How to get my 14 month old to eat?

Question

My 14 month old son does not eat anything besides cereals and bananas and drink formula or milk. What can I do? He just does not like anything. Even to get his cereal in I first have to force a spoon in his mouth so he can taste it and know what it is. He won't eat veggies or fruit and I still puree everything. If I give him a piece of something he'll chew on it and spit it out 10 minutes later no matter how tiny it is. He just won't swallow. He used to like pureed zuchini with potato and chicken breast but I can't make that everyday. Please help. I even tried mixing foods with his cereal. Once he finds it in there he won't have anymore.

Answer 1

Feeding time can be very frustrating for any parent. And when your child won't eat or is a picky eater, it becomes even harder. It sounds like you are trying everything to make sure your child has a healthy diet. There are several reasons why a 14 month old might have a limited diet.

1. Children this age are very independent. I know when I was trying new textures with my daughter, she was at first resistant, until I started letting her try to feed her self (with safe, "meltable" foods, i.e., dissolves easily in the mouth). I also started letting her hold large carrot sticks and gnaw on them (making sure she didn't get any chunks that could be a choking hazard), teething biscuits, or graham crackers (a highly meltable food). She also liked eating rice crispies (this was before her fine motor skills developed) because they would stick easily to her hands and she could literally shove them in her mouth. You do not mention whether your son is displaying any self feeding skills such as finger feeding or expressing the desire to put a spoon in his mouth. To encourage independence you could smear some of the rice cereal on his tray (it's messy, but kids love it) and that way he can taste the food on his own instead of you having to force it into his mouth.

Most likely your child is showing independence and it will take patience and creativity to endure through this period. But I would also talk to your doctor about your concerns...there is a slight chance that something else is going on. (You also don't mention weight gain, if it's a problem or not....if it is...then it could be a red flag for other things). There are a couple of other reasons your child is not eating a variety of food.

2. Some children have oral motor problems....the muscles in their mouth are weak and therefore their chewing skills/feeding skills/ and/or speech skills are not where they should be. This could affect feeding and speech development. Your child might not like diverse textures because he does not feel he can adequately manage them in his mouth in a manner that is safe to swallow. To manage a lump of food (even a small one) he must be able to move his tongue around in his mouth very well. When he is younger he will use his tongue to mash softer/lumpier foods on the top of his mouth. As his skills get more developed, he must use his tongue to move his food from one side of his mouth to the other.

3. Some children are hypersensitive to certain textures (I think that all people have a certain degree of hypersensitivity...personally cucumbers make me gag). If your child is hypersensitive, he would most likely gag or refuse certain textures and flavors.

to work on either #2 or #3, talk to your doctor about a referral to a speech language pathologist trained in oral motor/swallow and feeding skills. He or she could guide you on tips on how to improve oral motor skills or desensitizing the mouth. (In some hospitals, the pediatric occupational therapist will also work on these skills).

Another reason your child might not be eating a variety of food could be medical

4. Your son could have reflux or swallowing issues. Your doctor will need to diagnose this. A red flag to doctors is usually poor weight gain, however if your child has found foods that he can manage and is able to sustain enough to keep him gaining weight then this could be overlooked.
4a.Reflux is not always the child who is projectile vomiting, it could be silent. (Think about foods that give you severe heartburn, if tomato sauce makes you have heartburn then you avoid dishes with tomato sauce). If there is food that is giving your son heartburn/reflux then he could be very hestitant to try new foods, scared that they will hurt him (and yes, a 14 month old can figure these things out).
4b. Swallowing issues could also be a problem. Sometimes this goes along with poor oral motor skills. The doctor would have to schedule a test to determine this.

The problem is least likely medical, but it is always good to have the information to rule it out as a possible cause.

Some things you can try in the mean time:
Only change one thing at a time....so if you want to add texture to his food (make it a little lumpier) don't add new tastes (if possible). If he likes the zucchini, potato and chicken...can you make it lumpier...just a little at a time (this should also freeze very well, so you can make large batches at a time). I use rice crispies to cereal and yogurt to make it lumpier....the rice crispies get soft very quickly but add enough texture to the food. Another way to add texture is to make graham cracker crumbs, first very fine ones and add to the food to get used to the taste (also can you cheerios), and then make the crumbs less fine so the texture is gradually increasing. Give him plenty of opportunities to practice his chewing skills...even though he is not eating lumpier foods, it is a very important skill to practice. Let him try the carrot sticks, bread sticks, etc. When he has these things in his mouth he is learning how to chew up and down and his tongue starts moving side to side to where the food is, getting it ready for later chewing skills. (another food you can try, although not as healthy, is cheese curls...they have a stimulating flavor and dissolve very easily in the mouth). You can also practice with out food. When you are brushing his teeth, also brush his tongue (this encourages movement of the tongue in general) and brush the insides of his cheeks as well (this will encourage his tongue to move towards the cheeks). Offer some different flavors. Baby foods tend to be bland, he may be wanting something to "wake up" his mouth. Adding a little cinnamon to his cereal is one suggestion (although I have heard parents on the extreme side use lemon juice...or (ew) pickle juice....but to each his own...and what ever works) get creative. You enjoy flavorful foods, so your son probably does as well. One little girl I know (about 16 months old) really enjoys curries right now, so don't limit yourself.
Be patient, it is clear that you have already tried a lot of different foods. He will get there. Talk to your doctor about your concerns, but don't worry too much especially if weight gain is okay, the last few suggestions are the least likely. Good luck!

