eating woes...

hoping618

My 15 month old is giving me a run for my money at meal time.  I know I'm not the first or only person with this problem but it's really getting to me.  He's a skinny guy to begin with and prefers to eat on the go.  But when it's actual meal time, sometimes he eats a lot (which for him is still not that much) and sometimes, like tonight, he eats literally not one bite.  He did finish ALL the ketchup on his plate though.  Seriously!?

His nanny reports each meal and usually he eats things and quantities for her that he NEVER eats with me.  Thank God at least he eats with her but I'm really starting to take it personally.  Is it my cooking?  Is it because I'm less patient?  When he starts flinging food, I clean up and end the meal.  I think the nanny lets him eat a lot while he's playing and she says he never throws food.  I also think she feeds him bite by bite.

ANY SUGGESTIONS????  Anyone with a skinny, picky guy who grew up fine?  Should I just relax and not care?  HELP!

aglenn

My kids both eat really differently from one day to the next, or even one meal to the next.  There is no rhyme or reason to it as far as I can tell, so I assume it is just related to growth spurts and changes in hunger.  DD is skinny, DS is not; both of them are growing well and are very healthy.  From what I've read and been told by our pedi it is normal for them to eat a ton some days and very little on others, and dinner is typically the meal at which little ones will eat the least throughout the day.  Try not to worry too much.

hoping618

THanks so much.  I'm a 3rd grade teacher and in all other areas, I feel like I'm done a lot of things right.  But with this, I made a lot of mistakes.  Because he has always been in the 5%, I first thought it was my breastmilk but it seems he's just a little guy, and very very active.  (poops a lot too)  I did the whole, please eat one more bit, show mommy how you eat...blah blah.  I'm really going to take your suggestions and leave him alone.  If he was of average weight, I wouldn't care what or how much he eats.  It's definitely because he's little.  The doctor has never been concerned.  It's just me and his little ribs sticking out!  (I wish I had THAT problem!)  Thanks again.  I really do appreciate it:)

hoping618

Thanks:)  I guess I need to stop taking it personally lol!

pb_bride

What does the nanny feed him?  Based on your post, I'm assuming she feeds him her food and not something you sent with him?  What happens on weekends when DS is home with you all day?  

Although I'd also say, not to take it personally, however, I'd also look into what he is eating at the nanny.  Perhaps what she offers is very different from what you offer at home.

Also, does he graze while at the nanny's?  I just finished reading "Fearless Feeding" (the relevant chapters), and the authors very much discourage grazing.  I also don't think it's a good thing that your nanny is still feeding your son instead of him self-feeding.

DS love ketchup too but we only give him ketchup when we are having burgers and oven-baked fries (probably once a month).  We put a few drops on his food (instead of on the side), so he mostly eats the meat and potatoes that has ketchup on it. 

hoping618

it's mainly all the same food but he's definitely grazing.  all good suggestions and i'm going to look into getting that book.  thanks:)

emberlee3

hoping618 said:

THanks so much.  I'm a 3rd grade teacher and in all other areas, I feel like I'm done a lot of things right.  But with this, I made a lot of mistakes.  Because he has always been in the 5%, I first thought it was my breastmilk but it seems he's just a little guy, and very very active.  (poops a lot too)  I did the whole, please eat one more bit, show mommy how you eat...blah blah.  I'm really going to take your suggestions and leave him alone.  If he was of average weight, I wouldn't care what or how much he eats.  It's definitely because he's little.  The doctor has never been concerned.  It's just me and his little ribs sticking out!  (I wish I had THAT problem!)  Thanks again.  I really do appreciate it:)

This is so important.  Your child will pick up on your stress level and the pressure you're putting on him, and he'll be even more stubborn.  The nanny probably just doesn't care as much as you do (I mean, as far as taking it personally).  Less pressure, so he eats better. 

alrighthamilton

I don't have any suggestions, but I feel your pain. My daughter has eaten pretty much nothing but watermelon and cheese for the last month. My husband and I joke that we should just put her meals directly on the floor for the dog, since that is where they end up anyway. She has even refused the Pediasure as of late. It does worry me though, because she is a skinny little thing like your son. Her doctor didn't seem concerned, so I'm trying not to be.

traveltheworld

We had the same problem with DS at one point.  He dropped from the 40th percentile down to the 5th percentile in 6 weeks due to daycare sickness etc. so we were doing everything we can to make him eat more.  But the more we pushed it, the worst it got.  Finally his pediatrician told me to just try and relax, and it got much better.  We also made sure that everyone that was taking care of him (he goes to DC 3 days and his grandparents 2 days a week) treated meal-times the same way - i.e.  he has to sit in his chair, is not allowed to throw food, and should at least attempt to feed himself.  Once we were all on the same page, he learned quickly that no one will be chasing him around or offering him alternate food.  Good luck!

arilevine

My DD rarely eats what I make for dinner but my sitter says she eats great. I can always tell it's gonna be a struggle cause she starts to turn her head to the side & screams until I take the food off her tray. Most times it ends up on the floor as well & I end up giving her peanut butter on a English muffin just to get something in her belly!