10m old won’t eat

[PrambleRamble]

Wondering if anyone had a similar situation? My baby just turned 10 months, he used to eat ok by since having a cold/doing his nursery settling sessions not sure which if either have been the reason, he will only eat finger foods and really not much of that - he has no teeth yet which doesn’t help. Mealtime can take up to an hour and he’ll take a third of a pouch that I swipe in between him trying to bite a porridge finger or some sort of finger food. He starts nursery this week and I’m so worried he will not get any calories.

Importantly, he is on the 2nd centile weight anyway (following it steadily for months) so he doesn’t have a reserve to lose. He’s v small and needs his milk and food.

I can’t start nursery later. He also refuses a bottle, has done for months aside from an ounce here and here, and I was hoping that tiding him over with food and small amounts of milk would suffice the 2 days a week he’s in, up to 3 once he’s 11months. Now I am getting v worried, anyone with a similar experience or advice? Thanks

Just to add, this has been going on about 5 days so it’s still new. Hoping it’s a phase that will pass?! Milk wise, he will take it from a sippy cup but definitely not the amount needed. Breast milk he’s still all over.

I'd probably focus on trying to make each mouthful as calorie dense/nutritious as possible. Skip the pouches as they are mostly fruit and water and concentrate on greek yoghurt, eggs, beans, avocado, sweet potato etc.

I think you are going to be in for a lot of catch up feeding when he gets home.

Personally I wouldn't bother sending him with milk. If he will take a bit of formula I'd ask them to give it to him but if not, don't stress.

My very fussy, bottle refusing 9 month old survived quite happily on solids and water whilst I was at work.

Has he always been in the 2nd centile @PrambleRamble? Is he following that curve nicely?

I also agree with the PP, ditch the pouches, they have a high water content. Concentrate on offering high calorie foods instead.

Olive oil or mascarpone can be added to purée or mashed food. Finger foods can be things like nut better on toast, slices of omelet.

Thank you both! Yes he’s been 2nd centile since 2 months and seems a snacker, seems to only eat solids or milk to top up rather than long feeds. But he’s developing well and hitting all milestones. I’ll focus on nutritious finger foods and offering milk where possible (so I’m not up half the night breastfeeding when back at work too!)