains hungry for upto 24 hours and keep crying all the time.

If we force him by persisitng for long, he immediately vomits out whatever he has eaten.

But when he has taken mothers feed, he is hapy for sometime and does not vomit.

What could be wrong? How to rectify the problem?

Answer 1

All I would say is that actually you are able to supply all his needs at that age and size- my children began solids at 5.5, 6.5 and 9 months respectively. We began them on solids when they reached out, grabbed food from our plates, and put in in their mouths.

Having said that, it is not normal for your child to vomit everything he eats. I would certainly seek medical help for that, prefereably from someone who is sympathetic to breastfeeding.

It could be that because of your anxiety, mealtimes are turning into a battleground, and he is too anxious and upset to keep what he has eaten down. In this case, I would be tempted to leave the solids for a few weeks and just let him decide when he is ready by laeving food near him while you are eating- eg put him in his high chair with what you are eating cut up small or mashed on the tray. It really doesn't matter at this stage if he makes a mess. My son would not take any solids from us, even at 7 months- wanted to do it all himself.

He might however have a real medical problem. If he is growing and getting the right number of dirty and wet nappies, it is less worrying. Also, check his fontanelle (the depression on the top of his head); if it is sunken, ie dips down, it is a a sign of dehydration and you should see a doctor as soon as possible. If he is weak, he might be sick. You have to know which it is before working out what to do next. Take him to the doctor, please!

Answer 2

Stop pushing the solids so hard. Offer it casually every so often and when he is ready he will take it. DO NOT try to force him to eat solid foods! Solids are mostly for fun and practice at this age anyway. Even up to 12 mos, mother's milk should still be his main source of nutrition. You want this to be a pleasant experience...not something that upsets him and causes him to vomit!

"Average weight" is average....in other words fine! Normal! Bigger isn't necessarily better!

What do you mean when you say he is "very weak?" Is he meeting developmental milestones? Is he rolling over and sitting up yet?

You say he is "crying because of hunger" but then you say that he is happy after nursing. Evidently the mother's milk IS just fine because he is happy after nursing and keeps the milk down! Perhaps he needs to be nursing more frequently? How often/long does he nurse? If he doesn't seem ready for solids, I'd back off on those and nurse him more often. Also, the more they nurse the more milk mom's body will make.

What does his doctor say?

Answer 3

Your son is trying to do what is best for him and you are trying to thwart him! Please stop! Children need only a mother's milk for the first year of life. This is a medical fact, and if you ask your doctor I am sure he will confirm this... If your doctor is a decent doctor!
Yes, having milk does mean that they will be hungry faster than if they are eating solid foods, but that is not a real problem. Parents are supposed to love their kids enough to feed them frequently! THERE IS NO PROBLEM except that his parents think there is a problem!
If you want to do what is best for your child feed him his mother's milk until he is ready for food of more substance-- this should be after one year of age! Obviously he will let you know when the time is right. Please accept his guidance on this one. He will know when he is ready.
Please don't ever force feed your child. His system is not ready for solids and this is why he vomits.
Please consult your doctor before making this situation worse.

Answer 4

It sounds like he is not ready to break the bond with his mother that the breast feeding is providing him. babies respond to a comforting approach to feeding much more positively than to an appealing food item. He wants you guys to relax about it. try feeding him cereal mixed with formula thru a bottle (cut a larger hole in the nipple) - no milk for babies under one year, they can't digest it properly. most important- don't stress out - they know when you are overly anxious or worried and it will make it worse! Try to keep everything the way it is when he feeds from mom. Don't carry on about it or force him, be comforting and relaxed (as with breast feeding), rock him or sing to him, let him choose when he wants to eat - but give him plenty of opportunities. it will all work out fine. no stress!

Answer 5

yeah, u just try giving him some cereal once in a hour, let him vomit or what ever but u try giving him little quantity,if u keep on giving him ,he will at least taste it, so that he can eat later..same thing happened with my son he never use to drink formula milk, so i use to give him same thing repeatedly....after trying for 8 to 10 days , now he is drinking it. so i suggest u to do that.

Answer 6

well one theory the kid won't starve himself eventually he'll eat whatever is put in front of him. or two go see a doctor there seems to be no reason to him not eating anything else though its like a child that wants held all the time if you keep saying no eventually they will learn right?

Answer 7

You need to be asking your doctor, not us. I'd cry too if I wasn't fed for 24 hours!

Answer 8

i would say go c a doctor straight away . it sounds very serious