my 11 month old wont eat very much at all

Candice - posted on 11/20/2009

I had the exact same thing with my daughter. She was breastfed and we started her on some solids around 5-6months. She then started eating 2 meals a day and was loving her food and then she stopped too around 8-9months and just wouldnt really eat anything. I spoke to my nurse about it and she said that at that age she should be having 3 meals a day. She made me feel quite bad. But my daughter was fit and healthy and was very active so i didnt worry. She was not lethargic or anything and she kept growing. Then she started eating again after her first birthday. And then she would eat everything we gave her. Dont worry about forcing your child to eat as they dont really need the food until after 12 months as the first year is all about learning and they should get all they need from breast milk or formula :)



My daughter is now 19 months old and thriving. She eats almost everything we put in front of her. I'm sure it will work out for you. Just dont battle with your son to get him to eat as this can make them dread eating. Just try and make it fun and dont worry too much about messes :)

Petra - posted on 11/22/2009

My kids are 3 and 5 now but I remember them going through different phases as far as eating is concerned. Talk to you pediatrician, that's one of your best resources for questions. This way, you can also rule out any medical issues. Hang in there.

Jill - posted on 11/21/2009

My daughter is 2 and she will NOT eat much of anything at all. She started this about the age of 8 mos. I would cry bc i thought something was wrong with her, i would make her 10 different things thinking she would like something but she didnt want anything. doctors told me it was normal but i didnt see how. They told me if she was hungry she will eat. Eventually i just done what they said, and she would snack on it and nit pick but till this day, shes the same way. She would rather drink liquids all day than eat. Shes very picky but if she dont eat i dont force her and eventually shell eat what she wants. Flenstone vitamins will really increase appetite as well. Ive never seen her eat so much in her life!!!!! I was so Happy!

Tiffany - posted on 05/26/2013

whats grommets?

Natalie - posted on 10/24/2012

My 10 1/2 month old baby girl just got her 4th tooth about 2 weeks ago & now she doesn't really want food OR bottle. Anyone have any ideas as to why?

Kari - posted on 11/21/2009

Hi there, I have seen this behavior before. The little boy ended up being tested for food sensitivities and he had plenty! It was his body telling him all along that he couldnt have these foods! Try talking to a naturopath or homeopath and see if they have any advise for you. In the mean time try not to introduce anything with gluten. I know it sounds weird, but many times foods are reintroduce to children after their "gut" heals.
And if you are still nursing keep at it!

Tiare - posted on 11/20/2009

you know, kids go through stages of eating everything in sight and then turning around and hardly anything! i wouldnt worry about it too much! but if you really want him on a routine, then maybe cut out the snacking in between meals, if he is hungry he will eat! if you cater to his whims now just imagine what will happen later! im not saying go crazy and never allow him to have a snack but i would cut it off until he starts eating at meal time... he knows that if he doesnt eat that you will give him a yogurt or something else later... i do this routine every once in a while over the years and still have to resort to it every now and then.....it works for us! but overall dont worry about it, this wont be the first time he does this!!! just make sure to give him his water and milk for nutrients... good luck!

[deleted account]

If he is otherwise healthy and his weight is within normal limits, and he is still getting enough milk, don't worry about it. This is age of independence when they're learning to walk and assert themselves. Often tots will eat well on one day or one meal and then seem to eat almost nothing for the next few meals or days.

Chloe - posted on 11/20/2009

I agree with Candice. My daughter now eats like a dream and is thriving. Unfortunately, as moms, we see all our kid's achievements and disasters as direct judgements upon ourselves and our ability to parent. Just as teething is not a developmental milestone, eating isn't one either. They will all get a full mouth of teeth at some point - and they all eat at some point. Just relax and enjoy your little gorgeous boy and see it as a learning curve. No-one has a perfect child!

Chloe - posted on 11/19/2009

I had MAJOR problems with my LO and feeding at about the same time. She didn't gain weight for almost 3 months! from 8-11 months. We changed her to soya formula, and that really made a big difference. She also loves fish fingers! (we are very lucky) but refuses fruit totally. I have assumed that her body knows what she needs and will guide her. It is so stressful, especially when they lose weight. But most babies get it right eventually. Try not to stress too much, he will get it right eventually. The other thing that helped us tremendously has been Grommets! She was always scratching her ears, no infection though. Turned out to be glue ear, and the grommets have fixed it. So a much happier, growing baby as a result.

Good luck and I hope you find someone with answers that help you. It is so hard.

Jenny - posted on 11/19/2009

thanks you guys, makes me feel alot better i am alone! i was just gettin upset that this would lead to me having a 3/4/5 year old who will only eat one thing. he has been gettin better the past few days so i guess im just being a drama queen lol.

Elanor - posted on 11/19/2009

Try finger foods, and look up the boook Baby Led Weaning, lots of baby's like to be in control of what they are eating, and with BLW they can be. Until about 1 year the milk should be the main source of nutrition, so don't worry - and remember babies tummy is only as big as his/her fist, so they don't need much to fill them.
And don't turn mealtimes into battleground, it leaves the baby (and you) dreading mealtimes.

Jennifer - posted on 11/19/2009

My daughter loved having a sippy cup of pedia sure ( I thinks thats how you spell it) and as far as breakfast went I would give her in her early picky stage low fat no sugar added ice cream with cheerios on top! I figure she was getting some dairy and grains..hope that helps

Anna - posted on 11/19/2009

My son goes off solids when he's teething. Also, once he got constipated and didn't eat then. But they are ok on breastmilk alone (and I assume formula's the same) for the whole first year so you don't have to worry about nutrition if he's getting lots of milk. I really don't think you should force him to the point of tears - it will just give him anxiety about eating. If he doesn't want to eat, don't make him. My son is most interested in food when he sees me or his dad eating - we often just feed him bits off our own plates if he doesn't want to eat baby food.

Nicky - posted on 11/19/2009

My boy is nearly 11 months old and he is barely eating solids too. He is just not interested. We try every day as do the nursery when he is there, he has a few mouthfuls (mostly sweet stuff, and not savoury) and then refuses. He would happily just have formula all day. I still breast feed at night, but just for his comfort rather than him being hungry. He will suck on toast, but he doesnt really eat it. I know he should be eating our food by now, but he just doesnt want to know. I have been told by professionals that he will eat in his own time, so am not too worried.

Mary - posted on 11/19/2009

Hi Jenny.

I have been through the same thing with my JJ. he has just turned 11 months & has been the same for the last 2 months or so. I've put it down to teethin & he also had an ear infection. I try every day to feed him & some days he'll have 1 meal, some days 2 & some days I only manage yoghurt. havin spoken to other mums they tell me the same so don't worry. Just make sure he's havin his milk & water. hope this helps. Mary Santi