Difficulty feeding

Amberrrr

Meal times are becoming a very frustrating part of the day that I'm almost starting to dread them.  DS yells at me while he's in his high chair, and then he eats like a bird. I don't think he's eating enough at all. He's in the 30th percentile for his weight. I try feeding him three meals a day, and plenty of snacks, but it is such a battle and I'm getting really frustrated. I try to encourage him to eat. I have tried eating with him, but it doesn't really help.

He'll only eat snack foods! Like puffs, crackers, goldfish, etc. So of course I give things like that to him all day just to make up for the fact that he isn't eating enough at meals. If I don't offer those, he just won't eat much at all. At meal times I offer purees AND finger foods. He just nibbles. 

Any advice? 

laurn321

I have no specific advice other than to say I commiserate. Leo went from eating anything and everything to being very selective... literally overnight. Apparently it's totally normal for them to reduce their food intake at 1 year. Does he take pouches? At the very least you'd know he's getting some veggies in there.

 

Also, I read this book and it changed  my whole perspective on feeding (and helped me relax a lot because it explained what's going on in their bodies right now):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00785YLYG/ref=docs-os-doi_0 

pinkshades05

We are going through the same thing. Nat could care less about eating anything other than cheerios and puffs. It drives me insane, but I can't let this be a battle or else I will lose every time. The best I can do is offer fruits, veggies, proteins, etc. first and then snacks later.

ssimon621

Skyler eats pretty well, breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner and a decent amount at each.  She is in the 25th percentile for weight, she is just petite.  I'm petite, and DH is pretty average so I wouldn't really expect anything else.

That being said, I would stop offering snacks.  If he knows he will get a snack food he won't eat, plus he won't be starving at meal times if he's constantly getting snacks.  I believe snack time should be just like a meal and offered at a consistent time, not all day long and if my kid seemed hungry enough she would get two snacks per day.  I would not offer snacks for a few days and offer a wide variety of items at meal times.  If he likes fruit, offer fruit and work towards other items like veggies.  If he hates veggies try mixing them into other things.  I made Skyler pancakes with carrots the other day and she loved them, but I know she loves carbs so I just made them healthier.  How about sweet potato fries made in the oven?  And if purees work, give him purees until he will eat more whole foods.

MollySm

I agree about stopping the snacks. And whatever milk you are giving, I'd only give it after the meal. Other than that I'd just offer healthy foods and try not to worry. Unless you think there is a real medical problem, he'll eat when he's hungry, unless he knows to hold out because snacks are coming.