Any tricks/suggestions for a very fussy one year old

[RaindropsOnRoses2]

DS has just turned one but hasn’t put on weight really since November. Lots of things are being investigated but one of the main suggestions is that he just isn’t eating enough! I’m at my wits end with his eating - I know he doesn’t eat enough but what can I do if he just refuses?!
He will eat toast, banana, yoghurt, fruit/veg pouches, porridge and sometimes shreddies. The porridge is made with formula milk but this is the only way he will take milk. He was BF until a few weeks ago and has never taken milk (breast milk or otherwise) from a bottle or beaker. I’ve tried putting some vanilla in cows milk and formula and heating it to different temps but he is not having any of it!

Please help - any suggestions or specific foods that worked for you are very welcome!!

Placemarking as would find helpful too

Probably not that helpful but does he see you eat in front of him? Whenever mine is being fussy (a few months younger so not as difficult yet but I do sympathise!), if they see me sitting and eating something happily (and not overly encouraging them to eat), they get interested and want to copy. If I just try to encourage them to eat something without doing it myself they'll often just refuse.

How is he in himself? If he’s happy and looking well, just not gaining weight I personally wouldn’t be worried, especially if he’s either started crawling around a lot more or walking. I’d only be worried if he seemed unwell.

If I wanted to get more calories in him I’d

• Make the food he does like regularly available - not just ‘meal times, (but try to avoid too much toast).
• Do that without too much fussing about (sometimes they just want to be doing things that are more fun)
• I’d let him feed himself and put up with the mess.
• Avocados are fab - put plenty on his toast or just bits on his plate.
• Add new food all the time, for many babies it takes several ‘tries’ of a new food for them to take to it.
• Finger food he can easily pick up - cheese, carrots, apples, blanched brocolli & cauliflower etc

The main thing is not to stress about it. We all worry FAR too much about them not eating enough. Sparrow chops here is 12, still eats precious little, but is fit, healthy, full of energy and always on the go. You’d wonder how on the tiny bit of food she eats.

Oh and definitely just having food yourself and letting him take things off ‘your’ plate. Mummy’s is always nicer 🙄😁

Have you tried cow and gate follow on milk? It's really sweet for some reason so my DS will take some of it (16 months, still BF)

Other ideas - cheese he can hold himself. My DS loves meat?