My Child Refuses Food

Mummyto3RBH · 2025-09-30T21:24:32+00:00

14 month old has always refused any food, doesnt put anything to her moth other than bottle, blanket or own hand. She licks spoon then closes mouth and refuses to open it again, baby led weaning is also encouraged daily however like I said she doesnt put anything to her mouth.

verycloakanddaggers · 01/10/2025 02:29

Have she been seen by the GP or the Health Visitor about this? That's the priority I would think if you are saying she eats no solids at all.

Ooooompa · 01/10/2025 02:29

Put a smear of purée on her hand? And then chat/sing etc to her in the high chair but definitely don't focus on the food and she might put her hand in her mouth. Drop the idea that she'll get any nutrition from it and just aim to get a little bit inside her mouth for flavour etc. little and often and that might generate her interest. Might not be quick though!

Original poster

Mummyto3RBH · 01/10/2025 06:31

Thankyou for the advice, she has been seen by health visitor who is going to monitor her closely

OP posts:

PersephoneParlormaid · 01/10/2025 06:34

Do you sit her in the high chair and feed her, or do you sit her at the table while you and others eat? Make it a sociable thing rather than a ‘you must eat’ thing.

Original poster

Mummyto3RBH · 01/10/2025 12:07

PersephoneParlormaid · 01/10/2025 06:34

Do you sit her in the high chair and feed her, or do you sit her at the table while you and others eat? Make it a sociable thing rather than a ‘you must eat’ thing.

She sits in her high chair at the table with myself and her older brothers

OP posts:

Bitzee · 01/10/2025 12:23

What does ‘the health visitor is going to monitor her closely’ mean? That sounds like useless fob off tbh.

She needs to be seen by a GP for an examination to rule out anything medical going on that would prevent her from chewing and swallowing solids. I’d also ask the GP about a referral to SALT, because they don’t just deal with speech- they also assess and help with feeding issues. Also ask about seeing a paediatrician dietician because milk alone isn’t sufficient for this age, iron especially is a concern because the iron stores they were born with are depleted by 14 months so you’ll need some advice on supplements whilst you’re trying to get to the bottom of the actual issue.

Original poster

Mummyto3RBH · 01/10/2025 12:39

Bitzee · 01/10/2025 12:23

What does ‘the health visitor is going to monitor her closely’ mean? That sounds like useless fob off tbh.

She needs to be seen by a GP for an examination to rule out anything medical going on that would prevent her from chewing and swallowing solids. I’d also ask the GP about a referral to SALT, because they don’t just deal with speech- they also assess and help with feeding issues. Also ask about seeing a paediatrician dietician because milk alone isn’t sufficient for this age, iron especially is a concern because the iron stores they were born with are depleted by 14 months so you’ll need some advice on supplements whilst you’re trying to get to the bottom of the actual issue.

Edited

The health visitor has given me advice on messy play and sensory difficulties with food however I have tried consistently with messy play as she is my 3rd child so I already knew most advice when it comes to weaning and had no issues with my eldest 2
I should have mentioned earlier that I do give her multivitamins to help with anything she may be missing.
I will contact the GP ASAP as nobody has given me this advice health visitor said that its not usually concerning to them until 1 year 8 months old but to me that seems to long for her to keep going with such little food
Thank you so much for the advice

OP posts:

BunnyRuddington · 02/10/2025 16:21

I think that is pretty poor advice from your HV. Definitely go to the GP and ask for a referral to a Paediatric Dietitian and SaLT.

Not putting anything in her mouth at 14 months does need investigation.