Almost 1, barely eats solids?

Bride2bMO

He's gone through phases, but he has never been a big eater (though he LOVES to nurse). When he'll occasionally eat 2 jars at dinner it's a very exciting day. We offer tons of finger foods and purees, as he seems to have different preferences from day to day. Mostly, the finger foods just sit untouched on his tray, except for any bread items (crackers, toast, cheerios etc.)

He likes purees ok, but has a fit if we try to feed him ourselves, and he lacks the coordination to get much in his mouth on his own (I do let him try - I have chunky spoons and suction cup bowls for his tray).

Anyway, despite all of our efforts, most days we're lucky to get a handful of cheerios and half a jar of food in him, sometimes less than that. I was planning to BF to up to 18 months, but I've been having second thoughts lately because nursing is becoming a combat sport (he's fond of pinching and kicking). But if I wean, I honestly don't know if he'll have enough. I'm not sure whether I'd wean to milk or to formula, and if it's to milk, I'm really concerned about his overall nutrition if he refuses veggies.

Sorry for the long post, just curious to hear from moms with similar situations!

Alexandra*sMom

If you ween, he will eat.  My Taylor was a decent eater.  She gagged on babyfood but started eating when we switched to tablefoods at 9 mo.  Since weening 3 weeks ago, she eats all the time.  Her sister loves milk - Taylor drinks about 16 oz a day (where Alex would drink 32+ if I let her), but eats 6-7x a day.

Bride2bMO

I should also mention that he's dropped on the weight charts ever since birth, from the 90th down to like the 20th or so at the last weight check? Pedi never says it's a problem he just says he's long and lean, but this is part of why his eating habits are of special concern to me. He doesn't have much chunk to spare, not a leg roll in sight!

Alexandra*sMom

I know what you mean.  My girls were both over 8 lbs at birth.  Taylor is smaller than Alex was - both are 70% for height and 30% for weight.  There is the other thought that you should butter everything to keep weight on.  Give him buttered bread, buttered veggies, etc.  GL!

newportbride715

My DS still eats a lot of baby food, and oatmeal/rice cereal. He also loves yogurt with oatmeal in it, which I feed him. I'm not worried. He's a baby! He's 1, it's not like he's going to kindergarten! lol 

It is a good way to get veggies into him (I usually mix them w/ fruit.)  He prefers bread-ish finger foods as well- waffles, o's, puffs, cheese toast. I think it's because they are the easiest to pick up. Fruits and verggies are slippery! I have not even attempted to let him use a spoon/fork himself yet, or a bowl, I just put the food on his tray. I definitely would not worry yet that he lacks the coordination to feed himself. I think it is still early for that.

Re: weaning, good for you that you've done it this long! Maybe try to wean a little but if you can continue, why not? It is so good for him. I still nurse a little but not exclusively. If/when you do wean, if it is soon, unless he starts eating a lot of food, I would do formula, not milk. I still have my son on formula (this will be the last case) until I know he is getting enough vitamins from food, which I still do not think he is quite yet, and he is  a big boy.

If you are concerned about which formula to give since he is only used to BM, we've been really happy with Baby's Only Organic. It was the one I felt most comfortable with after not being ablt to exclusively BF.

GL! 

juietbride

DS was the same way until he was 12mo., and now he loves solid foods as long as he gets to feed himself.  He was extremely picky and LOVED to nurse.  Now he is digging solids and now we are attempting to wean.  HTH

Temp174496125006552

Ben has a horrible gag reflex and because of that, he's still on baby cereal and purees.  The only table foods he can keep down are yogurt, bread and very ripe bananas.  I keep trying, at the pedi's recommendation, but he still isn't having much luck.  Because of this, I'm going to talk to her at his 1 year appt about keeping him on formula a while longer.  I think she'll probably agree with me.  I'm not really worried about when he starts table foods, just that he's getting what he needs nutrient-wise.  I'm afraid if we switch to milk that he'll be lacking.

Instead of weaning could you pump and offer him BM in a bottle/sippy?

Bride2bMO

Thanks for the tips, ladies! Yes, if it gets to the point that I"m ready to wean from actual nursing but concerned about nutrition, I can switch to formula or pumped milk.

Poor guy, he had an accident since I typed this and I don't expect him to take solids for several days. He bit his tongue BAD. It's still bleeding, 2 hours later!