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Original poster

10M old baby wants milk only

28 replies

marie98 · 26/12/2018 20:05

Hi everyone. I’m here to discuss about my lo poor diet. He’s 10 months old and still wants milk all the time. I’ve tried so many different solid foods but he never eats. Only two bites and then crying and fighting. I’m very stressed because of him. I’m afraid that he’s not having essential nutrients. Even there are days when he just drinks milk not even a spoon of any food. My health visitor suggested to cut down his bottles. I tried it but still no luck. He refused to eat and been crying all day because of empty stomach. Please advice something.
Thanks

OP posts:
HJE17 · 26/12/2018 20:12

First off, you’ll want to make sure he’s getting the proper nutrition. If breastfeeding, you’ll need to supplement with Vitamin D and talk to your GP about maybe supplanting with iron as well, which is what babies start lacking after around 6 months if they aren’t starting to eat leafy greens and/or meet. If he’s on formula then it’s likely already fortified so no need to supplement, usually.

Other than that, just try to keep the opportunities there for him to eat without forcing the issue. Sit him in the high chair at family meals every day and see if he gets interested in what you’re eating (soup is a great place to start although if you read about “baby led weaning” you might be willing to be more adventurous!) Try to expose him to different flavours and textures in a relaxed environment, and surely at some point he’ll catch on!

Good luck!

pileoflaundry · 26/12/2018 20:26

Up to one year old, most of the food/nutrients will be from milk. So whereas it is very easy to worry if a child isn't eating solids, you shouldn't be.

I second baby led weaning. No spoons, sit your baby at the table (in a safe high chair) while you eat, plonk a small amount of your food in front of him (no grapes or anything that he could choke on, nothing high in salt), eat your meal and see what happens. It took mine a month (no kidding) to get the hang of it, but it's a lot less stressful than trying to coax spoonfuls in. It also means that I eat at the same time, which is a bonus.

I recommend switching from a bottle to a sippy cup. Your child will then feel more in charge, and get more used to feeding himself, rather than there being any battle to mealtimes. This is assuming that he is healthy and gaining weight well.

Needallthesleep · 26/12/2018 20:38

I’ve recently weaned my baby, and it was very up and down. Things that worked for us when we have had a setback:

  • taking things back to square one, ie. very smooth textured single veg purées or even baby rice
  • giving finger food to play with at the same time as spooning in (or attempting to) purées
  • remembering the mantra ‘food before one is just for fun’. I know at 6 months you need to be more concerned about iron, but as long as that’s being addressed (I formula fed so it was fine, not sure how you would do this if breastfeeding)
  • try and make it non pressured, offering a variety of foods. Raspberries go down really well here.
  • nursery really helped, being around other babies eating

My DD is one, and it’s still up and down. I wouldn’t worry at this stage.

Interested in this thread?

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9-12 months old Babies & sleep Children's health Families
HumpHumpWhale · 26/12/2018 20:42

My son didn't like solids until well over 1. I was frantic, but he was fine and is a good eater now at 5. I would just try to stay calm. Do finger foods and let him taste your food but don't force it. Do try letting him try food when hungry but I didn't find starving mine into submission very effective (not that I got past 30 minutes late with a feed - I couldn't stand it!)

Daisychainsandglitter · 26/12/2018 21:35

Hi OP, my eldest has ASD and had quite bad CMPA at your DC's age which resulted in her refusing to wean and being tube fed. We saw a specialist speech and language child feeding therapist after being discharged from the hospital and the emphasis was on baby led weaning. Let your DC sit at the table with you while you're eating and giving them a small portion of whatever you're having. The aim is that if they see you sitting in a relaxed environment, eventually they will be curious enough to start eating. The more tense you are the more they pick up on it . Especially saying things like yum yum and exaggerated chewing and spoons. Put the food on their tray and let them explore it at the same time you're eating and let them get on with it. Very difficult not to stress I know as I've been there but keep going and you will get there. Good luck!

littleleeleanne · 26/12/2018 21:58

My ds is 16 months old and would happily still drink milk all day. It's really hard to deal with but as long as they're getting the nutrients they need I personally wouldn't worry.

Original poster
marie98 · 27/12/2018 00:41

Thanks to everyone for such detailed explanation. So kind of you guys. I’ll be trying these methods from tomorrow.
My only concern is that my HV said that lo should be having three meals a day and I’m afraid he’s not even having one proper meal. And does he sitting with me and eating a lil bit is enough for his basic nutritional needs ?

OP posts:
mortifiedmama · 27/12/2018 03:59

We did baby led weaning. I couldn't tell you how much he ate at 10months, I just gave him some of whatever was on my plate (stew, veg, bolognese, pasta, garlic bread etc) and let him get on with it. He then had milk whenever he wanted. He was breastfed so I no idea how much milk he was getting either.

He's now almost 3 and a super eater.

mortifiedmama · 27/12/2018 04:00

And does he sitting with me and eating a lil bit is enough for his basic nutritional needs ?

Yes, as long as he's having sufficient formula/ breastfeeds.

