DS is not eating

jrc2009 · August 2013

I'm starting to feel like the worst mother alive! I offer my son food at every meal and for 2 snacks, but we're lucky if he eats 3 bites of food at each meal. I honestly cannot remember the last time he's eaten a good meal. Of course there are a few foods that he will eat, but they are far and few between (and they are not very healthy. Like hot dogs, Mac n cheese, etc.). I know its the worst possible thing to do, but in the evening when he hasn't eaten all day i give him a go-to snack i know he will eat. I don't want him to go to bed hungry! Our pedi has always said that he will eat when he's hungry but I'm getting a little worried. I weighed him a few days ago and he only weighs 24.9 pounds. He weighed 24.7 pounds at his 12 month well baby check and 24.4 at his 18 month checkup. Our pedi didnt seem worried at his last appointment, but it just breaks my heart! He hasn't gained any weight in a year

he has a lot of energy so I'm sure he's burning off whatever he manages to eat. He does drink water and milk daily, with juice on occasion. He seems to be reaching his milestones, but I'm just so afraid he's not fueling his brain and body. Any help would be appreciated (yes the bedtime snack will be cut out soon)! Thanks

michelle7482 · August 2013

I have a similar problem. My daughter likes 8-10 foods, if that and sometimes she barely eats anything. She's only gained 2 lbs in 7 months. I constantly feed her the same foods over and over that I know she likes and will eat like waffles, pancakes, bananas, and pastina. It's super frustrating but you are not alone! I am not comfortable sending her to bed without eating yet. When she can communicate with me, I might not give in as much, but she's still a baby so I'm gonna feed her what she wants. People can criticize but I dont care!!

zbeesma86 · August 2013

Just keep offering and like your pedi said, they will eat when they are hungry.

DD is the same- she likes a handful of foods AND only eats foods she can feed herself. She is very independent. So anything on a spoon she refuses! Shakes her head or swats out of her face! Can yogurt be a finger food? haha

Anyway- as long as pedi is okay and not concerned- don't worry mama! Our babies little bodies are changing and growing everyday! DD just went through a growth spurt and ate like a champ... today she is back to eating like a bird- picking and choosing and eating small amounts.

JENandJEH · August 2013

I would just keep offering (I always make sure to offer one thing I KNOW he'll eat with the meal and then 2 or 3 other things) and if he doesn't want to eat, I don't offer other foods. My husband is the pickiest eater I know and I think his mom letting him always have a PB&J if he didn't want his meal is part of why. Kids won't starve themselves.

Also, as for the weight, they aren't going to gain like they did when they were younger infants. Staying steady at this age is fairly normal. DS1 hovered around 25lbs from 1.5-2.5 then hit a growth spurt and hovered at that for awhile, too. We had to go to the doc for something last week and he's still 42lbs at 5y 4m (he was 42lbs when he went for his bday in April).

sunnyday016 · August 2013

DS eats about one decent meal per day and the other meals he just kind of picks at or throws on the floor. We really try to offer him at least one thing we know he will eat, along with a bit of what we're having to introduce him to new things. If he doesn't eat, then that's his choice. He won't starve, and there will always be the next meal.

I don't think the not gaining much between 1-2y is a big deal. LOs grow taller and are so much more active during that year that it is normal. If your pedi isn't worried, I wouldn't stress it.

DS is not eating

Re: DS is not eating

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