1 yr old won't eat suddenly, any ideas???

Question

My little one will turn one soon. He was eating finger foods off his tray (diced ham, veg's, cheese) and suddenly stopped eating stuff off his try. He will only eat cheese chunks and cheerios in small amounts. I've tried to prepare so many different meals and even give him what we eat..and nothing. He also will not let us spoon feed him anything at times. Occasionally we will get a few spoon full of food in his mouth. He will even skip meals and only drink milk. This has been going on for about a month now. Any ideas? Any suggestions on other foods to try and give him? He gets about 20 oz's of formula a day.

I should add that he has maintained the same weight for three months now. He isn't gaining but not yet losing either. Should a child this age get meat daily..I would think so??

Answer 1

Eating issues are tops in the book for things that parents worry about with their little ones. Around 1 year old, many babies begin to experiment with their independence. There is very little they have control over, but food is one of those things they can control. Don't make a big issue over meals/snacks. Offer him healthy choices and let him eat what he wants. When he is done, get him down from his high chair. If he doesn't eat what you offer, then offer something 1-2 hours later. Does he get much juice? Many babies become "juice-aholics" and walk around all day with a sippy cup. A little tummy full of juice will not be hungry for food. Limit his milk to 16 ounces per day as this is the recommended amount for his age. Take into consideration that he is more mobile now and is exploring the world around him. He will often find things more fun to do than eat. Babies and children will not starve themselves. His rate of growth will be considerably slower in his second year of life than it was in his first so he will not require as much food. It is also not uncommon for children to get in a "rut" and only eat one or two favorites for a while. Some things babies often like are pancakes (no need to put syrup on them), scrambled eggs, pasta, mashed potatoes, banana pieces, yogurt, applesauce or cooked apple pieces.

Answer 2

FIrst, make sure that he is feeling well. Itfiheis coming down with a fever or something, he won't want to eat. If he is drinking lots of milk, I doubt that this is it.
Don't cator to him. If you ofer him something for breakfast and he does not want it, don't search through your cabinet for something for him to eat. I understand if a child does not like a cewrtain thing. But, if you are always offering him many choices at the dinner table: choices that you are not eating yourself, then, he will learn to be quite picky and he will rule the dinner table with his demands, when he is older.
It sounds, harsh, but if he is trying to rule the dinner table, then, allowing him to get up and eat very little after a meal, is okay. Some children do go through growth spurts and don't need as much food at one time in their life. For breakfast you might offer him chereos or cereal and banana slices with juice and/or milk. Maybe he eats very little. At least he ate. Don't make a big deal of it. Just know that he does not want ot eat and move on. If he is wanting a power struggle, you have not allowed it to happen. If he really is not hungry and going through a growth spurt, then, you have not made it a big deal. Now, if he starts losing weight or becomes too sleepy or too sluggish, then, see a doc because something more is going on. When you take him out, does he eat there? Does he want to eat dries or candy? If things don't seem to let up after a while, try going out to eat and see what he will eat.

Answer 3

Perhaps you should reduce his formula intake a tad. It might be making him too full to eat his solids. You could also play helicopter games with his spoon to interest him in eating time. (pretend the spoon is a helicopter and his mouth is the landing area.... ). But do not worry too much about him not eating he will eat when he is hungry. Some children go through that phase where they are just fussy. The fact that he is eating even a little bit of food and not completely off it, is a good sign.

Answer 4

I think all kids go through periods of appetite loss occasionally. Both my boys did and my 12 year old is going through one now. My brother had a major appetite loss when he was 4, but came out of it. If they just won't eat at all over extended periods, see a doctor, especially if their color, mood, sleep habits, or weight changes drastically. Otherwise, they will tend to eat when they finally get hungry. Cheese and milk for a 1 year old is healthy. See what fruit he likes and give him small portions while he plays. Don't sweat the small stuff.

Answer 5

He may be going through a growth spurt. Many kids, and I know mine scared me because he would stop eating a couple days and always seemed very lazy. I called my doctor and she said as long as he is drinking plenty of fluids do not worry. If your son is anything like mine this isn't going to be the last time you go through this.

Answer 6

is he constipated? or gassy? if not then he is going through food stages. they go through stages where they will eat only one or two types of foods. Formula is good because you want him to get enough iron in his diet. lack of iron will cause loss of appitite. is his weight stable?

Answer 7

Let him starve. We have a compulsion to eat. He will want food when his body tells him to eat. He's having a game with you because he knows you worry.

Answer 8

I'd take him to a Dr...theres something clearly wrong with a small child who won't eat..not evern his fav foods..Do It NOW !!!

Answer 9

He couod be teething

Answer 10

get him checked for an ear infection.