17mo only eating weetabix and cereal bars (and ice cream) - Advice needed

[Washersaurus]

DS2 was a really good eater up until recently. For the past 2 weeks he has refused to eat almost everything, except for weetabix and cereal bars (and some ice cream at nursery)

I am quite worried, he is still bf and doesn't really drink much milk from a cup, despite me trying to gradually wean him off bm. We BLW as he would never eat mush and still won't be spoon-fed.

I don't know what to do next; I prepare him the same meals as we have but he pushes them away. He is a terrible sleeper and so we have resorted to giving him weetabix/oatibix for breakfast and tea as that ia all he will eat, and otherwise he wakes in the night for milk.

Should I be giving him vitamin drops? Should I take him to the doctor? I have been sneaking banana or fruit pots into his weetabix, but he is currently having no vegetables at all.

We haven't been making a fuss about him not eating; we just take his plate away when everyone else has finished eating.

Hi, the reason I didn't post on your thread is because your son is only 17 months and the other poster's son is 5. At 17 months I would advice cutting down the milk and maybe trying other bland food like white bread, boiled potatoes just to increase the variety.

If it's any consolation my son who is five went through a two weeks period when he was nearly four of only eating oak cakes and chewing gum flavoured ice cream!

hey washersaurus, long time no see.
you ok?

as you know DS2 is the same age as yours and we've recently had the same problem.

he had a cold and stopped eating much except milk and cereal and it lasted a few weeks. like you i was getting quite worried as he was losing weight. but we just gave him what he liked until his appetite came back. i thought he might not go back to the healthy stuff he liked before but he has.

i say just hang in there. and keep offering stuff. we've found he's much more receptive now if it's not his meal but ours, so we just pile extra onto our plates and feed him ours. for some reason he prefers it to a plate of food.

Thanks for replies. He had a sickness bug a few weeks ago and hasn't been eating since then. He has cough and cold too DB.

Strangely, he has just been sick again - hence late night posting!!

I have had a short break from MN lately DB, we are still not getting any sleep thanks to DS2. Hope you are faring better!

He definitely sounds like he's doing what DS2 has just been doing. I'm sure he'll eat when he's ready.
Of course, i'm all wise after the event, I was really worried at the time like you.
We're faring better now. I'm back at work almost full time and DH was made redundant and is now looking after the kids.
I have to admit i'm normally a fan of SAHM's and the benefits to the kids, but i am having a lovely time being back at work and enjoying some independence.
The boys are fine, and generally sleeping ok now they're over their colds. We had the random vomitting in the middle of the night too, several bed changes and clothes changes every night, so annoying.
hope you have a great christmas.
i think they're at a nice age to enjoy christmas this year.
DBx

Aaargh, he was sick on me again just before we put him to bed. Did explain why he even refused to eat cereal bar and weetabix today though. I sat up with him until 4.30am this morning - until he had nothing more to bring up and crashed out on my lap, poor boy

Well it is reassuring to know that someone else has been through this too DB. The long-term lack of sleep and all this illness has really been putting a strain on family life.

I bet your DH is enjoying spending time with the boys, just a shame it is a result of redundancy. It must feel very liberating for you, I have half heartedly tried to find some part-time work without success. I am planning on enrolling on a teaching course next year.

I hope you all have a lovely xmas. I am really looking forward to seeing my boys' little faces light up on Christmas morning