My daughter is 11 months and has never been the best eater. She definitely still loves all the soft, pureed baby food and is very picky about starting to eat regular food. All of a sudden for the past several days, she has been very difficult to feed. She takes a few bites, and refuses anymore. Sometimes she gets very agitated and starts to cry. She has started doing the same thing with her bottles. It is so frustrating! I don't know is she is teething, or just not hungry. Or is she is bored with what she is eating. She has had some runny poops lately, and has been pooping often at times, but not everyday. Some days her bowel movments are normal. I am just nervous she is not getting enough food in her little tummy, and not getting enough nutrition. Has anyone else experienced this?
Thanks to everyone who responded to my question. My daughter has started eating, but it varies. Some meals she eats no problem, others she is picky and fussy with. As a mother its hard not to worry, but I have to trust my instincts and also my daughter. She knows when she is full, and at times she will just not be hungry. I appreciate that others go through the same thing and I am not alone. Happy Holidays!!!
My daughter did that, and like 4 days later she popped in 2 teeth. However, other than being a little whine, she was fine otherwise. I did take her to the doctor, who said not to worry, but it wasn't teething. It was like 36 hours after that appointment that the first tooth cut through.
S.,
Good Afternoon... I am a mother of 2 boys - 24 yrs old and 10 yrs old... My oldest one - Brian stopped eating at the age of 8 months old... Because he was going to the doctor every month, his pediatrician noticed no weight gain and diagnosed him as "failure to thrive". After ruling out Cystic Fibrosis, the doctor sent us to a specialist for Ears, Nose and Throat. The ENT doctor took one look at my son and ordered testing for allergies, adenoids and tonsil issues... The results came back that my son had ENLARGED ADENOIDS the size of a 2 year old's at 8 months old... He couldn't breathe and eat at the same time... so he chose to breathe...
Of course, after my son had surgery, his paternal grandmother remembered that the same thing had happened to his father! You think she could have remembered a little earlier?
I hope this helps...
Sounds like a big, bad tooth!
My son is a huge eater, but when a tooth is coming- no sippy cup and no food! He just wants nothing to do with either one. Give her a day or two. If she still won't eat, or if she shows any others concerning signs, go to the doc. Also, give her some motrin!
And I would definitely try something she could chew on, which may help her tooth situation. Maybe a slightly melted juice popsicle, cut off the stick? Or a cold banana (right out of the fridge), cold melon, or one of those organic teething biscuits.
Good luck!
S.,
How long has this been happening?? More than a day? If she is not taking her bottles too then...as a mother of two and have learned a few things....I would take your daughter to her doctor. BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY as the saying goes....good luck!
I know exactly what you are going through. My daughter just turned 2, and she is still pretty sporadic with her eating. As I've heard from others, and which I've adopted as my mantra, is that as long as you are offering a good variety of foods, your child will not starve herself. I've noticed that Sophie will eat very well for 1 day, then taper off for the next few. She always has energy, and is growing just fine. I've even heard that the "just one more bite" routine is not the best. Just offer the food, and when your child says no (or indicates no), let it be at that. From what I understand, this will also help prevent against obesity and other eating disorders. As long as your child continues to thrive, I would not be concerned. That said, my niece, who is the same in her eating habits, also had a vitamin D deficiency (odd, especially considering she was living in Florida, the Sunshine State, at the time). So check all this out with your pediatrician, make sure your child is healthy and growing. Then let it be, as hard as it is.
Dear S.,
I agree with Teena it is normal for children to go through phases of not eating but I would make sure she doesn't have a sore throat, or ear infection if it is a sudden onset. If she is fine then it could just be teething. My kids never ate great for all three meals. Both of my kids were good breakfast eaters, lunch and dinner were always different. As long as you offer food when she is hungry she will eat. Just keep trying different things. My kids were eating table food by 11 months and loved it. Is it possible she has a belly ache if her stools are runny. Maybe intolerance to milk or reflux. I would get it checked out and rule out anything medical. Good luck and have a great Holiday Season!!
I think mother nature takes care best. We should always listen first to our babies; then to ourselves. She is best not eating for now, until her problem settles itself. Follow her cues and she'll be fine. If it goes on too long, see your doctor. My own son often ate absolutely nothing for days, and then everything in sight. Once when he went 5 days with nothing but juice I took him to his doctor who tested his blood and found him "just fine" and told me to stop worrying. He is now grown, 6'4" tall and strong as an ox. I always let him eat what and when he wanted. He has great eating habits, loves fruit and never had any weight problems (as I always did)
