my 14 month old won't eat?

Question

my daughter has went off her food, she was always a good eater and had a varied diet but now she won't eat which has been going on for a couple of weeks, i thought maybe she wanted to fed herself but she's not interested even finger foods she just chucks away, recently she has started to refuse her milk too, i don't know what to do to get her eating again any advice please?

she always wants my food that i eat and when i give her it from my plate she will eat it but if i serve it for her she won't take it

Answer 1

Could she be teething? My 18 month old still goes through not eating phases. My doc says look at what they eat in a week, not a day. It should balance out. Does she like cereal and fruit? My son does...when he refuses to eat, I try to give him that. He usually will eat it but sometimes he doesn't. I try not to stress over it. Toddlers do this.....

Answer 2

If this has been going on for a couple of weeks and she's now refusing milk, you need to talk to your health visitor or take her to see your doctor.

Small children will usually eat when they're hungry, but for a 14 month old not to be hungry for so long is unusual. It's best to get it checked out and make sure there's no medical reason for it.

Meanwhile don't make it into a battleground. If she senses that she can use food as a lever to get you worried or upset, you may be storing up problems for both of you later. Just offer her food at mealtimes, and if she refuses, just clear it away without making a big deal of it.

Try leaving some of her favourite things around so she can pick them up and snack if she wants to. You might want to look very busy and as if you're not paying attention, and see if she eats anything then.

I hope it will all turn out fine - all the best to both of you.

Answer 3

Do you mean not eating at all? If so see the Doctor. I hope you mean just messing about so turn it into a game. I used to and still do with my grandchildren make a noise like an aeroplane and when they open their mouths, in it goes. Unless they are refusing food all the time and losing weight you actually have little to worry about except you own frustration. If they are losing weight see the doc.

Answer 4

I would try to fed her little things all day. A bite here, a bite there can add up to enough food for her. I sometimes feed my toddler good quality ice cream when he's being picky. He loves it. I know its not the best thing but at least its whole milk and sugar. It is definitely better than nothing at all.

Answer 5

There are many reasons a baby won't eat, but a visit to the pediatrician is always a good idea when they won't. It may be a simple virus... teething... or something more serious. In any case, you'll get an answer and feel better! And if you feel better, so will your daughter... Best of luck to you!

Answer 6

I would carry her to the doctor to make sure there isn't anything going on beside being picky. She may be having trouble swallowing her food or her belly is been hurting when she eats. If the doctor clears her then try giving her pediasure to help provide nutrients she is missing from not eating. My last son want hardly eat when he is teething,

Answer 7

i bet she does not refuse a bit of chocolate if its put into her mouth.kids are great manipulaters if she finds that you are not bothered if she takes it off your plate and u feed it to her great and when you don't do what she wants she trys to emotionally black mail you because your starving her.if you have ruled out illness then it has to be good old fashioned why should i do it myself if she will.there is no reason in this country in this day and age for a child to willingly starve themselves .make meal times interesting ,sitting at the table with you in her high shair eating together and talking to her stuff like that

Answer 8

Perhaps try some fun looking food like the Jamie Oliver range.

Answer 9

most toddlers go through this stage. When shes hungry she will eat. My 25 month old is still going through that stage and is healthy and hasnt lost weight so try not to worry to much

Answer 10

don't worry unless she's poorly. young children have a habbit of going through stages when they don't eat, as for her milk, so long as she drinks other fluids then thats fine.

You could always try playing aeroplanes with her a meal times, it can help,

good luck.