My 9 month old won't eat

Martha - posted on 12/10/2012

I'm not sure why he won't eat but if you are concerned it's a health issue, maybe you should consults his doctor. I think a pediatrician would have the best advice/experience with situations like these. I don't have a suggestion on what he should eat but I do suggest you search for more advice and ask for a doctor's help if he continues to not eat. Maybe this article might help you : http://bit.ly/V7JsT6.

Mehwish - posted on 12/10/2012

My 9 month old daughter won't eat, She use to be a healthy little girl but she'll drink like two 6 oz bottles a day and that about it. I tried cooking her different kinds ov meals and just about everything! Any ideas on why my 9 month old won't eat? Any suggestions on getting my 9 month old to eat???

Melissa - posted on 06/12/2009

I dont think I said anything better about why her 9 month old won't eat, just differant and everyone had one good idea or more... she just will choose what fits for her and baby

Mel - posted on 06/12/2009

ahh great advice as always Melissa. you say things much better then me haha

Melissa - posted on 06/12/2009

Sorry has it been hot where you live. if so I noticed my son has switched his lunch feed to nurse..I kept trying differannt foods but he prefers to nurse at nine months old I would keep offerin fluids and maybe until he goes back to eating the way he used to just offer smaller bits of food more often...at nine months it should not teach him poor eating habits to do that ..is he still sleeping well. urine is not strong smelling and wetting diapers as he did before with normal stools....has he been fatigued dry cracked lips (sign of dehydration). I would keep on with fluids.....and if your concern is a strong one just so see your doctor you trustvand that may make you feel more at ease.





I do not think you will get just one answer for why your 9 month old won't eat, you will get a few and pic apart each one and take what you want from them..... I hope you luck and feel free to message me if you have any more questions on aprox calory intake or signs of dehydraion or anything you like..... but if you are infact worried please see your doctor they may give you some advice to use pedialyte or something else and they may be able to watch your sons weight it may not be anything but a little eating change for a few days... but only you know your son and if he is acting more sleepy or doing less activites and such....I do know some kids only want to drink while teething I ended up buying my daughter the pedialyte freezies because of a similar situation.

Chantel - posted on 06/12/2009

This thread got a little hijacked!! I agree with most of the previous posters on why your 9 month old won't eat. A baby won't starve themselves. Its probably teething and I agree you should make sure he drinks as much as you can get him to. Formula would be best but if he'd rather drink juice or water let him. Especially if the weather is hot where you are. They can dehydrate very easily so I would be more concerned with fluids rather than solids. I actually just noticed this thread was started a couple of days ago. Is he eating better now?

Mel - posted on 06/12/2009

so what does that show Amanda? like i said there my daughter just wont eat or drink. she didnt know how to but is now capable of it. things change. but she is still being tube fed even tho she is quite capable of doing it herself so what does this prove? if you really have to go looking things up from extremely old threads back when my daughter did actually have some problems then i think your life is very sad

Amanda - posted on 06/12/2009

Posted by Melissa Donnelly (April 23, 10:08 pm)

No its not Amanda aspiration has nothing to do with alcohol during pregnancy considering that is never one of the questions they asked me while trying to treat my daughter no i do not nothing causes aspiration it just happens and my daughter is perfectly healthy now the only reason she has a NG tube is because she doesnt know how to drink or eat.





*Just thought I'd share this from another thread* :0)

Jackie - posted on 06/12/2009

You know your advice was poor. You know the riskes of dehydration and how important fluids are to any child no matter what age they are. Just because you post it doesn't make it automatically helpful. Encouraging someone to dehydrate their child more *by telling them to offer solids before liquids to a child who is only taking 2 bottles a day to begin with* just to promote your cause is not only careless and thoughtless its just neglectful and uncalled for. Don't worry I won't be responding to you any more; I have better ways to handle your trolling and attacking.

Mel - posted on 06/12/2009

well first of all , you dont tell someone oh ignore this ladys post you say your opinion and move on. so yes you were attacking me or i wouldn't have said anyway. geez. and im not america. i think i would shoot myself if i was nothing against them some of them are very nice. babies are given feeding tubes when thet wont eat simple as that its either that or they starve to death i know which id rather. your obviously not an expert on this topic ive been using them for over 12 months so i think i know a little more then you. anyway move on PM me if u want to continue the crap cause im not going to respond anymore, just in future think before you post something against someone who has given helpful advice

Jackie - posted on 06/12/2009

Again with the name calling and taking over a perfectly fine forum to spit out your jibberish. Maybe its an american thing to give feeding tubes to children who are physically capiable of eating... maybe its yourself in denial. Either way, it doesn't make you right and doesn't give you the right to act so immaturely attack every mom you don't agree with. Again check yourself, breath, and think about why you are posting calling names and attack people who you don't agree with!

