anyone having trouble feeding their 14 month old?

Lorena - posted on 01/07/2010

I have the same problem. After a year old babies niet less food because they aren't growing as fast as during the first year. All of the advice about nutricious snacks and eating from your own plate are good. I'll just add that I give my daughter a toddler grow formula bottle at night with about 5-6 teaspoons whole grain based cereal in it just to make sure she's gotten enough and to help her sleep through the night (which she does very well)

Stephanie - posted on 01/06/2010

We have good eating days and bad ones- which from what I've read, is completely normal! I start each meal by feeding her a little, then I turn it over to her and let her feed herself. When she starts getting full, she gets bored and starts slinging stuff. Then, it's time to clean up and get up. Teeth are a huge part of this- we try to make up for her 'under-eating' with lots of healthy snacks. It's also very helpful that my daughter will tell me when she's hungry by saying "snack momma!" Don't be affraid to offer 1 or even 2 snacks between meals- just make sure they're good nutritional choices! They'll eat when they're hungry and sometimes they're just simply not in the mood for what we're offering! (Just like us, we get bored with food choices too!) We LOVE the Gerber Graduate snacks! :)

Carole - posted on 01/05/2010

I would suggest just putting a little bit on his plate or table top at a time and have him ask for more....this will prevent him from throwing and give him a sense of control over his intake. when he begins to throw his food...meal time is over...take him out of his chair to discourage that kind of behaviour...he will soon get the idea... let me know how that goes... good luck and all the best....

Ashley - posted on 01/05/2010

my 14 month old is going through the same thing now and i dont force him to eat, he wants a cup of milk over his food.... hes 32 pounds and 32 inches tall so i dont worry bout him not eating since hes already the size of a 2-3 yr old.... the docs dont say ne thing kuz hes already a big boy n everythiong is going as plaenned in his growth charts!

Melissa - posted on 01/05/2010

Don't feel bad it happens. My 14 month old is going through the same thing right now. I do sit him down at meals to eat and let him feed himself then if he doesn't eat it all I make sure we have good snacks on hand in between meals such as crackers, or fruit, etc. This seems to work pretty well. Also my little guy is on a sippy cup and I warm his milk in his cup before he goes to bed. Having something warm even if its just a drink will help him sleep better. Warm milk fills up little bellies! Hope his helps you a little.

Belinda - posted on 01/05/2010

I would suggest small portions of different food varieties. And if you premake these and keep them in the fridge or freezer it makes it a whole lot easier at dinner time.
eg. this is what I usually feed my 15 month old - rice or pasta with a meat & steamed vege mix; half a slice of buttered wholemeal bread; sliced fruit like peaches or pears; yoghurt or custard.
I'm considering changing my son's name to Dyson or Hoover...
unless we're out and his attention is side tracked, he insists on feeding himself. He now wears a long sleeved painting smock, but I just shake the food back into his bowl and he keeps eating.
Good luck

Breanne - posted on 01/04/2010

I wouldn't worry too much unless they're getting sick or losing weight. Remember with teething too sometimes it hurts them to eat or suck or even drink. Just let them go at their own pace, they wont stave themselves. Also try varying their diet, give them new things to try and keep it fun!

http://menuplanner.gerber.com/Home/Dashb...

It's a fun site. I can't register because I am Canadian but I can still use the information and print stuff off.

Babitha - posted on 01/04/2010

I too have the same prob. He used 2 even bring his milk up on purpose by putting his fingers in his mouth, he's stopped that. But he's always been a poor eater, i have to keep at it for awhile and he isnt getting enough. :(
He drinks alot of milk though.

Chryso - posted on 01/04/2010

I have the exact same problem with my 14month old!!! He used to eat everything in site and now he hardly eats anything. I'm like you I don't force him to eat but I put food I know he likes out for him to snack on between scheduled meals. For example, I leave a plate (HIS big boy plate) with banana on it or a bowl (again HIS big boy bowl) with cheerios in and let him nibble when he likes. I feel bad that he doesn't eat much but I think as you offer food regularly they will eat when they want. I've started giving him a bowl of weatabix before his bath before he goes to bed, he doesn't eat much but at least he's filled up then give him Cow and Gate night time milk (again he doesn't drink it all) and hes usually really full when he goes to bed. It gets annoying but he's doing OK and is a healthy, active wee lad.

Annette - posted on 01/03/2010

My daughetr is almost 15 months. I put her plate in front of her and let her pick at the food as I am feeding her spoonfuls. When she starts to get bored, I give her the spoon, with the food on it. After doing that for a while, I let her use the spoon herself to get some food. I found that if she is actively involved, she doesn't get irritated when eating.

best wishes!

