Refusing to to eat still...

BrownMa

Aiden hates eating, he's been difficult with eating since day 1. He was sick last week, he's completely fine now. Maybe teething, but for the last few weeks refuses to let us feed him. He barely eats anything. I've offered him everything under the sun, he'll put it in his mouth and spit it out. He chews up pasta, stuffs a ton in his mouth but never swallows and if he does its not much. I will distract him with tv, toys, everything to eat and he still won't. I let him have a pouch of food to try to self feed, that was a freaking mess! Of it were up to him he'd only have formula, I'm beyond frustrated dh doesn't see it as a problem. He also isn't home for most meals anyway. Ahh!!! So annoyed, currently battling with him now. He just keeps swatting my hands away as I try feeding him. I've even held down his one arm and can sometimes sneak a spoonful in but he other times puts his head to the side and refuses to open his mouth. If you have no advice, is anyone dealing with this too?

preggersINschool25

I'm dealing with all sorts of feeding issues. You could contact early interventions though the state to see if you qualify for services. Speech Therapists work on feeding issues. I wouldn't freak out until he isn't taking enough formula. Try to keep meal time positive and not negative.

pinkshades05

I've dealt with Nat eating hardly anything for a few months but it seems like we are just getting to 3 meals a day finally! Have you talked with your pediatrician about it? I remember your bf issues back a while ago. Do you have an appt coming up?

For us, it was just Nat growing into needing solids but I don't want to assume that is your problem too in case there is something else going on. In the meantime, formula is still good for him and I always keep Cheerios out for Nat to throw all over the condo and snack on.

BrownMa

Thanks guys, we don't have an appt. until he's 1yr. He used to eat two pouches of food in a sitting. Trust me this was months of getting him to try it. Then he finally would have a little more each day. Now it's like torture to him, I just don't get it!

btartaroind

JB eats pretty well usually but I know he is particular with textures and temperatures. I'm sure you've tried everything, but try to give him the blandest most boring food, and try foods like yogurt and applesauce and oatmeal that are more liquidy like formula/breastmilk. When JB has a picky day one of these foods is always a winner.

jmccall79

Ian goes through picky days. Normally he's a wonderful eater. Then a few days a month, I'd say, he doesn't want anything, even his favorites. I blame it on teething. How many ounces of formula is he getting in a day? More than 24? If so, try withholding a bottle and then offering some food after a while. If it continues, definitely give the ped a call and see what they say.

MollySm

Since Lucia has been sick the past couple of weeks, this has been a problem for us.  She dives away from the spoon, and throws any food we give her on the floor, unless it's bananas.  We've been trying to not fight with her.  She's upped her formula intake a bit.  We just kept offering things we know she likes.  Sometimes if I get a smear of something onto her mouth that she likes (sheppards pie for example), she remembers she likes it and she'll eat it.  It's been completely frustrating, and like you H has been away a lot, and so I've been dealing with it.

But starting last night she's started to get a little better.  And today has been even better.  Her instinct is still to push my hand away, or to throw her food on the floor, but then she remembers she likes food and has been eating a bit.  No where near the amount she was eating before she got sick, but still it's improving.  

As for what to do, I just tried my best not to get frustrated, and to not worry or push too much.  She's very stubborn, so if I push, she won't eat.  Any time I got really worried I just gave her a banana because I knew she'd eat it.  As she got her appetite back I saw it because she started drinking more formula, which made me feel better.   And now that she's eating more she's refusing formula again, which is standard for her.  

pinkshades05

BrownMa:

Thanks guys, we don't have an appt. until he's 1yr. He used to eat two pouches of food in a sitting. Trust me this was months of getting him to try it. Then he finally would have a little more each day. Now it's like torture to him, I just don't get it!

I know how you feel. This has been a gradual process for us, too! Some days she would be hungry but most days she would spit out anything I give her and dump Cheerios on the floor. I know your frustrations because I worried about Nat eating so little! I don't know the solution, though :::sad face:::

michelle7482

Sometimes Madison flat out refuses to eat for me, but if DH is home or a grandparent stops by, she eats for them no problem.
Sonetimes, I move her and she eats better. I have fed her in a booster seat, her piano toy, on the floor, and on my lap. It usually helps. Sometimes she is just sick of her highchair and needs a change of scenery.