Mel - posted on 06/12/2009

haha i dnt take things personally i simple dont want the OP for questions thinking some dumb ass that talks crap might be right. if they did you might have them thinking oh i cant put rice cereal in the bottle now its a health hazard or maybe even thinking that have to put their baby thru no solids til 6 months and all sorts so yes i am going to correct if they are wrong. sometimes tube fed babies DONT have medical problems.

Jackie - posted on 06/12/2009

NG tubes are for babys who aren't capiable for eating for one MEDICAL reason or another. For example children who can't physical use their mouths properly or have a lung issue which prevents them from being able to nurse/bottle feed.



Secondly, did I call you a name? Did I personally attack you? I have seen you trolling all over the place giving your half ass advice that is totally wrong all over the forums and attacking all those who don't agree with you. You need to check yourself and figure out why you take this all ever so personally.

Mel - posted on 06/12/2009

Quoting Jackie:

Never has a child starved themselves to death intentionally. Babys/toddlers don't need the food we all seem to think they do. They will eat when they are hungry and only when they are hungry. It is important to remember its more about offering the food *liquid or solid* and less about the amount they eat. So long as your child is thriving and your doctor is not concerned I would not stress too much either. Remember your child knows when you are stressed.

The other Moms have mentioned dehydration and I totally agree with them. Liquids need to be offered before solids. Even bottle fed at 9 months most of your childs nurtition is still coming from the bottle so focus on that instead of the solids. At 9 months old it doesn't take much to dehydrate.

Also please ignore Melissa's post... her child has complications that your child doesn't have so it totally doesn't apply!!! And her advice about solids before liquids is terrible advice and won't address the problem of dehydration.

ur whacked lady. there was nothing wrong with my advice. i speak from experience on the topic, im not some stupid idiot who thinks she knows what shes talking about. if you cant say anything nice dont say anything at all and also get ur facts straight. babies dont know what is good for them if certain babies didnt try and starve themselves then why were NG tubes invented. they were invented for babies that dont eat duh

Jackie - posted on 06/11/2009

I just thought of something concerning his age. He is 9 months old which means he is starting or ending a growth spurt. There is a hunger strike that some children do called a "nursing strike" and usually are around growth spurts. Not all children do it. My youngest didn't but my oldest did it all the time around a growth spurt. They never lasted long and the only solution for them is to offer a bottle when you normally would, offer drinks all day long and offer food. And remember its just a physical phase so don't make a big deal about it so it won't become a personality phase or control issue.

Jackie - posted on 06/11/2009

Never has a child starved themselves to death intentionally. Babys/toddlers don't need the food we all seem to think they do. They will eat when they are hungry and only when they are hungry. It is important to remember its more about offering the food *liquid or solid* and less about the amount they eat. So long as your child is thriving and your doctor is not concerned I would not stress too much either. Remember your child knows when you are stressed.



The other Moms have mentioned dehydration and I totally agree with them. Liquids need to be offered before solids. Even bottle fed at 9 months most of your childs nurtition is still coming from the bottle so focus on that instead of the solids. At 9 months old it doesn't take much to dehydrate.



Also please ignore Melissa's post... her child has complications that your child doesn't have so it totally doesn't apply!!! And her advice about solids before liquids is terrible advice and won't address the problem of dehydration.

Cynthia - posted on 06/10/2009

teething? most likely is whats causing your 9 month old to stop eating. offer breastmilk/formula often. try some teething remedies and see how your wee one responds. if none available tylenol will help. base it on weight not age...look on bottle for instructions. good luck.

Mel - posted on 06/10/2009

at 9 months he should be eating more then he is drinking his main nutrition should be the food, but is he gaining weight still? my daughter has to have 4 big bottle a day because even at 14 months we have tried her on 3 but she lost 250 grams in 2 weeks. she was FTT and after 2 months they put an ng tube in and shes had it ever since so i think it there was a serious problem your health visitor would tell you. the only advice i can give is making sure that food is offered before the bottle so that his tummy does not fill up with milk and persistence with offering any many different kids and textures of foods such as finger foods and mashed/pureed, food off the soon like yogurt and custard, pureed vegies etc and try putting a bowl of say mince and shaghetti in front of him with some cheese see how he goes. try things like boiled vegies, slices of fruit, slices of cheese, fish finger, crackers and toast with spreads. if your 9 month old won't eat well add extra calories to the food he eats by putting in butter, cream and cheese

Kayla - posted on 06/10/2009

Maybe your 9 month old wont eat because of teething , the doc's say if the babies are hungry, they will eat. You should probably check with the pediatician though, just to make sure all is well.

Cristina - posted on 06/10/2009

I try my best to keep him hydrated he thinks straws are so interesting so i put apple juice sometimes water in the straw and give it to him that way, but i cant seem to trick him with putting formula in it he pushes it away when i put formula. He just got two teeth pushing through about 2 weeks ago so that could be why my 9 month old won't eat. Thanks for the suggestions.

