13 month old not eating

[cupcakelover1983]

my DS has always been a really good eater but recently has not been eating very much at all. he refuses to be spoon fed and now won't eat finger foods either - he's losing weight and I am worried he isn't getting enough nutrients from the food he is snacking on. he is drinking whole cows milk 3 times a day and he always finishes his milk.

I was just wondering if this is a phase or if it is something I should be more worried about!
Tia

Hi

Didn't want to leave you unanswered as I know how scary it is when they don't eat.

If he wasn't losing weight I'd say don't worry about it, but if things don't improve it may be worth getting him checked over to make sure it's not anything else going on. If he wasn't losing wieght I'd suggest cutting the milk back a bit, but that's not helpful for your situation.

My DS (15m) started being fussy about food at this stage too, but didn't lose weight. Things we had some success with:
Introduce stronger tasting and bright foods - our current favourites are - blueberries, peas, sweetcorn, sausages, fish fingers, innocent smoothies (yep, through the straw), raisins, anything in a sandwich, risotto, big pasta chunks with a cheesy sauce.
Eat with them, or better still invite other, slightly older, children around and have lunch as a group - amazing how they'll eat when other kids do.
My DS would only be spoon fed if he got to hold another spoon and have a go too - actually doing pretty well himself now, but took time. Also loves playing with a fork, learning to stab his dinner.
Try really hard (v difficult) to not get stressed or bothered if it all goes on the floor/totally refused. It's the only power babies have at this stage and they know it.
Make sure it's not his teeth bothering him - maybe try bonjela/teething powders/calpol before a meal to see what happens.

It probably is just a phase.

Best of luck

They do go through little phases at this sort of age where they do eat, then they don't eat. It's weird but you have to sort of go with it.

If he's loosing weight do speak to your HV but we had this a lot between 12 & 16 months.

If he's losing weight and if it's unusual for him to be off his food, see your GP rather than worrying. There could be something that's making it painful for him to swallow solid food, for example.

Could it be a throat issue ? Tonsillitis or similar?

thanks for all your replies! I think I'll make a doctors appointment next week to rule out sore throat etc if he doesn't get any better. I think I'll just have to tough it out! he's lively and his usual self so I guess there is nothing to worry about yet!

thanks again!