15month old not eating on holiday

[girlmum1996]

Hi,

I am away on holiday with my 15 month old. This is her first holiday, and we are in a really hot country.

At home she is a fantastic eater, has full meals for breakfast lunch and dinner, with all the snacks inbetween and has 2 bottles a day of full fat milk (morning and night).

Since being on holiday, she has barely touched her food. I assume this is down to a multitude of things, the weather, change in environment, not having her usual high chair etc.

I am currently offering her everything and anything, and she only seems to be eating things here and there like a Kit Kat, the odd yoghurt, an ice lolly, 1 or 2 chips and a few crisps. However, she has been drinking A LOT more milk than usual. She has gone from having 2 bottles at home a day, to maybe 4 or 5 a day here.

Is this normal? Should I be worried? We still have another week to go and I have done nothing but spend the whole time worried she is starving.

Thank you

This is not uncommon. Keep her hydrated with the milk. Is she overwhelmed?Might she eat better in your room with a phone or iPad on with some familiar TV on it? I used to use a pushchair as a highchair on holiday sometimes.
Holiday rules!

Mine did that on holiday and still does now, aged 6. It hugely stressed me out the first time but now I am not so worried. He always comes home a little skinnier but puts the weight back on within 2 days of coming home!

Holidays are a lot, for a sensitive natured child.

My daughter has been the same on holidays. Less so now, but certainly at the beginning. It's a lot going on, a lot to take in, and who has time for eating when there's so much to SEE.

Honestly, holiday rules. Let her eat as and when and whatever she likes. She'll be back to normal once home, and this period of time won't do her any harm. Try not to let it ruin your holiday!

She won't starve herself, she'll likely just pick and feel like her time is better spent taking everything and anything in.

I brought her an iPad especially for the holiday, as I wanted her to have her tv shows familiar to home. But even with that on in front of her she isn't really touching her food, however she is drinking plenty so she must be getting full from the milk.

Thank you for your response x

Ok thank god I am not the only one, thank you so much for your response x

Thank you so much for your response!!!!

It can be worrying but not uncommon. How long until you are back?
Keep hydrated and keep trying fresh fruit and veg, which should be less of a different taste to regionally cooked foods.

We have 1 more week to go (2 week holiday), however we have been in a villa week 1 and from tomorrow we are in an all inclusive hotel which I am hoping will help with lots more variety of foods and drinks.

Honestly, as long as she drinks, she will be fine.

Don't stress, eat together, offer her some bits but not overwhelm her with asking her to try verything on the table. Keep it simple like bread, some fruit, plain pasta at the hotel.

A bottle is also a comfort item, she may be totally overwhelmed with the holiday in general.

We had holidays DD went of milk altogether, she survived on fruit, yoghurt, sharing food and bread. At home we were back to normal.

Most kids have lower appetites away from home. If she's happy in herself then I wouldn't worry.

I'd try fruit/ smoothies/ fresh food etc. over junk like chocolate, crisps, chips and ice cream as she's only 1 and that's a lot for her tummy! Also at 15months you could try a proper cup, she's very old for a bottle and it might slow down the milk guzzling and therefore increase her appetite.