TakemedowntoPotatoCity · 27/12/2018 04:11

Was he premature by any chance? had one like this and my HV advised the same. It was bad advice; her stomach couldn't handle a lot of solids and she just simply needed milk. In the end I was prescribed Fortini for her and she was on that a good while. She is 7 now and while still limited in her foods, has no problems with eating. I think personally that there's no harm carrying on with milk if that's what your baby wants, and you know him best.

Original poster
marie98 · 27/12/2018 16:07

No he was not a premature baby. He was healthy and chubby baby until he was 6 months. And he was gaining weight quite well at that time. But after then as he never liked eating food was on milk only he started loosing weight. And now when he’s 10 months health visitor said that he is having an average weight.
Can anyone suggest food that helps in baby gaining weight and is liked by baby as well.
Many thanks x

OP posts:
HJE17 · 28/12/2018 19:23

For gaining weight (my daughter is also on the small side) the doctor approved of mixing ground almonds into her full-fat yoghurt at breakfast, and adding a touch of unsalted butter to her veggie purées.

Youmadorwhat · 28/12/2018 19:28

Your HV is talking shite!! “Food before 1 is just for fun” milk will be giving him all he needs.

Gimmeesugar · 28/12/2018 19:38

Your HV is talking shite!! “Food before 1 is just for fun” milk will be giving him all he needs.

This is now known and been proven to be untrue so is not helpful. The recommendation is indeed 3 meals a day by around 9 months old to ensure they’re getting the nutrients they need.

Op I’m not saying you should unnecesarily worry but you shouldn’t give up on trying to encourage them to eat.

EwItsAHooman · 28/12/2018 19:55

Your HV is talking shite!! “Food before 1 is just for fun” milk will be giving him all he needs.

HV is right here and you're the one talking shite. Sorry. From the age of around six months they need more vitamins and iron than can be provided by milk alone and while the occasional food strike won't hurt them such as when ill or teething, overall they need more than just milk.

I had a DC who would only eat tiny amounts OP, I know how frustrating it can be. Adding butter, cheese, and cream wherever you can helps so mash made with butter and cream, butter added to veggies, pasta in creamy or cheesy sauces, etc. Avocado has a lot of calories in it too, as do cream cheese, baked beans (you can get low sugar/salt versions), and eggs. DD would eat avocado on toast or chocolate mousse made from avocados and melted dark chocolate, cheese omelette with a spoonful of baked beans, spaghetti carbonara, vegetables tossed in butter, and so on.

Youmadorwhat · 28/12/2018 20:01

I’m not suggesting not offering food I didn’t say that... by all means offer the child three meals but I wouldn’t get het up if he doesn’t eat it all!! Both mine were weaned through baby tiles weaning and are very healthy, never ill and have an amazing range in their diet. By fun I mean just put whatever you are eating for dinner (within reason) in front of them and let them experiment

Orlande · 28/12/2018 20:05

"Food is fun before one" isn't something the NHS or WHO says though, so on what basis is some random internet phrase better advice than the HV who actually has medical training and has seen the baby?

Youmadorwhat · 28/12/2018 20:10

@Orlande who on earth do you think runs the WHO!!?? It is made up of mainly medical doctors, public health experts and scientists. 🙄🤣

Jackshouse · 28/12/2018 20:12

Give food 30 to 60mins after milk so he is not hungry or frustrated.

HavelockVetinari · 28/12/2018 20:16

DS was the same, he just loved milk and refused solids if he though there was s chance of "mi" (breastmilk). My DSis is a paediatrician and said it was really important to make sure his iron intake was sufficient and we should be giving him iron-fortified vitamins which we did (and still do).

Things that helped get DS interested in food were: DH feeding him (as no chance of "mi"); finger food and purees at the same time; lunch out with friends with babies of a similar or older age (as babies copy other babies).

Daisychainsandglitter · 28/12/2018 20:34

What about pitta breads with mashed avocado OP? My DD2 loved this and also liked feeding herself. I'd scoop it on the pitta and she'd feed herself. Nutritious and high calorie. Alternatively the same with houmous?

Orlande · 28/12/2018 20:40

Youmad - exactly, so why not listen to the WHO rather than made up advice like "Food is fun before one"?

Lovingit81 · 28/12/2018 20:56

Hi OP, unfortunately you can't make a child eat but you can do everything in your power to assist them. My DS wasn't eating much even at one and it caused me HUGE anxiety. This is what I think helps:

Relaxing at meal times and offering, not forcing
Not offering breastfeeds every time they want it but distracting them so you can take advantage of their hunger in a short while
Making food part of playtime
Accepting that all children are different.My DS is 3 now and still a faddy eater but he's alive and kicking. My DD is an awesome eater. Turns out my DS had multiple severe food allergies so worth considering. Best of luck, it does get easier!

Lovingit81 · 28/12/2018 20:57

Ps also make sure they are having a multi vitamin every day.

Valkarie · 28/12/2018 22:11

My ds1 enjoyed chewing pretty much all food as a baby, but swallowed hardly anything. Health visitor told me he should have been eating more, but was hard to see how short of continuing to offer. He turned super fussy about 1, so was eating more, but from an extremely limited range. Literally pretty much only ate baked beans, dairy products and fruit for a while. But we persevered and now at 4 he eats a much more normal diet. It is stressful, but just keep offering variety and if you do find something he eats then keep giving it.