I have a very naughty and healthy boy , he is 1 year and 5 months old. He does not want to eat, he puts food in their mouth, chew it and then throw out it. I see that he is hungry but do not pass the food. We tried everything, we have changed the plates, varied food, we sat him at the table and no longer in his high chair, but nothing seems to work. He does not like any meat or chicken. He loves fruit and rice. Drink lots of milk and oatmeal. I am very concerned because I can notice he is not gain weight and he may have anemia. However he has a lot of energy and passes running everywhere. I work all day and my husband too. In the morning he is in a nursery and in the afternoon my mother cares for him. This behavior is normal to place the food in the mouth and then spit it out?
Thank you very much for all your answers! I take Mathías with his pediatrician and she takes a blood tests. He has an onset of anemia but it is not alarming. She suggested me that I give to him evething he realy likes: fruit and vegetables! Also we have to change the milk for Pediasure and we will give him three times a week legumes (lentils, peas and beans). Yesterday, the dinner was a success, he ate all the rice, potatoes, carrots and tomatoes that I offered to him. This time I did not put any kind of meat. About the chewing and spitting seems to be really only a stage, which he is testing the foods flavors and what he actually do not like, he throw out. I think that he the meat does not like. I'm trying to spend more time with him and will probably result. The pediatrician tells me that it is likely to go to the nursey day care also could has ffected to him a bit because it is a new environment and although the teacher pays attention, it is not only exclusively for the as it is at home and he may feel a bit lonely. But it will happen as he noticing thet it is in the same way with others babies.
Thank you very much for all your responses have helped me have no more stress, it is very difficult to be a mom and work full time.
I have 4 kids, and all of them went through the stage of chewing and then spitting out. I think they just wanted the taste of the food, and didn't understand that their body needed it for fuel. If they're otherwise happy and have energy, don't worry too much. But, keep explaining that spitting is rude, especially at the table, and explain that they have to SWALLOW for the food to make it all the way to the tummy. Good luck!
It's normal. Meat is seriously over-rated. Perhaps you have a natural vegetarian on your hands. Try offering some alternative protein-rich foods. Hummus is great! Almond butter is great! Quinoa. Beans & lentils. There are antibiotics and hormones in meat, so if you are going to give it to your child, make sure it is organic. (That goes for milk too!)
It's totally normal. Don't stress at all. This is an age where babies are learning what they can and can't do and food is something that they can control. If you're concerned about weight gain, you can focus on healthy foods like avocado, whole milk yogurt, cheese and other nutritious high fat foods. It may also be a textural issue. A lot of babies don't like to take the time to chew up meats b/c it's too time consuming. Offer lots of easy to chew, soft foods like beans, breads, ripe fruits and veggies.
Sometimes if they drink really a lot of milk, they aren't very hungry. I agree w/PP who advised to just keep offering and have food available. Good luck, I know it's very frustrating.
Don't react too much when the food is spit out--could be done for attention?
Yes, it is normal for toddlers to be very picky and spit out their food. Try not to make food a battle. Just keep offering. He won't starve. You said he was healthy so he must be eating enough, especially if he's so energetic!
Yes, it's completely normal. My son, who is 3, still does the same. I think it's a textural thing. He ends up eating what he needs. He also tends to eat 3 meals and about 5 snacks per day. He is more of a grazer, just like me, so I understand. Just keep offering, and he will eventually eat.
Trust me he will eat when he is hungry. I have raised two kids and did child care for 10 years they all go through this. Don't worry just make sure your offering water and other liquids. A lot of children have trouble with the texture of meats. Protien is availble through many other foods check the internet. I always made sure my picky eaters took a multi drop vitamin. Hang in there he will eat.
My son is 15 months and for a while did the same thing. How much milk is he drinking? If he's drinking a lot of milk he won't be hungry. My sons p. peditrican said if he eats 5% of the meals good. She also suggested that I offer food to him by putting a plate within arms reach so when he's playing if he's hungry he'll run over and eat some then play. And it worked. this went on for about a week, now we are back to eating in his high chair when he's suppose to. He will let you know when he's hungry. My son is a very active little one. I would call his peditrican to just be on the safe side. All kids go through the picky eater stage. So just relax and it'll work it's self out.
Stop playing his game. Might be a control issue at this age. Pass the food, do what you normally do. Don't go to any great lengths to get him to eat like cooking what he likes, he will eat. Spend more time with him, show him affection. My daughter would do things like that when I worked and I had to take time to be with her until she would get "filled" with my loving her and playing and attention.
I have also had kids who prefered soft food, and would chew then spit meat. I suggest you consider "feeding therapy" from a speech therapist or occupational therapist who works with pediatrics. Sometimes the muscles in their mouth aren't quite strong enough, or they have trouble forming a bolus to swallow, hence they spit it out. Therapy worked wonders for us!
