Please help - my 1 year old still doesnt eat ....

[happytrappy]

hello
my 1 year old still doesnt really eat any food.
She refuses anything that is presented to her on a spoon, and always has, pureed, lumpy etc.
I offer her finger food but she just doesnt eat or at least never eats more than the equivalent of 1 teaspoon.
The only things she does occasionally eat are Organix cheese and herb puffs, salmon and a tiny amount of sausage.
I just wanted to know if there is anyone else out there who has had similar experiences as Im begining to wonder if she will ever eat (normally). (my other daughter eats really well and always has done)
I have been to see a doctor and a speech therapist who have said there is nothing physically wrong with her and suggested its down to her 'independent & strong minded character' and that she 'seems to be a girl who likes to do things her way and on her own terms'
Im still breastfeeding so at least I know she is getting something - but its starting to be very tiring.
any advice will be appreciated so thanks in advance

My ds2 did not eat anything at all until 14 months. Only milk, He was also bf. It was very worrying at the time and he was very tiny, but he was healthy, happy and full of beans. He gradually started eating from 14 months and now eats fairly normally for a 3 year-olds except he likes to eat little and often rather than proper meals. My advice is as long as she seems healthy, don't stress or let her see your stress at least. Keep offering lots of different foods, but don't create any pressure at all. We tested ds1 for iron and a few other things which I cannot remember what was. It was all normal. I can also recommend a book I think is called "my child won't eat" and you can buy it from La Leche league and also amazon I think.Spannish author. Very reassuring.

Bets of luck!

Thanks so much for this. Shes doing really well. Started walking at 10 months and seems well and healthy. Ill look for the book. Thanks again

Hi - you have my sympathy. My DS1 was a poor eater, though would always eat fruit or yoghurt which was a godsend. I'm sure your DD is getting what she needs though it must be hard for you.

Eat at the same time as her and try giving her the same food as you and eventually she might start eating more and more.

The other thing I would suggest is speaking to your health visitor and seeing if she can refer you to anyone who can help. Where we live there is a food clinic which offers advice to parents with children who are poor eaters. Also try keeping a food diary of what she does eat. Maybe she is eating more than you think if she snacks rather than eats a meal in one sitting.

Lastly, how much milk are you feeding your DD? She could be getting too much milk which is making her not hungry for food. Long post!! I know but hope something here helps you.

My DD2 was like this. She hardly ate anything solid other than odd bits of fruit until she was well past a year old. She has just turned 2 and still doesn't eat a lot. She was also breastfed up until a couple of weeks ago.

I just kept offering food and tried to keep relaxed about the whole thing (found this hard sometimes!). Like you, I wondered if she would ever eat normally.

As long as there is nothing physical wrong with your DD and she is an ok weight then things are fine, if frustrating.

Actually she sounds a bit like my DD who very much likes to get her own way.

first time on mums net and Im very impressed - Thanks already for your responses and advice and Im already de - stressing!!

Welcome to MN (mumsnet) happytrappy!

Tis a fabulous place with great advice and support from loads of interesting people. Things can sometimes get a bit heated on some of the more controversial topics, don't be afraid to wade in and give your point of view. Also don't be put off us by some of the robust responses(and posters) about.

Good luck with your wee one's eating.

DD barely ate until she was 13 months and even then she would eat far less than her peers. She is now 2 and will eat a small breakfast, graze for lunch then eat a reasonable dinner-she also has one or 2 small snacks (witholding snacks doesn't make her eat any more of her meals). She does now eat a wide range of foods which I worried about for a long time.

DD didn't really eat anything until she was 13 months, hated purees and went straight to finger food, but ate virtually nothing until 13 months. She is now 19 months and does eat really well although still a limited selection and I am still BFing her. I've just cut down her feeds from 4-8 a day to just morning and night and it didn't improve her eating at all (not why I did it) - just to tell you that because if you see a dietician or HV they will tell you to stop BFing or at least cut down to 1/2 feeds.

My DD loves dry, separate food. Plain rice/pasta, plain veg and plain chicken/fish. You could try that. Also I now eat the same lunch as her and that helps.

It is very stressful and soul destroying when your child doesn't eat even though they look the picture of health. I lost weight due to the stress instead!