Having trouble with my 15 month old's eating habits.

Jenny - posted on 04/26/2010

Same here. Son is 15months and he's stopped eating sceduked meals.The nutritionist said that toddlers dont need scheduled feedings like infants. This is a time of independence for them learn to do things on their own. He will let you know when he's hungry. All my little one does drink juice and milk. He won eat without having a drink first. Its normal

Katherine - posted on 04/24/2010

Most likely he doesn't want to eat a full meal because he is teething. Just make sure he gets healthy snack and meals without the day.

Dominique - posted on 04/20/2010

My daughter is exactly the same age and she wont eat either. Apparently this is normal since they are probably cutting teething. Make sure that you have him on a good multivitamin (ask your GP or clinic midwife to suggest a suitable one) then he should be fine. There is also a meal supplement called Pediasure - I am in South Africa, so not sure if they have it there too, but when Mika wont eat, I just give her that and it is the equalivilant of a full meal

Amanda - posted on 04/20/2010

I have twin daughters who are 15 months. One of them will eat almost anything, the other one is a hit and miss when it comes to eating decent meals. When I asked their pediatrician about that she told me that toddlers are known to eat when they want, and can skip meals. That is normal and they will eat when they are hungry. So I just let her do her thing. I put her up to the table for every meal, but after we offer her food and milk, and she decides that she is done we let her get down (she stays at the table for about 15 minutes and munches here and there on things. ) sometimes it helps to give her dry cereal instead of what we are eating b/c thats what she wants to eat. I wouldn't let it bother you, or ask your doctor if you are really concerned. Hope this helps.

Jane - posted on 04/19/2010

babycenter.com
you can sign up and it will email you weekly updates on behaviors. the first kids is always a lot of questions and worries.

Denise - posted on 04/19/2010

we just went to 15 month appt on Friday and my pediatrician laughed when she asked us about whether Jayde was picky. From what I have read and heard, you can't look at their diets the way you would an adults or an older child's. You have to look at all of their food combined for a week. Is your child getting enough nutrition? Plus their appetites are shrinking. Maybe he just seems to eat small meals now because it's much less than you're used to.

Emma - posted on 04/18/2010

sometimes they hardly eat because they are teething my son is like that every time he has a new tooth coming through so dont be to worried he might be eating alot soon

Jennifer - posted on 04/18/2010

So normal! Our almost 15 month old isn't very interested in sitting to eat much either lately. He's must too busy walking and running and exploring! Children go through so many stages with eating--sometimes they're eating anything and everything and then the next week it seems like they're living on air, they take in so little. If your toddler is healthy and growing normally and developing normally, I wouldn't worry. Just keep offering a variety of healthy food throughout the day and he will eat when he's hungry. He may eat very little at one sitting and then eat up everything at the next--over the day I'm sure it will balance out and he'll be getting what he needs.

Sara - posted on 04/18/2010

I started giving him the carnation breakfast essentials in the morning, because he isnt a big breakfast eater... and then around lunch time he snacks.. but later in the afternoon is totally ready to sit down and eat an actual meal.

Lynette - posted on 04/16/2010

super normal for this age!!! Once he hits a growth spurt he'll eat more again. This is where I love breastfeeding. At least I know they are getting my milk so I don't have to worry so much when they go on these food kicks

Sara - posted on 04/16/2010

Thank you so much ladies... things have gotten a little easier! =]
Thanks again for your wonderful advice!

-Sara.

Kelly - posted on 04/16/2010

We just went through this with our 15 month old. She did this for about 2 weeks. I tried everything! And then my husband who was out of town at the time suggested baby food the meals in the jar and it worked!! Now she's back to a normal appetite and normal "big kid" food! And she was also teething so she didn't want to chew. Hope this helps.

Hayley - posted on 04/16/2010

I think right now they are asserting their independence, and testing our trustworthiness. Will we as parents keep our respect for them and not force them to eat, even though our own anxiety says "You Must Eat!"? Will we continue to offer all the healthy foods even when they don't eat them? Do remember, your LO will not allow himself to starve. And truly, "grazing" is a healthier way to eat. Just try to make "meals" very distinct from all the in between stuff. Not in content, but presentation. Perhaps have every meal at the table together (as much of your family is present). Other grazing can be done individually in other locations. Then when he is older, meals will remain distinct in his memory, and as part of his life.

Honestly, don't sweat it too much. The PolyViSol and sunlight and "hidden veggie" juice is a great idea to help put your mind at ease that he is getting at least the bare minimum of what vitamins he needs. But really, just keep offerring and being patient, and let him get through this on his own. If you force him, you'll be betraying his trust, and possibly creating a future eating disorder, and setting yourself up for a relationship of power-struggle (which will happen eventually anyway like-it-or-not, so why rush it?!). This too shall pass.

Amber - posted on 04/16/2010

my girl is 14.5 mths and she just started doing that too. Two weeks ago she could get enought food and now she picking at all her meals. I read somewhere that they usually go through this phase around this age so it's just a matter of waiting it out. He could be teething again too, I know my daughter becomes a picky eater when she is. As long as you continue to offer him foods throughout the day and give a him multivitamin drops, he'll be good. The juice that has veggies and fruit is a good idea too, We give our daughter that but water it down a bit.

Jasmine - posted on 04/15/2010

I too am having difficulties with trying to get my son to eat during the day.
I will put the food in front of him and if he chooses to eat than great, but if not
that hopefully he will be hungry by the next meal. Listen to your baby,
he will eat when hes ready to. I know for myself its hard not to force him to eat,
but at the endof the day I know he isnt starving or anything.

Amber - posted on 04/15/2010

My son now refuses most veggies which he used to love and if that is all you give him he will just refuse to eat. My son has been above average for height and weight so I am not concerned when he refuses to eat. I too was worried about him not getting the right vitamins. I give him the poly vi sol vitamin drops in his milk once a day then I know he is getting some vitamins. I also make sure he gets plenty of time in the sun for some extra vitamin d now that it is nice out. I also found this juice by adam and eve called fruitables that has fruits and veggies but tastes like just fruit juice it has no artificial sweetners so I try getting my son to drink one of those a day too.