How to feed teething toddler who's fussy?

Shannon - posted on 06/05/2010

MY son used to be a great little eater and would accept everything I gave him, including wheat germ laced items and mashed veggies. He is now going through a similar phase of only wanting bread, cheese, and bananas. It may have something to do with their desire to be independent- he seems to only want the finger foods that he can feed himself and detests me helping feed him with a spoon. I have bought these frozen veggie patties and the like from Happy Babies brand foods and he can feed them to himself without sacrificing the veggies.......

Karen - posted on 06/04/2010

I've got 3 kids and my youngest is your little guy's age. the only food she refuses is bananas. however, my 3 yr old will eat a TON for breakfast, a decent lunch usually, and hardly anything for supper. when talking to my pediatrician, she told me as long as kids are eating at least 5 good meals a WEEK, if they refuse too much more, not to worry too much unless they start losing weight. Aidan sounds like he's teething-- my Calleigh is too and has been miserable. try offering him soft things like yogurt and applesauce if he'll eat that. both are healthy options that might help fill his belly a little. good luck!

Darci - posted on 06/03/2010

My son is the same way when he is teething and right now he is getting 4 new teeth so its a challenge. What I do is don't stress it as long as your baby isn't loosing weight I wouldn't worry about it. Just keep feeding him soft foods and he will eat eventually when he is hungry enough even if it hurts. If you are really concerned try and get him to drink pediasure that should help with getting some nutrients. Try chili it should be fairly easy to eat my son loves it and when he refuses everything else and i know he hasn't eaten much all day I pull out a can or make some from scratch and usually always eats it. Try some berries my son never refuses those even when his mouth hurts. Raspberries are super soft he loves them!

Kelina - posted on 05/27/2010

You can try giving him a spoon of his own and having one of your own. We actually ended up going through 3 spoons with every feeding cause he wanted one in each hand and would always try to steal my spoon. he still did but at least i would get the one he'd drop to pick up mine. And like April, I don't want to be a short order cook so he gets exactly what we eat and if he doesn't want that then tough. He'll eat when he's hungry, he's not going to starve himself. Good luck!

Jenny - posted on 05/25/2010

My daughter is VERY independent (almost 16 months). She is doing well with the spoon and fork but I usually hold the bowl. Depending on what's inside she will hold it herself. When I need to have some control, I will get my own spoon so we can take turns. Sometimes, if only she has the utensil I'll say "Mommy's turn" and she'll hand it over. But she understands about turns and wants the spoon back right away. Then she gives it to me, etc.
I also use this technique with teeth brushing and face/hand washing after a messy meal. I get my turn first. It's helped a great deal, especially when she's a bit tired.
Because of her current independent nature we have learned that using the words "May I help?" is not a good idea if we REALLY need to have something happen.
Hope this is helpful.

Lisa - posted on 05/24/2010

Thanks April and Jenny for feedback. I realise he's been very clingy of late. He went through a phase where he just wanted to walk a lot on his own, now he prefers I carry him when we go for walks to take a look at his favourite thing at the moment - parked motorbikes.

Also, he has been quite fussy about holding the bowl and spoon. If he hasn't got it in his hand, he won't let me feed him. We've been letting him try feeding himself for two months now. He's getting good with yoghurt but with soup and rice and noodles, he ends up pouring half of it onto the floor. I thought I'd feed him a little first and let him have a go but he won't have it. He would either spit it out or shake his hand and fuss. What do I do about getting food into him?

Jenny - posted on 05/24/2010

I have read that babies can go through periods of not eating as much, sometimes teething related and sometimes growth spurt related (go figure!) I'd talk with your pediatrician if you're really concerned. We give our daughter what we are eating, sometimes subbing in baby food veggies. She always tries what we give her but I don't want her not getting the nutrients she needs when she doesn't like the veggies. Broccoli usually wins as do cooked carrots. We don't sub her whole meal, only the veggies.

April - posted on 05/24/2010

First, don't stress out. Babies can read that stress and then mealtime can become a fight. I go on the notion that I am not a short order cook and I don't want to make multiple meals at one mealtime. So I give my 15mo whatever the family is having. She will eat what she wants. If she doesn't eat, I dont stress about it. We keep her normal schedule. Eventually she will make up the calories elsewhere...a couple days down the road, the next day, the next mealtime.

As far as teething, I would expect his molars may be giving him a hard time if he isn't eating. But I would think he would be fussy as well. Just make sure he is feeding himself, trying to use a spoon himself, etc because maybe he wants more independence. And yogurt works well with teething...full of good stuff and the sugar feels good on the gums. I hope this helps.