Heidi - posted on 01/03/2010

I have had the same problem with my daughter. When she is teeting she will hardly eat anything except pretzel rods and sometimes she doesn't even want anything to do with her cup. I know that she will eat when she is hungry. And if she wakes up in the middle of the night, I don't give her anything. This gaurantees her eating a big breakfast. Plus, I try not to let her fill up on junk in between meals and then she eats more. Hope this helps.

Breanne - posted on 01/02/2010

My son is similar. I let him feed himself and he'll throw food and his fork or spoon when he's done or just to play. What I do now is I give him his own utensil and while he's trying to figure his own out I use another one and feed him and he graciously accepts. He gets a few bites in on his own and then I feed him most of it. When he starts to get really bad with throwing I end the meal. Sometimes depending how late dinner was I give him some oatmeal before bed to keep him full through out the night. Good Luck.

Andrea - posted on 01/02/2010

Hi Dionna, I know how you feel, I went and am still going through the same thing. I use to get so upset that my son wasn't getting enough nutrients, but then I read some books, and googled lol, and I found that all of the resources said that at around 8 months to sometimes 1 year and half, your child may develop these habits and that there very normal. My suggestion to you and what I found helped for me, is still offer your son whatever your planning on feeding him, and most of it will probably end up on the floor, but he will still get enough food in him, and if he's not eating alot, don't worry as long as he has plenty of water and milk ( whatever form your feeding him), he will be just fine. There is some days my son eats so much you would think I m starving him, and others he just not interested. I tried to force feed my son if he wasn't eating anything, and it just became a power struggle. There at this stage where they want to do things on there own. Be patient and don't worry. If it becomes a major problem and your noticing a drop in his weight then go see your doctor. I hope this helps you. Good luck with everything.

Andrea Hansen

Debs - posted on 01/02/2010

my son has been the same very independant plus also been recently ill so keep an eye on them in case coming down with something
i keep a munchie plate with dried fruit sandwich etc available for him thru the day so at least he is getting something to eat

Stefanie - posted on 01/02/2010

feed him more often. I give my daughter a plate with food on it and a spoon, its gonna be a mess but she is learning. first thing the plate is turned over and half the food is the dogs treat, but i just feed her every few hours. I give her a sippy with milk at bedtime and this usually holds her through the night. She sleeps from 11-12 hours at night

Ginny - posted on 01/01/2010

I have the same issues. My doc told me that as long as I am offering the food my son won't let himself starve. What she said I can do to make sure he is getting enough of the right nutrients is when he does just want to drink (as he is getting up at night to eat) is to use a pediasure type drink. I like the gerber graduates smart sips.

Amanda - posted on 01/01/2010

My son is doing the same thing. He has never slept through the night though. This week he has been waking more due to teething issues. I agree with offering him another meal during the day or always have something out for him to munch on. My son likes peas so when he seems to be munchy I have a little bowl of peas that I offer him. Basically it is normal and just try your best to at least offer the food.

Melissa - posted on 01/01/2010

teething has alot to do with it at this age too, my daughter goes through stages. some days she eats like a horse and other days all she wants is a bottle...but if im afraid shes not getting enough nutrition on those days i give her pediasure or mix a little babyfood and milk together in a bottle (with a split nipple) so at least she's getting nutrition...

Caz - posted on 01/01/2010

have u tried introducing an additional meal during the day to make up the balance of what he isnt getting when feeding himself. They really do need to explore with food at these ages and I do understand ur concerns, I have 3 boys at the moment with another baby on the way lol Life is a learning process for us all, and especially for our little cherubs

Alison - posted on 01/01/2010

Mine isnt the best eater either at fourteen months. Still prefers breast to food!! We have some success with letting her have hand food...eg a roast potatoe she can hold or roast carrots etc etc...she has never eaten mashed up food..she just point blank refuses it. That said she is active and happy and hitting all her milestones and the docs dont seem concerned. My other children were all great eaters at this stage so i am a bit baffled. Maybe try letting her hold her food. (and if it makes you feel any better mine wakes regularly for breast feeding too ;-) )

Valeria - posted on 12/31/2009

Hi Dionna, I have the same problem with my 14 mth old son. I would start to feed him and after about three spoonfuls, he doesn't want anymore when other babies his age are eating a plate full. I notice sometimes when i let him eat from my plate, he eats more than he does if i am feeding him from his plate. I stop worrying about the way he eats because he is still putting on weight. He also still wakes up at nights to breastfeed.

AMALIA - posted on 12/30/2009

Hi , i have the same problem :) i don't know how to resolve the problem but i try to let him feed himself and give him from my plate also and he eat it because it is food from mommy's plate :) i hope you understand what i'm writing here because my english is'nt so good :)