Answer 2

my child is 18months old and about 3-4 months ago I had the same problem I talked to the public health nurse and she gave me some tips.

1. try lots of different finger foods
2. let the child play with the spoon (and yes its a super huge mess...but its cute)
3. limit the liquid. Only give the little one liquid certin times, dont have a bottle or sippy cup for him all the time he will fill himself up on water, milk, juice etc.
4. Some kids are "grazers" where others are loving the full meal. My daugter is a grazer and loves to just pick at her food during the day. cut up a hot dog, some cheeze sandwiches and other finger foods and lay it in reach where he can get it when he wants it.

Remeber a serving for him is not the same as ours. 1/2 a slice of bread is 1 grain serving for him!

If nothing else is working talk to your family doctor or health care provider they may be able to help more then I can

good luck!

Answer 3

My brother is like that! He has always had a very limited diet. If you are worried about him getting enough vitamins and minerals, you might want to talk to your pediatrician. I am sure there are supplements he can take.

But you sound like a good mom, because you keep trying new things. Maybe his taste buds are really sensitive, and the strong flavors overwhelm him. Potato, zucchini and chicken are kind of bland so I can see why he likes it.

My brother eats the same 4-5 meals every day and he is doing fine. Some people are just that way. But I would definitely talk to a doctor if you are worried.

Answer 4

Don't worry I have had the same problem with my 20 month old. I even went as far as talking to his doctor about it.I was told that he will eat when he's hungry but trying to force him to eat is going to cause problems as he get s older(obesity). He will not starve.You sound like you're trying everything to try to get him to eat,but the more frustrated you get the more frustrated he's gonna get. If you can gat him to eat finger foods offer him small pieces of a hot dog with ketchup and let him go to town even if he wants to finger paint in the ketchup.Maybe trying to make meal time a fun time could help.I've evn gone as far as making a game out of meal time. But if they just are not hungry their is nothing you can do to make them eat.

Answer 5

It appears like your daughter is ingesting rather some salt. I have a 13 month previous and that i ward off the canned raveolis and spaghettis as they're loaded with more suitable salt then her kidneys can manage. Weetabix now and again (i imagine there's a salt loose form). organic (unsweetened) applesauce is likewise perfect for little ones as they nonetheless have a flavor for ingredients organic and as is. otherwise they are going to change into accostomed to having sweet nutrients. different good ingredients for infant comprise finished wheat toast with houmous (or hummus), organic yogurt, or low sugar yogurts, low sugar jelly (or jello) - more suitable nonetheless you may make your man or woman with fruit juice, scrambled eggs are a fave (ought to upload some grated person-friendly cheddar), mashed potatoes (unsalted butter, milk and no salt), mashed lentils (those don't have a lot flavor and have a tendency to take on the flavour of even in the experience that they are mixed with which include carrots or eco-friendly beans and are a great way of having the more suitable protein of legumes), finished wheat pasta mac and cheese (can sneak some mashed carrots into the cheese sauce), finished wheat banana pancakes, fruit smoothies (good thanks to get interior the milk), sweet potato fries, tofu (makes tremendous finger ingredients), grilled cheese sandwiches, tuna mayo, hand-crafted red meat burgers (certainly hand-crafted!), chicken with rice and broccoli makes a effective meal.

Answer 6

I believe children will eat when they are hungry. First stop letting him know it bothers you-he may be young but he's already manipulating you. Your worried he'll starve. Give him fluids which he must have. Then offer the foods for his age group, teeth etc... If he won't eat then take it away act nonchalant and wait till supper offer again. Don't let him call the shots as long as you know he's not sick his throat doesn't hurt... Good Luck!

Answer 7

If you ask me, this is when most kids get, as they say, finicky. They are beginning to acquire a taste, like what they think is good or bad. Fortunately my daughter loves just about everything, and wants to try just about everything...guess, I'm lucky! I would try different textures and flavors, it's really trial and error. My daughter really seemed to enjoy, fruit mixed with everything. If you are mashing/pureeing yourself, it is a little harder, but try applesauce. It worked wonders for me, seemed anything she turned away, I could get her to eat more if I just added applesauce or peaches

Answer 8

add condoments. kids love condoments give them ketchup or ranch dressing with there veggies they love to dip stuff into condoments and also your child with not starve to death its against human nature he will eat. survival instincts but really try the condoments even mustard but let him do the dipping on his own just experiment with diffrent dips. it worked for me and for one of my grand children. i had 7 children and my 7th grand child due soon give a kid condoments. let me know how it turns out

Answer 9

my 3 year old went though that and his pediatrician told me he will eat if he is hungry and when they are not growing they don't eat as much.so when he would not eat she had me give him pediasure or carnation good start. try that. i would not worry unless he is unhealthy or underweight.