Child who just doesn't eat

[Offtothedogs]

I posted this in Child Development too, but maybe this is a better place for it. I'd really appreciate anyone who has experienced disordered eating in very young children.

There is a child in my extended family, coming up to 3yo, who doesn't eat. She literally has no interest in food; she just drinks a particular brand of infant formula (not for her age; I think it's for 12-18 months) and is still breastfed at night I think. She was never weaned onto solids; her mother (father not involved) said she was doing baby led weaning but in reality just never offered her food. The grandparents are really concerned and have tried to spark an interest in food, but without the mother's support (and possibly flat-out opposition earlier on) it hasn't worked.

Just how big a concern is this? I don't know at what point to stick my beak in, if at all; mother is not receptive to advice and it's not clear whether she's being defensive or just thinks it will resolve itself in time. Maybe it will for all I know! I don't think there's been any contact with HVs for a long time.
Does anyone have any experience of this, and do you think it's something I should try and get involved in? If so, how? Or is it really fine and none of my business?

*advice from anyone that should say

I've no idea if this is an issue from the physical development point of view, but it would concern me in terms of the child's social development. What will they do when they start school - take a bottle?

I would suggest a call to the NSPCC to discuss.

I knew a child like this - it was an absolute struggle to get them to eat and even now it’s still a limited selection of food eaten (mostly smoothies with a nutrients added). He has autism and this is part of it.

Thanks both for your comments. I think the problem is that she just doesn't seem to know what to do with food, rather than having an aversion to it - and she's never hungry because she drinks so much milk. I think her mum misunderstood what BLW is, and thought she'd just start eating when she was ready - but it doesn't really work like that does it, babies need to learn about food textures and tastes at that point in their lives when everything is a sensory adventure. That's my take on it anyway.

I know her grandparents are worried sick about her. They care for her a lot and she will literally eat nothing in a 6-8 hour period, she just ignored food. If you give her a chocolate button she pushes it around in a train. It's actually really sad and worrying.

I think I'm going to try and have a gentle word with her mum, and suggest she has a chat with the HV. We have a lovely local HV who I put a lot of trust in when mine were little, but I suspect my relative hasn't engaged because she's suspicious of any sort of formal involvement.

Meant to add there's nothing to suggest she isn't neurotypical.