Kathleen - posted on 06/10/2009

Mine did it. Called the ped. he said dont' worry about it. Just making sure my son had the food offered and keep him well hydrated he should be fine. I also noticed around that time he grazed so i'd make sure he had water cups around and in his snack trays of all his toys I made sure he had cereal to munch on.
Yea make sure wet diapers are more than 4 or something a day....and if they cry they have to have tears, if they don't you have to call right away.
My son is now a 1yr old and very healthy. Although he seemed to loose a bit more weight right before he turned one. So doc recommended to start toddler formula. In one week he gained it all back.

also finding new interesting ways to get the child to eat. sometimes I make egg smiley toasts or toad in a hole. Cutting a smiley face out of bread or just a hole, and frying it up with an egg in it. I cut his sammy's with a cookie cutter.
Sometimes even offering brightly colored food will do it too. My son LOVES carrots. He now likes brussel sprouts and will pick them out of his food hahahah.

so, if you really concerned call the doc. Can make you feel better. As long as he is hydrated and gaining weight I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just offer it to him. He'll eat what he wants.

Tara - posted on 06/10/2009

I am actually having the same problem with my 8 month old right now. She used to chow down everyday and is now only taking a couple of bottles and not even eating the solids that I give her. I am interested in what other moms have to say about this as well. I think my daughter's problem is that she has 2 teeth peeking through right now and I think it hurts her to eat. Is your son teething at all? Is he still having wet and dirty diapers? I would be concerned about dehydration- perhaps you should call your son's pediatrician and see what they think? Good luck- hope everything gets better with the feedings!

Melissa - posted on 06/12/2009

I dont think I said anything better about why her 9 month old won't eat, just differant and everyone had one good idea or more... she just will choose what fits for her and baby

Melissa - posted on 06/12/2009

Sorry has it been hot where you live. if so I noticed my son has switched his lunch feed to nurse..I kept trying differannt foods but he prefers to nurse at nine months old I would keep offerin fluids and maybe until he goes back to eating the way he used to just offer smaller bits of food more often...at nine months it should not teach him poor eating habits to do that ..is he still sleeping well. urine is not strong smelling and wetting diapers as he did before with normal stools....has he been fatigued dry cracked lips (sign of dehydration). I would keep on with fluids.....and if your concern is a strong one just so see your doctor you trustvand that may make you feel more at ease.





I do not think you will get just one answer for why your 9 month old won't eat, you will get a few and pic apart each one and take what you want from them..... I hope you luck and feel free to message me if you have any more questions on aprox calory intake or signs of dehydraion or anything you like..... but if you are infact worried please see your doctor they may give you some advice to use pedialyte or something else and they may be able to watch your sons weight it may not be anything but a little eating change for a few days... but only you know your son and if he is acting more sleepy or doing less activites and such....I do know some kids only want to drink while teething I ended up buying my daughter the pedialyte freezies because of a similar situation.

Chantel - posted on 06/12/2009

This thread got a little hijacked!! I agree with most of the previous posters on why your 9 month old won't eat. A baby won't starve themselves. Its probably teething and I agree you should make sure he drinks as much as you can get him to. Formula would be best but if he'd rather drink juice or water let him. Especially if the weather is hot where you are. They can dehydrate very easily so I would be more concerned with fluids rather than solids. I actually just noticed this thread was started a couple of days ago. Is he eating better now?

Cynthia - posted on 06/10/2009

teething? most likely is whats causing your 9 month old to stop eating. offer breastmilk/formula often. try some teething remedies and see how your wee one responds. if none available tylenol will help. base it on weight not age...look on bottle for instructions. good luck.

Mel - posted on 06/10/2009

at 9 months he should be eating more then he is drinking his main nutrition should be the food, but is he gaining weight still? my daughter has to have 4 big bottle a day because even at 14 months we have tried her on 3 but she lost 250 grams in 2 weeks. she was FTT and after 2 months they put an ng tube in and shes had it ever since so i think it there was a serious problem your health visitor would tell you. the only advice i can give is making sure that food is offered before the bottle so that his tummy does not fill up with milk and persistence with offering any many different kids and textures of foods such as finger foods and mashed/pureed, food off the soon like yogurt and custard, pureed vegies etc and try putting a bowl of say mince and shaghetti in front of him with some cheese see how he goes. try things like boiled vegies, slices of fruit, slices of cheese, fish finger, crackers and toast with spreads. if your 9 month old won't eat well add extra calories to the food he eats by putting in butter, cream and cheese

Kayla - posted on 06/10/2009

Maybe your 9 month old wont eat because of teething , the doc's say if the babies are hungry, they will eat. You should probably check with the pediatician though, just to make sure all is well.

Cristina - posted on 06/10/2009

I try my best to keep him hydrated he thinks straws are so interesting so i put apple juice sometimes water in the straw and give it to him that way, but i cant seem to trick him with putting formula in it he pushes it away when i put formula. He just got two teeth pushing through about 2 weeks ago so that could be why my 9 month old won't eat. Thanks for the suggestions.