11.5 Month Old with Weird Eating Issues and Symptoms

I would say that it may be a combition of things. If she has a fever and new molars coming in that could be the cause of things. Normally new foods that kids have issues with don't get sick. Since you daughter is having issues taking fluids at daycare I may seem cruel I would take her off the breast totally and give her liquids in either bottle or sippy cup etc. It appears that she is refusing anything but the breast and since you can't be with her 24/7 this may be the only alternative.

You probably have your own gut instinct as to what is going on, but I'd like to offer the possibility that this is all due to teething. My kids do not like sippy cups when they are teething, molars in particular. The sucking like that seems to bother them. They were ok with cups and definitely ok with nursing. My first, when he got his one year molars, was miserable. He went on a mostly-liquid diet for almost two weeks: yogurt, ice cream, milk, applesauce. Needless to say, this gave him diarrhea, and then diaper rash. He had a rash--like heat rash all over his belly. He ran fevers that ran for a few hours, broke, came back, broke, and so forth for over a week. And he threw up. Not a lot, but like spitting up, which he hadn't done in a while, but also including solid food. It didn't seem to bother him much, and it wasn't quite as nasty as throw up is when he's sick. That happened when he moved around too much after eating too much--even after a couple hours. Anyway--he was cranky, but not limited in his play. When my kids are truly sick, they're lethargic too...he wasn't. He was just irritable. I had NO IDEA what was going on with him, but after that week, he had two more teeth. He did that whole cycle again a month later, and we had the upper molars. I have heard some people say that eyeteeth are really hard for their kids; my first had a really hard time with his one year molars. Anyway, to me, that looks like teething, but like I said, you probably have a gut feeling what is bugging her; don't ignore your gut, either!

S. - my first thought is the molars. When my son was teething, every tooth was an ear infection. It was terrible.

But you probably want to introduce one food at a time and make sure that she's tolerating it. I recall that it was 2 or 3 days and then if all is well, add another food.

Water is so important in our diet and something that we don't usually get enough of. Of course, it needs to be clean, filtered water because tap water is contaminated with so many toxins including prescription drugs. If she's not getting enough water, she can become dehydrated and one sign is constipation. Not sure the recommended amount of water for a one year old but I imagine your doctor or even google can answser that question.

Good luck,

y.

I would worry about the fever and the puking she sounds sick. That maybe part of why she is not eating well and or drinking. Nursing is a comfort too and my daughter would nurse when she didn't feel well even if she would take anything else. Allergies usually don't cause a fever, but teeth can lower their immune system and make it more likely for them to pick up something especially if she just went back to daycare. Poor little angel:(
If she is eating well but not drink fluids you might try giving her food with a higher liquid content. Melons are good. Also a "big Girl" cup might be exciting. Or a straw.

My guess is the fever and puking are probably due to a stomach bug and not the new foods, though the fever could be teething and the puking a new food, so it's hard to say. The constipation is probably from lack of liquids. I'd probably suggest stopping with the new foods for a few days and when she is back to normal reintroduce them slowly. That way, if she does have a reaction again, you'll have a better idea of the culprit. As far as the drinking, she is probably reacting to having you all summer and then going back to other providers. Continue to try to get her to drink in any way you can, but cut back on the new foods until you can tell what's causing the fever/tummy issues. Good luck!

First of all be patient. Her getting sick is probably stress. Take away the yogurt for a few days, if she is still fever/vomiting take away the milk or mix 1/2 milk with either formula or your milk. I highly doubt that it is the barley in the baby food. She may just be sick too, if you see her pull her ears or something get her to a Dr. The multi-grain bread is also a concern to me. If she is not drinking enough fluids this would not help her constipation issues. My suggestion is give her lots of water, apple and pear juice, if she won't take these try pedialite, if all else fails have her suck on popsicles-especially for teething this will help numb them and make her feel better, plus it is hydration that she will need.

hope this helps and good luck to you.

It's probably just the molars, or the molars and a stomach bug, but it's hard to know for sure when there were 3 new foods introduced in one day. I would stick to foods you know agree with her for a while and see if she feels better.

Great to hear that she likes the cow's milk and water so is getting some fluids. My friend recommended the baby yogurt (organic) when I wanted to introduce it.My daughter loved it, ate half a little container for supper but then at bedtime hours later had vomitting. When we were ready to try yogurt again we just did regular yoplait- nothing organic or with live cultures. Has not had a problem since.

I think the fever/puking is either teething or an unrelated virus. That said, at 11 1/2 months my son gave up bottles on his own-- he either wanted milk from the breast or water/juice in his sippy. So my advice is keep nursing her every chance you get (It's STILL the best thing for her!) and have daycare/dad/Grandma/Grandpa give her liquids (a little at a time in case she spills) in a regular cup.

As a side note, I wouldn't be in any hurry to wean from the breast. Nursing a toddler is SO relaxing-- you don't have to worry about pumping or supply anymore because they're eating solids, and on the days they don't eat much, you don't worry because they'll nurse good. AND if this flu season really is bad, a comfort nursing toddler's less likely to end up in the hospital for dehydration....

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it is common for babies to go on nursing or feeding strikes when a regular schedule is broken. so it sounds like her not wanting to eat during the day is just a bit of a strike, and the more it is forced, the harder it is going to be for her to feel safe with the people doing the "forcing"

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contact someone who can help you, and keep nursing! you are doing awesome, and im so happy you have nursed so long! :D

just have patience with her.
when formula is given, it is common that a baby would need more water. no one tells people that, and it causes a lot of issues. its more concentrated, so it can be very constipating, breastmilk has a lot of water in it, so it typically does not.
also consider an allergy to the type of formula given.

buuut, it sounds like she is fine. she could have a teething issue, she could have a flu or cold bug (do not panic, shes probably going to be fine, especially with your keeping so close an eye on her!)

so just allow her to nurse on demand, or whatever you need to do. wont day care accept pumped breastmilk? that seems rude, and you should see if you can press them harder to do things the way you want.. it is your legal right to have your child fed the way you feel is best.

anyway,
just relax and keep up the good work! :D

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Well it could be a number of number of things your daughter may have caught a virus or she may have vomited from getting upset from her teeth bothering which could cause the fever also you should really only try one new food at a time that way you can watch for a food allergy the milk and yogurt would be ok or you could try some juice since you did say your daughter is constipated apple juice or prune juice works great but none of my kids liked the prune personally even a cranberry you can either get baby juice or use juicy juice and use half water. They also make these mesh teether things that you can put a piece of frozen fruit in and it is suppost to help I never personally used them but I have heard mixed results on them. I had good results on hylands teething tablets. Good luck I know its hard on us mommies also when are kids are not feeling well.

Hi S., I have had similar things happen to me with my son, although I was pretty good about not trying too many new things at once, which is one thing I'll recommend. Take all three new foods out of the picture until these symptoms/behaviours have stopped. 2ndly, yes, regardless of what doctors tell you, teething will/can make your child have a temp and sometimes even vomit. Teething will also bring on cold-like symptoms, like runny/stuffy nose and earaches. every single time my son was teething, he'd develop cold symptoms. Take a deep breath and try to relax. :) She'll get through it, hopefully soon.
One thing you might want to try with her regarding refusing drinks from others, is fill a sippy in front of her and hand it to the caregiver. Tell her that you want her to feel good and to drink it. That way it'll reinforce the cargiver saying "drink this for mommy!" some variations of that might help encourage her, and I wish you luck!

A. J
I'm a mom of 2 1/2 yr old Jacob, and a daycare provider. :)