My baby hates eating

[jazzyoldjim]

My son is 8 months. He has cmpa and we were advised to wean early, we started at about 5.5 months. He seemed really hungry and interested in food, he ate well - often finishing whole pouches. We also did some BLW mostly fruit and veg and bread, all fine.

He's now 8months. For the past 3 weeks he has barely wanted to eat anything. He's had 2/3 spoonfuls of pouch if that, and anything whole I've given him (bread, egg, veg) he hasn't even tried, not the slightest hint of interest - just chucks it. The only thing he is remotely interested in is cucumber, he will chew this a bit. Hardly anything is actually going in his tummy.

I'm just concerned he has regressed. I know it's hot and babies eat less but it seems such a big difference. He still drinks a fair amount of milk - 7oz at 8am, 1pm, 5pm, 10pm and 3am.

I think he is definitely teething but has been for ages and it's never changed anything before.

Any thoughts?

It doesn’t matter.

it really really doesn’t. Good before one is just for fun. Totally normal to dip in and out at that age, mine does. Keep offering, keep up as much milk/formula as he wants and try not to stress.

Food not good!!!

Unless he's losing weight it's not an issue at all at his age. Keep giving him new textures to widen his sensory experience, rather than focusing on trying to get him to eat anything so giving the same few things. It's fine for them to go through phases. The last three days my one year old has eaten almost nothing every evening which I'm putting down to the heat and just giving more water and boob.

Assuming he's a typical weight for age, his calorie requirements per day are about 700-800, and you're giving him about that in milk. Milk has about 20 kcal per ounce, so each feed is about 140 kcal.

Provided he will drink water, I would cut down on the day feeds, and see what happens. If he refuses water, I would wait till after the hot weather.

He’s getting a lot of milk feeds so probably just not hungry!

My son is eight almost nine months he's been totally off his food for past week or so just wants his milk, he's cutting teeth. Still his happy self just keeping on top of water and milk off few baby snacks that he will actually eat. Second baby so I'm not worried. Any changes in behaviour or weight loss then that's different :)

Food before one is just for fun is untrue and misleading. After 6m children need proper food

His teeth hurt. Watch for revolting nappies, drool and poor sleep. Then he’ll be chomping away again

Is he constipated?

Teething can really put them off because it hurts them.

Both my DDs when through phases between weaning age and 18 months where they'd go off food for a few days.
If they're maintaining weight and have wet and dirty nappies then don't worry too much xx

That is rubbish.

Thanks everyone. I know food before one is just for fun but I'm a worrier 😂

He's a big lad, 25lb and 98th centile - so I think he does need the milk he takes. He drinks water happily too, especially in this weather. I'll carry on offering, hopefully he'll perm up!

OP if you have Instagram I'd really recommend following Solid Starts. And use the search function on their website 'child won't eat' or something like that, I'm sure they will have an article on this, and in general it's such a brilliant weaning resource. I think at 8 months it's not a huge issue and probably a phase that will pass, but you could also try, changing the setting, e.g. sit him on your lap, or Sit him next to you and eat something and see if he wants to take it off your plate and try himself (don't offer or pressure, just eat next to him) - I can't remember the other things they recommend but I'm sure there are a few more. They also have advice about milk intake vs. solids.

Again….food before one is just for fun is fundamentally untrue. After 6 months children need nutrients from food - particularly iron - which if they don’t get enough of can cause cognitive damage. I’m not talking about missing a meal or a few days of not wanting to eat but food is essential and definitely not for fun

My son was not interested in solids really until he was 12/13 months old.
I also used to worry silly but honestly just keep doing what you're doing and try not to worry.
All the nutrients come from milk and they all get there in their own time.

My son is 4 now and eats like a horse and eats a good variety of food - so not being interested when he was a baby did him no harm at all.
And he was also a big 95th centile chubby baby!

Now a very fit and healthy active 4yr old.

Is he teething at all? DD always went off her food a while before a new tooth erupted, I think their gums start to feel weird even before they actively hurt and then obviously when they hurt they don't want to eat.

They’ll still get these nutrients from milk/formula. You don’t just put them straight on a three meal a day regime and let them go hungry if they don’t eat.

They’ll still get these nutrients from milk/formula. You don’t just put them straight on a three meal a day regime and let them go hungry if they don’t eat

but, crucially, nowhere near enough iron for brain development. just Google it

theearlyyearsdietitian.co.uk/2018/11/22/2018-11-22-food-under-1-is-just-for-fun-or-is-it/

My DD hates food in her mouth when she has a tooth coming through so it could just be that. They do also go through phases of just not being interested in food so it's most likely completely normal.

My DS went like this around the same age. Don't worry he will start eating again.
Also the heat doesn't help. My DS 16months is just getting over covid and has not eaten barely a thing all week or drank water! So I have regressed him and been giving him milk.
Every time he's ill he goes off his food actually.
Don't worry he'll be fine

My 8 month old had been a really good eater, mostly purées, until the last few days where she’s been absolutely livid if I go near her with a spoon. So apparently we are BLW now and she’s proud as punch gnawing away on her own.

If you have baby ice lolly moulds, frozen yoghurt with fruit purée can be good for teething