My toddler hates solid foods! What can I do to make him eat without him throwing up all over?

Question

My toddler is now 19 months old..I've talked to his Ped. about this problem but his Pediatrician told me not to worry, it's normal. He would eat on & off...and this really worries me bec. he is not getting all the nutrients that his body need. Although I've been giving him a Poly-visol every other day as supplement, but I still don't think that's enough. I've tried everything on earth but nothing seemed to work. I asked and researched on this but my child is one of those picky eaters... but overall...he is big & healthy just by drinking milk. I just want him to start eating like those other kids.

Answer 1

Don't worry so much Mom. Kids this age get a lot out of a little, in other words, they need very little to sustain. Their stomachs are very tiny. He'll be just fine.

Answer 2

I don't not eating enough solid foods at 19 months is a "big" worry but, sure, it should be of some concern.

You say that even though you give supplements you don't think it's enough, why? What makes you think that he needs more? You did say that he is big and healthy. I suspect that the Poly-visol is making him vomit.

Not moving on to enough solid food is a common problem and from what I've seen with my child and others, the most common reason for this is too much milk. Milk is great and he should have it every day, but not more than 1 Cup and day. You did say he is getting big just by drinking milk, that must be too much milk.

Cutting back on a toddler's milk isn't so easy when they are so used to it, I've seen them go nuts, throwing fits demanding their milk, as if they are possessed! Sometimes that's what it takes.

Cut back, even eliminate juice, even real juice still has so much sugar that will take away his appetite. Try cooking some of the solid food more than usual until his habits change, like pasta and rice. No sweets.

Don't just accept that he is a "picky eater", when he is hungry he will eat.

Good luck.

Answer 3

My daughter is the same way at 2 1/2. She has a problem with certain textures and gags on fruits and sometimes veggies. She doesn't eat that well (mainly mac and cheese) but I've tried hiding other foods in what she likes (mashed up carrots in cheese omelets, etc). I give her poly visol every day and also sprinkle fibersure in her food as well for extra fiber (she has some potty problems). The doctor doesn't seem too concerned . As long as your child is growing properly You shouldn't worry too much. You can always try the pedisure shakes that is balanced nutrition but he will probably out grow it. My son is 6 and has just started trying new foods! Just had watermelon for the first time this summer! Eventually your child will be eating you out of house and home so don't worry (even though it's hard not too).

Answer 4

My twins go through stages every few weeks (they are 18 months) of eating and not having anything but milk for days :( I haven spoken to pediatricians, health care nurses, different GPs and the answer was always the same - You have healthy boys, they are gaining weight, there measurements are normal and always they tell me it's a stage and our twins will not starve themselves!

Our twins are slow teethers with a tooth cutting and then receding and starting again and I have noticed this is when our twins refuse to eat and if they do they gag on it causing themselves to throw up :( Can you associate the non eating periods to teething or hot days?

When our Twins are in non-eating mode I switch back to formula so I know they are getting all the nutrients they need. Another trick I do is leave little bowls full of cut up apple, sultanas, super tiny sandwiches, bitesized pieces of chicken breast and other healthy foods around the house ie hallway between kitchen and lounge, in the lounge next to their books - try it - you might be surprised to see how much really gets eaten when there is no pressure or Mammy watching!!

Answer 5

Honestly, your problem is common. I have an 19 month old who is picky too. I give her the Poly vitamin in her milk every morning. I also make a veg. soup that is very liquidy with everything in it. Keep trying different things. And you know what...sometimes they just want the same food over and over again or simply just bland food. Try to leave snacks out for him/her while he/she watches tv. Cheerios, pieces of small fruit, crackers etc. Try new things too. Good luck.

Answer 6

My baby is also at this stage,lol. I worry somewhat but not that much anymore. My daughter's pediatrician is also her cousin and that family is HUGE AND CLOSE-KNIT so I know that she'd never lie to me regarding my baby's welfare. Listen to your pediatrician and relax. Just try giving your baby fresh fruit cut up into little pieces, juice (100% juice), rice (my baby looooves rice,lol), yogurt (excellent), hot cereal (not too sweet) and try CHEERIOS (the breakfast cereal)...great finger food for toddlers. You could also give PEDIASURE a try but ask your pediatrician first. Good luck!!!!!

Answer 7

If your son is throwing up after every meal, you may want to ask your pediatrician about acid reflux. It is diagnosed in many newborns as early as 2 months old.

Answer 8

I would get a second opion. Just to be on the safe side. Also sounds like he might have acid reflux. Get another opion mom.

Answer 9

PEDIALYTE
PEDIASURE
GATORADE
POWERADE
AND I BET HE IS AS HEALTHY AS A BUG HONEY HE WON'T STARVE HIMSELF WHEN HE GETS HUNGRY HE WILL EAT.