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Original poster

11 month old refusing food

14 replies

miabl2 · 03/02/2006 12:11

Help,

My DS has started refusing every meal. As soon as I come near him with food he starts turning his head away or screaming. He will eat bread and butter or any desert but not his main meal. I noticed yesterday that he ate both his meals because they were in a different bowl but even that didn't work today. Any advice!!

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beckybrastraps · 03/02/2006 12:23

I found that both of mine went through phases with eating. Sometimes they were absolutely starving and ate everything in sight, and sometimes they turned their noses up at a particular food, or just food in general. I've always been a great believer in not forcing any issues with food. I offer the food, take it way if it's not eaten and that's that. Mine have always come to their senses eventually, although they both have clear likes/dislikes. Don't we all? How long has it been going on for?

Original poster
miabl2 · 03/02/2006 12:26

He's been getting fussy for about a month but just turning his head away then turning back to eat the food. He had a tummy upset two weeks ago so at the beginning of this week he was just starting to get an appetite back. But the last 2 days he's been a nightmare. Is it a bad idea to give him a yoghurt for desert when he has refused his main meal?

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starlover · 03/02/2006 12:39

offer him food. if he's hungry he'll eat it. if not then take it away.
make sure he's getting plenty of milk if he doesn't eat much

my almost 1 yr old is doing a similar thing at the moment, and a lot of things he used to eat are getting spat out. if he doesn't eat it he waits until the next meal time

Original poster
miabl2 · 03/02/2006 12:42

Good to know someone's having the same problem. Unfortunately my DS who is a fantastic sleeper is waking up in the night cause he's hungry so think that's why I'm so desperate to get him to eat. Know I'm probably making it worse though. He usually has a fantastic appetite and has done since he started eating solids.

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Original poster
miabl2 · 03/02/2006 12:45

Another thought. Was thinking about this morning and we had a great morning playing together, he is also on his feet now and loves holding my hands and walking constantly around his playroom. Do you think a)he sees food as taking him away from his fun.

b) Is getting much more tired from all the walking

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beckybrastraps · 03/02/2006 12:46

Like I said - I just go through all the usual motions, and take away uneaten food. I would give him his pudding. I think it does sometimes take a while for them to get back on track after they've been ill, especially if you make certain allowances when they are (as I do). My advice would be to just carry on with minimum fuss. What he eats, he eats. I wouldn't give him for example extra yoghurts because he's not eating his main course, but I would offer everything that he gets at a normal meal. Does he eat with the rest of you? I did find that helped normalise things with mine, and it reduces the attention on them and their refusal to eat. Good luck!

Original poster
miabl2 · 03/02/2006 12:49

Good point. The only meal we have together is breakfast and that one isn't a problem.

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bakeacake · 03/02/2006 13:18

miabl2- my 13mth DS has been doing the same for nearly 2 weeks. The best he has done in that time is 6 spoons of main course and a 100g yoghurt. Most times it's far less than that. What everyone says it's right but it is just very worrying, dull and exhausting all at the same time. My DS has been on anti-biotics for an ear+ throat infection for nearly 5 days but he's still not eating.

Starlover- the milk thing is tricky. I have been filling my DS up on milk- he had 26oz the other day (masses for his age) as he is refusing food. However I'm not letting him have much today to see if he eats- didn't work at lunchtime!

Original poster
miabl2 · 03/02/2006 13:25

It's so frustrating. I think the worst thing is that I make all his meals myself, so I go to all that effort and he won't even take a mouthfull...aaaahhh

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nulnulcat · 03/02/2006 13:30

i made all my own food and she was a great eater then at 12 months she would only eat weetabix and fishfingers - not together by the way! lasted for about 6 months then she started eating everything in sight again wouldnt worry about it she didnt lose any weight grew normally and seemed quite happy still have the odd day of food refusal but i dont bother anymore if she eats thats good if she doesnt its not the end of the world loads of friends kids of same age are a lot worse than her

Original poster
miabl2 · 03/02/2006 13:31

Extremely reassuring thankyou. So mines going to be bread/butter, ready brek and bananas. I suppose it could be worse............

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beckybrastraps · 03/02/2006 13:35

Another reason why eating together might be a good idea. If you're cooking for the family, and not just ds, it's not so frustrating when they turn up their nose. I don't know if he is your only child, and it's certainly easier when you have two, but I would recommend at least the two of you eating together for a bit. At 11 months you should be able to eat the same food (as long as you don't mind what my dh refers to as "wet food"). I'm sorry if I'm coming over as dismissive of your concerns. I'm not at all. I felt exactly the same when I went through it with my eldest. I did find that if I reduced the attention on HIS meals, as opposed to OUR meals, I got less stressed about it, and it did sort itself out.

Coolmama · 03/02/2006 19:31

My 11-month old DS does the same thing sometimes - I find that giving him something to distract himself with (an old envelope, another spoon, piece of lego etc) will allow me to sneak a few more mouthfuls in - he does catch on eventually and then the mouth stays clamped shut and that is the end of that -
Also - some words of wisdom that a little old lady gave me and that I will pass on - " no child with access to food has ever starved to death" - I do remember that when my beautiful (because I am a crap cook)lovingly prepared casseroles etc are flung with gay abandon around the room - little bugger!

Original poster
miabl2 · 04/02/2006 21:14

Many thanks for the words of wisdom. Since Friday afternoon. I have eaten with my son and reduced the attention on him and guess what he's eaten every single mouthful. It's amazing what stepping back from a situation and taking other peoples advice can do. Many thanks to you all.

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