Can you encourage a baby's appetite? And if so, how?

[Teachtolive]

Just what it says in the title really. I have a one year old who still wakes at night for a bottle and I'm convinced it's because she's not eating enough in the daytime. She has a very small appetite though. Is there any way to encourage her to increase her appetite?? I don't want to force feed her!

Personally I believe that babies/toddlers know what they need food wise and it’s best to just trust them. Doesn’t mean you need to still give a bottle in the night though if you think this isn’t needed. The likelihood is if you go cold turkey on the night bottle she will just eat what she needs in the day, rather than the other way round. There’s a great book by a paediatrician called ‘my child won’t eat’ which gives examples of how little is normal for wee ones to eat. But we just worry about them don’t we!

Thanks for the info Merename. I know she's doing fine in theory. If she was starving or anything it would be obvious but I can't help feeling that She could really benefit from a little bulking up, even aside from the sleep thing. I'll check out that book definitely. Thank you.

How often do you offer food? Maybe just offer more snacks through out the day, she may only like to eat small amounts at a time. And make sure foods are calorie dense.

I've just recently changed her routine a bit, to try and put her bottles just after she finishes solids, so with the new routine she's having something every 2-3 hours or so. What would be good examples of calorie dense snacks for babies?

Anything with nut butter is good. That's the only one that springs to mind though, I'm sure someone else will have plenty more ideas!

Sometimes milks the most satisfying thing and 1 is still little. I’d give milk in the day time maybe with dinner or a snack before bed
It could also just be a comfort thing but again 1 is still tiny so it’s to be expected and I’m sure it’ll get better

Yes def nut butter. Maybe some toast and nut butter and milk as a snack before bed ?

We found the oaty organic bars good too

Thank you so much for the advice. Nut butter is on the shopping list now!

Look for 100% nut butters - they won't have any added salt or sugar. I think most of the big supermarkets do their own brand ones now.