14 month old baby doesn't want to eat, please help, posted here for traffic

[veryVeryverytiredmum]

Hi, have nc, my 14 month old baby doesn't want to eat. He drinks BM about 4 to 5 times a day and he used to have 3 meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) with no problem until he has become a 14 month old. Any ideas?

He doesn't feed himself, I didn't do baby led weaning, I still offered some finger food on his tray, but usually ends up on the floor and very little if any goes into his mouth/stomach.

I have tried giving him lots of different food, nothing works, I am desperate. He only has breakfast (porridge, a rice cake or two and yogurt)

As long as he is still gaining weight and generally thriving I wouldn't worry yet, sounds like its a relatively new stage and he will probably come out the other side as quick as it started.

I would just offer him some of whatever you are having, don't make a fuss about it, try and help him if you normally would and if he doesn't eat it just take it away.

Could he be cutting some larger teeth? He might have sore ears or a sore mouth generally if he is teething. I would get the GP to check him over in case he is uncomfortable, and if all is well then it might be just a phase.

Are you still BFing then?

Might it be that he isn't hungry cause he is still BFing?

Don't worry too much, it could well be a phase he is going through. Sometimes taking a step back and going back to it a week or two later can make a difference.

Does he show much interest in your food when you eat?

I would try not to worry if he is still taking lots of milk, maybe he is getting some teeth and so doesn't fancy chewing. Perhaps try some stage 2 food for a bit and see if he likes a softer texture? Keep offering food to him and see if he somes round.

Could be a number of things.

My DS1 who is 7 now also had this. A couple of months after his first birthday he started refusing solids and he did loose a small amount of weight. I think it is a phase some toddlers go through. We kept offering him food but never made a massive deal of it, we would put food in a bowl for him to pick at. I ate at the same time as him too. We also made the food interesting, different colours, shapes, tastes and textures. Eventually he started eating much better.

We did take him to the GP who checked him out, just in case.

Good luck.

I really wouldn't worry too much, sometimes babies aren't particularly hungry

Yes Mme I am still BFing. I mashed all his food and he is still not interested, will try liquefying his food later. I am giving him vitamins because I am worried about him not getting enough iron (that's the only thing breastmilk lacks).
Felyne and HellyYes, I can feel the 'tip' of a pre molar when I put my finger in his mouth.

Sirzy will take him to the GP just in case, thank you.

I know it is hard not to - but please do not panic.
My daughter (2.6) does this every couple of months for about a week hardly eating anything - maybe just a slice of toast, banana and a bit of the potato and veg at dinner.
The best thing to do is not panic around your child and create a sort of 'complex' about food, Cook as normal and put it in front of them, if they refuse don't make an issue. Trust me, they will eat when they are hungry!
Obviously if your child's eyes become dark and sunken, loose weight or are not themselves, seek help.

Really, don't worry. It all sounds fine, perfectly normal and perfectly safe.

Probably teething, or a bug, or just toddler behaviour. I know he's your "baby" but actually at 14 months he's quite old enough to be starting on that...

You sound a little worried and I wonder if you would have more confidence with a little more medical knowledge under your belt? Perhaps ask your GP or HV to tell you how to spot the "ill baby". As PP said, dark, sunken round the eyes, strong smelling wee, unresponsive, that kind of thing. Also, perhaps you might find it helpful to do a first aid course for a couple of evenings.

I can recommend the great Christopher Greens toddler Taming for a breath of fresh air and reassurance on toddlers and their eating. They eat like birds- some like sparrows, some like vultures. If you keep a food diary you will surprise yourself.

The time may, possibly, be coming to cut back on milk a little but I wouldn't do anything I didn't have to, right before Christmas :)

Don't panic, OP. It sounds perfectly normal, though I remember going half-mad with anxiety over a similar phenomenon when my 20 month old was in his self-starvation mode.