Inconsistent solids eater question

Sept07b2b · December 2012

So my DD is driving me BSC in the eating department!! She is SO inconsistent, and I end up wasting SO much food! She never took to purees, and typically doesn't like to eat off a spoon, so I've been trying to give her foods that she can pick up herself, but she doesn't seem to like a lot of the typical foods (could be a doesn't like "smushy" feeling), like banana, avocado, mashed potato, etc.

The only thing she will consistently eat is yogurt, but I'm a little concerned it's messing with her tummy a bit, so I don't want to give it to her every day yet. She will usually eat pasta, though not always. We try to give her what we are eating for dinner, and that's sort of hit or miss. She'll usually eat it if she's sitting in my lap, but that's a whole different issue.

My biggest concern is what to pack her for daycare! Since she's so inconsistent with food, I never know what I should send! I want to be sure she actually eats a breakfast and a lunch, but some days I pick her up and they say she refused everything I sent (and they really try - sometimes they are able to get her to eat foods I can't get her to eat!).

I'm just totally at my wits end with this eating thing!! My DS ate everything and anything, so this is totally new to me, and I don't know whether I should be freaking out about the fact that some days she really won't eat any solids. When I asked our pedi at her 9 month, he didn't seem too concerned, but now she's 10 months! How in the world is she supposed to be off BM by a year! I can't get the girl to eat any fruits or vegetables.

Anyone else have a LO that still isn't really into solids? Am I alone here? Also, on a somewhat related issue, what do you working moms do about breakfast? DD nurses right after she wakes up, so she's not hungry for breakfast for a least an hour or so, but by then we're out the door. Any able to give their LO's breakfast shortly after nursing or a morning bottle? Have people started giving breakfast before a bottle or nursing?

Sorry this is so long! Thanks for reading this far!

ssimon621 · December 2012

I can only help with some of your questions. DD eats any and everything so I can't help with that. But as far as food is concerned I know my Pedi told me that it doesn't really matter what she eats, just get her to eat with a concentration on healthy foods of course.

DD stopped nursing in the morning before daycare at about 6 months, but she nurses over night so that's probably why. In the morning I usually feed her a puree with oatmeal mixed in or scrambled eggs, but she does have waffles on occassion. I feed her before going to daycare because she takes her first nap within 30 minutes of arriving and has a bottle before she goes down.

For lunch she may eat a puree, yogurt or rarely small pieces of finger foods. I would prefer to send more finger foods, but she is in an in home center and she usually feeds her off the spoon because there is no high chair. For finger foods she will eat chicken, peas, carrots, cheese, banana, sweet potatoes cut in cubes, etc. I also send a snack of grapes, cheese, cheerios, mum mums or these Earth's Best organic snacks. I've even given her grilled cheese before.

For dinner she will eat something similar to her lunch and sometimes she will eat some of what we are having. But usually she is in bed before I cook dinner.

If I were you I would just continue giving her a variety of foods. Sometimes DD doesn't want to eat off the spoon, but if I put some finger foods on her tray she will go back and forth between the spoon and finger foods. I also like to put a variety of items on her tray, very rarely do I put one item on there. She loves grapes, cheese and cheerios together.

preggersINschool25 · December 2012

We have feeding issues. We did a swallow study to make sure he wasn't aspirating his food. He isn't, but food is penetrating his airway which could cause discomfort. My next step is to see a nutritionist or dietitian for help on getting him to eat more/ get him on more solids. Are you having weight issues too?

Sept07b2b · December 2012

preggersINschool25:
We have feeding issues. We did a swallow study to make sure he wasn't aspirating his food. He isn't, but food is penetrating his airway which could cause discomfort. My next step is to see a nutritionist or dietitian for help on getting him to eat more/ get him on more solids. Are you having weight issues too?

Not really, but she has fallen a bit in her weight curve. She's gone from about 70% for weight at birth to 38% weight at 9 month check-up, but gradually (60% at 2 months, 50% at 6 months). I just assumed that was because she was a BF baby and BF babies typically gain weight slower. My pediatrician didn't seem concerned with her weight gain, and she drinks her bottles at daycare like a champ, but of course, I'm a little concerned, which is why I really want to get her to eat!

preggersINschool25 · December 2012

I'm a FTM, so take this with a grain of salt. I understand that toddlers appear to eat very little and this is common. So as long as your LO is taking bottles, I wouldn't be too concerned.

heymommy · December 2012

When it is meal time put the food in front of her and let her have her time to eat. If she does not eat she can eat at the next meal. Just fix the food and offer it. What more can you do?

And offer a variety. Don't get sucked into - " oh she will just eat pancakes and then only serve pancakes".

MollySm · December 2012

I agree with PPs, I wouldn't worry too much. If she's really enjoying breast milk, she's probably not very hungry. As she weans she'll probably get more hungry, as long as you don't let her fill up in WCM. As she gets closer to 1, if you are planning on weaning I would probably try solids first, then BFing so she is actually hungry for the food and has time to get used to solids as a source of nutrition.

hayliedc · December 2012

I wouldn't worry. I've asked my pedi how much Lyla should be eating in solids each day and he said he didn't care. He wants her to at least have 24-27oz of formula. He said just to play around with the solids to get her used to texture, thickness, etc. Anytime she has been sick he says to not bother with the solids until she is better. At this point, their main nutrition is supposed to come from BM/F and the solids they take in are just extra and more about getting them used to them.

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