You can bring a toddler to the table, but you can't force them to eat

rach&jay

Its been a week and a half of trying to get Sydney to eat but she hasn't put on any weight.  I just smell food and I gain, but that's a different story.

I have tried putting Carnation Instant Breakfast in her milk and that seems to work (thanks JoeBunny), but she just eats such a small amount of food.  Last night she ate about 6 of the little wheels (Piccolini pasta).  I tried feeding her food, but then she starts getting agitated, or something and then starts rubbing her nose, wiping her eyes and running her dirty hands through her hair and swatting at the spoon.

Anyone else's DC do something similar at mealtime?

G_Hoping

Does she have an ear infection maybe?  Thats the time when DS2 really doesn't eat much at all.

I frankely understand why now too...I have a double ear infection and I have barely ate anything in the last 3 days.  Eating is just not appealing.

Mrs Manners

rach&jay:

 her food, but then she starts getting agitated, or something and then starts rubbing her nose, wiping her eyes and running her dirty hands through her hair and swatting at the spoon.

Anyone else's DC do something similar at mealtime?

DS has just started doing this recently. It's the worst when he's tired (at our night time meal) but also when he's frustrated. Right now I have to feed him purees in between giving him bites of finger foods to get it all in him. He doesn't have a weight issue, he weighs plenty. I think it's more of an independence issue.

rach&jay

No, no ear infection.  I should have explained it better, forgot about the backstory.  Syd had her 1 year appt and is only 17.1 lbs, she was 16.4 at her 9 month and the pedi is concered about her lack of weight gain.  We have to go back in 1 month for a weight check, in the meantime I am trying to get her to eat more and put on some weight.

KrisBriMcBunny

yep thats us.  We have a very small list of food michelle will eat and as long as I give her a variety off that list along with V8 fusion and carnation instant breakfast she gets enough calories and nutrients.

However she absolutely refuses to try anything.  She doesnt eat normal meat & potato and veggie meals!

Its very frustrating but its very important not to show your frustration.  Definitely talk to your pedi about your concerns and maybe get a referral for a nutritionist.

Kristie

bebemama

Try fruit smoothies with whole fat yogurt, banana, fruit and juice or milk.  I sometimes even add some cottage cheese. Even when my doesn't eat anything else he will drink up a ten once fruit smoothie.  You can even add carnation to that if you want.  I put it in a straw cup and just let him have it out.  It is always gone within a half hour or so.  I usually make one for him in the morning and sometimes after dinner if it seems he hasn't eaten enough throughout the day.  He is  a little one too and it has definately helped him put weight on.