14 month old doesn't want to eat still BF? Please help!

[veryVeryverytiredmum]

Hi, have nc, my 14 month old baby doesn't want to eat. He drinks BM about 4 to 5 times a day and he used to have 3 meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) with no problem until he has become a 14 month old. Any ideas?

He doesn't feed himself, I didn't do baby led weaning, I still offered some finger food on his tray, but usually ends up on the floor and very little if any goes into his mouth/stomach.

I have tried giving him lots of different food, nothing works, I am desperate.

If he is still having plenty of milk (which he sounds like he is) and he is otherwise well, then you could try just offering your family food (cut up into suitable size bits if necessary). Let him do whatever he wants with it, and don't get concerned if he eats none of it. Just let him play with the food, eat it if he wants, or even just ignore it. Whilst he's doing that, you eat the same food and don't comment or interact with him about the food/his eating. When a reasonable amount of time has passed then just clear up and move on. I would also give him a spoon and/or a fork to let him get used to those as well.

It could take a couple of weeks for him to get the idea that he can feed himself, but he will get there.

If you don't already, you could also give a multivitamin as well.

Apparently babies at this age do start to eat less than they did before as their growth slows down.

The one thing you want to avoid is making mealtimes stressful or a battle. Just offer food, and leave it up to your ds to eat or not as he chooses.

Brighton I am doing this everyday, it's so stressful and messy Will persevere though. I was expecting a change in days, you say weeks, so I was probably being optimistic. Thank you.

OP you have 3 threads going on this now. It really is better just to stick to one...

Could you cut back on some of the breast feeds? He might not be very hungry as he's filling up on BM. Perhaps offer a feed morning, mid afternoon and before bed? He can have water in a cup the rest of the day, and perhaps this will encourage him to eat a bit more, even if it's just his lunch?

It is possible also that he's sensing your anxiety. My DD same age sometimes faffs around with her food and the more I buzz around her trying to get her to eat, the less she will eat. I find if I put the food on a plate on her tray and then do other things in the kitchen like wash up, chop veg, feed the cat (whatever!) then she gets on and eats her dinner. When she starts dropping it on the floor or loudly shouting 'ta' while trying to get me to take her pasta/chicken/broccoli then I know she has had enough!

Another tactic that I know works for some is to eat with your son. Perhaps if you share a sandwich with him, or he can eat it off your plate instead of his (!) he might eat a bit. This is based on the principle that children like to a) copy and b) have whatever you've got.