Concerns over 1 year old's eating.....

[chicagomum]

DS turned 1 a couple of weeks ago. Feed fine as a baby, weaned sucessfully and has always had a great appetite. However for the past 6-8 weeks he has had 2 stomach bugs and 4 colds. He now has 4 7oz bottles a day, (water offered throughout), but pretty much refuses any solids or finger foods other than toast and brioche. Also he is sleeping a lot (yesterday he woke at 10 am went back down at 1pm until 7pm and back to bed at 9pm until 9am this morning). I realise that being ill takes it out of you and can derease your appetite, and other than this he is very happy and content (doesn't look underweight etc) but am concerned about getting him back to eating normally (particularly as dd (4) has always been a problem with food). Has anyone experienced something similar, and have any advice.

Give him time and try not to let him pick up on your anxiety
If you are concerned, get him a multivitamin syrup, you can get some specifically for when a child has been poorly (minadex???) but I would just keep offering him plenty to drink and food he will eat, then just keep offering easy food, yoghurt, fruit etc
He'll be back to normal in no time

.

I agree with tillykins - keep offering him food and eventually he will take it. My ds had phases of nothing but yoghurt around this age especially after he'd been unwell. If he's sleeping that much that sounds like a growth spurt more than anything as you say he's otherwise happy and content. If was lethargic and not himself then I'd be concerned. Just try and remember that you don't eat much yourself when you're ill and you might lose a bit of weight but you always put it back on. Keep smiling....

It could just be a phase. DT1 would only eat toast and yogurt for a couple of months after she turned one. Now she turns her nose up at yogurt and wolfs everything else down.

I'm sure he'll be fine. If he's happy and content then he's probably eating more than you realise. Jot down what he eats (including the snacks), you may surprise yourself.

The point is he isn't eating anything..... Today was 4 7oz bottles of milk and one slice of toast, and went to bed at 5.30pm. As this has been going on for at least 6weeks surely his diet is severely restricted (no meat/chicken/fish/veg etc. basically dairy and wheat). Would it be an idea to offer solids rather than milk at this age to encourage feeding ( or even at 1 is he still getting more from milk tham solids).

I also have a son who turned 1 last week. Have you mentioned this to your HV at all? My wee one was going through a phase of not eating, and he was getting 4 7oz bottles, (breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and a bed time bottle) My HV told me to cut out the bottles and see what happened. it took some getting used to, but the milk was basically filling him up and he wouldn't be hungry. He now has 1 1/2 weetabix with milk, and a 5oz bottle. Lunch is (example) Soup with bread and a kiwi to follow, then a 4oz bottle in the afternoon, Dinner, cottage pie with peas and then a 5/6oz bottle at bed time. Maybe if you hold back on the bottle he will want to eat? Just a suggestion, I know it worked for me. I also give my son a bottle (Not a feeding bottle, but a bottle that has a lid like a straw..Tesco) full of water, and make sure he sips at it throughout the day!

Can I ask if it is still formula milk you are giving him? As if it is then this will be filling him up.

Four bottles a day at 1 is a lot. My ds was on one morning and one evening at that stage and just water in between and with meals. I bet if you cut the milk down (it might seem harsh) he will be hungry and start eating solids again.