My daughter is extremely small. She's not malnurished or anything, she was steadily gaining and at 6 months she suddenly stopped. They're testing her for all sorts of different things, mostly genetics.
However, she's 9 months now and she's been through all the stage 1 & 2 and has started table foods. Suddenly these last few days she has been refusing dinner ... and I'm freaking out. She needs to gain weight and now shes' not eatting I'm at my wits end. I've started feeding her these beechnut baby foods that are just cut up really soft meats, potatoes and other veggies, she really like them yesterday, today shes' choking on it, because shes' crying so hard.
I haven't shown her that I'm frustrated I smile and keep offering a variety of foods, but I'm really starting to worry.
My doctor forbade me to nurse her at night and told me to give her solids before the breast at all times, but now she seems to want nothing but the breast. I don't know what to do!
2007-09-24 13:29:50 · 10 answers · asked by mommyoftwo 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Unfortunately, it was never a question if she met their standard weights, she was never on their charts, but now she is no longer gaining ... that's the concern.
I've tried to go back to the tried, tested and true but shes' even refusing that. She was up every hour last night and I nursed her ... went against the advise and now I'm all worried I did the wrong thing.
2007-09-24 13:48:05 · update #1
Don't worry about just yet. You should make an appointment with your childs doctor and ask to be referred to a nutrisitionist (spell) They will be able to teach you some tricks to add extra calories to the food your baby does eat, even just a bite here and there.
If your doctor is telling you not to nurse at night it's probably to encourage your little one to eat more during the day. Try to stick with that until you see him again ... then voice your concerns about her eatting habits.
Is she drinking lots and having regular wet and dirty diapers? If she's not then its' definately time to worry.
Take a deep breath and try to relax. She'll be okay, just keep offering and offering.
2007-09-24 14:00:36 · answer #1 · answered by Lisa 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you are the best judge of your child's behavior. If she is refusing food, but at least getting breast milk--assuming you haven't lost the volume of it that she needs if you've stopped or reduced nursing her for a while, make sure she is wetting and soiling diapers regularly. As long as something is going in and something is going out normally, then you're fine. If however, she is not outputting enough, seek medical help. Don't panic over one day, but the crying so hard may indicate problems. I agree with the others, nursing is great for at least a year, more if you like, and if your doctor says not to, find someone who agrees with your values. Babies don't need many solid foods that early, if often only encourages food intolerances. The more babies I had, the longer I was able to nurse them, particularly at night. I have 5 so I've got some experience. I didn't start most of them on solids till 6 months, but never did I have one that refused all foods. Possibly some food did affect her and she doesn't want to repeat the tummy ache? If crying is incessant, get help. If she isn't wetting/soiling diapers, get help.
2007-09-24 20:41:07 · answer #2 · answered by JC 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your doctor is a freaking idiot. If he wants her to put on weight the best way to get it is at the breast. What a fool.
Beyond that, children do NOT have to meet some standardized chart for size and weight, its rediculous. My friend just went through this with her 16 month old, and eventually she just stopped listening to the doctor. So long as she's not losing weight she's fine.
Secondly, children grow and eat at their own rate. She hasnt stopped eating, she just refusing a certain food, at a certain time. If she wants the breast, at this point give it to her. If she's teething they will hurt more in the late day and nursing will just feel more comforting to her.
Doctors are very important, but at some point you have to realize that theyre just people who are not part of the situation. You dont have to do something just because a doctor told you so. People suffer and die because of that nonsense. Ive been there and done that already. Whats important is that she gets a meal in when she needs one.
Lastly, during teething, and when babies have a little cold coming on, they will slack off on their eating. Its not the end of all things.
You can be mom without needing the permission or approval of some man in a white coat.
2007-09-24 13:36:38 · answer #3 · answered by amosunknown 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
She may be teething. My son just went through that last week. Just give it some time, and I am sure she will come around. I ended baking apples with cinnamon and he loves that (no butter or sugar of course). But today, he ate pretty well. Sometimes, he likes things when they are new, but the next day, he does not. Have you tried avocado? Its high in calories as well. And whole milk yogurt is good too. But, in the mean time, I would nurse. If you and the Dr are worried about her gaining weight, breast milk has the most calories.
2007-09-24 13:35:25 · answer #4 · answered by sinker 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you need to run her to a pediatrician or family doctor for a quick check. It could be something as simple as a virus -- my daughter got a virus that made blisters on her hands, feet and tongue. I didn't notice the blisters on her tongue until the doctor pointed it out. If they specialize in children they can be a great help.
She might also be allergic to something you've introduced.
Or she might just not be desperate enough to eat the newer foods. Try to resort back to some of her older favorite foods, even if it's just rice cereal. Give her a chance to enjoy her solid foods again and introduce the newer foods gradually, one at a time, and watching for any signs of a bad reaction.
2007-09-24 13:38:40 · answer #5 · answered by Investor 2006 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If shes not wanting to take to the solid foods then I don't see why she can't have breast milk...shes needs to eat something and a lot of babies breastfeedd until there a year old sometimes longer then that. If she doesn't start eating you might have no choice but to give her the breast.
2007-09-24 13:33:59 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I fed my daughter Pedisure cause she wasnt eating alot. Just check with ur doctor or ask the pharmasist for help....Pedisure just has all the vitamins she needs in case she's not eating enough. :) But my daughter is very active and is still a picky eater at age 4.
2007-09-24 14:40:38 · answer #7 · answered by rachael m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If Very small baby refusing to eat is because the eat is not god. Try variety of natural foods.
2007-09-24 13:40:03 · answer #8 · answered by Pequi 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You need to find a new ped!! Breast feed that baby if thats all she wants!!
2007-09-24 14:40:13 · answer #9 · answered by joeybowiesmom 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
feed her some trix cereal she needs to have some fun in her life
2007-09-24 13:50:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