14 months and barely eating solids, did weaning improve later?

[Helpwithweaning1]

Im having a bit of a day of it today and just wanted some reassurance that things will be ok in the long run!
My DD is 14 months, always tiny, wasn’t even on the charts when born but moved up to 9th centile with formula.
we started weaning at 6 months and have tried a mix of spoon and baby led but she’s never really had much interest. She started nursery at 10 months and I was hoping seeing other babies eat would do wonders but it didn’t, she still doesn’t really eat meals there. At home we just give her whatever we are eating, she might have a little bit of breakfast (this morning half a fromage frais and a few bites of toast) but other than that, meals are all thrown on the floor without trying. No tongue tie.
shes under a dietician who just says keep trying and to keep her on formula so she gets the nutrients, this was 2 months ago. I’ve cut back to 6oz before nap and 8-10oz before bed but she still doesn’t really eat. There’s interest there because if I bring anything in the living room she’ll scoot over for a look, try a piece then remove it from her mouth and carry on playing unless it’s crisps or snacks which she will eat some of, so I don’t feel it’s a case of her being unable to eat.
we eat at the table with her, leave her to it, let her make a mess etc but we just don’t seem to be getting anywhere and it’s breaking my heart. It’s all come to a head today when we had a family meal and I had to leave the table as she started playing up once all her meal was on the floor. I just wanted to cry!

please tell me someone else has gone through late weaning and it all turned out ok eventually!

I’m sorry that it all came to a head at the family meal and you haven’t had any responses. I totally get how you feel. We have one who was eventually diagnosed with ARFID so I totally get it

I think there are a few things to try and remember. Firstly, she is getting formula and she sounds bright and alert at times? Hungry babies can be quite lethargic.

You say she’s also gone up through her centiles? I know 9th is tiny but that’s how the centiles are formulated. Some will be on the 9th and sons will be on the 99th. Neither is wrong and, just like adults, babies do come in all sizes

If you go out for food again I think a bit of blithely ignoring them can help. I used to do this at home too. By all means take a couple of toys a book for her to look at but if you’re eating and she’s thrown everything away, I’d just pass her a toy and ignore any protests.

Have you read Look at the baby, not the scale?

Can I ask which formula she’s on too? If it’s follow on milk or toddler milk there is some research that the high iron levels can suppress appetite.

Thankyou so much for the response. My best friend also has ARFID so I have some experience too and know how challenging that can be 🩷

yes she seems happy and alert, does lots of playing and is generally a lovely kid, Just not fussed about food!

you’ve given some great suggestions, im definitely going to give them a try, worth a shot hey! And I will give that a read too.

she’s on follow on milk which is what her dietician recommended but I do half and half with cows milk. It’s perhaps time for a review really as that was a couple of months ago and it may well be affecting her appetite

Yes, it could be that it’s surpression her appetite but if she’s bright and alert and tracking her centiles, it may just be that she’s just not bothered.

You can try some activities like swimming, tiny tots or playgroup or making a little obstacle course at home. Physical activity coupled with no snacks might improve things but it might be a case of accepting that she will never be fussed by food.

My ARFID baby is in their late teens now and actually works in the catering industry. Healthy weight and height and eats a far wider range of food than they ever used to, try not to worry too much