Why won't my children eat?

ashnlewi · October 2013

I am having major feeding issues with my 6 month old. She is formula fed and flat out refuses the bottle most of the time. The only way I can really get her to eat is to feed her asleep. For example today, she had 16 oz, and she will likely not be willing to eat again until 10 or 11 am.

The same thing happened with my DD1 starting around 4 months. We tried reflux meds, seeing a speech therapist, etc., but nothing worked. It caused me major anxiety, so I'm trying to be more relaxed about it this time around, but it is so frustrating to not be able to feed your child! Sorry for the book, I'm just at my wits end and need to vent. Is anybody having these same issues or any suggestions? Thanks!

momofmanyinthemitten · October 2013

Is she eating solids as well? Have you tried putting it in a sippy cup?

ashnlewi · October 2013

I've not pushed solids too much in hopes that she would take her bottles. Maybe a tablespoon or so. She took 5 oz at 6 last night and at 10 am she would only take an ounce from her bottle. And I've tried it in a sippy, but she just lets it run out if her mouth.

maritimeme · October 2013

I was seriously going to post about this yesterday. I feel your pain. I BF but it seems like most days she pulls off after about 3 mins of nursing and won't nurse until 3-4 hours later. I offer over and over and she just pushes me away or latches for just a minute or so.

We started solids too and she eats about 1.5 tbs in the morning and evening. I was afraid it was impacting her nursing but she really has been like this since 3-4 months. I swear she can't be getting much more than 15oz a day, including her two night feeds. She has some better days and some bad days.

Just wanted to let you know I'm in the same boat although I'm a FTM. It is frustrating and worrisome. DD is very petite 13.5lbs at 6.5 months and I guess she just doesn't have a big appetite and she's too busy to eat. I was the same way when I was a baby. DD is still on her curve from birth (7th percentile).

maritimeme · October 2013

Oh I should add that DD prefers a wide mouth open cup (with assistance) instead of a sippy or straw cup. She will always take a couple of oz of pumped milk that way if I'm really nervous that she hasn't had enough that day.

honeydew01 · October 2013

I don't have an answer for you but I have one of those kids too. Drs say kids don't starve themselves but I always feel like DD takes the minimum to get by, she never seems hungry...

ashnlewi · October 2013

Thanks everyone. It is nice to hear from others going through the same thing. I have to keep reminding myself that she'll eat when she is hungry, but I will be ecstatic when we are done with bottles!

NicoleNielsen59 · October 2013

Oh gosh, I went through this same thing with my DS who is now 5. We ended up taking him to a pediatric GI when he was one and a half who diagnosed him with a food aversion. The GI put him on supplements (Boost 1.5) because his solids intake was near to nothing. Thank goodness he liked the Boost. He gained a few pounds on that. Slowly, he began to grow out of it. Now he just turned 5 and he is definetly a picky eater but way better. We still supplement with Pediasure 3x per day. His weight is at the 15% and his pediatrician says that he is just naturally small.

Want a personalized experience?

Why won't my children eat?

Re: Why won't my children eat?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards